Natural
gas...
A safe energy
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CONTENTS
A natural energy
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A source of safe energy
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Gaz Métro – A team ready to serve you!
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A clean energy
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Prevention – Basic rules
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Feeling drowsy?
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Leakages – Basic rules
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In summary
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A NATURAL ENERGY
Natural gas is the principal source of heat and energy
in homes, businesses, institutions and large companies
in Canada. Nearly all the natural gas we use in Québec
comes from Western Canada. It is then transported directly
to your home through an extensive system of underground
infrastructures.
In Québec, more than 135,000 homes, a large percentage
of educational and health establishments, large companies
and businesses use natural gas as their main source
of energy.
Today, natural gas is one of the most commonly
used sources of energy in the world. Its benefits
are enjoyed by millions of people.
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A SOURCE OF SAFE ENERGY
A TEAM READY TO SERVE YOU
The properties of natural gas, the quality of the equipment
that uses it, and the codes governing its use make it one
of the safest sources of energy available. Gaz Métro’s distribution system is among the most modern in North America.
A team of experts looks after its maintenance, and it is
monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Gaz Métro is the third-largest natural gas distribution
company in Canada, with almost 10,000 km of pipelines
to transport natural gas to our customers.
IN ITS NATURAL STATE, NATURAL GAS IS ODOURLESS
An organic compound called mercaptan that has a sulphur
base is added to give natural gas a smell like that of rotten
eggs. This allows it to be detected in the air at concentrations
of less than 1%.
NATURAL GAS IS NOT TOXIC
Medical research has shown that people can breathe air with
up to a 25% concentration of natural gas without any harmful
effects. It is the lack of oxygen in the air and not natural gas
that might cause illness.
NATURAL GAS IS LIGHTER THAN AIR
If natural gas escapes into the air, it simply rises into
the atmosphere. It does not accumulate on the ground
like propane gas.
There are about a hundred control points across the whole
system that take real-time readings of the temperature,
pressure and flow rate of the natural gas. This important
information helps us manage the system and ensure its
effective and safe operation. In fact, the Gaz Métro system
is so well planned, built, maintained and monitored (24/7),
that it is one of the safest systems in North America.
Besides ensuring the optimal operation of its system and
conducting research and development, Gaz Métro encourages
individuals and companies to use energy better.
Gaz Métro also runs the École de technologies gazières.
This school offers professional and technical training on the
distribution and use of natural gas to Gaz Métro employees,
as well as to the employees of its commercial partners, industrial customers and the various public and private bodies
responsible for public security. The school also offers quality
training, approved by the Québec Ministry of Education, to
students registered in the program that leads to a trade in
the natural gas sector.
Internet site: www.gazmetro.com/etg
NATURAL GAS DOES NOT IGNITE EASILY
It would take a very high temperature (538˚ Celsius)
for natural gas to catch fire.
However, it will ignite if there is a concentration of between
5-15% of natural gas in the air and someone uses a lighter,
or there is a static discharge caused by a switch. A lighted
cigarette would have the same effect.
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A CLEAN ENERGY
Natural gas is the cleanest of all the fossil fuels since it
contributes the least to the phenomena of smog, acid rain,
and global warming.
Natural gas household appliances produce no ash, dust
or black smoke. Replacing heating oil by natural gas can
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30%.
At Gaz Métro, the environment is a constant concern, and
so we have introduced an environmental policy. As well,
Gaz Métro’s distribution system is almost entirely underground, which helps preserve the beauty of the Québec
countryside. We manage our development activities and
the operation of our natural gas distribution system with
the help of an Environmental Management System (EMS)1.
This system assures you that our day-to-day decisions
and actions respect our environmental policy.
By making sure your natural gas appliances are in good working order,
you, too, are contributing to good air
quality.
Ensure that the rooms where such
appliances are installed are well
ventilated and that you follow the
maintenance instructions supplied
by their manufacturer.
Gaz Métro offers its customers energy efficiency programs to
help them manage their energy consumption better. To learn
the details about the different programs, call our Customer
Service at (514) 598-3222 (in Montréal), or 1-800-567-1313,
or visit our Internet site at www.gazmetro.com.
