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Gas Leak Alarm: the finished build
UnoIndia utility

LPG gas leak alarm with SMS alert (Arduino Uno + MQ-6)

MQ-6 sensor, loud buzzer and an SMS to your phone when LPG builds up.

Difficulty
Medium
Build time
2 h
Parts cost
₹1,290 · $15
Verified — core avr 1.8.8, 3 Nov 2026Compile-only
Flash to my boardOpen in Playgroundहिंदी में पढ़ें

Community draft — report a mistake

Parts list

PartQtyApprox.Buy
Arduino Uno R3 (CH340 clone)1₹450Buy Arduino Uno R3 (CH340 clone)
MQ-6 LPG gas sensor module1₹160Buy MQ-6 LPG gas sensor module
Active buzzer module (or a 5 V siren via a transistor)1₹25Buy Active buzzer module (or a 5 V siren via a transistor)
SIM800L GSM module + SIM1₹350Buy SIM800L GSM module + SIM
LM2596 buck module set to 4.0 V + 1000 µF capacitor1₹100Buy LM2596 buck module set to 4.0 V + 1000 µF capacitor
Resistors 10 kΩ + 20 kΩ (RX divider)1₹5Buy Resistors 10 kΩ + 20 kΩ (RX divider)
9–12 V 2 A adapter1₹200Buy 9–12 V 2 A adapter
Total₹1,290

Affiliate disclosure: “Buy” links may earn FlashReady a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are indicative.

Wiring

Arduino Uno R3Only the pins used are shown · 5 V logicLM2596 buck set to 4.0 VMQ-6 gas sensor moduleActive buzzer module (high-level trigger)SIM800L GSM/GPRS module (2G)10k│20k+-5VGNDA0D2D3D8VCCGNDDO (not connected)AOI/OVCCGNDNET (not connected)VCCRST (not connected)RXDTXDGND
Every connection
Arduino Uno R3Part · pinWireNotes
A0MQ-6 gas sensor module · AOgreen
5VMQ-6 gas sensor module · VCCredHeater draws about 150 mA
GNDMQ-6 gas sensor module · GNDblack
D8Active buzzer module (high-level trigger) · I/Oorange
5VActive buzzer module (high-level trigger) · VCCred
GNDActive buzzer module (high-level trigger) · GNDblack
D2SIM800L GSM/GPRS module (2G) · TXDblue
D3SIM800L GSM/GPRS module (2G) · RXDyellowVia 10 kΩ / 20 kΩ divider — Protects the SIM800L’s 2.8 V serial input
LM2596 buck set to 4.0 V · +SIM800L GSM/GPRS module (2G) · VCCred4.0 V / 2 A buck fed from the 9–12 V adapter; 1000 µF across VCC/GND at the module
LM2596 buck set to 4.0 V · -SIM800L GSM/GPRS module (2G) · GNDblack
GNDSIM800L GSM/GPRS module (2G) · GNDblackCommon ground: Uno GND and buck − both to SIM800L GND

Board quirks: LPG is heavier than air: mount the MQ-6 low on the kitchen wall, about 30 cm above the floor, away from the stove’s direct heat and steam. The MQ-6 needs minutes of heating before its reading settles (and about 24 hours for the very first burn-in). The sketch ignores the first 3 minutes after power-on. ALARM_LEVEL is a raw number, not ppm. Read the value in clean air after warm-up and set the threshold well above it — then test with a lighter’s gas (unlit), at a distance. This is a hobby alarm, not a certified gas detector. If you smell gas: no switches, no flames, close the regulator, open the windows.

Code

gas-leak-alarm.inoArduino C++Open in PlaygroundOpen in PlaygroundFlash
// LPG gas leak alarm with SMS — Arduino Uno R3 + MQ-6 + buzzer module + SIM800L
// MQ-6 analog output on A0, buzzer module on D8, SIM800L on D2/D3 (RXD through a divider).
// The sensor needs a few minutes of heating before readings mean anything.
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
#include "fr_settings.h"

