Pipeline Safety and Emergency Response Information

Transcription

1 Pipeline Safety and Emergency Response Information 24-Hour Emergency Numbers: Questar Pipeline: (800) Questar Overthrust Pipeline: (800) Questar Southern Trails: (800) White River Hub: (800)

2 NEVADA NEVADA Las Vegas IDAHO UTAH ARIZONA WYOMING COLORADO NEW MEXICO 40 Pipelines Are in Your Area Questar Pipeline has identified your agency as a potential responder to an emergency involving pipelines owned and operated by Questar Pipeline and its affiliates. Questar Pipeline provides natural gas transportation and underground storage services in Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, California and New Mexico. The company and its subsidiaries operate more than 2,600 miles of interstate pipeline in the western United States. While Questar Pipeline is committed to safe operations, including implementing security measures to monitor pipelines and performing regular safety patrols and inspections, you can help promote pipeline safety by: Attending local liaison meetings with pipeline operators; Educating pipeline operators on the use of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) and the expectations that you have for pipeline operators when responding to a natural gas pipeline emergency; Utilizing the U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Response Guidebook and emergency response procedures for handling emergencies involving the release of natural gas. See Recording and keeping the names of pipeline operators and contact information in a permanent location in or near your telephone(s) and dispatch centers; Becoming familiar with the pipelines and products transported in your area and the emergency information contained on pipeline markers. Products Transported by Questar Pipeline Product Leak Type Vapors Natural Gas Gas Nontoxic, colorless, odorless, in some areas odorized, lighter than air; will generally rise and dissipate. May gather in a confined space and travel to a source of ignition. May migrate laterally under frozen ground. Pipeline Markers Show the Right-of-Way High pressure natural gas pipelines are buried in roadways and along rights-of-way acquired by Questar Pipeline. Pipeline markers, like the ones pictured, will mark the approximate location of the pipeline. Information contained on pipeline markers includes: The products transported in the pipeline; The name of the pipeline operator; and The 24-hour emergency number. However, Pipeline markers DO NOT indicate the exact location or depth of the pipeline; The number of pipelines in the area; and Pipelines may not follow a straight line between adjacent markers. The approximate location is indicated by pipeline markers (pictured at right and above) bearing the company name and emergency phone number. These markers will generally be near roads, fences and other utility-line crossings, but will not be present in roadways. How to Find Transmission Pipelines Near You To view and print a list or map and contact information for operators of natural gas pipelines in your area, visit the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) website at Government offi cials can request a password for more pipeline map information through the PIMMA user login. Operators of production facilities, gas/liquid gathering systems and distribution piping are not represented by NPMS. Scan the image below with (PAV) to visit the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS). Health Hazards Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or fl ames and will form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warning. Natural gas is a nontoxic, colorless fuel about one-third lighter than air and has no smell in its natural state. Contact with gas or natural gas liquids may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. NOTE: NPMS maps show the approximate location of pipelines in your area and must never be used as a substitute for calling 811 or your state One-Call center before digging. TURN YOUR DEVICE HORIZONTALLY AND SCAN THIS IMAGE WITH PAV

3 Scan the image below with PAV to visit and learn more about safe digging practices. Damage Prevention Call Before You Dig A national Call Before You Dig number has been created to help protect you from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines. Call 811 at least two business days prior to excavating. You will be automatically transferred to the local excavation notifi cation One-Call center. This enables you to receive free information on the location of buried lines or utilities from participating companies. In most states, adherence to the One-Call procedure is required by law and penalties may apply for failure to notify owners of buried facilities prior to digging. Questar Pipeline participates in the following One-Call centers: How to Recognize a Pipeline Leak While the natural gas delivered by utility companies to homes and businesses contains a commercial odorant such as Mercaptan to alert occupants of a potential leak, natural gas is not odorized in the majority of the systems owned and operated by Questar Pipeline. Natural gas pipeline leaks or failures are rare, but an informed public can help prevent emergencies and minimize potential damage or injury in the unlikely event of an accident by knowing how to recognize and report pipeline problems. Scan the image below with PAV and view a video about the possible signs of a pipeline leak. State One-Call Center Website Phone Number A natural gas pipeline leak or failure may be indicated by one or more of the following: Arizona Arizona Blue Stake (800) SCAN THIS IMAGE WITH PAV California DigAlert (800) Colorado Colorado (800) New Mexico NM811 (800) SIGHT - Dirt being blown from the ground; water bubbling from a pond, creek, river or other wet/fl ooded area; dead or brown vegetation in an otherwise moist or green fi eld; fl ames apparently emanating from the ground or fi re at or near an exposed pipeline. Utah Blue Stakes of Utah (800) Wyoming One-Call of Wyoming (800) SOUND - Depending on the size of the leak and pipeline system, a leak can range in volume from a quiet hissing to a loud roar. SCAN SMELL - Natural gas is odorless. Before it is delivered to a utility company s distribution lines, a commercial odorant is added. This gives the gas a sulphur or rotten egg smell to help detect leaks. Natural gas is not odorized in the majority of the systems owned and operated by Questar Pipeline. THIS IMAGE WITH PAV

