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GM Appendix G-192-11A - 5 Leak

Investigation and Classification
 

5.1  Scope.

(a)  Leak investigation and leak classification provide a means for determining the location, extent, and potential
hazard of migrating gas. A leak investigation should be initiated to address a report of a possible leak
indication. Prompt action should be taken as necessary for protection of people first and then property. Leak
indications may include the following.

(1)  Odor complaints.

(2)  Reports of dead or discolored vegetation.

(3)  Positive readings from leak detection equipment.

(b)  Leak indications may originate from the following.

(1)  Scheduled leak surveys.

(2)  Line patrols.

(3)  Customer reports.

(4)  Reports from the general public.

(c)  Regardless of their origin, leak indications should be investigated promptly to identify any hazardous condition.

(d)  In any leak investigation, an operator should presume that a Grade 1 or hazardous leak might exist.

(e)  Only after completing the leak investigation should an operator determine an appropriate leak classification. Leak
indications may be from sources other than petroleum gas.

5.2  Procedural Guidance – General.

(a)  Petroleum gas is heavier than air, and will tend to migrate downward. Leaking petroleum gas will establish flow
patterns that may follow utility trench lines and the natural topography of the leak area. Petroleum gas leak
patterns will be affected by the presence of a perched water table in the leak area. The petroleum gas leak
pattern will change or move with the water table due to seasonal changes. When investigating a petroleum gas
leak, look for low spots or dips in the roadway and around the foundations of structures where the gas is likely
to accumulate.

(b)  If a leak investigation is initiated by an inside odor complaint, see 5.4 below.

(c)  There are situations that might warrant entering a building before checking the extent of gas migration. These
can include the following.

(1)  Broken gas lines.

(2)  Gas blowing out of the ground.

(3)  Hissing, roaring, or other sounds indicating underground gas leakage.

(4)  Noticeable odor levels.

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(5)  Gas in multiple underground structures that are normally connected by ducts or piping to houses,
especially when the gas readings are high.

(6)  Inside odor reports in an area of underground leakage or coincident with outside odor reports.

(d)  Where a leak indication appears to originate from buried piping, operator personnel should identify the extent of
gas migration. If the migration pattern extends to nearby structures, the structures should be immediately
checked for the presence of combustible gases. Structures may include buildings, confined spaces, and other
sub-surface structures. See 5.3 below. Considerations should include the following.

(1)  If gas is found within a structure, other structures within the boundaries of the migration pattern should be
checked for the presence of gas. Based on the local conditions, structures beyond the identified migration
pattern may also need to be checked.

(2)  The levels of gas migrating into buildings need to be monitored so that the "make safe" actions can be
initiated at appropriate times. Under these and similar conditions, it is recommended that immediate
assistance be requested and the inside investigations be initiated without delay, including finding the
farthest extent of gas migration.

(3)  Because leakage can be dynamic, the gas levels in nearby buildings need to be continually monitored. It is
not uncommon, under extreme conditions, for buildings that had no gas detected on the initial check to
have gas levels found upon subsequent checks.

(e)  Personnel investigating a leak indication reported as either an "inside" or "outside" complaint should perform a
visual check for the existence of other underground utilities in the area. If "outside," see 5.3 below. Examples
of other underground facilities in the area of suspected gas migration include the following.

(1)  Customer-owned service lines.

(2)  Buried fuel lines.

(3)  Electric lines.

(4)  Telephone wiring.

(5)  Television cables.

(6)  Water or sewer lines.

(f)  Consider the potential for gas migration under fully paved areas, ground frost, or buildings.

5.3  Procedural Guidance – Outside underground leak.

(a)  Using a barhole device and CGI, barhole in the area of leak indication along and adjacent to operator’s mains
and service lines, paying close attention to valves, service tees, fittings, stubs, connections, and risers or
service entry points to buildings. See 4.4(a) above.

Note: Use caution when barholing to avoid damage to operator facilities or other underground structures.