constexpr uint8_t GAS_PIN = A0;
constexpr uint8_t BUZZER_PIN = 8;   // buzzer module I/O (high = on)
constexpr uint8_t SIM_RX = 2;       // <- SIM800L TXD
constexpr uint8_t SIM_TX = 3;       // -> divider -> SIM800L RXD
constexpr int ALARM_LEVEL = 400;    // raw ADC reading; set it with the calibration steps
constexpr unsigned long WARM_UP_MS = 3UL * 60UL * 1000UL;
constexpr unsigned long SMS_GAP_MS = 10UL * 60UL * 1000UL;  // at most one SMS per 10 minutes

const char* ALERT_TO = "+91XXXXXXXXXX";
// Filled in from the FlashReady flasher over USB (kept in EEPROM), or type the values above.
FrSetting SETTINGS[] = {{"alert_to", &ALERT_TO, true}};

SoftwareSerial sim(SIM_RX, SIM_TX);
unsigned long lastSms = 0;
bool smsSentOnce = false;

int readGas() {
  long sum = 0;
  for (int i = 0; i < 16; i++) {
    sum += analogRead(GAS_PIN);
    delay(5);
  }
  return sum / 16;
}

void sendSms(int level) {
  if (!*ALERT_TO) return;  // no phone number set: the siren still works
  sim.println(F("AT+CMGF=1"));
  delay(300);
  sim.print(F("AT+CMGS=\""));
  sim.print(ALERT_TO);
  sim.println('"');
  delay(500);
  sim.print(F("GAS LEAK ALARM! Sensor level "));
  sim.print(level);
  sim.print(F(". Close the cylinder valve, open windows, no switches or flames."));
  sim.write(26);
  delay(4000);
}

void setup() {
  pinMode(BUZZER_PIN, OUTPUT);
  Serial.begin(115200);
  frSettingsBegin(SETTINGS);
  if (!*ALERT_TO) Serial.println(F("SMS off — no phone number set. Flash from flashready.in or type it into the code."));
  sim.begin(9600);
  Serial.println(F("Warming up the MQ-6 for 3 minutes..."));
}

void loop() {
  int level = readGas();
  bool warm = millis() > WARM_UP_MS;
  Serial.print(F("gas="));
  Serial.println(level);

  if (warm && level > ALARM_LEVEL) {
    // Pulsed siren: 300 ms on, 200 ms off
    digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, HIGH);
    delay(300);
    digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, LOW);
    delay(200);
    if (!smsSentOnce || millis() - lastSms > SMS_GAP_MS) {
      sendSms(level);
      lastSms = millis();
      smsSentOnce = true;
    }
  } else {
    digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, LOW);
    delay(500);
  }
}

Arduino IDE: keep fr_settings.h in the same folder as the .ino (tab menu → New Tab, same name). Flashing from this page doesn’t need it.

fr_settings.hArduino C++
// fr_settings.h — FlashReady on-board settings (Wi-Fi name, phone number, ...) over USB.
//
// Why: the pre-built file on flashready.in is the same for everyone, so your own settings
// can't be inside it. Instead the board asks for them over USB serial and keeps them in
// its EEPROM. If you use Arduino IDE you can still type them into the constants in the
// sketch — this file then changes nothing except a 2-second pause at start-up.
//
// The protocol, in plain words (one text line each way, ending in \n, at 115200 baud):
//  1. Right after Serial.begin(115200) the board prints
//       FR?SETTINGS v1 keys=wifi_ssid,wifi_pass missing=wifi_pass
//     "missing" lists the required settings that still have no real value.
//  2. If nothing is missing it listens for 2 seconds and then carries on. If something is
//     missing it keeps listening, printing the line again every 2 seconds, for up to
//     30 seconds; then it carries on anyway and the sketch skips whatever needs the
//     missing value (an alarm still sounds, it just can't send the SMS).
//  3. The flasher answers   FR!SET wifi_ssid=My%20Home&wifi_pass=secret
//     (values URL-encoded). The board stores them and answers FR!OK, then carries on with
//     the new values. Errors: FR!ERR unknown <key>, FR!ERR long <key> (nothing is stored).
//     A key that is left out keeps its stored value; "key=" (empty) removes it.
//     "FR!SET" with nothing after it means "carry on now": FR!OK, nothing is stored.
//  4. FR!CLEAR wipes everything that was stored, answers FR!OK and keeps listening.
//  Other lines are ignored.
//
// A stored value wins over the constant in the sketch. A constant that is still a
// placeholder ("YOUR_SSID", "your-wifi", "+91XXXXXXXXXX") or empty counts as not set.
//
// EEPROM block at FR_SETTINGS_ADDR: 'F' 'R' 0x01, length (uint16, low byte first), then
// "key=value\n" lines. Uses FR_SETTINGS_SIZE bytes; move FR_SETTINGS_ADDR with a #define
// before the #include if your sketch uses EEPROM for something else.
//
// Use in a sketch:
//   const char* WIFI_SSID = "YOUR_SSID";
//   FrSetting SETTINGS[] = { {"wifi_ssid", &WIFI_SSID, true} };   // key, constant, required
//   void setup() { Serial.begin(115200); frSettingsBegin(SETTINGS); ... WiFi.begin(WIFI_SSID, ...); }
// After frSettingsBegin() each constant points at the value to use ("" if none is set).
#pragma once
#include <Arduino.h>
#include <EEPROM.h>
#include <string.h>

