Traditionally, gas escapes/gas leaks have been identified by our engineers with their hand held gas detection equipment and members of the public, who call the national gas emergency service 0800 111 999* after smelling the distinctive smell (Like rotten eggs) we add to natural gas.
We have now rolled out 25 vehicles across our networks equipped with ‘state of the art’ equipment that is capable of detecting even the smallest of leaks… leaks that would not be perceptible to the human nose.
These cars will be ‘surveying’ our network by driving over stretches of road which have gas pipes below them. This will allow us to catch leaks early and proactively find and fix them before they become noticeable to our customers.
We will be surveying all of our low and medium pressure gas pipes underneath the roads; that’s around 90% of our network each year.
Each car is fitted with a gas analyser to detect natural gas molecules, an anemometer for gauging wind speed and wind direction and an advanced GPS system to pinpoint location. The cars do not record any special video or images beyond the usual telematics systems used to keep the fleet safe.
These cars operate at night as there is usually less traffic, lower wind speeds and fewer chemical artifacts in the atmosphere.
A good survey means six passes of a street over two different nights! So, the next time you see one of our cars at night down your street, you can rest easy in the knowledge that Cadent is working with cutting edge innovation technology to find and fix gas leaks – keeping you and your family safe, looking after the environment and reducing your costs.
Next time you see a Cadent sniffer car… Give us a wave!
Gas leaks and emissions are high on Cadent’s agenda. To help Cadent identify, prioritise and manage leaks on our network of gas pipes, we have launched an exciting Advanced Leak Detection initiative in collaboration with our suppliers - Picarro and Veho Solutions.
Cadent is the UK's largest gas distribution network, managing over 82,000 miles of pipes that transport gas to over 11 million homes and 40,000 businesses.
We operate in the North West, West Midlands, East Midlands, South Yorkshire, East of England, and North London, focusing on pipe maintenance, infrastructure replacement, and the national gas emergency service.
Cadent is deeply involved in infrastructure safety and innovation, working toward decarbonising the gas network for the future.
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