(b)  Barholing of an underground leak indication should be done in a uniform manner. Barholes should be placed to a
uniform depth and distance to adequately define the leak area. Barholes should be placed to the approximate
depth of the operator’s piping. Once the area of the leak indication is determined, barhole and sample with the
CGI in all directions from the approximate center of the leak until zero gas readings are detected.

Note: If the leakage pattern extends to the outside wall of a structure, the leak investigation should continue to
the inside of the structure.

(c)  If a meter set is outside, observe its dial for unusual flow.

(d)  Look for indications of construction activity that might have caused damage to the operator’s facilities. Examples
are:

(1)  Excavation.

(2)  Pavement patches. GM Appendix G-192-11A - 5 Leak Investigation and Classification

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(3)  Landscaping.

(4)  Fencing installation.

(5)  Directional drilling or boring activity.

(6)  Settling or subsidence.

(e)  Look for building additions that may have been constructed over petroleum gas service lines.

(f)  Conditions permitting, look for a pattern of vegetation damage that may indicate the presence of a leak.

(g)  Check available openings in the area of a leak indication. These openings may include the following.

(1)  Valve boxes.

(2)  Catch basins.

(3)  Manholes.

(4)  Vaults.

(5)  Water meter boxes.

(6)  Pits.

(7)  Underground irrigation control boxes.

(8)  Other openings that allow access to underground atmospheres.

(h)  Check for migration along other buried utilities that may serve as a path for leaking gas. Paths for leaking gas
might include the following.

(1)  Sanitary sewer systems.

(2)  Drains and drainage systems.

(3)  Water mains and service lines.

(4)  Telephone lines.

(5)  Electric lines.

(6)  Cable TV lines.

(i)  Investigating readings in underground conduit structures.

(1)  Underground conduits (e.g., electric, telephone, cable) or sewer and drain structures (e.g., storm, sanitary,
catch basins, vent boxes) can provide unobstructed and interconnected (or exclusive) migration paths for
gas. Therefore, if readings are found in these types of structures, the operator should conduct successive
checks of all interconnecting manholes until zero readings are found.

(2)  Buildings should also be checked to determine if interconnecting conduits are entering buildings and
possibly providing migration of gas to the inside of the building. The investigation may require coverage
of numerous blocks and buildings to achieve proper results.

(3)  To determine which manholes are "interconnected," an operator can perform a survey of available
openings, noting similarly identified manhole covers. Other techniques include the following.

(i)  Contact and work with the owner-utility directly, or through one-call (observing local one-call laws).

(ii) Pull the manhole covers and observe (from the surface) the apparent directions of the conduits.

Note: Rectangular lids are common in the electrical industry. Opening this style of lid can cause
damage if the lid drops through the opening. Use
GM extreme caution when
Appendix G-192-11A opening
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Investigation lids
and or ask
Classification
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the owner-utility for assistance.

(4)  After identifying all successive manholes with positive readings and the clear manholes at the ends, all gas
facilities between the clear manholes should be considered to be within the area of migration and should
be investigated.

(5)  Due to prevailing air flow within conduit systems, it is not unusual for gas leaks to be closer to manholes
with zero readings than those with positive readings.

(6)  Ventilate all manholes. This should reduce readings in manholes that are farther from the leak source,

Note: This action can change the pattern of air flow within the conduit system and change readings inside
buildings (if conduits connect to the adjacent buildings). Therefore, check buildings as discussed in 5.3(i)
(2) above to determine if this should be a concern.

(7)  Continue to pinpoint (see 7 below) the leak by barholing as described in the beginning of this section (5.3).
If necessary, barhole over or near the conduit to obtain a lead to the source leak. Be cautious of other
owner-utilities as discussed in 7.3(a).

(j)  If a leak area involves multiple buildings, the leak investigation area should be expanded to include each building
in the affected area. Consider extending the leak investigation area one or two buildings, or a specified
distance, beyond the leak migration area.

(k)  If the leak is detected on aboveground exposed piping, perform a bubble test using a leak detection solution to
determine the magnitude of the leak. See 4.4(b) above.