#ifndef FR_SETTINGS_ADDR
#define FR_SETTINGS_ADDR 0
#endif
#ifndef FR_SETTINGS_SIZE
#if defined(__AVR__)
#define FR_SETTINGS_SIZE 96  // 2 KB of RAM on an Uno: a phone number fits easily
#else
#define FR_SETTINGS_SIZE 512
#endif
#endif
#ifndef FR_LINE_MAX
#if defined(__AVR__)
#define FR_LINE_MAX 128
#else
#define FR_LINE_MAX 1024
#endif
#endif
#define FR_MAX_KEYS 8
#define FR_WAIT_MAX_MS 30000UL  // never wait longer than this for missing settings
#define FR_DATA_MAX (FR_SETTINGS_SIZE - 5)

struct FrSetting {
  const char* key;     // [a-z0-9_], as in settings.json
  const char** value;  // the sketch's constant; replaced by the value to use
  bool required;
};

// Stored settings in RAM as "key=value\0key=value\0" (only non-empty values).
static char frData[FR_DATA_MAX + 1];
static uint16_t frLen = 0;

static inline void frEepromBegin() {
#if defined(ESP32) || defined(ESP8266)
  static bool started = false;
  if (!started) EEPROM.begin(FR_SETTINGS_ADDR + FR_SETTINGS_SIZE);
  started = true;
#endif
}

static inline void frLoad() {
  frEepromBegin();
  frLen = 0;
  frData[0] = 0;
  if (EEPROM.read(FR_SETTINGS_ADDR) != 'F' || EEPROM.read(FR_SETTINGS_ADDR + 1) != 'R' || EEPROM.read(FR_SETTINGS_ADDR + 2) != 1) return;
  uint16_t n = EEPROM.read(FR_SETTINGS_ADDR + 3) | (EEPROM.read(FR_SETTINGS_ADDR + 4) << 8);
  if (n > FR_DATA_MAX) return;
  for (uint16_t i = 0; i < n; i++) {
    char c = EEPROM.read(FR_SETTINGS_ADDR + 5 + i);
    frData[i] = c == '\n' ? '\0' : c;
  }
  frData[n] = 0;
  frLen = n;
}

static inline void frPut(int addr, uint8_t b) {
#if defined(__AVR__)
  EEPROM.update(addr, b);
#else
  EEPROM.write(addr, b);
#endif
}

static inline void frSave() {
  frEepromBegin();
  frPut(FR_SETTINGS_ADDR, 'F');
  frPut(FR_SETTINGS_ADDR + 1, 'R');
  frPut(FR_SETTINGS_ADDR + 2, 1);
  frPut(FR_SETTINGS_ADDR + 3, frLen & 0xFF);
  frPut(FR_SETTINGS_ADDR + 4, frLen >> 8);
  for (uint16_t i = 0; i < frLen; i++) frPut(FR_SETTINGS_ADDR + 5 + i, frData[i] ? frData[i] : '\n');
#if defined(ESP32) || defined(ESP8266)
  EEPROM.commit();
#endif
}