4 Responding to a Pipeline Emergency First Response Call Intake Checklist The following protocol is intended to be a solid framework for call intake, but should not in any manner rescind or override agency procedures for the timing of broadcasts and messaging. These procedures are established as recommended practices by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and are to be considered with existing agency policy and procedure to ensure the most swift and accurate handling of every incident involving the release of dangerous gases. All information should be simultaneously entered, as it is obtained by the telecommunicator, into an electronic format (when available) that will feed/populate any directed messages sent to emergency responders in conjunction with on-air broadcasts. Location Request exact location of the incident (structure addresses, street names, intersections, directional identifi ers, mile posts, etc.) and obtain callback and contact information. The following guidelines are designed to ensure the safety of those in the area if a natural gas pipeline leak is suspected or detected: Secure the area around the leak to a safe distance Because vapors from products transported in pipelines can migrate great distances, it is important to avoid creating ignition sources from within the area. If safe, evacuating people from homes, businesses, schools and other places of congregation, as well as controlling access to the site, may be required in some incident scenarios. Sheltering in place may be the safest action if the circumstances make going outdoors dangerous. Refer to the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration s (PHMSA) Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). Access information about the ERG at: If the pipeline leak is not burning: DO NOT create any potential source of ignition such as an electrical switch, vehicle ignition, lighting a match, etc. DO NOT start motor vehicles or electrical equipment. DO NOT ring doorbells. Knock with your hand to avoid potential sparks. DO NOT drive into a leak or vapor cloud at any time. If the pipeline leak is burning, attempt to control the spread of the fi re, but: DO NOT attempt to extinguish a natural gas fi re. When extinguished, gas and vapor could collect and explode if reignited by secondary fi re or ignition source. DO NOT attempt to operate any pipeline valves yourself. You may inadvertently route more product to the leak or cause a secondary incident. DO NOT come into direct contact with any escaping liquid or gas. Establish a command center. Work with pipeline representatives as you develop a plan to address the emergency. The pipeline representatives will need to know: Your contact information and the location of the emergency; Size, characteristics and behavior of the incident and if there are any primary or secondary fi res; Any injuries or deaths; The proximity of the incident to any structures, buildings, etc.; and Any environmental concerns such as bodies of water, grasslands, endangered wildlife and fi sh, etc. 24-Hour Emergency Numbers: Questar Pipeline: (800) Questar Overthrust Pipeline: (800) Questar Southern Trails: (800) White River Hub: (800)

5 Emergency Response Plans Questar Pipeline has a written plan for responding to emergencies involving its pipeline facilities. Because pipelines are often located in public space, regulations further require that pipeline companies include procedures for planning with emergency and other public offi cials to ensure a coordinated response. Please Questar Pipeline at qpcsafety@questar.com for any general planning inquiries regarding its emergency response plan. Questar Pipeline has written procedures to minimize the hazard resulting from a pipeline emergency, which provide for the following: Receiving, identifying and classifying notices of events which require immediate response from Questar Pipeline, including notifying emergency response personnel by calling 911 in the event of a pipeline emergency; Establishing and maintaining adequate means of communication with appropriate fi re, police and other public offi cials; Prompt and effective response to a notice of each type of emergency, including the following: Gas detected inside or near a building; Fire located near or directly involving a pipeline facility; Rupture or explosion occurring near or directly involving a pipeline facility; Natural disasters affecting our facilities. Questar Pipeline personnel will work to control emergency situations until emergency response personnel assume control. Questar Pipeline will work under the direction of emergency response personnel to: Minimize hazards to life or property; Make available personnel, equipment, tools and materials, as needed to isolate the fl ow of gas; Assist emergency response personnel with identifying the location of pipelines and proximity to populated areas; Safely restore any pipeline service outage. Questar Pipeline has established and maintains liaisons with the appropriate fire, police and other public officials to: Learn the responsibility and resources of each government organization that may respond to a pipeline emergency; Acquaint the offi cials with Questar Pipeline s ability to respond to a pipeline emergency; Identify the types of pipeline emergencies for which Questar Pipeline is to notify the offi cials; and Plan how Questar Pipeline and local offi cials can engage in mutual assistance to minimize hazard to life or property. Questar Pipeline s Actions in the Event of a Pipeline Leak To prepare for the event of a leak, Questar Pipeline regularly communicates with local emergency personnel such as fi re and police departments. Upon the notifi cation of an incident or leak, Questar Pipeline will immediately dispatch trained personnel to assist public safety offi cials in their response to the emergency. While emphasizing public safety and environmental protection, Questar Pipeline will also take steps to minimize the amount of product that escapes and isolate the pipeline. In the event of a pipeline leak and depending on the circumstances, Questar Pipeline may: Stop or reduce the fl ow of product; Dispatch pipeline emergency response personnel and equipment to the emergency site; Inform you of any special precautionary recommendations; Act as a liaison between emergency response agencies and pipeline company personnel; and Help bring the emergency to conclusion as quickly and safely as possible. 911 Dispatch 911 Dispatch personnel play a critical role in effective response to pipeline incidents. Knowing the companies, their contact information and the products transported in your respective jurisdiction is important for prompt and correct responses in the case of a pipeline incident. Dispatchers actions can save lives, direct the appropriate emergency responders to the scene and protect our nation s infrastructure from additional issues that can be caused by improper response. Follow these simple guidelines in the case of a pipeline incident: Gather the proper information (if possible): company, product and release characteristics; Know the appropriate response to each product; Know the wind direction at the time; Warn of ignition sources (if possible); Dispatch appropriate emergency responders; and Contact the pipeline company.