(l)  Based on the leak location, extent of migration, and magnitude, assign a leak classification to the leak area. See
Tables 3a, 3b, and 3c.

5.4  Procedural Guidance – Inside leak or odor complaint.

(a)  It may be necessary to investigate a reported leak or gas odor inside a structure. These investigations may
result from the following.

(1)  Gas migration.

(2)  Indications of gas readings inside a building while performing routine leak surveys.

(3)  Odor complaints.

(b)  Leaks may originate on customer-owned piping or equipment.

(c)  Look for indications of construction activity, which may have caused damage to the operator’s facilities. Examples
are:

(1)  Excavation.

(2)  Pavement patches.

(3)  Landscaping.

(4)  Fencing installation.

(5)  Directional drilling or boring activity.

(6)  Settling or subsidence.

(d)  Look for building additions that may have been constructed over petroleum gas service lines.

(e)  Conditions permitting, look for a pattern of vegetation damage that may indicate the presence of a leak. See 5.3
above.

(f)  The CGI and an approved flashlight should be turned on prior to entering any building or structure.

(g)  If there is an outside meter set, observe its dial for excessive
GMflow or movement.
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(h)  Using a CGI, test around the entry door for gas indications. Do not ring the door bell; knock on the door to get
the attention of occupants. Upon entry do not operate any lights, but do take appropriate precautions to
prevent accidental ignition. Immediately sample the inside atmosphere for the presence of combustible gas.
Remember, petroleum gas is heavier than air and will accumulate in the lower atmosphere.

Note: If gas is detected, the applicable portions of the operator’s emergency procedures need to be
implemented.

(i)  If the call is an odor complaint, proceed to the area indicated by the caller/occupant to investigate. When
entering a building as a result of detecting a leak on outside underground piping, initiate an "inside"
investigation. If the visit is in response to an odor complaint, attempt to locate and identify all gas lines
associated with the building to their respective points of termination or equipment connection. Observe for
abandoned or inactive petroleum gas lines, and petroleum gas lines that may exist under a portion of the
structure that has no basement (e.g., an addition, garage).

(j)  If the building has a basement, enter it while constantly sampling with a CGI. Proceed to check the following with
the CGI.

(1)  Basement wall that is adjacent to the outside leak area for migration of gas.

(2)  Gas piping that passes through basement walls.

(3)  Cracks in basement walls.

(4)  Other utility entry points, floor drains, laundry sink drains, bathroom drains, and toilets for the presence of
combustible gases.

(5)  Basement walls adjacent to buried gas piping.

(k)  If the structure has no basement, but has a crawlspace, attempt to gain access to the crawlspace and sample its
atmosphere for the presence of combustible gases. If the structure is built on a concrete slab, check all utility
penetration points for gas indications. Attempt to barhole at an angle under the concrete slab along the leak
area and near utility entrances for gas indications.

(l)  Use the CGI and a leak detection solution to locate the source of the gas odor, and to identify the degree of
potential hazard.

(m)  Consider a barhole test at or near the outside meter riser. Where there is an inside meter, consider a barhole
test at the service entrance.

(n)  The operator should consider leak testing accessible gas piping, including abandoned or inactive lines, using a
CGI or leak detection solution.

(o)  Where an operator’s written procedures do not require an instrument leak test of customer-owned piping,
consider a pressure-drop test or a meter dial test.

5.5  Leak grades.

Based on an evaluation of the location or magnitude of a leak or both, one of the following leak grades should be
assigned, thereby establishing the leak repair priority.

(a)  Grade 1, a leak that represents an existing or probable hazard to persons or property and requires immediate
repair or continuous action until the conditions are no longer hazardous. See §192.703(c).

(b)  Grade 2, a leak that is recognized as being non-hazardous at the time of detection, but, requires scheduled
repair based on probable future hazard.

(c)  Grade 3, a leak that is non-hazardous at the time of detection and can be reasonably expected to remain non-
hazardous. Because petroleum gas is heavier than air and will collect in low areas instead of dissipating, few
leaks can safely be classified as Grade 3.

