For Emergency Responders
In an effort to help educate first responders so that they can perform their jobs safely and effectively, Liberty provides valuable information on responding to emergencies that may involve natural gas facilities.
Natural Gas Safety - Residential - Central - Liberty
What Should I Do if I Smell Natural Gas?
Most people are familiar with the distinctive "pungent odor" aroma added to natural gas. It’s often compared to sulfur or rotten eggs. If you smell gas in your home, or suspect a gas leak, call us or call 9-1-1 right away.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a normal byproduct of fuel combustion, but high levels of it indoors can be dangerous to your health. Typical heating fuels (oil, coal, wood, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, or natural gas) can create carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide has no odor, color or taste, but can cause serious health issues. Take steps to make sure your home is protected.
Maintaining Natural Gas Pipes
We diligently maintain company-owned pipelines to ensure safety and efficiency. It is important to remember, however, that as the customer of record, you or the property owner are responsible for customer-owned gas lines that begin at the outlet of the gas meter and extend — either above or below ground — to natural gas-burning appliances. Make sure your pipes are getting the attention they need.
Dig Safe
Planting a tree? Installing a fence? Planning a home improvement? Call 811.
Did you know it’s the law to make this call? Electric power lines, natural gas pipelines, water pipes, communications lines, and other utility services can be within a few feet of the ground’s surface. Not knowing where these lines are can result in personal injury, property damage, and neighborhood service interruptions. Even a small dent or a scrape can cause damage, resulting in a leak or service-wide disruptions.
Natural Gas Pipeline Safety
The natural gas pipeline infrastructure is the nation's safest energy delivery system. Liberty has experienced personnel that routinely inspect and maintain natural gas service lines, and service crews are available to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day.
Appliance Safety
Gas appliances are safe and efficient. Like all appliances, certain safety precautions should be followed. Make sure your family is safe by following these guidelines.
Increasing Natural Gas Load
Adding gas appliances or equipment increases gas pressure and requires a safety check. Contact Liberty to determine if your gas service and/or meter, has the capacity to handle the additional gas load.
Chimney and Vent System Safety
Maintaining chimneys and flue pipes is an important safety requirement. Liberty urges you to have a licensed heating contractor periodically inspect your chimneys and flue pipes for safe operation.
Meter Safety
Keep your meters accessible. Liberty needs to access your meter year-round. Please keep walkways, driveways, and the area around your gas meter clear of snow and ice during the winter months. Please also keep shrubbery near the meter well-trimmed, so we can access it during the milder months as well.
Gas Theft
Stealing natural gas is a dangerous act which puts everyone at risk. Tampering with or bypassing a natural gas meter in order to obtain free natural gas is illegal and can be harmful to the perpetrator as well as to others. Theft of gas is a serious crime and Liberty will make every effort to ensure that anyone caught stealing gas is prosecuted to the fullest extent under the law.
Excess Valve Notification
A recent federal regulation concerning gas pipeline safety requires Liberty to notify its customers of their right to request installation of an Excess Flow Valve (EFV) on their existing gas service line. An EFV is a mechanical safety device installed inside a gas service line between the gas main in the street and the gas meter.
The EFV is designed to minimize the flow of natural gas in the event of a service line break.
A potential safety benefit is if an excavator accidentally digs up the gas service line, the valve would automatically minimize the flow of gas.
EFV Conditions & Information
EFVs do not operate on all gas service lines and certain parameters may exist where installation of an EFV is not warranted.
Many customers already have an EFV installed on their existing service line. If you are interested and to determine if you are eligible to have an EFV installed on your gas service line call Liberty at 1-800-424-0427.
Installation requires Dig Safe notification and excavation where the existing gas service line connects to the gas distribution main.
Gas service will be interrupted to the customer. The cost of installing the EFV will be at the expense of the customer. Individual estimates will be provided upon request. The average standard cost of an EFV installation is estimated at $1,500. The installation of an EFV will be scheduled at a mutually agreeable date pending the approval of city permits and weather conditions.