Pipeline Safety

Call Before You Dig

Maintaining Your Gas Lines

Fuel Line Maintenance Program

Be Prepared

Electric Safety Tips                                         

Electric Users Storm/Hurricane Tips & Guide

Natural And Propane Safety Tips

Natural Gas Users Storm/Hurricane Tips & Guide

Propane Users Storm/Hurricane Tips & Guide

Every day, natural gas and propane pipelines safely carry one of the world’s cleanest, most efficient and reliable fuels to businesses and homes like yours. In other words, to families, coworkers and neighbors like you. The prevention of pipeline emergencies is critically important to employees of natural gas and propane utility companies like ours, because we not only work in your community, we are also your neighbors.

Did you know you can help prevent natural gas and propane pipeline emergencies? Be aware of the signs of a pipeline leak such as the rotten-egg-like odor of natural gas and propane. Near a gas line, watch for bubbling water, blowing dirt, dead plants or listen for a hissing sound. Please don’t look for a leak, try to stop it, or use anything electrical near it that may create a spark—not even a cell phone. Leave the area completely and then, call your local natural gas or propane company. If the smell of gas is particularly strong, call 9-1-1.

Remember you are breaking the law if you do any digging—no matter how small—without dialing Florida’s One-Call number (1-800-432-4770) first.

The infrastructure of natural gas, propane and electric lines coming to your business or home is an intricate network of pipelines. Generally, a potential accident is the result of a careless backhoe, tree trimmer, bulldozer or jackhammer operator.

Unintentional damage to facilities during excavation is a significant cause of disruption in telecommunications, water supply, electric power and other vital public services, such as hospitals and air traffic control. Coordination, communication and cooperation between excavators, contractors, homeowners and utility owners can reduce the risk of damage to utility facilities.

By Phone:
Sunshine State One-Call Center
(800) 432-4770
The service requires three business days notice for locating lines.

By Internet:
To submit request 24 hours a day, please visit Sunshine State One Call's web site at http://www.callsunshine.com/corp/index.html

Your call sets this process in motion:
1. Utilities with underground lines near the site are notified.
2. Utilities mark underground lines with flags or paint.

If You Smell Gas - Detecting Leaks

Detecting Outdoor Leaks:
Underground pipelines transport natural gas. Interstate gas lines are clearly marked with signs so that you know they're in the area. Gas lines are constantly monitored and inspected. Leaks are rare, but it is best to be prepared.

If you smell gas outdoors:

• Alert others and leave the area immediately.

• Call your local Florida Public Utilities Office with location of leak.
  Click here for contact information in your area.

• Call your local fire department, police department, or 911.

Detecting Indoor Leaks:

If you smell gas inside or suspect the presence of carbon monoxide:

• Don't turn on a light.

• Don't switch on anything electrical.

• Don't light a match.

• Don't use your phone.

• Alert others and leave immediately.

• Call us from your neighbor's house or another location. If you're in a situation where you don't have the number, call 911 and ask the operator to call us.

• Tell us where you are so you can let us in your house when we arrive.

• The problem has been corrected.

• A Florida Public Utilities representative has examined it.

• The area has been declared safe.

• You have been authorized to return.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that is odorless, colorless, tasteless and non-irritating. CO results from the incomplete combustion of organic materials such as gasoline, kerosene, natural gas, propane, coal, wood, charcoal, diesel fuel, heating oil and almost any other combustible material, such as tobacco and paper. When breathed into the body, CO combines with the body's blood and prevents it from absorbing oxygen. (Based on information from the American Gas Association).