// The stored value for key, or nullptr.
static inline const char* frStored(const char* key) {
  size_t kl = strlen(key);
  for (uint16_t i = 0; i < frLen; i += strlen(frData + i) + 1) {
    if (strncmp(frData + i, key, kl) == 0 && frData[i + kl] == '=') return frData + i + kl + 1;
  }
  return nullptr;
}

// Empty, "your_…" / "YOUR-…" / "your …", or a "+91XXXX…" phone number.
static inline bool frIsPlaceholder(const char* v) {
  if (!v || !*v) return true;
  if (strncasecmp(v, "your", 4) == 0 && (v[4] == '_' || v[4] == '-' || v[4] == ' ')) return true;
  return v[0] == '+' && strstr(v, "XXXX") != nullptr;
}

// The stored value for key, else the fallback constant; "" if that is a placeholder.
static inline const char* frSettingsGet(const char* key, const char* fallback) {
  const char* v = frStored(key);
  if (!v) v = fallback;
  return frIsPlaceholder(v) ? "" : v;
}

static inline bool frIsMissing(const FrSetting& s) {
  return s.required && !*frSettingsGet(s.key, *s.value);
}

static inline void frRequest(FrSetting* s, uint8_t n) {
  Serial.print(F("FR?SETTINGS v1 keys="));
  for (uint8_t i = 0; i < n; i++) {
    if (i) Serial.print(',');
    Serial.print(s[i].key);
  }
  Serial.print(F(" missing="));
  bool first = true;
  for (uint8_t i = 0; i < n; i++) {
    if (!frIsMissing(s[i])) continue;
    if (!first) Serial.print(',');
    Serial.print(s[i].key);
    first = false;
  }
  Serial.print('\n');
}

static inline void frReply(const __FlashStringHelper* what, const char* key) {
  Serial.print(what);
  Serial.print(key);
  Serial.print('\n');
}

static inline int8_t frHex(char c) {
  if (c >= '0' && c <= '9') return c - '0';
  c |= 0x20;
  return (c >= 'a' && c <= 'f') ? c - 'a' + 10 : -1;
}

// Percent-decodes in place. Drops NUL, CR and LF: they can't be stored.
static inline void frDecode(char* s) {
  char* o = s;
  for (; *s; s++) {
    char c = *s;
    if (c == '%' && frHex(s[1]) >= 0 && frHex(s[2]) >= 0) {
      c = (char)(frHex(s[1]) << 4 | frHex(s[2]));
      s += 2;
    }
    if (c != '\0' && c != '\n' && c != '\r') *o++ = c;
  }
  *o = 0;
}

// "k1=v1&k2=v2" (cut short if the line overflowed). Saves and returns true, or replies with an error.
static inline bool frSet(FrSetting* s, uint8_t n, char* p, bool overflow) {
  const char* upd[FR_MAX_KEYS] = {};
  while (*p) {
    char* amp = strchr(p, '&');
    bool last = !amp;
    if (amp) *amp = 0;
    char* eq = strchr(p, '=');
    if (eq) *eq = 0;
    if (*p) {
      if (last && overflow) {
        frReply(F("FR!ERR long "), p);
        return false;
      }
      uint8_t i = 0;
      while (i < n && strcmp(s[i].key, p) != 0) i++;
      if (i == n) {
        frReply(F("FR!ERR unknown "), p);
        return false;
      }
      char* v = eq ? eq + 1 : p + strlen(p);  // "key" alone = "key="
      frDecode(v);
      upd[i] = v;
    }
    if (last) break;
    p = amp + 1;
  }
  // Build the new block: for each key, the new value or the one already stored.
  char next[FR_DATA_MAX + 1];
  uint16_t len = 0;
  for (uint8_t i = 0; i < n; i++) {
    const char* v = upd[i] ? upd[i] : frStored(s[i].key);
    if (!v || !*v) continue;
    size_t kl = strlen(s[i].key), vl = strlen(v);
    if (len + kl + vl + 2 > FR_DATA_MAX) {
      frReply(F("FR!ERR long "), s[i].key);
      return false;
    }
    memcpy(next + len, s[i].key, kl);
    next[len + kl] = '=';
    memcpy(next + len + kl + 1, v, vl + 1);
    len += kl + vl + 2;
  }
  memcpy(frData, next, len);
  frData[len] = 0;
  frLen = len;
  frSave();
  return true;
}

