Because natural gas is lighter than air, it will do what if released inside a building?

Because natural gas is lighter than air, it will do what if released inside a building?

• A. It will settle at the floor
• B. It will sink to the basement
• C. It will float in the middle third of a room
• D. It will rise toward the ceiling

Answer: (D)

Natural gas is lighter than air, so if it’s released inside a building it will rise toward the ceiling and tend to accumulate in the upper portions of the room. This means it won’t stay at the floor, sink to a basement, or linger in the middle of the space. Because it collects at high points, detectors and any potential ignition sources should be considered near the ceiling and upper walls, and ventilation should account for gas rising and pooling at the top rather than at ground level.

Natural gas is lighter than air, so if it’s released inside a building it will rise toward the ceiling and tend to accumulate in the upper portions of the room. This means it won’t stay at the floor, sink to a basement, or linger in the middle of the space. Because it collects at high points, detectors and any potential ignition sources should be considered near the ceiling and upper walls, and ventilation should account for gas rising and pooling at the top rather than at ground level.