NATURAL GAS INCIDENTS

S.O.G. No.: 01-036

Revision: May 2010

Effective Date: Feb 1994

1. PURPOSE

1.1 In the interest of the department member’s health and safety, this document is established to provide guidelines maintaining a safe work environment.

2. REFERENCES

2.1 Union Fire District Board of Wardens Policy

3. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

3.1 The department shall maintain a safe working environment throughout all incidents in accordance with NFPA, OSHA and other appropriate safety standards.

4. PROCEDURE/ SCOPE

The following serves as the Union Fire District guideline for natural gas incidents.

PURPOSE

To provide personnel with specific guidelines outlining the assignments and responsibilities of apparatus and personnel at natural gas incidents. Dispatch should advise tenant to evacuate the property immediately.

I. GENERAL
A. Due to the high probability of death and injury that can occur during incidents involving

natural gas releases in buildings, certain mandatory procedures will be followed.

B. When it is reported that apparatus will be responding to a natural gas release in a building or area, all personnel must be in full turnout gear including SCBA and a Multi Gas Detector.

II. GUIDELINES

A. Apparatus of any description will not be positioned in front of the building for which the gas release has been reported.

B. Do not ring the doorbell when approaching the incident building or stand in front of any exterior door.

C. When entering the building, evacuate and ventilate with deliberate speed.

D. Investigation of any building that has a gas release will be limited to one officer and one firefighter only. All other personnel will remain by their apparatus and await the orders of the Incident Commander.

E. The Incident Commander will notify Dispatch to contact the Gas Company as soon as a preliminary investigation has determined that their assistance is required.

F. TheDeputyChieforanEngineCompanywillremainonsceneuntiltheGasCompany declares the condition corrected or the Incident Commander feels that it is safe to secure the operation.

III. COMPANY ASSIGNMENTS

A. FIRST DUE ENGINE COMPANY

1. Place apparatus well beyond front door and upwind when possible and not over any manhole covers..
2. Place a 1-3/4 inch attack line in service as a precaution should it become necessary to come to the assistance of the firefighters inspecting the building. A feeder line will be connected to the nearest hydrant (but not charged) and made ready.
3. Evacuation, ventilation, and shut-off of the gas supply will be standard operating procedure. Variations to this procedure will only be allowed by the Incident Commander.

B. SECOND DUE ENGINE COMPANY

1. Connect a supply line to the nearest hydrant (but not charged) and make ready.

KEEP IN MIND THAT THE CLOSEST HYDRANT MAY NOT BE THE SAFEST. Ex. Wind direction or hydrant directly in front of house etc.

C. THIRD DUE ENGINE COMPANY