Gas safety

EnergySafety, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection's Energy Safety Division, is responsible for safety regulation of the Western Australian electricity and gas sectors. Further information is available from the Department of Commerce's EnergySafety webpage or by calling the Energy Safety Division on 1800 678 198. All the information within this section is taken summarised from this source.

Distributor Responsibilities - Gas quality and reliability of supply

Reliability and quality of gas supply is the responsibility of the relevant gas distributor. There may be times when your gas supply needs to be disrupted for maintenance, expansion, repair, emergency or for health and safety reasons.

When your gas service is the subject of an unplanned interruption, Synergy or the relevant distributor, will try to keep you up to date with what’s going on. For unplanned gas interruptions, please call 13 13 52 to find out more information.

When your gas service is the subject of a planned interruption, Synergy or the relevant distributor, will seek to provide you with reasonable advance notice but by no later than any timeframes prescribed by law.

Retailer Responsibilities

Synergy aims to ensure the gas distributor provides gas supply as prescribed by law. You will receive our highest standard of service when we are responding to your enquiries. When you call us we will try and answer your questions immediately. If we need to gather more information for you, we will get back to you as soon as we’ve done so.

You can contact us in any of the following ways:

• Call us during Business Hours:
  Business customers (within Western Australia) 1300 859 333.
  From outside Western Australia (08) 6212 2222.
  TTY for customers with hearing or speech difficulties (08) 9221 8608.
  An interpreter service will be arranged if you don't speak English 1300 859 333.
• Write to us: Synergy, GPO Box K851, Perth, WA 6842
• Fax us: (08) 9221 4628
• For any emergency or supply faults, if you can smell gas, or if your gas supply has been interrupted, call 13 13 52 (available 24 hours).
• Before starting any major works, visit the Dial Before You Dig website at www.1100.com.au

Because your gas supply is transported through underground pipelines, any damage to these pipelines can result in gas supply disruptions, and sometimes expensive repair costs. To minimise the risk of this happening, contact your gas distributor before starting any major external works or visit www.dialbeforeyoudig.com.au for more information.
As a Synergy customer you also have certain obligations in terms of your gas usage. For example you should:

• Maintain your natural gas installation in a safe condition and protect equipment from damage and interference.
• Provide safe unhindered access to the supply address. 
• Not use gas in a manner that interferes with the distributor’s network equipment. 
• Use only licensed gas fitters for gas connection, appliance and equipment installation.

With any gas appliance, make sure you do the following:

• Read and follow the instructions supplied by the manufacturer for gas appliances and gas equipment before installation and use. 
• Only use gas appliances and gas equipment for their designated purpose. 
• Regularly service appliances and equipment using a licensed gas fitter and 
• Ensure there’s adequate ventilation around gas appliances so there is an adequate oxygen supply for your appliances to work safely and efficiently.

Gas emergencies can have serious consequences such as fire, explosions, carbon monoxide poisoning and asphyxiation. If there is any emergency, you can smell gas, or your gas supply isn’t working, please call the 24 hour emergency phone line, 13 13 52. They can work quickly to avert any further problems, by entering land and properties, removing or repairing equipment, and if need be, they can also interrupt, suspend or restrict the gas supply.

Gas is a safe and efficient source of energy – when used properly. When we install your gas supply, and when manufacturers create gas appliances, such as stoves and heaters, there are many safety features to protect you and your business from malfunctions. To get the full benefit of these safety features, it’s crucial that installation is always carried by out by a professional.

Smell of Gas

Did you know that there is a legal requirement to add a strong odour to gas, so your sense of smell can alert you when there is a leak? The most common ingredient added to gas to make it smell is Ethyl Mercaptan, which gives it such a distinctive scent.

If you can smell gas in a building, you need to act fast. Here is some advice about what to do. Always remember to follow the gas supplier’s instructions.

• Turn off the gas supply to the building at the meter or cylinder. Don’t assume that turning off the gas at the meter will stop the leak however as sometimes the leak may be coming from a nearby main or service. 
• If you think it’s necessary, evacuate the building. 
• Reduce the risk of fire by extinguishing any naked flames, preventing smoking and striking of matches or lighters, and by not touching any electrical switches. 
• If lights are on, leave them on. 
• Ventilate the building by opening all the doors and windows. 
• Notify the gas supplier or delegate to another staff member so you can attend to other more urgent tasks relating to the gas leak. 
• Do not enter the gas-affected area.