Odor fade, or loss of odorant, is the weakening of the smell of normally odorized gas. Known contributors to odor fade:
- New pipe installation
- Substances within the pipe such as rust or natural gas liquids
- Little or no gas flow over an extended period of time
- Contact with soil
In order to ensure safety, do not rely on your sense of smell alone to detect the presence of natural gas. Consult your local plumbing code, mechanical code, fuel gas code and/or your department of building and safety for more information. When installing gas appliances or equipment, the manufacturer’s instruction manual should be followed in accordance with the local code authority.