// Handles one received line. Returns true once settings were saved (boot carries on).
static inline bool frCommand(FrSetting* s, uint8_t n, char* line, bool overflow) {
  if (strcmp(line, "FR!CLEAR") == 0) {
    frLen = 0;
    frData[0] = 0;
    frSave();
    Serial.print(F("FR!OK\n"));
    return false;
  }
  if (strncmp(line, "FR!SET", 6) != 0 || (line[6] != ' ' && line[6] != 0)) return false;  // not for us
  char* p = line + 6;
  while (*p == ' ') p++;
  if (*p && !frSet(s, n, p, overflow)) return false;  // empty FR!SET = carry on, store nothing
  Serial.print(F("FR!OK\n"));
  return true;
}

// Call right after Serial.begin(115200). Prints the request, waits as described at the top
// (30 s at most), then points every constant in the list at the value to use ("" = not set).
static inline void frSettingsBegin(FrSetting* s, uint8_t n) {
  frLoad();
  char line[FR_LINE_MAX];
  uint16_t len = 0;
  bool overflow = false;
  frRequest(s, n);
  unsigned long start = millis(), quietSince = start;
  while (millis() - start < FR_WAIT_MAX_MS) {
    int c = Serial.read();
    if (c >= 0) {
      quietSince = millis();
      if (c == '\r') continue;
      if (c != '\n') {
        if (len < FR_LINE_MAX - 1) line[len++] = (char)c;
        else overflow = true;
        continue;
      }
      line[len] = 0;
      bool saved = frCommand(s, n, line, overflow);
      len = 0;
      overflow = false;
      if (saved) break;
      continue;
    }
    if (millis() - quietSince < 2000) {
      delay(1);  // also keeps the ESP8266 watchdog fed
      continue;
    }
    len = 0;  // drop half a line
    overflow = false;
    bool missing = false;
    for (uint8_t i = 0; i < n; i++) missing |= frIsMissing(s[i]);
    if (!missing) break;
    frRequest(s, n);
    quietSince = millis();
  }
  for (uint8_t i = 0; i < n; i++) *s[i].value = frSettingsGet(s[i].key, *s[i].value);
}

template <size_t N>
static inline void frSettingsBegin(FrSetting (&s)[N]) {
  static_assert(N <= FR_MAX_KEYS, "fr_settings.h: at most FR_MAX_KEYS settings");
  frSettingsBegin(s, (uint8_t)N);
}

Compiled for uno on avr 1.8.8 · 3 Nov 2026

How it works

An LPG leak in a closed kitchen is dangerous long before you smell it at the door. This alarm watches the air near the floor, where LPG settles, sounds a pulsed siren, and sends an SMS — useful when the house is empty.

The MQ-6 has a tin-oxide element on a small heater. LPG lowers its resistance, so the analog output on A0 rises. The sketch averages 16 readings to smooth the noise, and only arms itself after a 3-minute warm-up, because a cold sensor reads high.

Above the threshold, the buzzer on D8 pulses 300 ms on / 200 ms off — easier to notice than a steady tone. The first SMS goes out immediately; after that the sketch sends at most one every 10 minutes, so a long leak doesn’t drain the SIM balance or spam the phone.

The SIM800L shares the same wiring rules as any 5 V Arduino project: its serial input gets a divider, and its supply comes from a separate 4.0 V buck module that can handle 2 A bursts.

Troubleshooting

The alarm goes off right after power-on

A cold sensor reads high. Wait for the warm-up; if it still triggers in clean air, raise ALARM_LEVEL a little above the steady clean-air reading.

No SMS during an alarm

Check the SIM800L’s LED blinks slowly (every 3 s = registered), the SIM has credit, and ALERT_TO uses the +91 format.

The Uno keeps resetting

The SIM800L’s 2 A bursts are pulling the supply down. Power it from its own buck module with a big capacitor.

Upgrades

  • Add a 12 V solenoid valve (normally open, via a relay) that shuts the gas line — use a valve rated for LPG.
  • Call the number (ATD) as well as sending an SMS, so nobody sleeps through it.
  • Add an exhaust fan on a relay — rated for the fan and switched by an electrician.

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