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America’s pipeline industry maintains an enviable record of safety and reliability. However, despite strict regulatory oversight and the conscientious efforts of our natural gas companies, hazards do exist and emergencies do happen, though infrequent, can occur.
Potential hazards include fires, evacuations, explosions, business and/or traffic disruptions, breathing hazards and environmental damage. Pipeline damage or failure can occur for several reasons: corrosion, material defects, and acts of natures such as floods and earthquakes. However, statistics show that the leading cause of pipeline damage is third parties(construction contractors, property owners, excavators, etc.) digging near buried pipelines.
What to do if you damage a gas line or come across a leaking line: If you damage a gas line or discover natural gas escaping from a broken or leaking line, follow these steps: Turn off all machinery and vehicles and eliminate other ignition sources such as open flames, electrical
switches, telephones and cell phones. Evacuate everyone from the area. Do not attempt to make repairs or operate any pipeline valves. Do not attempt to extinguish any fires. From a safe place, call 911 and yourlocal natural gas supplier.
Follow these steps if a line is pulled or jarred or its coating is damaged: Stop all work and check for the sound and other signs of escaping gas!
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1 Frank Schulte-Ladbeck // Dec 6, 2007 at 7:37 am
Nice article. I wanted to mention that not only do natural gas companies address this issue, but cities frequently have systems in place to have a technician come out from your local gas provider to mark where the lines are. In Houston we can call 311 for this service. Remember the gas lines may not be to deep, since they have to be placed below the frost line, but a two foot depth is normal in many parts of the country.
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