Pipeline Safety
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PIPELINE HOME
INTRODUCTION
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Utilities Kingston is proud to be among the oldest and most progressive public owned utility companies in Ontario. Originally founded in 1847 as the Kingston Gas and Light Company we have a legacy of customer satisfaction. Being the only truly converged utility company, we operate the water, sewer and a broadband communication network throughout the city of Kingston as well as the electric and gas systems inside the old city boundaries.
Having all these utilities under one roof offers a great convenience to our customers unrealized in any other municipality in Ontario. What this means to us is increased efficiency and safety achieved through shared resources and knowledge.
What we strive to provide for our customers and community is the safest, most efficient and reliable a product as is possible to deliver.
We here at Utilities Kingston are committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of our natural gas distribution system. The construction and maintenance programs employed at Utilities Kingston exceed that of set government standards.
Utilities Kingston undergoes and succeeds at many programs to ensure the safe operation of our system. One such accomplishment is the completion of our Cast Iron Pipe Replacement Program. In the mid 1980s the United States released an advisory to all operating companies that cast iron pipe in gas pipeline systems be phased out. Quick to react the Kingston PUC embarked on a program not to phase it out, but to eliminate it from our system. The completion of this was a major accomplishment in the eyes of the natural gas community.
Many factors are incorporated into ensuring the safety and integrity of our system. Among them are the design, construction, testing, control valves and maintenance programs.
From the design phase where all methods and materials are specified to meet or exceed current industry standards to construction, integrity is ensured through close control and on site monitoring. All pipelines and appurtenances are tested to strict tolerances before becoming an integral part of our system.
Another way Utilities Kingston strives to protect the safety of our community is through the use of isolating valves. We have a tendency to install more valves than other companies in able to minimize the effects in the event we need to shut off the gas flow.
Utilities Kingston also closely monitors the contractors that work on yours or your neighbours equipment thereby reducing the risks of any problems inside your house.
Maintenance programs such as corrosion control, valve maintenance and monitoring are an on going operation here at Utilities Kingston.
If you are planning an excavation for whatever reason, keep in mind that the typical gas service is half-inch plastic. Although in normal circumstances it is very strong, it is also easily sheared.
Utilities Kingston, at no charge will come out and locate any underground pipes or cables we have and advise you on working around them.
All you need to do is call our operations center or Ontario One Call 48 hours before you plan to do the work and an appointment with one of our experienced locators will be made with you.
Utilities Kingston takes delivery of odourless natural gas at the city gate station in Glenburnie. At this point Mercaptain is added to the gas to make it detectable to the nose.
From there, gas is brought into the Central City and distributed via pressure regulating stations and a series of pipelines referred to as our distribution system.
Gas is lighter than air and therefore in the event of a leak dissipates rapidly into the atmosphere. It is however flammable in the right consolidation and if it allowed to pool can be explosive.
Burning natural gas as a heating fuel creates by-products of combustion. One of these by-products in a faulty appliance can be Carbon Monoxide. Carbon Monoxide on it's own is colorless, odourless and difficult to detect, however another by-product that occurs simultaneously with Carbon Monoxide are Adelhydes. Adelhydes have a very pungent odour and tend to irritate the eyes, nose and throat
If you think you have damaged a gas pipeline or if you think you have a gas leak:
- Don't panic.
- Stop any activity. Shut-off any equipment that may cause a source of ignition. Do not turn any lights on or off. Avoid using wireless phones.
- Leave the immediate area.
- If there is a fire call 911.
- Call Utilities Kingston.
- Remain at a safe distance.
- When emergency crews arrive, help them when they ask, otherwise do not get in the way.
For Locates:
Utilities Kingston 613-546-1181 ext 2151
Ontario One-Call 1-800-400-2255
In An Emergency:
Utilities Kingston 613-546-1181 ext 2151
Police, Fire, Ambulance 911
Information:
Utilities Kingston 613-546-1181 ext 2246 or 2280
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