• Flu-like symptoms
• Headaches
• Drowsiness
• Ringing sensation in the ears
• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Chest pains
• Light-headedness or dizziness

• Loss of consciousness
• Convulsions (can cause brain damage or death)

• Make sure all gas appliances are installed correctly and have them checked annually for continued safety.
• Have your chimneys cleaned and checked every year for obstructions.
• Don't cook with charcoal indoors except on grills designed for indoor use that have a built-in exhaust system to carry away smoke and fumes.
• Never start your car and allow it to warm up in a closed garage. This is the leading source of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Industry thoughts on CO detectors
Gas Research Institute (GRI) studies into the accuracy of CO alarms have shown, that at this point, residential CO alarms should not be relied upon as the primary defense against CO poisonings. The majority of CO alarm problems involve activating in the presence of little or no CO (resulting in "nuisance alarms" that present no threat to health).

Situations remain where they fail to activate in the presence of unhealthy levels of CO or they incorrectly report the amount of carbon monoxide in the indoor air. (Based on information from the American Gas Association).

Given these problems, CO alarms should be used as a secondary line of defense after taking care of automobile exhaust in attached garages and regularly inspecting all gas appliances.

Know Your Responsibility

Florida Public Utilities is required under federal and state regulations to maintain natural gas service lines up to and including the gas meter. Beyond the meter, the maintenance of any piping is the responsibility of the customer or property owner. Sometimes, a customer's piping may be underground. If customers do not maintain their underground gas lines, the piping may corrode and leak, causing a potential safety hazard. This gas piping should be periodically inspected for leaks, and if metal, the pipes should also be inspected for corrosion.

Never Hang Anything On Gas Piping
You should never hang clothing (or, anything else) from gas pipes, because the added weight of clothing (especially wet clothing being hung to air dry) can weaken or break joints or fittings, resulting in a gas leak.

Never Tamper With Gas Equipment
If you tamper with natural gas meters or piping assemblies, you endanger lives and property. If you alter the natural gas equipment so that you can use gas without paying for it, you are subject to shutoff of service, legal prosecution or both. People who do this are also raising the rates for other customers. If you suspect someone is tampering with natural gas, call us immediately. Your call will be confidential.

Protect yourself from costly repair bills
By enrolling in FPU’s Fuel Line Maintenance program, if your gas fuel line ever leaks or fails because of normal wear and tear, we’ll repair or replace it.* Click here for details or to sign up.

For the power outage phone number in your area, click here.

Working Near Power Lines
Whether your working or playing outdoors, always look up to ensure you avoid electrical wires. Look carefully since they are not always easily spotted, especially those that are passing through or near trees. Always keep ladders, antennas, poles, boat mast, etc. at least 10 feet from the lines. Also be careful when pruning or climbing trees to avoid the wires. Call FPU for assistance before working closer than 10 feet from any electrical wire.

Fallen Wires
If you discover a downed wire, assume it is an electric wire and stay as far away as possible. Call FPU immediately and do not attempt to move the line. Only by using the proper tools for moving electrical wires can safety be ensured. While waiting for FPU to arrive, take care to keep everyone, especially children and pets, as far as possible away from the wire.

Transformers/Substations
Electrical substations, utility poles, pad-mounted transformers and electrical meters are designed to safely isolate electricity from people. Never enter electrical substations, climb utility poles, open/tamper with pad mounted transformers or remove electrical meters. If you notice that any of these are not locked, providing the proper isolation or some unauthorized person is tampering with any of these, please contact FPU as soon as possible.

Inside your home
Keep your home electrical system in proper working order by ensuring the circuit breakers and fuses in your home are sized correctly and in proper working order. Don't overload electrical outlets; use damaged plugs/cords or place anything is an electrical outlet that is not intended for that use. Keep electrical cords and appliances away from water or damp areas at all time.

Electrical Cord Safety

• Check all electric cords for visible damage. Cracked or frayed cords can be dangerous.
• To avoid excessive wear and cord damage, ensure that cords don't run under rugs nor have furniture resting on them.
• Make sure no electric cords are nailed or stapled in place. Cord damage can result in a fire and shock hazard.

Prevent Being Shocked
In high-risk areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and near swimming pools, standard outlets should be replaced with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI's). GFCI's are devices that will provide shock protection by quickly cutting off the circuit and preventing injury. GFCI's should be UL approved and installed by a licensed electrician.