ATTENTION, GAS PIPELINE!
Gas supply is one of the most useful utilities, but at the same time, it requires strict adherence to usage rules and safety precautions. It is unlikely that anyone would argue with this.
Everyone is already accustomed to gas workers constantly urging the public to observe the rules for using gas in everyday life and to monitor their gas equipment, protecting their homes from explosions and gas leaks. And all conscientious gas users understand the importance of these measures. At the same time, gas pipelines running underground outside residential buildings are not in the sight of ordinary gas consumers, but they are a serious cause for concern for employees of gas supply organizations.
This refers to uncoordinated excavation work in the "gas pipeline protection zone" without considering the possible presence of a gas pipeline at the excavation site, by both construction companies and ordinary citizens (on their adjacent territories). When starting construction and excavation work, managers and specialists of enterprises, organizations, as well as citizens, in a hurry, forget the elementary rules for carrying out excavation work: they do not coordinate the work in full, do not manage to call or do not wait for representatives of organizations owning adjacent communications, and violate the rules for developing trenches and pits. This can lead and does lead to emergency situations.
In the event of such actions by both organizations and ordinary citizens, the consequences can be equally dangerous and dire. Excavation machinery can instantly rupture a gas pipeline, and pressurized gas will escape from underground. Only an emergency gas service can localize the accident. If only the insulation of a steel gas pipeline is damaged, or a deep scratch is left on a polyethylene gas pipeline, such a pipeline becomes a time bomb. After some time, a gas leak will appear at the defect site. Gas will escape from under the ground, filling nearby manholes, basements of residential buildings, and heat pipeline collectors. In such cases, unfortunately, the emergency gas service may not be able to intervene in time…
Damage to underground gas pipelines entails: emergency disconnection of gas consumers; release of natural gas into the atmosphere given its high cost and scarcity; significant financial costs for the elimination of accidents and incidents related to gas pipeline ruptures; atmospheric pollution, which constitutes an environmental offense.
Repair, construction, and excavation work in the area of underground gas pipelines are permitted only with written authorization from the gas supply organization and in the presence of its representative. However, many managers, specialists of enterprises, organizations, and citizens disregard this.
For example, on May 17, 2021, at 2:39 PM in Vitebsk, at 51 Zolotogorskaya Street, employees of POOO "DIST" damaged a medium-pressure gas pipeline during excavation work.
Upon arrival at the site, employees of the Vitebskgaz Emergency Dispatch Service discovered damage (rupture) to a medium-pressure gas pipeline with a diameter of 32 mm caused by manual tools (steel crowbar). Earthworks in the gas pipeline protection zone were carried out by employees of POOO "DIST" without the presence of a Vitebskgaz representative. Gas supply to 4 private residential buildings was shut off. The damaged section of the gas pipeline was repaired, and gas was re-introduced into the external gas pipeline and residential buildings. The costs for compensation of damages for POOO "DIST" amounted to 1532.79 rubles. The responsible work supervisor was fined 10 base units.
On 08/05/2021 at 09:15 AM in Vitebsk, at Starobabinovichsky Trakt, 1, employees of ChP "VitStroyObespechenie" damaged a high-pressure gas pipeline (0.6 MPa) during earthworks.
Upon arrival at the site, employees of the Vitebskgaz Emergency Dispatch Service discovered damage (a hole measuring 50*50mm) to a Category II steel high-pressure gas pipeline with a diameter of 219 mm caused by an excavator bucket. Earthworks in the gas pipeline protection zone were carried out by employees of ChP "VitStroyObespechenie" without the presence of a Vitebskgaz representative. Gas supply to 1 communal and domestic consumer was shut off. Gas supply to the "Bilevo-2" and "Bilevo-3" microdistricts was maintained from the accumulated capacity of the disconnected section of the Category II high-pressure gas pipeline. The damaged section of the gas pipeline was repaired, and gas was re-introduced into the external gas pipeline and to the communal and domestic gas consumer. The costs for compensation of damages for ChP "VitStroyObespechenie" amounted to 5642.36 rubles. The responsible work supervisor was fined 10 base units.
UP "Vitebskoblgaz" reminds:
Within the boundaries of protection zones, the following are prohibited without written permission from the gas supply organization:
1. Construction and installation work, soil grading.
2. Geological surveying, prospecting, geodetic, and other exploratory work associated with the construction of wells, pits, and soil sampling (except for soil samples).
3. Erection of small architectural forms.
4. Establishing parking areas and stops for vehicles, tractors, and other self-propelled machinery.
5. Land reclamation work, laying irrigation and drainage channels, and constructing facilities of land reclamation systems.
6. Bottom cleaning and dredging operations.
The following are prohibited within protection zones:
1. Construction of buildings, structures, and facilities.
2. Moving, dismantling, backfilling, or damaging markers of underground gas pipeline routes and the locations of network facilities on them, as well as control and measuring points.
3. Destruction of structures and devices protecting gas pipelines and facilities on them from damage.
4. Unauthorized opening of gas well and cover manholes, gates and doors of gas regulating points, gas pipeline corrosion protection stations, opening and closing of valves and shut-off valves, disconnecting and connecting energy-saving and remote control devices of gas pipelines.
5. To store materials and equipment, including for temporary storage along the route of an underground gas pipeline within 2 meters on both sides of the axis, as well as to plant trees and shrubs of all kinds within 1.5 meters on both sides of the gas pipeline axis.
6. To create dumps, to pour aggressive liquids, including solutions of acids, salts, and alkalis.
7. To drop anchors, to navigate with anchors, chains, sounding leads, drags deployed, to conduct fishing with rigid and semi-rigid trawls.
8. To make fires and place any open or closed sources of fire.
9. To conduct any events involving large gatherings of people not engaged in work permitted in the established manner.
We hereby warn you of the existing administrative liability in cases of:
1. Violation of restrictions established by law on the use of protection zones of gas distribution system facilities entails a fine ranging from ten to forty basic units, for an individual entrepreneur - up to fifty basic units, and for a legal entity - up to two hundred basic units in accordance with Article 18.34 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus.
2. Damage to gas pipelines (except for main pipelines) or their equipment during work entails a fine ranging from ten to thirty basic units in accordance with Article 21.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus.
To obtain a permit for carrying out work in the gas pipeline protection zone, individuals, individual entrepreneurs, and legal entities must contact the structural divisions of UP "Vitebskoblgaz" at the place of work performance.
Remember! Damage to a gas pipeline can lead to accidents, explosions, fires, and casualties. Protect yourself and your loved ones.