Procedure: First Response to a Reported Gas Escape

Purpose. This procedure sets the actions a first response technician must take from receipt of a gas escape dispatch until the site is made safe and handed over.

1.Scope and priorities

This procedure applies to every reported smell of gas, damaged pipe, gas in a building and gas fire on or near the network. The control centre assigns a priority on dispatch: Priority 1 for gas inside a building, fire or a damaged main, Priority 2 for gas outside with no ignition risk, Priority 3 for faint intermittent smells.

2.Step 1: Respond

The responder must acknowledge the dispatch in the Gas Escape and Leak Survey Log, travel to site within the priority time and park the vehicle upwind and outside the likely hazard area. On arrival the responder must record the arrival time in the log.

3.Step 2: Assess and establish site control

The responder must use a calibrated portable detector to locate the escape and measure the concentration, then set an exclusion zone based on the readings and wind. Ignition sources must be removed, occupants moved to fresh air and the fire service called if there is fire or gas inside a building.

• Approach from upwind with the detector running
• Bar hole and survey the area to find the source
• Set and mark an exclusion zone
• Remove ignition sources and evacuate as needed
• Call the fire service for fire or gas in a building

4.Step 3: Make safe

The responder must stop the escape by closing the service valve, applying a squeeze-off or clamp, or isolating under permit where a main is involved. Where the escape is on a customer installation the responder must turn off the meter and tag it, and must not repair customer piping.

5.Step 4: Repair or hand over

Minor repairs within the responder's authorisation may proceed under a permit. Larger repairs must be handed to the maintenance crew with the exclusion zone maintained. Supply must not be restored until the repair is tested and every affected appliance is relit.

6.Step 5: Record

The responder must complete the log entry with readings, actions and times, and must complete an Incident and Hazard Report Form for any Priority 1 event, third party damage or injury. The Control Centre must be told when the site is closed.