How to Properly Test Your Natural Gas Leak Detectors

Because natural gas is a popular choice for heating, cooking, and powering various appliances, it is crucial to prioritize safety when using it in your home or business. A natural gas leak can lead to disastrous consequences, including fires, explosions, and poisoning. To mitigate these risks, natural gas detectors are essential to help identify and alert you to dangerous leaks. They are important for early detection and prompt response to these potential dangers, allowing individuals to take the necessary action. But for these alarms to fulfill their life-saving role effectively, regular testing and maintenance are vital.

By understanding and implementing recommended testing practices, you can ensure that you are implementing the best natural gas safety measures available to protect your home. Knowing how to test your natural gas alarms properly is necessary for safeguarding lives, protecting property, and maintaining a safe environment.

How to properly test your natural gas alarms

You can run alarm maintenance procedures to ensure your alarm is functioning under industry standards to help prevent a natural gas leak in your home or workplace.

UL 1484 Standard Compliance

When selecting a natural gas leak alarm, it is essential to consider its compliance with relevant safety standards and verify the device has been certified by a qualified testing agency such as Intertek/ETL or Underwriters Laboratories/UL. The UL 1484 Standard outlines the requirements for residential gas alarms. Installing an alarm from one of these approved agencies—typically sold with a logo or seal of compliance on the packaging—ensures that the detector meets the specific industry and safety criteria for sensitivity, reliability, and durability. This involves rigorous testing of detector responses to various gas concentrations and environmental conditions, including bump testing.

Natural gas detectors that meet the UL 1484 Standard are most likely to provide accurate and reliable detection, giving users confidence in their safety and performance. The older version of the UL 1484 allowed for a less sensitive, higher threshold of 25% LEL level. The newest edition, the 5th Edition UL 1484 Standard, was published in October 2022 and requires alarms to respond to a low 10% LEL level. Many alarms on the market today do not respond to this new, lowered concentration threshold. If your current alarm does not meet compliance with the 5th Edition UL 1484 Standard, be sure to upgrade it as soon as possible. Alarms meeting the new standard allow more time to escape safely in the event of a natural gas leak, protecting yourself and your loved ones.

DeNova Detect Battery Powered Natural Gas Alarms

When testing natural gas alarms, following the manufacturer's guidelines and recommendations is crucial. All alarms are required to include a user’s manual in the package, and typically the same information can be found on their website. Check your alarm once a week by pressing the test button so you can be assured it is operating properly. Understanding the sounds and notification signals your alarms are sending can ensure that your gas leak alarms operate optimally and provide reliable gas leak detection. Installing a natural gas alarm in your home is the most important and effective way to prevent a natural gas leak from harming you, your property, and your loved ones.

Making sure everyone in your home or business knows what to do when the alarm sounds is also extremely important. Respond quickly by leaving the building immediately and opening the doors and windows as you leave. If you are outside when you hear the alarm, create distance between yourself and the building in question. Call 911 and your gas utility company, and do not re-enter the area until the source of the leak has been found and corrected. 

Our DeNova Detect battery-powered natural gas alarm is a cutting-edge device utilizing state-of-the-art sensor technology to detect gas leaks a staggering 11 minutes earlier than conventional models. Unlike any other residential natural gas alarm available in the United States, our alarms run on a durable battery that guarantees an impressive lifespan of six to ten years. With an illustrious heritage spanning over six decades, our unwavering dedication is to ensure the safety of you, your home, and your beloved family members.

Ready to provide your home with the best natural gas safety? We’re here to help. 

Email us at info@denovadetect.com or visit the DeNova Detect website to learn more.