6 Identified Sites Companies that own and operate gas transmission pipelines are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). According to integrity management regulations, gas transmission companies are required to utilize the assistance of local public safety offi cials in identifying certain types of sites or facilities adjacent to the pipeline which meet the following criteria: (a) A small, well-defi ned outdoor area that is occupied by 20 or more persons on at least 50 days in any 12-month period (the days need not be consecutive). Examples of such an area are playgrounds, parks, swimming pools, sports fi elds and campgrounds. (b) A building that is occupied by 20 or more persons on at least fi ve days a week for 10 weeks in any 12-month period (the days and weeks need not be consecutive). Examples included in the defi nition are religious facilities, offi ce buildings, community centers, general stores, 4-H facilities and roller rinks. (c) A facility that is occupied by persons who are confi ned, are of impaired mobility, or would be diffi cult to evacuate. Examples of such a facility are hospitals, schools, elder care and assisted living/nursing facilities, prisons and child daycares. Pipeline-Related Facilities Questar Pipeline operates compressor stations, natural gas receipt and delivery stations, storage fields and natural gas processing plants in conjunction with its highpressure transmission gas pipeline systems. These facilities contain safety equipment to help prevent pipeline releases or to vent natural gas to a safe location. Infrequent venting or fl aring of natural gas can be expected. If you see or hear explosions, fi res or prolonged venting, call 911 from a safe location. Asset Integrity Management Program Some locations along transmission pipelines have been designated high consequence area (HCAs), and Questar Pipeline has developed a supplemental hazard assessment and prevention program called an Integrity Management Program (IMP) to defi ne: Methods used to determine the location of HCAs; Methods for assessing the integrity of the pipelines; and Steps to comply with program requirements. Consistent with Questar Pipeline s longstanding commitment to environmental protection and safety, each integrity assessment or other integrity management activity will be conducted in a manner that minimizes environmental and safety risks. Efforts will also be taken to minimize public inconvenience. America s Pipelines: Purpose and Reliability Questar Pipeline s facilities are part of a vast national network of underground pipelines. This system is our country s lifeline for a variety of daily activities. Pipelines reliably deliver products essential to our nation s economy and standard of living, such as natural gas, jet fuel, water and crude oil. Some pipelines transport potentially hazardous and fl ammable substances under high pressure. According to statistics from the National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), pipelines provide the safest means of transporting natural gas. TURN YOUR DEVICE HORIZONTALLY AND SCAN THIS IMAGE WITH PAV Scan the image above with PAV to visit Questar Pipeline s Safety web page and view our Integrity Management Program (IMP), then scan the image below to view a video about the pipeline industry. SCAN THIS IMAGE WITH PAV

7 Contact Us Questar Pipeline welcomes your feedback. Please contact us with your questions and comments by: Phone: (307) (Non-emergency number) Mail: Public Awareness QC South State Street P.O. Box Salt Lake City, UT Additional copies of this brochure can be obtained by contacting Questar Pipeline by ing or by going to the Safety Page and downloading a copy at: Telecommunications Relay Service: The Federal Communications Commission has adopted use of the 711 dialing code for access to Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). TRS permits persons with a hearing or speech disability to use the telephone system via a text telephone (TTY) or other device to call persons with or without such disabilities. Pipeline Industry Links Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA): Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA): American Petroleum Institute (API): Common Ground Alliance (CGA): After reading this brochure, please complete and return the enclosed survey or visit to complete the online version. Your feedback is very valuable to us. 24-Hour Emergency Numbers: Questar Pipeline: (800) Questar Overthrust Pipeline operated by Questar Pipeline: (800) Questar Southern Trails: (800) White River Hub: (800)