Gas safety for people with disabilities

ESV recognises that some members of our community need additional assistance with their gas appliances. These people, their family and carers should consider the use of appropriate additional safety devices.

There are safety measures and devices designed to ensure gas appliances are operated correctly, protect impaired persons from an appliance malfunction or alert them to an emergency.

People with a reduced sense of smell may not detect the odorant in gas, while others may have difficulty using gas appliance controls and safety features.

Annual servicing and appliance checks

ESV recommends annual appliance servicing and safety checks by a licensed gasfitter for those who have impaired abilities.

Gas safety devices

Gas safety devices include:

• Gas alarms that emit a loud noise or shut down the gas supply when unburnt gas or carbon monoxide are detected,
• Gas shut-off systems that are activated by a loss of flame or the presence of un-burned gas,
• ‘Passive’ devices such as additional guards, easy-grip or marked knobs, and devices that remind that cooking is in progress, and
• Manual shut-off valves operated by carers to prevent appliance use.

Contact us

If you have any queries in relation to gas safety for the elderly or people with disabilities, please contact ESV on 03 9203 9700 or by email on info@energysafe.vic.gov.au.