5.6  Leak classification and action criteria.

Guidelines for leak classification and leakage control are provided in Tables 3a, 3b, and 3c. The examples of leak
conditions provided in the tables are presented as guidelines andGMare not exclusive.
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personnel at the scene is of primary importance in determining the grade assigned to a leak.

5.7  Temporary mitigative measures for Grade 1 leaks.

Note: See GMA G-192-8 for additional information on leak classification and reinspection guidelines.

(a)  Temporary mitigative measures (e.g., venting, shutting down the line, reducing pressure, installing a temporary
leak clamp) might be necessary to control the hazard of a leak until a permanent repair can be made.

(b)  A frequency of inspection should be established to verify that these measures are effectively mitigating the
hazard until the leak is repaired.

(c)  If it is not feasible to make a permanent repair at the time of discovery, then a permanent repair should be made
as soon as practicable.

5.8  Follow-up inspection.

The adequacy of leak repairs should be checked before backfilling. The perimeter of the leak area should be checked
with the CGI. Where there is residual gas in the ground after the repair of a Grade 1 leak, follow-up inspections
should be made as soon as practical after allowing the soil atmosphere to vent and stabilize, but in no case later than
one month following the repair. Since petroleum gases are heavier than air, it is usually necessary to purge or
mechanically vent an area one or more times to ensure that a hazardous condition no longer exists. In the case of
other repairs, the need for a follow-up inspection should be determined by qualified personnel and when a follow-up
inspection is needed, it should be made as soon as practical, but in no case later than three months.

5.9  Reevaluation of a leak.

When a leak is to be reevaluated (see Tables 3b and 3c), it should be classified using the same criteria as when the
leak was first discovered.

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GM Appendix G-192-11A Tables

 

TABLE 2 - AVAILABLE PROPANE GAS DETECTION TECHNOLOGIES

The following technologies are currently commercialized for use in propane leak detection. The information in the
table depicts typical or nominal values / properties / characteristics contained in current manufacturers’ literature.
Operators should consult instrument manufacturers for appropriate application and limitations of available instrument
technologies.

Applications Key

1.   Leak investigation and classification. Typical instrument requirements are to measure percent gas or LEL to
classify the severity of a leak. Instruments are typically rated "Intrinsically Safe." Typical measurement
may be taken within a barhole or in the air of an area with a known leak.
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2.   Barhole leak survey. Typical instruments are to measure very low concentration levels with fast responding
sensors. Typical measurements are taken while using a barhole device and soil sample probe along the
main or services.

Definitions

Catalytic:
  Catalytic works on the basis that gas molecules will combust when coming into contact
with a heated platinum wire (coated with a catalytic material). The catalytic material
will accelerate the oxidation reaction, thus raising the temperature of the platinum
wire. As the platinum wire heats up, the change in resistance is measured. The
amount of resistance change is proportional to the gas concentration. Typically, two
sensor beads are used (sample and reference).
Thermal Conductivity:
  Thermal conductivity works on the basis of passing a sample of gas over a heated
thermistor. The thermistor will change resistance relative to the thermal conductivity of
the gas. A reference thermistor is normally used to generate a relative comparison.
The resistance change is proportional to the gas concentration.
Amplified Thermal Conductivity:
  Amplified thermal conductivity is the same principle as Thermal Conductivity, but with
additional electronic amplification to increase the response signal.
Semiconductor:
  Semiconductor sensors work on the basis that a tin dioxide (SnO2) material (when
heated to a specific temperature (e.g., at 400°C) for hydrocarbon detection) will
change resistance as it interacts with the gas. The resistance change is non-
proportional to gas concentration.
Flame Ionization:
  Flame ionization works on the basis that gas molecules are positively charged by
burning in a high temperature hydrogen flame. The ions are then collected on an
electrode. The rate of charged particles collected is proportional to the gas
concentration.

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GM Appendix G-192-11A Tables

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GM Appendix G-192-11A Tables

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GM Appendix G-192-11A Tables

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