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Gas safety for flood-affected consumers

LPG and natural gas installations and appliances can cause serious injury and even death if damaged or used incorrectly.

Don’t touch it! Always use a licensed gasfitter

Following a flood, your gas installation and appliances need to be inspected by a licensed gasfitter before they can be used.

  • Never remove or repair any gas pipe work or equipment during the clean-up.
  • Don’t place any gas cylinders in your general rubbish for collection on the street - call the LPG supplier to have them collected or contact your local government for an appropriate disposal location.

Do use portable gas equipment safely

Following a flood, you may need to use portable gas equipment for cooking or other purposes. If you do, make sure you:

  • Follow the approved instructions.
  • Always use it outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
  • Check connections with soapy water to ensure there are no leaks by looking for gas bubbles.
  • Turn off your device and your gas cylinder when not in use.

Getting reconnected

All gas services at flood-affected properties must be inspected by a licensed gasfitter before gas can be restored safely.

Natural gas and reticulated installations

The natural gas network operator will inspect gas meters and regulators at flood-affected properties. They will service or repair any damaged equipment that forms part of their gas network, at their expense.

If it looks as if the gas installation on the property (which is the responsibility of the property owner) is unsafe, they will stop the gas supply and put a tag on the meter indicating it’s unsafe to use.

The property owner will then need to hire and pay for a licensed gasfitter to test and repair the gas installation. This cost might be covered by property insurance or natural disaster relief payments.

Once repairs are completed, the gasfitter may issue a gas system compliance certificate. The natural gas network operator can then be contacted to have the gas reconnected. They may need to see the certificate or talk to the gasfitter for the connection to proceed.

LPG cylinder/tank installations

The LPG supplier will contact customers by phone and may visit flood-affected properties. The gas supplier will replace any damaged or lost cylinders and pigtails.

If it looks as if the gas installation on the property (which is the responsibility of the property owner) is unsafe, they will stop the gas supply by turning it off or removing the cylinders.

The property owner will then need to hire and pay for a licensed gasfitter to test and repair the gas installation. This cost might be covered by property insurance or natural disaster relief payments

This should also be done where the property owner manages their own gas using 9kg cylinders.

Once repairs are completed, the gasfitter may issue a gas system compliance certificate. The LPG supplier can then be contacted to have the gas supplied. They may need to see the certificate or talk to the gasfitter for the connection to proceed.

Finding a licensed gasfitter

You can find a licensed gasfitter by searching the online register or via the Master Plumbers Association of Queensland website.

Make sure you ask the gasfitter to show you their Queensland Gas Work Licence and that you get a gas system compliance certificate for any installation work (a certificate may not be issued for service work or basic repairs but you should be given an itemised tax receipt).

Master Plumbers Association of Queensland estimates that a basic inspection service for a standard gas installation should cost about $200 (including GST). This doesn’t include the cost of any required repair work.

Who to contact

Find out more

Last updated:
26 February 2024
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