Knowing the location of your main gas service shutoff valve will help you turn off the gas supply to your entire home quickly, in case of an emergency. The main gas service shutoff valve is located outside and can normally be found near the gas meter on a section of gas service pipe coming out of the ground.
Gas Service Shutoff Valve
The location of the valve can vary depending on the type of building and when it was installed. The gas meter and gas service shutoff valve is usually located on the side or in front of the building. In some older installations, it could be in the backyard, or in rural locations, located near the property line near the street.
If there are multiple meters serving gas to multiple units within a building, there are individual gas service shutoff valves for each unit near each of the gas meters, and a master valve for the entire building where the gas pipe comes out of the ground. If you are renting, your landlord might be able to help you locate your units valve location.
Multiple Meters
If you still are not able to locate the gas service shutoff
valve, contact Jo-Carroll Energy for assistance to locate the
valve.
Do not shut off the gas unless you smell gas, hear gas escaping,
see a broken gas line, or if you suspect a gas leak. If you shut off the gas,
there may be a considerable delay before Jo-Carroll Energy can turn your service
on. Once the gas is shut off at the meter, do not try to turn it back on yourself.
If the gas service shutoff valve is closed, Jo-Carroll Energy or
another qualified professional should perform a safety inspection before the gas
service is restored, and the appliance pilots are lit.
In an emergency, your gas can be turned off at the main gas service shutoff valve normally located near your gas meter. Using a 12 to 15 inch adjustable pipe or crescent-type wrench or other suitable tool, give the valve a quarter turn in either direction; the valve is closed when the tang (the part you put the wrench on) is crosswise to the pipe.
Most gas appliances have a gas shutoff valve located near the appliance that lets you turn off the gas to that appliance only. In some cases, turning off the gas at the appliance's shutoff valve will suffice if there is a gas leak, or the appliance needs to be replaced or serviced. You should have an appliance gas shutoff valve installed at each gas appliance that lets you turn off the gas to that appliance only, instead of shutting off all gas at the main gas service shutoff valve. To turn off the gas at the gas appliance, rotate the valve a quarter turn.