Massachusetts fires

#2
#2
I would think they would have flame arrestors to stop that sort of thing as it reads but maybe utilities don’t.
 
#4
#4
95 Vol Alum said:
I would think they would have flame arrestors to stop that sort of thing as it reads but maybe utilities don’t.
Click to expand...
That's exactly what the wife and I were discussing. She wants me to call our gas company tomorrow and find out. Lol
 
#5
#5
That is terrible. Several years ago natural gas lines exploded in the Bay Area killing several people and destroying homes. Another PG&E disaster.
 
#7
#7
The latest:

'It Looked Like Armageddon': Deadly Gas Blasts Rock 3 Mass. Towns

"Authorities said Leonel Rondon, 18, of Lawrence, died after a chimney toppled by an exploding house crashed into his car. "

"The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency suspected the explosions were caused by an "over-pressurization of a gas main" belonging to Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, which services the area, but officials who responded to the area were still investigating what happened."
 
#10
#10
All those houses burned down because of the gas company and not the owner's faults.
 
#11
#11
That's insane. I would think there is some type of safety valve on the house end of the gas line, no?
 
#12
#12
kiddiedoc said:
That's insane. I would think there is some type of safety valve on the house end of the gas line, no?
Click to expand...
Great question.

From what I've read, the only Over Pressure safety device is the main pressure regulator at the station. In 2015, the Obama admin was pushing the industry to install $30 pressure regulators at each residence, iirc. These valves would shut the gas off in case of over pressurization. However, I cant find any followup articals on this subject.

Still digging.
 
#13
#13
malinoisvol said:
Great question.

From what I've read, the only Over Pressure safety device is the main pressure regulator at the station. In 2015, the Obama admin was pushing the industry to install $30 pressure regulators at each residence, iirc. These valves would shut the gas off in case of over pressurization. However, I cant find any followup articals on this subject.

Still digging.
Click to expand...
 
#14
#14
malinoisvol said:
Great question.

From what I've read, the only Over Pressure safety device is the main pressure regulator at the station. In 2015, the Obama admin was pushing the industry to install $30 pressure regulators at each residence, iirc. These valves would shut the gas off in case of over pressurization. However, I cant find any followup articals on this subject.

Still digging.
Click to expand...

Anyone have a copy of ASME code B31.8?
It is hard to believe that code wouldn't require pressure relief at each end point or at least require redundancy in main line pressure control systems.
After all, you can't purchase a water heater without a relief installed so how could they allow gas to be routed through a home without protection.
 
#15
#15
Isn’t there already a regulator on your gas meter that should shut off an over pressurized flow? The normal flow is already higher than what you’d use inside your house anyways.
 
#16
#16
Smokey X said:
Anyone have a copy of ASME code B31.8?
It is hard to believe that code wouldn't require pressure relief at each end point or at least require redundancy in main line pressure control systems.
After all, you can't purchase a water heater without a relief installed so how could they allow gas to be routed through a home without protection.
Click to expand...

There have to be RVs in the headers. I know our utility has them throughout their distribution system.
 
#17
#17
There are valves that step down the pressure throughout the system, however, I don't believe they are designed to stop a surge. Still studying these systems.
 
#18
#18
The regulator at your gas meter just knocks down the pressure and can burp the system. If you notice you might smell the "rotten egg" smell when around this. But at a certain pressure I'm sure even this regulator can fail.

Digging in to this I found two other valves used in the US. A seismic valve that cuts off your gas to your house at the meter which I'm sure is mandatory install in earthquake areas.

The other is called a EFV or "Excess flow valve." I found this on a gas companys website in Florida and is only installed if the homeowner requests it and at the owners cost. Not sure if every gas company offers it or not.

An excess flow valve (EFV) is a device that Peoples Gas can install on your natural gas service line (the line that runs between the underground gas main and your gas meter).
Excess flow valves are designed to automatically restrict your service when the natural gas flow exceeds certain limits, such as when a service line is damaged due to excavation or other activities. When activated, the EFV may stop the flow of natural gas, limiting the risk of escaping natural gas due to this type of damage or a pipe failure, and providing safety benefits. EFVs do not protect against gas leaks occurring within your home's piping.

Peoples Gas is notifying you of your right to request installation of an EFV on your gas service line if one has not previously been installed. We estimate that most EFV installations will range in cost between $1,200 and $1,800 per line, depending on the excavation and restoration required for a particular premise. If you request that an EFV be installed, we will determine if your service line meets certain eligibility requirements, such as pressure limits and natural gas flow rates. If your line meets the requirements, and you make payment to Peoples Gas of the estimated installation cost, Peoples Gas will install an EFV on your service line (typically scheduled for completion within eight to 12 weeks).
Click to expand...

Peoples Gas
 
Last edited:
#21
#21
Smokey X said:
Anyone have a copy of ASME code B31.8?
It is hard to believe that code wouldn't require pressure relief at each end point or at least require redundancy in main line pressure control systems.
After all, you can't purchase a water heater without a relief installed so how could they allow gas to be routed through a home without protection.
Click to expand...

I think the current version of B31.8 requires the excess flow valve as noted below. Given the location, I assume that these were older homes that likely do not have excess flow valves in the lines to the homes. They would be reliant on the utility venting the pressure down and isolating the system in the event of a regulator failure or line sheer.
 
#22
#22
Shocker: The gas company has already claimed innocence to the catastrophe.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top