Natural Gas Detectors – Frequently Asked Questions

Natural Gas Detectors

Think you know everything you need to know about natural gas detectors? Test your knowledge by reading through these frequently asked questions…you might be surprised.

1. Natural gas smells, so why do I need a natural gas detector?

It’s true that natural gas gives off a smell of there is a leak so why do you need a natural gas detector. That natural gas smell is actually an additive…it is not the smell of the gas. Natural gas is odorless, so that rotten egg odor is put in and used as a warning. This is wonderful…if you are awake when the leak happens! If not, or you aren’t home, then the gas will continue to build to higher and more dangerous levels.

2. If my natural gas detector goes off, isn’t it too late?

The danger factor of natural gas is measured by its Lower Explosive Limit, or LEL. Basically, if the concentration of natural gas reaches 100% LEL, you’ve got an explosion waiting to happen. Natural gas detectors are designed to detect gas at a much lower concentration, between 10% and 20% of the LEL. That gives you lots of time to take action.

3. What do I do when the detector goes off?

First of all, if your home gas monitor is acivated, don’t panic! As mentioned above, you have time to act before there is any risk of explosion (You will have probably noticed that natural gas smell). That said, you want to make sure there are no open flames anywhere in the house, and no lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes. Do not use any electrical switches, such as your lights…leave everything as it is. Have someone go down and turn the gas off, while someone else opens all of the windows and doors. If the alarm continues to go off, then leave the house and call emergency services and they can arrive with a natural gas sniffer.

Natural Gas Detectors

4. What’s the best way to test natural gas detectors?

Believe it or not, some people test them by cranking up their natural gas stove and closing all the doors and windows. Don’t do this! Most natural gas detectors have a test button on them, which will let you know that the batteries and sensors are working. You can do a gas detection test by holding a disposable lighter near the sensor and pressing the gas release. Make sure you just squirt out some gas, not light the lighter. If all is working properly, the alarm will go off. This is the best way to test a natural gas leak detector.

5. If I have a carbon monoxide detector, I’m safe…right?

Wrong! These gases behave differently, and one detector cannot reliably detect both. Natural gas weighs less than air, and will rise and accumulate near the ceiling. Carbon monoxide weighs the same as air, but because it is released along with warm air from a stove or other appliance, it will rise as well…but not necessarily as high. Your combustible gas detectors needs to be mounted closer than a foot from the ceiling, and between 3 and 15 feet from your natural gas appliance.

The same will go if you have a radon gas detector as this is not only different to carbon monoxide but it is also different to other natural gases.

As you can see, there is more to know about natural gas, the natural gas smell and natural gas detectors than you may have realized! If you want to keep your family safe, it’s important to know as much as you can about how gases behave, how a natural gas detector works, and how best to use them and the gas detector accessories.