Natural Gas Damage Prevention Awareness - Call 811 Before You Dig

The greatest risk to underground pipelines is accidental damage during excavations. To protect our natural gas pipelines and other underground facilities, it is critical that people call 811 prior to ANY excavation related activities on public and private property. The law requires that ALL excavators notify the local one-call Miss Utility system by dialing 811 or 800-552-7001 before digging.

The one-call center will contact the owners of the underground facilities and pipelines in the immediate area of digging so that they can mark the location of their facilities prior to excavation.

Excavators are required to allow time for utilities to mark their facilities and are required to take certain precautions when working in the immediate area of underground facilities.

The use of mechanized equipment is prohibited within two feet of either side of any utility.

The one-call center can provide the specific details of what is required. Failure to comply with this law can jeopardize public safety, and can result in costly damages and substantial fines. Even if you cause what seems to be minor damage to a pipeline or gas facility (e.g., gas meters), notify the City of Richmond DPU immediately at 804-646-4646. A gouge, scrape, dent, or crease to the pipe or its coating may cause a future leak or failure. It is imperative that the pipeline owners inspect and repair any damage.

Natural Gas Leak Recognition and Response -- Top Things You Need to Know

A natural gas leak is usually recognized by smell, sight, or sound. 

• Smell - Natural gas is colorless and odorless. Before it reaches you, we add a distinctive, pungent odor (rotten eggs smell) so you will recognize it quickly. 
• Sight - You may see a white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water, or vegetation that appears to be dead or dying for no apparent reason. 
• Sound - You may hear an unusual noise like roaring, hissing or whistling. 

What should you do if you suspect a leak? 

• Protect life first. MOVE to a safe environment. 
• Call 911 or City of Richmond DPU at 804-646-4646. 
• DO NOT strike a match, use cell phones, switch on or off appliances, lights or even a flashlight in the area where you smell gas. These items can produce sparks that might ignite and cause an explosion.
  

For emergency personnel

• Emergency response officials should secure the area and take steps to eliminate ignition sources. 
• Evacuate the general public from the vicinity of the leak 
• Contact City of Richmond DPU at 804-646-4646 

For excavators 

• Immediately stop work and evacuate the site to a safe distance
• Immediately eliminate all sources of ignition (e.g., truck and car motors, backhoes, etc.)
• Call City of Richmond DPU at 804-646-4646
• Alert everyone on the premises
• Keep the public and traffic away 
• DO NOT try to fix the pipe or slow the rate of leaking gas
• DO NOT try to extinguish a gas burning fire unless there is a threat to life
• If you SUSPECT or become aware of a dent, scratch, or coating damage to the pipeline, notify Richmond DPU at 804-646-4646 immediately.

Natural Gas Hazard Awareness and Prevention

The U.S. natural gas transmission and distribution system has the best safety record of any type of transportation system in the country. Natural gas is clean, convenient, and efficient, which makes it the popular energy choice. Like all forms of energy, however, it must be handled properly. Despite an excellent safety record, a gas leak caused by damage to a pipeline may pose a hazard and has the potential to ignite. We work diligently to ensure pipeline safety through a variety of measures including:

• One-call Miss Utility and Dig Safe programs (811)
• Inspection programs 
• Best design and construction practices 
• Workforce qualification and testing
• Public education
• Industry safety practices and government oversight 
• Pipeline markers and facility mapping 
• Gas leak surveys 
• Patrol of critical gas facilities 
• Gas pressure monitoring 
• Gas odorization 
• Working with city, county and municipal agencies 
• Security measures

Natural Gas Pipeline Purpose and Reliability

Richmond Gas Works operates almost 2,000 miles of natural gas pipelines for residential, commercial and industrial use in Richmond, Henrico County and portions of Chesterfield and Hanover counties. It is likely that everyone lives or works near a natural gas pipeline.

These pipelines quietly, reliably and efficiently deliver natural gas throughout the service territory. Natural gas energy is the most popular home heating fuel in America and its pipeline system is among the safest and most secure methods of transporting energy.

The natural gas industry works very closely with government and stays abreast of new security methods and technologies to ensure the highest levels of security. Individual gas utilities also evaluate their security procedures on a regular basis and continually enhance security programs as necessary and appropriate to meet their needs.