Safety
Intermountain Gas Co. is Committed to Zero®. We are committed to zero incidents and injuries. Our goal each day is to provide safe and reliable service. Our commitment to safety extends to our customers, our employees and to the communities we serve.
Intermountain is committed to delivering natural gas through a highly engineered pipeline system in a safe, environmentally sound process. Natural gas pipelines are the safest method of energy transportation, according to National Transportation Safety Board statistics. Intermountain uses the latest technology, security, and industry practices to monitor pipelines, and maintain service and safety. We execute many programs to ensure your safety: 24/7 design and construction monitoring; integrity management; inspection and patrol; public safety outreach; and communication/training with emergency officials.
Following are important safety tips for natural gas customers:
- Suspect a gas leak?
We add an odorant to your natural gas so you can detect a leak should one occur. If you think you might have a gas leak, leave the area immediately. Do not light any matches, use a telephone of any type, operate any light switches or electrical devices, or pull plugs from outlets. Any of these could ignite accumulated gas. When you and everyone else are clear of the area, call us at our toll-free number: 800-548-3679
- Buy appliances with the American Gas Association Blue Star Seal
The seal is an indication that the appliance meets industry safety standards. And make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Only qualified technicians should work on your gas appliance
Call a certified gas appliance repair service.
- Check your gas flame periodically
It should have a bright blue appearance. A yellow or orange flame means the appliance needs service work. Don’t forget to replace your heating system filter several times during each heating season.
- Combustion air is vital for gas appliances
Make sure no obstructions are blocking the appliance’s air intake and regularly check the venting of your gas furnace and water heater by touching the vent pipe (be careful…if operating properly it will be hot).
- Never use your range as a heater
Your gas range has one purpose – to cook food. It should never be used as a secondary source of heat. When your oven door is left open, it prevents the thermostat from cycling and periodically turning the gas off. This constant burning could create a situation that could cause asphyxiation or fire.
Call 811, it is a free call! The One Call Center will let us know who you are and where you intend to dig. Find out more…
OTHER SAFETY INFORMATION
Watch & Learn
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Natural Gas 101
Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is composed almost entirely of methane. It was formed deep in the Earth from plants and animals that were buried by mud and sand. Over time, the mud and sand hardened into rock. Pressure from the rock squeezed the organic matter into fossil fuels like natural gas, coal, and oil. Production companies explore, drill, and bring raw gas to the surface. It is then cleaned, and useful byproducts such as light oils and propane are recovered.
Natural gas can also be produced by capturing methane produced through dairies, landfills, wastewater treatment plants that would otherwise go into the atmosphere, and converting it to usable pipeline gas. This is known as renewable natural gas.
Transmission companies compress natural gas so that it can be transported through buried underground interstate pipelines to city gates. Compressor stations along the way keep the gas flowing at about 15 miles per hour.
Distribution companies like Intermountain Gas buy natural gas from the transmission companies and deliver it to customers through a series of underground pipes. Natural gas is odorless and colorless, so an odor that smells like rotten eggs is injected to make leaks easier to detect.
Natural gas mains carry gas from the city gate station into the community. Service lines are smaller pipes that carry natural gas from the main to the meter at the customer’s building. Pressure regulators keep gas under slight pressure for maximum safety and efficiency. A gas meter measures the volume of gas that is used by the customer.