Read the manual thoroughly and understand all of the instructions, cautions, and warnings before using this equipment. If any section of the manual is not understood, contact your nearest authorized dealer, or contact Generac Customer Service at 1-888-436-3722 (1-888-GENERAC), or www.generac.com with any questions or concerns. 

What should I do if I detect a gas or fuel leak near my generator?

If there is a gas odor, fuel smell, hissing sound, wet spot, puddle, or visible fuel leak near a generator, treat it as a safety concern. Do not continue using the generator until the area is safe and the source of the leak has been inspected by an appropriate professional.

IMPORTANT: If there is a strong gas odor, an active fuel leak, a hissing sound near a gas line, fire, smoke, or any immediate danger, leave the area and call 911 or local emergency services. For a suspected natural gas or LP fuel leak, contact the local gas utility or propane supplier after moving to a safe location.

Environment

• Generac home standby generators that use natural gas or LP fuel
• Generac portable generators that use gasoline
• Situations where fuel odor, visible leaking fuel, pooling fuel, hissing near a fuel line, or a carbon monoxide alarm is reported near a generator

What to do immediately

Shutting down the generator

Only shut down the generator if it can be reached without walking through fuel, standing in a strong gas odor, touching leaking parts, or creating a spark. If the generator cannot be reached safely, leave the area and contact emergency services or the local fuel provider.

Portable generators

Home standby generators

What a gas or fuel leak may look like

A gas or fuel leak may be noticed in different ways depending on the generator and fuel type.

• Gasoline may appear as wet spots, puddles, dripping fuel, strong fuel odor, stains, or unexplained fuel loss
• Natural gas or LP fuel may be noticed as a gas odor or hissing sound near a fuel line, regulator, connection, or the generator
• Carbon monoxide is different from a fuel leak. Carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds or anyone feels dizzy, weak, nauseated, confused, or has a headache, move to fresh air and call emergency services

Note: All combustion-engine generators must be operated outdoors only. Never run a portable generator inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, shed, enclosed porch, or any partially enclosed area.

After the immediate danger has passed

Do not restart or reuse the generator until the source of the leak has been inspected and corrected. An Independent Authorized Service Dealer (IASD) or qualified fuel-system professional should inspect the generator and fuel connections before the generator is returned to service.

• For a home standby generator, contact an IASD or qualified gas professional for inspection and repair
• For a portable generator, stop using the generator and contact an authorized Generac service provider if gasoline is leaking or fuel odor continues
• Use the dealer locator to find service options in your area
• If the generator may be part of a recall or safety campaign, review Generac product notifications and recalls before using the generator again

See also

• How to perform a Fuel System Leak Test
• Why is my portable generator's carburetor leaking fuel when I turn on the fuel valve?
• Where can I find information about recalls for Generac products?
• What is CO-Sense technology?
• Can any of Generac's generators be run indoors?