Harris County ESD No. 7 Natural Gas Leak Operations PDF

# Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 - Natural Gas Leak Operations ## Standard Operating Line: SFD.085 **Revision No.:** 1 **Issue Date:** 8 Aug. 2024 **Review Date:** 1 Aug. 2025 **Operation:** S **Reviewed by:** S **Approved by:** Scott C. Seifert **Effective Date:** 8 Aug. 2024 ## 1. Ex...

# Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 - Natural Gas Leak Operations ## Standard Operating Line: SFD.085 **Revision No.:** 1 **Issue Date:** 8 Aug. 2024 **Review Date:** 1 Aug. 2025 **Operation:** S **Reviewed by:** S **Approved by:** Scott C. Seifert **Effective Date:** 8 Aug. 2024 ## 1. Executive Summary - **Procedures and Responsibilities:** Immediate air monitoring upon arrival at the scene, with personal protective equipment including SCBA worn by all personnel in the hot zone. - **Evacuation:** All civilians should be evacuated from hazardous areas during a suspected or confirmed gas leak. - **Zone Establishment:** A hot zone, warm zone, and cold zone should be established and maintained around any gas leak. - **Incident Command:** SFD will maintain command of all uncontrolled natural gas leaks within its territory. - **Utility Company Collaboration:** The gas company assumes responsibility for controlling the leak upon arrival, with the fire department assisting as needed. - **Building Procedures:** Minimum personnel for entries into buildings with suspected leaks, continuous air monitoring, and immediate evacuation if gas is detected. - **Cut Gas Lines:** Immediate air monitoring, addressing life safety issues, and establishing zones based on initial monitoring. SFD personnel will not clamp gas lines. ## 2. Purpose To establish standardized response procedures for suspected or confirmed natural gas leaks. ## 3. Policy Statement All members must comply with this guideline when operating on a gas leak incident. ## 4. Scope This guideline applies to all members. ## 5. Definitions See Glossary. ## 6. Procedures and Responsibilities - Responses to all suspected or confirmed natural gas leaks Calls for “Odor of Gas”, “Gas Leak”, “Broken Gas Line” and similar situations should be approached as hazardous until proven otherwise. - Air monitoring should begin immediately upon arrival. - All personnel working in the hot zone of a suspected or confirmed natural gas leak shall wear personal protective ensemble including SCBA until the area is deemed safe via air monitoring equipment. - Personnel working in a known ignitable atmosphere will be constantly monitored and covered with a charged hose line. - All civilians should be evacuated from a hazardous or potentially hazardous area or buildings in a suspected or confirmed gas leak. - A hot zone, warm zone, and cold zone should be established and maintained around any gas leak. Any area with a gas accumulation of 10% LEL or greater should be considered as within the hot zone. - Whenever a crew is within the hot zone, RIT should be established per SFD guidelines. - The Incident Commander should consider deploying a charged hose line based on ignition hazards. - Only the minimally required number of personnel should enter the hot zone in order to size up the situation, determine the source of the leak, and isolate the leak if possible. - SFD will establish and maintain command of all uncontrolled natural gas leaks inside SFD territory and will maintain effective communications with all other on scene agencies including utility companies. - When gas company personnel arrive on scene the gas company will assume responsibility for controlling the leak while fire department personnel maintain overall command of the scene, assist the gas company as needed, continue to monitor the area for the presence of gas, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all on scene personnel and endangered property. - The fire department should not leave the scene of a gas leak until they have determined the leak is controlled and the scene is safe. - **Buildings:** - All entries into buildings with suspected gas leaks should involve the minimum number of personnel necessary to size up the situation and provide continuous air monitoring. Personnel movement inside the building should be slow to allow the monitors to accurately measure gas concentrations in the air. Any readings on gas monitors inside a building should trigger an immediate evacuation of the building. - Confirmed gas leaks inside a building should be isolated from the closest possible isolation point in a non-hazardous area if possible. - Potential ignition sources, such as electrical service, should be controlled/isolated from a safe distance if the leak cannot be immediately controlled. - Buildings with gas accumulation should be ventilated using natural ventilation and may be assisted with positive pressure ventilation operated in a monitored and safe location. - Fire department personnel should not attempt to place any gas-powered equipment back into service including extinguished pilot lights. - **Cut Gas Lines:** - Upon arrival, immediately begin air monitoring to determine the area effected and the potential hazards to life and property. - Immediately address any potential life safety issues. - Based on initial air monitoring establish hot, warm, and cold zones. - If a natural gas leak is confirmed request the gas company respond to the scene if not already dispatched. - If the gas leak is near a building, ensure that the building's interior is monitored, this is to include the attic area. - SFD personnel will not clamp gas lines. - Law enforcement should be requested for traffic control whenever a cut gas line involves possible road closures. - When an underground gas line is leaking, the area should be continually monitored. - In dry conditions with visibly cracked soil, cracks in the soil should be monitored, as the gas can travel large distances through fissures. - Soil should not be placed on top of a cut gas line as this can facilitate the underground travel of gas. ## 7. References & Related Policies This section provides references to applicable laws, standards, or other related internal policies or guidelines. | NFPA | **Applicable State or Federal OSHA** | **Spring FD** | |------------|---------------------------------------|----------------| | | | | ## 8. Contact Office The appropriate contact office for questions or comments on this SOG is: - Company Officer: - District Chief - Deputy Chief of Operations - Assistant Chief - Fire Chief ## 9. List of Changes | Revision No. | Description of Changes | Approve d by | Effective Date | |-------------|------------------------------|------------|----------------| | 1 | First edition. | Davenp ort | 8/8/2024 | ## 10. Errors See something wrong? Click here or use this QR code to submit an error or inconsistency. [qrcode image] This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge a member's legal duty or civil liability in any way. This policy should not be construed as creating a duty to act or a higher duty of care, with respect to third-party civil claims against members or the department. A violation of this policy, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this department for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing member discipline.