STEP 6: IMPLEMENT TACTICAL RESPONSE ACTIONS


• Extinguish surrounding fires but not the gas fire itself. • Control the flow of gas only from a service meter or a curb valve.


• Avoid excessive use of water below grade in vaults or excavations. It makes later control efforts difficult for utility companies upon arrival.


Whenever possible, adopt a defensive or nonintervention mode and wait for the utility company.


Damage / Leak / Fire STREET SMART TIP


When gas is burning, remember the cardinal rule: never extinguish the fire unless the leak can be shut off and controlled.


• Do not extinguish a gas-fed fire unless the flow can be controlled. • Protect exposures.


• Shut the flow at the customer valve or appliance if possible and use protective hose streams to approach if necessary.


• Avoid excessive use of water below grade, in vaults, or excavations. It makes later control efforts difficult for utility companies upon arrival.


Transmission anD DisTribuTion (T&D) EmErgEnciEs


As we discussed in Chapter 3, large transmission lines carry gas at high pres- sures. Indiscriminate closing of control valves will cause a “water hammer” effect on the lines, which could produce a rupture especially at the end of the distribution line. Another potential problem could occur when responders close main valves that can misdirect the gas into other lines at higher than normal operating pressures. One most common event occurs when pipelines are damaged by contractors, excavators and home owners. In most of these


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