Natural Gas Safety Video Transcript

Hi, I’m Adam Galczynski.

Welcome to UGI Utilities state of the art Learning Center where our employees take part in hands on training to provide you safe and reliable service. I work with many of our large customers here at UGI Utilities, where we are committed to ensuring both residents and businesses receive dependable, efficient, natural gas service.

This is where our employees learn best practices for delivering energy and comfort to over three quarters of a million customers. That includes you. UGI provides natural gas to your company and many of your homes.

Our top priority is ensuring we do our job safely, as well as providing you with general natural gas safety information. UGI is a natural gas and electric utility with customers in 45 Pennsylvania counties and one county in Maryland. We have a gas pipeline network that spans over 12,000 miles, in addition to 2,000 miles of electric lines.

UGI Utilities is a subsidiary of UGI Corporation, which was founded in 1882 as the United Gas Improvement Company. UGI has been serving its communities for more than 140 years, and we continue to grow – providing customers affordable, safe, and sustainable, energy services.

UGI is also part of the community. Our employees live and work in the communities we serve. UGI also supports hundreds of nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving the residents of Pennsylvania, and many of our employees provide volunteer service to advance their missions.

Natural gas is a safe and reliable source of energy it is the most affordable and cleaner than many other sources. Much of the natural gas used by our customers is produced locally. A major source of natural gas for UGI is the Marcellus Shale formation, a portion of which is in Pennsylvania. In fact, about 90% of the natural gas that UGI distributes to its customers is produced in the Northeast United States.

Natural gas is delivered through underground pipelines directly to your home or business. Our mission is to be the preeminent energy distribution company in our targeted markets. Our commitment relies on our system to be designed and operated safely, and properly maintained. From extending gas mains to serve new customers converting from oil or other heating fuels, to new construction, and replacing non-contemporary infrastructure, UGI is committed to serving our customers safely and reliably. We regularly inspect our system, using modern technology, with a focus on identifying corrosion, and preventing leaks. All of this is possible because of the rigorous training our employees go through here.

A series of townhouses is designed to look just like homes in your main street, equipped with gas mains, services, meters, fuel lines, and appliances: to train employees and provide them with real life scenarios on how to respond to a gas emergency.

Natural gas is odorless. An odorant called mercaptan is added to natural gas giving it a rotten egg smell. Everyone should evacuate and move far out of the area, at least the length of a football field, and then dial 911, or call UGI. Do not assume someone else has already called and do not report by email or social media.

You should not turn on lights, make a phone call in the building, or search for the source of the smell.

Using battery powered equipment, including cell phones, garage door openers, or doorbells near a leak can cause a spark.

And please do not reenter the building until it has been thoroughly inspected by a UGI service technician.

Remember, there is no charge for UGI personnel to come out and investigate a natural gas odor. We respond 24/7, 365 days a year.

Every workplace should have an emergency action plan, which includes periodic evacuation drills, to ensure everyone is familiar with how and where to evacuate.

Natural gas safety also includes carbon monoxide awareness. All fuel burning equipment requires proper venting and airflow. Without it, and without proper appliance maintenance, carbon monoxide poisoning can happen. If you are alerted by a CO detector, or if you suspect CO poisoning, move to fresh air and call 911. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and flu like symptoms that may clear up when you go outside. We encourage frequent checks of your detector – and remember – your equipment should be installed, repaired and serviced by a professional at least once a year.

While UGI owns and maintains the gas pipes that go up to your meter, you or your company is responsible for the maintenance of all customer owned piping beyond the meter. If you are unsure of your responsibilities, or do not know who to call to locate, inspect, or repair customer owned lines, call us and we can provide guidance.

All buried customer owned piping should be properly maintained as it can be susceptible to corrosion and leaks. When it comes to meter safety, UGI must be able to easily access the meter for readings, maintenance and safety checks. Indoor or outdoor, the same rules apply. Do not obstruct it in any way. Please keep it clear of snow and ice. If your meter gets hit, or is damaged in any way, call UGI or 911 immediately. But, if that damage causes you to smell gas, get at least the length and football field away and then make the call.

Safety outside your business or home is also important. Before you dig, always call 811. You should call three business days before any digging begins. It is the law. That includes any major excavation, minor landscaping, and everything in between. A free phone call to 811 for homeowners, and a small yearly fee for contractors and excavators, will ensure all your public underground utility lines are marked with flags or paint.

Safety is at the heart of what we do at UGI. We strive to safely deliver the energy you need to run your business and home. The same safety steps you take in the workplace, should also be taken in your home. Always remember these five things on UGI’s safety checklist.

1. Maintain all appliances and equipment and get annual inspections. Malfunctioning appliances can lead to carbon monoxide exposure.
2. Make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector on each floor and check these systems regularly. Methane and natural gas detectors are also available.
3. Damage to your meter can be dangerous. If it happens, call UGI or 911. BUT if the damage causes you to smell gas, FIRST get at least the length of a football field away, and THEN make the phone call.
4. Always call before you dig. One simple call to 811 can prevent damage to underground pipelines and potential danger.
5. And most importantly… if smell gas, act fast! Evacuate and immediately call 911 or call UGI at 1-800-276-2722.

From the entire UGI Utilities team, we want you to know that by working together, we can be safe, and have the energy to do more.

www.ugi.com/besafe

Thank you for watching this UGI safety video.

Here are four quick questions to test your knowledge around natural gas safety.

1. If you believe there is a natural gas leak, or if you come across that rotten egg smell, what is the first thing you should do?
   1. Find the source of the leak
   2. Turn off all appliances
   3. Evacuate immediately

The answer is C. Evacuate immediately.

2. Once you evacuate, how far should you go before making the call to 911 or UGI?
   1. Call as soon as you are outside
   2. Evacuate far away, at least the length of a football field
   3. Drive away before calling

The correct answer is B. Evacuate far away, at least the length of a football field.

3. Before you dig outside your home or business, always call this number first:
   1. 811
   2. 911
   3. Call your local municipality

The answer is A. Call 811. While contacting your local municipality for projects at your home or business is advisable, Calling 811 will ensure underground utilities are properly marked before excavation begins. And remember, it’s the law.

Last question.

4. Carbon monoxide safety involves which of the following:
   1. Annual appliance inspections and maintenance
   2. Having a carbon monoxide detector on each floor
   3. Immediately evacuating if your CO detector makes a repeated alarm sound
   4. All of the above

The answer is D. All of the above. All of these measures support being safe when it comes to preventing exposure to carbon monoxide.

That concludes our brief knowledge check.

We thank you again for taking the time to watch this safety video and hope you found it helpful.

Always remember, smell gas, act fast! Safety is UGI’s number one priority.

Thank you.