American Gas - December 2012/January 2013 - (Page 16)

safeTy seCuriTy reliabiliTy safety first Informed and Aware Natural gas safety for commercial and industrial customers T eriC sChoeniger is a freelance writer specializing in business, information technology, life sciences, and energy, based in lower gwynedd, Pa. he hundreds of thousands of miles of transmission lines and millions of miles of distribution lines for natural gas in the United States have a remarkable record for safety. And natural gas utilities strive to help ensure the highest safety levels for their residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Residential customers have been educated to know the smell of mercaptan in natural gas, to avoid ignition sources, and call the gas company. But safety often gets more complicated with large commercial and industrial customers that are usually responsibile for customerowned natural gas piping systems. Large commercial and industrial customers such as manufacturers, processing plants, hospitals, and research institutions often own— and are responsible for—extensive installations of gas pipeline. Industrial incidents can occur downstream from the meter, where utilities have no control over maintenance and safety procedures. “In an industrial complex or campus environment, the onsite pipeline downstream of the meter is owned and ‘operated’ by the customer,” says Andrew Lu, managing director of Operations and Engineering Services for the American Gas Association. “And that introduces the potential for safety incidents that are beyond the utility’s control.” Some utilities are developing and implementing procedures for communicating safety programs to their large commercial and industrial customers. The goal is to keep these customers informed and aware, reducing risk and, ideally, avoiding accidents that are unique to their infrastructures. jurisdictional” pipelines. Jurisdictional pipelines are owned and operated by utilities. That covers pretty much everything from the gas source to the gas meter on the customer’s property. These pipes are subject to a host of federal and state regulations to help ensure their safety. Non-jurisdictional pipelines, on the other hand, are like the water and sewer laterals owned and maintained by the customer. For residential customers, that’s the small-diameter pipe that runs from the meter outlet to appliances such as a furnace, hot-water heater, or an outdoor structure such as a detached living unit or garage. For industrial customers, non-jurisdictional pipe can be fairly extensive. A large manufacturer, for example, might operate a plant with numerous buildings spread over dozens or even hundreds of acres. That could involve literally miles of pipeline, all of it downstream from the meter. And all of it is in the hands of the customer. From a regulatory perspective, residential, commercial, and industrial customers are responsible for the maintenance and safety of that pipe. Purge and “Fade” When pipe is installed, extended, or repaired, it must be free of natural gas. Existing lines must first be purged of any gas in the line. Typically this is achieved using compressed air or an inert gas such as nitrogen. An important factor is that the gas be vented properly and not allowed to accumulate in confined areas. If that gas accumulates in a room, an ignition source could cause an explosion. Also crucial is that any valves connecting to a source of gas be well-maintained so that they effectively seal against leaks through the valve. After fabrica- Who’s responsible? Addressing gas safety for industrial customers raises the issue of “jurisdictional” versus “non- 16 AmericAn GAs december 2012/january 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - December 2012/January 2013

American Gas - December 2012/January 2013
Contents
President’s Message
Industry News
Election 2012
Safety First
To Be the Best
Ron Jibson: The Trust Factor
Home on the Range
Places to Be
Jobline
Advertisers Index
Noteworthies
Marketplace
Facts on Gas

American Gas - December 2012/January 2013