It took only a few seconds for Alberto Márquez González, from the Prevention Division of the Heroic Fire Department, to confirm a risky failure in the gas connection. The detector’s green light turned on immediately.
The inspection was carried out at the home of Patricia Martínez, in the San Felipe de Jesús neighborhood, in the Gustavo A. Madero borough. The leak did not come from the tank or the boiler, but from the hose connecting them. The diagnosis was clear: the installed piping is mesh tubing, a material that is not recommended for this type of installation and that, over time, becomes fragile and prone to cracking.
This is one of the most common problems detected by the Fire Department during home inspections, explained Alberto Márquez González from the Prevention Division after examining the connection.
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With a portable leak detector in hand, firefighters locate anomalies. The assessment was immediate: the installed piping is not suitable. It is a mesh hose, a material that becomes brittle and vulnerable over time, increasing the risk of leaks and accidents.
Another common issue is that the Teflon seal used is white, which is intended for water piping, when the recommended seal for gas connections should be orange, because it is more resistant. Márquez González explained this to Ms. Martínez, who anxiously wrote down each issue found. He told her that although it was not a leak that warranted an emergency call, it was best to repair it with a trusted plumber to prevent it from growing and becoming more dangerous.
“These issues occur due to a lack of knowledge about how to do the installation. There are three types of leaks, and the one found is Type 2. There is risk, but it can be prevented before it becomes more serious. If it were Type 3, the emergency team would be called. With Type 2, the equipment is shut off.”
They Arrive with Specialized Equipment
The firefighter arrived at the home right on time, at 9:00 a.m., along with fellow firefighter María de Lourdes Guerrero, who also inspected a boiler with another leak detector and found an additional fault in the connection.
However, not all of the gas installation had leaks. The one in the kitchen did not cause the detector to change from green to the alarming red.
Both firefighters are part of the Firefighter at Home program, which provides free inspections of gas and electrical installations, with the goal of preventing gas leaks or short circuits in homes.
For Ms. Patricia Martínez, the Firefighter at Home program is very helpful because it allows her to know whether her gas and electrical installations are in good condition, at no cost.
“In addition to recommending that we change the connections to make them safer, they suggested buying leak detectors, which are portable, or another type that plugs in and also detects if a valve has been left open.”
But as both firefighters note, if a leak is suspected, it can also be detected the old-fashioned way, using soap and water—if bubbles appear, then it needs to be fixed.
Electrical Installation Also Inspected
During their visit, both firefighters also checked Ms. Patricia Martínez’s electrical installation, at her request, since she pays a high electricity bill each month. They did not find an electrical overload, and even checked the temperature as part of the inspection.
Based on the results, the firefighters recommended that she contact the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) to determine whether there might be a metering problem.
Background
The Firefighters at Home program was launched by the administration of Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada. Between December 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025, the Heroic Fire Department carried out 3,758 free inspections of gas and electrical installations, with the aim of preventing gas leaks and short circuits in homes.
This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, exclusively for residents of Mexico City. Requests can be made by sending a WhatsApp message to 55 7514 4189, indicating the day, time, and home address so that firefighters can come and inspect the residence.
These inspections are conducted by firefighters certified in gas and electrical installations, using specialized devices to detect any leaks and alert residents.
The five boroughs with the highest number of inspections are Iztapalapa, with 801 visits; Tlalpan, with 383; Coyoacán, with 364; Benito Juárez, with 327; and Cuauhtémoc, with 279 visits.
To ensure the safety of those who request this service, firefighters who go to homes wear personal protective equipment, or tactical gear when appropriate, clearly identifying them as members of the Heroic Fire Department, and arrive in marked vehicles.
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