46 S.O.G. 

SECTION: Hazardous Materials Incidents

SUBJECT: Broken Natural Gas Line - No Fire

REVISED: 05/2002

To establish guidelines for the handling of gas leaks outside a structure that is not on fire.

All personnel shall follow these guidelines for gas leaks outside a structure that is not on fire.

A. Notify dispatch to respond Natural Gas Provider to the leak address.

B. Spot apparatus safely upwind from the break.

C. The first due apparatus may enter the block area of the leak.

D. All other apparatus shall stage upwind from the break site.

E. Request traffic control and/or road closed by the Police Department.

A. All personnel involved with the gas shutoff operations, shall have on full protective clothing and breathing apparatus.

B. Operate with the wind at your back.

C. Make sure that companies that are hooking up for water supplies are in a safe position.

D. Remove sources of ignition from the immediate area including fire apparatus.

E. Keep all bystanders and traffic clear of area. (With large, high-pressure mains, five hundred (500) feet is considered a safe distance.

F. Noise level from high-pressure gas line breaks can be loud enough to cause physical affect on personnel, actually influencing their ability to think and act clearly.

A. The Gas Department shall control any leaks from gas mains.

B. The Fire Department shall protect Gas division personnel, fire personnel, and all exposures with hose lines.

C. Make sure that companies hooking up to water supplies are in a safe location.

D. Remove sources of ignition from immediate area including fire apparatus.

E. It is possible to disperse pockets of gas by fog lines. (If fog stream is used, do not direct stream on broken pipe in pit. This could create additional problems.)

F. Guard against static electricity when stopping leaks by use of wet rags or fine mist.

A. Request necessary assistance from Gas Department.

B. Evacuate area.

C. Eliminate sources of ignition.

D. Position apparatus for exposure control.

E. Utilize control measures to stop leak.

F. Check area with atmospheric monitoring device.