Planning to Dig?
Are you planning to fence, landscape, dig a garden or inspect pilings? Building and addition to your house??

Beware of buried pipes
Did you know that when you (or a contractor performing work for you) dig by hand or excavate with machinery you risk damaging an underground network of natural gas pipes?

FREE locating service
Play it safe. Inuvik Gas Ltd. offers a free locate service to help you protect yourself and other from unnecessary damage. IGL personnel, using special equipment can locate underground natural gas pipes for you. The location of the spots you should avoid are marked with yellow (paint, stakes or flags).

Please “CALL BEFORE YOU DIG”
Plan ahead. Before you start digging, please call at least two (2) working days in advance.

It’s the law
Homeowners and contractors are required by law to ascertain the location of buried natural gas pipes before breaking ground.

Careless digging can be costly
Digging in the wrong spot could cut off essential services, not just to one home, but to the entire community. Gas piping creates a safety hazard to you and others. Anyone who damages natural gas pipes could be liable for at least the cost of the repairs.

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG FREE LOCATING SERVICE
Please call us at 777-3422.

Please notify other utilities
We also urge you to call other local utilities for the locations of their service lines on the site where you plan to dig.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel. Because natural gas combustion releases significantly less emissions than coal and oil, it is often called the “cleanest fossil fuel”. It plays an important role in helping to reduce impacts on the environment.

Natural gas is a raw material. Many industries use natural gas in the production of petrochemicals and related products. An odorant, Mercaptan (with a smell similar to rotten eggs), is added to our natural gas for your safety.

Natural gas is all of this and more:

• A natural, organic substance found beneath the earth’s surface, formed millions of years ago.
• In nature, composed primarily of methane, but usually found in mixtures with water vapor, carbon dioxide and helium, along with small amounts of other gases and liquids. Natural gas is processed before delivery to remove other non-methane substances.
• Colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-toxic in its pure state.
• Lighter than air, rising when escaping rather than collecting in a puddle or pool like oil, propane or gasoline.
• Cleaner-burning and friendlier to the environment than other fossil fuels.
• Mixed with mercaptan, a substance which is easily detected at low concentrations so that leaks are quickly discovered.
• Used in business, manufacturing, industry, hospitals, and homes – virtually anywhere that energy is needed.
• Used as a direct source of energy or as fuel in generating stations where it is converted to electricity.
• Used as a raw material in the production of many products including plastics, chemicals and fertilizers.

Carbon Monoxide -- The Invisible Danger

Natural gas appliances are typically very safe to use. But a malfunctioning appliance can create carbon monoxide gas, which can be deadly. Carbon monoxide is produced when natural gas, propane or other fossil fuels fail to burn completely. Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless, odorless gas. 
An awareness of what produces carbon monoxide can help protect you and your family. Be sure your natural gas appliances are inspected regularly by a licensed contractor to ensure that they are functioning properly, and repair any malfunctioning appliances immediately.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness, headaches, queasy stomach and drowsiness. Continued exposure can cause death. If you use gas in your home or business, review these safety tips:

• The flame in the gas appliances generally should be blue, possibly with flecks of orange. If the flame is mostly yellow, that indicates that the gas is not completely burning and is giving off carbon monoxide.
• Never store items in, on or around a gas appliance that might obstruct air flow.
• Forced-air furnaces generally have a filter that cleans the air before heating and circulating it throughout the home. Check the filter regularly and clean or replace when necessary. Most replacement filters are inexpensive.
• When installing a new or cleaned filter, be sure to properly re-install the front panel door of the furnace so it fits snugly. Never operate the furnace without the front panel door properly in place, as dangerous gases may escape.
• Make sure your furnace and water heater is inspected annually by a professional heating contractor. This is the first line of defense in CO prevention. Also, be sure to clean or replace your furnace filter throughout the heating season, and check your chimney or dryer vent for blockages.
• Check for signs of improper venting, such as soot around the appliance or moisture on the inside of windows when the appliance is operating.
• Vacuum regularly around the furnace, especially around the burner compartment, to prevent a buildup of dust and lint.
• Be safe -- install a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector.
• Use only space heaters approved by local fire codes and installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you're using a vent-free heater, always crack a window or exterior door for ventilation. Never use a portable barbecue or hibachi as a home heater. They produce carbon monoxide, are not properly insulated and can easily overturn. Also, don't use a gas range, oven or clothes dryer for heating.
• Keep all vents and chimneys clear of debris and other blockages.
• Don't line oven or range burners with foil.
• Check fireplaces for closed or blocked flues.
• Get your chimney inspected, swept and cleaned as needed.
• Make sure your exterior dryer vent is free of lint.
• Do not leave a car running in a garage, even if the garage door is open.
• Never use a propane or kerosene heater indoors without proper ventilation.
• Periodically check range pilots for carbon build-up.

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions in the owner's manual or use the care guide for maintenance and use of your appliances.
• Never try to repair or install natural gas appliances yourself, and never let a home handyperson try to do the job for you. Repairs and installation are jobs for licensed professionals.
• Do not use a natural gas appliance that has yellow flames. Natural gas appliances should have a burner flame that is a clear blue or a flame that is mostly blue with a tiny tip of yellow. The only exception is a natural gas fireplace, which has been designed to have yellow flames for a pleasing appearance. In other appliances, a yellow flame signals a problem. Turn off the appliance and have a licensed serviceperson check and adjust the appliance before using it again.
• Keep the area around your natural gas heating system, water heater and other appliances clean and free of lint build-up, rags, old newspapers and other debris.
• Do not store boxes (or other items) on top of, or pressed against, your natural gas appliances.
• Never cover the temperature controls, air openings, or vents of your appliances.
• Insulate the first metre of hot water pipe that extends from the tank. Make sure any pipe wrap or insulation is at least 15 centimetres (6 inches) away from the draft hood or flue at the top of the tank.
• Do not turn up the temperature control on your natural gas water heater because doing so will increase the danger of scalds from hot tap water. If you need a higher water temperature setting, a tempering valve or anti-scald device should be installed in the water pipe system. (These devices can be purchased at major plumbing supply stores.)
• Keep the burners and oven of a natural gas range clean. Never line the oven completely with aluminum foil. Never use the range as a room heater.
• Never store aerosol cans, paints, solvents, household cleaners, pool chemicals or similar products near natural gas or any other fuel-burning appliances or equipment.