Natural Gas Distribution
Overview and Safety
MISSOURI ONE CALL SYSTEM
O P E R AT I N G C O M M I T T E E M E E T I N G
DECEMBER 19, 2013
THE LACLEDE GROUP
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Agenda
• Laclede System Overview
• Natural Gas Properties
• Natural Gas Safety
• Natural Gas Home Safety Tips
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LACLEDE SYSTEM OVERVIEW
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Background on Laclede Gas Company
• Company was created in 1857, and named in honor of St Louis
founder, Pierre Laclede Linquest.
• For the first 90 years, Laclede manufactured and distributed gas,
this gas was derived from burning coal in the absence of oxygen.
• Starting in 1932, natural gas was introduced into the distribution
system.
• In 1942, Union Electric and Laclede Gas exchanged gas and electric
customers.
• In 1949 the distribution system began using 100% natural gas.
• St Charles Gas was acquired in 1963.
• MGE joins the Laclede Group in 2013.
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Laclede Group Service Area
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Laclede Group System Overview
• Natural Gas Transmission Lines – 276 miles
• Natural Gas Distribution Mains – 17,069 miles
⁻ Steel mains:
51%
⁻ Plastic mains:
42%
⁻ Cast iron mains:
7%
• Natural Gas Distribution Service Line – 1,118,0734 services
⁻ Steel services:
14%
⁻ Plastic services:
80%
⁻ Hard copper services:
6%
• Highly Volatile Liquid Line (HVL) – 39 miles
(Propane and Butane)
Note: All values based on CY 2012 reporting.
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Natural Gas Properties
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Natural Gas – A Great Energy Source
When Used Properly
What essential properties of natural gas do our employees need to
know to work safely?
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Essential Properties of Natural Gas Safety
•
Flammable range in air – 4.5-15%
•
Ignition temperature – 1163◦ F
-
-270◦ F
•
Density – lighter than air
-
1 to 600 ratio
•
BTU – 1020 per cubic foot
•
•
Odorless/colorless – addition
of mercaptans
Explosion – when confined in the
proper concentration
•
Asphyxiant – at high concentrations
•
Non-toxic, non-corrosive
•
•
Compressible – MAOP of systems
Clean burning – >2X cleaner than
oil or coal
•
A mixture predominated
by methane
-
Wells and storage – 500 to 3500 psig
-
Transmission – 750 – 1000 psig
-
Distribution – 15 – 60 psig
-
Residential service line – 0.5 psig
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Liquefiable – LNG
• KNOWLEDGE KEEPS
YO U S A F E
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NATURAL GAS SAFETY
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What To Do If You Smell Natural Gas
• If inside a building
- Evacuate and leave the area immediately.
- Once you are outside and a safe distance from the odor call “911”
• If you hit a line while excavating
- Immediately turn off any machinery.
- Leave the immediate area.
- Secure the area to keep others out.
- Call “911” , “811” and notify the Local Natural Gas Distribution Company
• DO NOT
- Turn on any light switches, ring door bells, call on you cell phone or operate
any electrical equipment in the presence of a natural gas odor in a home or
confined area.
- Run around the home or area trying to open windows and doors
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NATURAL GAS HOME SAFETY TIPS
• If your pilot or burner is substantially higher than normal, this could
be an indication of excessive pressure.
• Dead or distressed vegetation above a pipeline is an indication of a
gas leak.
• Always call “811” if you plan any excavation work in your yard.
• Have your furnace checked annually for:
- Adequate ventilation
- Proper combustion (blue flame)
- Keep combustibles away
- Change filters
• Proper operating appliance can not only save money but prevent
conditions that can lead to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Invest in a UL-approved carbon monoxide detector and change the
batteries annually.
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NATURAL GAS HOME SAFETY TIPS (continued)
• Watch your hot water settings – small children can be easily scald.
• If going out of town consider having a neighbor or family member
check on your residence. Occasionally gas utilities require
interruption of service to conduct unanticipated repairs.
• Check plastic vent pipes – Furnaces installed after Sept 1987 use
high temperature plastic vent pipes.
• Uncoated brass flexible connectors installed prior to 1977 generally
used to connect appliances such as stoves and dryers are subject to
cracking and breaking.
• Customer buried fuel lines – should be maintained and checked
annually. Hand dig to find these fuel lines in advance of excavation
work near them. Call a plumbing or heating contract if you need
help locating, repairing and inspecting.
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Q&A