Natural gas is a safe and clean source of energy and used throughout our campus, but like any gas, there is potential for it be released unintendedly.
The most common way natural gas leaks are detected is by the smell, but you may notice a hissing sound from a connection in a lab or dead vegetation near a buried gas line.
Evacuate the area immediately. This includes evacuating buildings that may be the source or be bringing the gas in through air handling equipment. Evacuate to an emergency assembly point that isn’t in the area of the leak.
If the odor is very strong, do not do anything to create a spark that could cause an explosion. Do not turn on or off any light switch or electrical device, do not use a cell phone, ring a doorbell, or use a flashlight. Any spark could ignite a fire or explosion.
For more information, see PG&E's page on gas safety.
Before
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Identify your escape routes should you need to evacuate your place of work or study. Also identify your Emergency Assembly Points.
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Identify natural gas shutoff valves for your building, especially for research laboratories.
During
If you smell natural gas odors:
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Turn off all stoves, open flames, and other potential ignition sources.
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Call 911.
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Move people out of the areas in which a gas odor can be detected and open doors and windows on your way out.
If you have been told to evacuate an area due to a natural gas odor:
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Turn off all ovens, open flames, and other potential ignition sources.
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Open windows and doors as you evacuate the area.
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Convene at the designated Emergency Assembly Points. If you can still smell a gas odor, continue moving farther.
After
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Understand that it may take the fire department or the fire marshal some time to clear a building and determine that there is no remaining natural gas danger.
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Do not re-enter the building until cleared to do so by the fire department or Campus Safety.
Additional Resources
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Natural Gas Safety (PG&E)