Flooding and Natural Gas Equipment Safety Advisory
Any natural gas appliance, meter or regulator that gets partially or fully submerged in water presents a potential risk.
Should that happen, be sure to contact Gazifère technical services at 819-771-8321, option 1, at any time. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and will send a technician to inspect your natural gas equipment to ensure that everything is in order.
IMPORTANT!
Never venture into a flooded area where there is equipment running on electricity, including gas-fired appliances, due to the risk of severe injury from electrical shock.
If you smell gas or notice any damage to natural gas equipment, leave the area immediately, and call the Gazifère emergency number at 819-771-8321, option 1. Your call will be given priority.
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In collaboration with Ville de Gatineau, Gazifère is keeping a close eye on the evolving situation with the spring freshets. The safety of residents and our employees is our priority:
Gazifère is checking water levels at least three times a day in all sectors.
- As soon as Ville de Gatineau partially or fully closes a street, Gazifère is notified and begins monitoring those sectors more closely. If local traffic is allowed and there are no security issues, Gazifère keeps the natural gas service (meter) open.
- Gazifère will temporarily close meters as a preventive measure in the following three cases:
- our crews are denied access and can no longer access one or more buildings due to a total street closure by Ville de Gatineau;
- use of the street is clearly dangerous (for instance if the pavement has collapsed); or
- water is at least 15 cm deep on the street or the property, and the meter is no longer accessible.
In either of those cases, the fire department will accompany Gazifère so it can temporarily close the meter(s).
Please feel free to contact Gazifère for additional information by calling 819-771-8321 at any time of the day. You can also write to info@gazifere.com, during our business hours, or consult the Gazifère website.
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ONCE THE WATER HAS RECEDED
Flooding can impair the effectiveness of safety devices installed in natural gas equipment and appliances. If a natural gas appliance has been submerged or turned off for safety reasons, here are a few guidelines that you should follow in preparation for the reconnection of your meter and appliances:
- Make sure that the home or building’s electrical panel is connected.
- Make sure that the area near your natural gas appliances is clear and dry.
- Any appliance damaged by water will need to be repaired or replaced before it can be relit.
- Prior to the reconnection of your meter, a natural gas certified contractor will need to inspect your appliances. IMPORTANT: Only a Gazifère technician is permitted to reconnect your meter after flooding.
If you are renting your equipment, contact Gazifère at 819-771-8321, option 2, to have one of our technicians come an inspect your equipment, and start up the meter and your appliances.
If you own your equipment, you can contact any certified natural gas contractor to inspect your appliances. Afterwards, you or your contractor can contact Gazifère at 819-771-8321, option 52, to request that your meter and appliances be started up again.
If your appliances were not affected by the flooding, but your natural gas meter was shut off as a safety precaution, contact Gazifère at 819-771-8321, option 2, to have one of our technicians come and start up the meter and your appliances.