O&R Makes Rockland Safer Through Free Installation of Natural Gas Detectors

 by M.C. Millman

 

Orange and Rockland Utilities (O&R) started its free natural gas detectors program in July of last year and has begun installing natural gas detectors to help enhance gas safety throughout Rockland and Orange counties.

 

Natural gas detectors, or the acronym NGD for short, are installed on gas service pipes entering buildings or homes. The installation takes less than 30 minutes. Eligible customers will receive a letter with information on scheduling an appointment for a natural gas detector installation and a gas service line inspection with O&R contractors from Storti Quality Services. Residents might also receive a phone call or visit from a uniformed installer with an O&R Utilities identification badge working in the neighborhood. 

 

"The device has a ten-year battery and is maintenance-free," the O&R installer shares with Rockland Daily. "When it's time for a new battery, the detector will send a message to O&R Utilities, and they will send an O&R Utilities worker or contractor out to replace it."

 

The natural gas detector monitors the air in the basement or garage or where the gas service pipe is located. It detects if levels of natural gas methane, a component of natural gas, to indicate a potential leak, in which case the mechanism will beep loudly and sound the alarm by saying loudly, "Danger - gas leak explosion risk. Evacuate, then call 911." At the same time, the device will send an alert to O&R. whose crews will then respond, investigate and call the fire department to respond. The alarm will continue to sound until the arrival of an O&R Utilities personnel, who will silence the alarm.

 

If the alarm sounds or someone smells gas or hears a natural gas leak, the occupants should act fast and evacuate everybody within the property immediately. No one should use a phone; light a match; turn on or off lights, flashlights, or appliances; start a car; or do anything else that could create a spark and cause the gas to explode.

When all occupants are safely outside, someone should call 911 or the O&R Utilities Gas Emergency Hotline at 1-800-533-LEAK (5325).

 

Signs of gas leaks can be a distinctive, strong odor similar to rotten eggs, a white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water, blowing dust, or vegetation that appears to be dead or dying for no reason, or a roaring, hissing, or whistling sound. 

 

For questions, call 1-877-434-4100 or visit O&R here