What does gas smell like?

Natural gas has a very distinctive, tart, sulfur odor added to it for safety. In its raw state, natural gas has no smell or color. That’s why we have added a “rotten egg” odor to make you aware if gas is leaking.

If you think you smell gas:

• Remain calm.
• Don’t light a match, candle, or cigarette.
• Don’t turn electrical appliances or lights on or off.
• If you are in a safe location, call Okaloosa Gas at 850-729-4700,
   24 hours a day, seven days a week, or call 911. We will send a trained technician to investigate.

Natural gas has the best safety and reliability record of all traditional energy sources. Generally, natural gas accidentally released in the open will vent harmlessly into the air. However, when a gas and air mixture within the flammability range collects in a confined space, it can ignite accidentally.

How to identify a gas leak

Look: You may notice blowing dirt, bubbling creeks or ponds, dry spots in moist areas, or dead plants surrounded by green live plants. Damaged connections to your natural gas appliance(s).

Listen: If you hear an unusual hissing or whistling sound near gas lines or appliances, it may indicate a natural gas leak.

Smell: In its raw state, natural gas is odorless. Okaloosa Gas adds a harmless substance called mercaptan to create a rotten-egg-like smell. You should take action if the odor is faint.

Don’t Rely on Just Your Nose

Although a distinctive odor is added to make natural gas easy to recognize, you may not be able to smell leaking gas if:

• You have a diminished sense of smell

• You’re experiencing odor fatigue (inability to distinguish an odor after prolonged exposure to it)

• You have a physical condition, such as a common cold, sinus condition, or allergies

• The odor is masked or hidden by other odors that are present

• Pipe and soil conditions have caused odor fade
  • In a new steel pipe that has been recently manufactured or hasn’t been used for odorized natural gas before
  • In natural gas piping systems using higher gas pressure, and when natural gas flow is limited or intermittent
  • In the presence of rust, mill scale, moisture, air, cutting oil, pipe thread compound, liquids, condensates and other substances(see below)


Another measure of natural gas safety

Consider installing a natural gas detector as an additional safety measure. A natural gas detector, available for purchase at major retailers and home improvement stores, will sound an alarm if the levels of natural gas in the area indicate a leak.

If the alarm is triggered, stop what you are doing, leave the premises, and call Okaloosa Gas at 850-729-4700 or call 911.