Question 

 Dr Lim Wee Kiak: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) in the past three years, how many incidences of gas leak 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. 

Written reply

1. Mr Speaker, 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. 

2. 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. 

3. 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. 

4. 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.