Gas Supply Emergencies are extremely rare. But if one does happen, you’ll be asked to stop using gas so that we can keep homes and families safe.
There are things you must do now, and things you need to know if there is an emergency:
Working together we can minimise the impacts of potential Gas Supply Emergencies. By giving your gas supplier your contact details, you’ll be helping to reduce demand on the gas network quickly and safely.
It’s vital you know what’s needed and take action when you need to. If we contact you because there is a Gas Supply Emergency, you’re legally required to take the action we ask you to take.
Like other gas networks, we sometimes perform Gas Supply Emergency test exercises. This is a chance for us to make sure your contact details are right, and to test how quickly and safely your contact can arrange to stop using gas.
We then report the results to your Health & Safety Executive.
We will clearly state that it’s an exercise and that you’re not actually required to stop using gas.
This is when there’s not enough gas available to meet expected demand. This can happen for a number of reasons. Although it’s very unlikely, insufficient gas could cause a loss of pressure in the network, meaning we need to take action quickly to keep everyone safe.
Any gas network or The Network Emergency Coordinator (NEC) can declare a Gas Supply Emergency. The NEC is an independent body who is responsible for coordinating the actions of all gas networks during a Gas Supply Emergency, focusing on safety and protecting the public.
You must stop using gas as soon as you’re told to do so. You’re legally required to do this, and it’s vital to protect customers and to keep everyone safe.
We will. We’ll either call or visit you in person.
We’ll explain there is a Gas Supply Emergency and ask you to stop using your site gas.
It means you need to immediately and safely, turn off any equipment or appliances that use gas. We’ll tell you when you can safely turn them back on.
If you don’t stop using gas, you may be putting people at risk. You’ll also be breaking the law as it’s a criminal offence to ignore our request. This could lead to prosecution by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). Your supplier will also be notified of your failure to cooperate.