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Gaz Métro’s EMS is registered according to the ISO 14001 standard
of the International Organization for Standardization by the Bureau de
normalisation du Québec (Québec Standards Bureau) – Re-registration
of the system (BNQ-ES), November 2003.
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PREVENTION – BASIC RULES
If you use natural gas equipment, you need to know and
respect the basic rules regarding the use of natural gas.
• It is recommended that you have your equipment
installed by a Gaz Métro certified partner.
• Appliances should be regularly inspected and
maintained by qualified personnel. This is an excellent
preventive measure that can help detect a condensation
problem and spot any signs of wear and tear. Poorly
maintained appliances can give off carbon monoxide
(CO) that can have harmful health effects.
• The natural gas flame should be blue. The blue indicates
that your appliances are operating at their best. Avoid
using an appliance that has a yellow or orange flame,
and have it checked right away. However, it is quite
normal for your fireplace flame to be tinged with yellow.
• Any natural gas equipment (connections, regulators, etc.)
located outdoors should be accessible at all times.
The inspection, maintenance and repair of natural gas
equipment and appliances should also be done by specialists. Make sure you have this work carried out by a company
that is licensed by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec and that
is a member of the Corporation of Master Pipe Mechanics of
Quebec. Any technician or plumber working on natural gas
equipment should have a certificate from Emploi-Québec
to work with natural gas.
For further informations on services offered or to obtain
the list of certified partners in your area, call our Customer
Service at (514) 598-3222 (in Montréal) or 1-800-567-1313,
or visit our Internet site at www.gazmetro.com.
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For your safety, before you do
any digging on your property, you
should first check the location of
underground natural gas installations.
To do so, simply call Info-Excavation
at (514) 286-9228 (in Montréal) or
1 800 ON EXCAVE (1-800-663-9228),
or visit www.info-ex.com,
preferably three days before
starting the work. This
service is free.
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FEELING DROWSY?
WHAT ARE THE MAIN SYMPTOMS
OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING?
It could be due to carbon monoxide (CO), an odourless,
colourless, non-irritating toxic gas that is produced in small
quantities by gasoline engines and by equipment that burns
fuels such as heating oil, propane, wood, or natural gas.
When such equipment is used properly and well maintained,
the quantity of CO produced does not create a problem.
The symptoms are headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness
and vomiting. In extreme situations, carbon monoxide
poisoning may be fatal.
However, equipment that is faulty or poorly maintained,
or used in a poorly ventilated place, may lead to poisoning.
HOW CAN I AVOID SUCH A SITUATION?
• Have all your fuel-burning equipment maintained regularly.
The maintenance should be done by a qualified technician
with practical knowledge of the operation, installation
and venting of fuel-burning equipment.
• Ensure that your exhaust vents and chimney
are in good condition.
WOULD A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR BE USEFUL?
The use of a carbon monoxide detector is not mandatory,
but it is recommended by the Régie du bâtiment, the CSST
and by fire departments. A detector will trigger an alarm
if the level of carbon monoxide exceeds a pre-determined
threshold.
If you plan to have one installed, it should meet the
CAN/CSA standard 6.19. This type of carbon monoxide
detector is available at most big-box stores.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF
I SUSPECT CARBON MONOXIDE IS PRESENT?
Leave immediately. If others are not feeling well, move
them outdoors. In case of illness, contact the appropriate
medical services by dialing 9-1-1.
Ensure that you ventilate the premises well and that
you determine the cause of the carbon monoxide before
returning to the building.
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LEAKAGES – BASIC RULES
A natural gas leak can be detected by the smell of
rotten eggs. The odour is noticeable at concentrations
of less than 1%.
If you notice a suspicious smell in the air, there may be
a gas leakage. If so, simply follow these instructions:
1. Do not smoke.
2. Do not turn on or off any appliance or switch that could
produce a spark (doorbell, light switch, cellular telephone
or other electrical appliance).
3. If you are inside a building, open the doors
and windows to let the air in.
4. Leave your home.
5. Call 9-1-1, if this service is available in your region.
If not, call 1-800-361-8003.
IN SUMMARY
When used properly, natural gas is an energy source
that is efficient, reliable and safe. That is why it is playing
a larger role on the Québec energy scene, becoming
as popular as it is elsewhere in the world.
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