TORONTO -- Enbridge Gas and the Technical Standards and Safety Authority provided a reminder on Tuesday to homeowners of the importance of keeping their gas meters free from snow and ice. External exhaust outlets for furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters and all fuel-burning devices should be checked as soon as possible to make sure that no snow or ice has built up as a result of inclement winter weather.
Both organizations pointed out that rain especially make this safety task a priority and time sensitive, because rain can potentially cause further freezing of precipitation buildup on gas meters and venting pipes.
Senior vice president of operations for Enbridge Gas Jim Sanders said, “Clearing snow and ice away from the gas meter and exhaust outlets for your natural gas burning equipment helps to ensure that both the meter and your appliances function safely. It also allows us to access the meter in case of an emergency.”
They also emphasized that a gas meter covered in snow or ice can prevent it from functioning properly and controlling the pressure of the gas supplied to a home, which in turn can lead to serious risks. In addition, blocked exhaust vents can cause the carbon monoxide emitted by fuel-burning appliances to build up in a home, which is a significant safety hazard.
"Exhaust vents, in particular, often extend out of the side of a home as low as one foot above ground, so they have the potential to get covered and blocked fairly easily without an occupants knowledge, especially when shoveling snow or using a snowblower or when there is a severe snow fall, like the storm we encountered earlier this week," said Sam Sadeghi, Director, Fuels Safety, Technical Standards and Safety Authority. "We have seen CO poisoning incidents from snow-blocked vents in the past, and these incidents can be fatal, so it's essential that homeowners are vigilant about keeping their exhaust vents clear."
Enbridge Gas asks home owners that when noticing a gas meter or external appliance vent pipe is covered with snow, to please remove the snow carefully with a car brush or broom. One should never scrape the meter or vent pipe with a sharp instrument as this may cause unintended damage.
Enbridge Gas reminds Ontarians of these additional safety precautions
- Do not shovel, plow or blow snow up against the meter or vent pipe.
- Be careful not to bump your meter with a snow lower.
- Never kick your gas meter or vent pipes in an attempt to clear ice and snow.
- Remove any icicles from overhead eaves troughs to ensure dripping water does not splash and freeze on the meter or vent pipe.
Visit the Enbridge Gas website for more information on keeping gas meters clear.
"We also encourage homeowners to install and test certified CO alarms, which will warn them of rising CO levels in their homes and give them and their families time to take potentially life-saving action," said Sadeghi. "It is also important for homeowners to be able to recognize the symptoms of CO poisoning, which can occur once a fuel-burning appliance exhaust vent has been blocked."
To report a meter icing problem or for any other natural gas emergency, call 1-866-763-5427; for more information, visit www.tssa.org.
