Gas Leak Cases in HDB Flats
Ministry of Trade and IndustrySpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the frequency and causes of gas leaks in HDB flats, alongside the maintenance schedules and preventive measures employed to ensure safety. Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing reported 3,698 cases over three years, primarily involving minor leaks from loose connections, corroded pipes, or damaged appliances. He noted that installations must be performed by licensed workers, with PowerGas conducting inspections every 15 years and responding to reported leaks within one hour via a 24-hour hotline. Town gas is odorised to facilitate detection, and the Energy Market Authority works with PowerGas to raise public awareness regarding gas safety procedures. These measures, including mandatory testing before supply activation, aim to keep the annual average of leak incidences to a minimum.
Transcript
53 Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) in the past three years, how many incidences of gas leaks have occurred in HDB flats; (b) what are the reasons for these leaks; (c) how often are gas pipes checked and serviced; and (d) what other routine preventive measures are taken to ensure these incidences are kept to the minimum.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: There were 3,698 cases of gas leaks involving HDB flats in the past three years. This is equivalent to an annual average of 0.15% of all HDB flats with town gas pipes.
Most of these cases are minor leaks with the common causes including loose connections to the gas appliances, corroded/damaged pipes, or damaged gas appliances.
As a safety measure, homeowners must engage a gas service worker licensed by Energy Market Authority (EMA) to install the town gas pipes and gas appliances, as well as test for gas leakages, before their gas supply can be turned on. Subsequently, PowerGas, which maintains the town gas network, is responsible for inspecting the gas pipes within HDB flats once every 15 years to check for any gas leaks or defects in gas installations.
As an added safety precaution, City Gas is required to odorise town gas to make it easier to detect a gas leak. Homeowners who suspect a leak can contact the emergency services hotlines, as well as PowerGas' 24-hour hotline. PowerGas will dispatch a response team within an hour. Additionally, EMA and PowerGas regularly use various platforms to raise public awareness about gas safety, such as how to respond to a suspected gas leak.