Safety is the highest priority in the gas industry. We always encourage our customers to practice best practices and to call us when they suspect a problem. Our operators are on call 24/7 and will respond quickly.
The gas industry and its distribution network are routinely subject to rigorous inspection, maintenance and oversight within the company and at the federal and state level. This includes the promulgation of a pipeline integrity management rule that requires periodic pipeline inspections and repairs as necessary.
Since 1988, the overall serious incident trend, as defined by the Department of Transportation, for natural gas transmission pipelines has declined while there has been an increase in customers. The ratio of natural gas distribution serious incidents to natural gas distribution customers has also trended down over the past 20 years. Third party excavation damage was the primary cause of serious incidents on natural gas pipelines (in addition to propane gas systems) during this time period, accounting for roughly 25 percent of all serious incidents on transmission pipelines and roughly 33 percent of all serious incidents on distribution pipelines. The number of serious distribution incidents has remained relatively stable, or slightly increased, while the number of customers over the past 20 years has continued to increase.
Natural gas travels through a 2.3 million mile distribution and transmission pipeline delivery system for use in homes and businesses. Between 1987 and 2007, the amount of natural gas traveling through distribution pipelines has increased by almost 25 percent. During this period:
Natural gas and propane are naturally odorless. The distinctive “rotten egg” odor associated with natural gas and propane is added before it reaches the customer as a safety precaution, and companies routinely communicate with customers to reach out to their utility or emergency responders if they suspect a problem.
Natural Gas and propane must be odorized in populated areas. The level of the odorant
used must be detectable at 1 percent gas in air by a person with a normal sense of
smell. Gas utilities and pipelines undertake a wide range of safety programs, including:
participation in excavation damage prevention initiatives, installing above-
FPUC Gives Its Customers Four Simple Tasks
Natural gas and propane are widely known as SOME of the safest, most reliable and environmentally friendly fuels in use today. Underground pipelines bring natural gas and propane to millions of homes, businesses and industries throughout the United States. These extraordinary underground “highways” are the nation’s safest form of energy transportation.
FPUC is committed to providing safe, reliable natural gas and propane to the communities we serve. Since natural gas and propane pipelines exist everywhere, you need to be aware of the signs of a leak and how to respond if a leak is suspected — even if natural gas or propane are not a source of energy in your home or business.”
FPUC asks you to remember four simple steps — look, listen, smell and leave:
FPUC is Committed to Public Safety
The employees and management of FPUC are committed to conducting our operations with
a primary focus on protecting the safety of any people living or working near our
pipelines. To ensure this overriding priority, we will continually strive to provide
information and better educate our key partners in safety, including the general
public; residents and property owners; places of congregation such as businesses,
schools, hospitals, prisons and other places where people gather; emergency responders;
public officials; excavators and contractors; land developers; and One-
FPUC facilitates this priority and objective through a Public Awareness Program. Important information related to our efforts is detailed in our Public Awareness Program Plan in compliance with the Office of Pipeline Safety Rule 1162. Gas safety information is available by calling FPUC or visiting www.fpuc.com.
Overview of RP 1162 from the Office of Pipeline Safety
In June 2004, the US Department of Transportation’s Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) and the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) proposed a rule that requires all gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators to develop and implement public education programs that comply with American Petroleum Institute’s (API) Recommended Practice 1162 (RP 1162). The recommended practice, developed as a consensus industry standard, is intended for use by natural gas and propane pipeline operators, hazardous liquid pipeline operators, operators of gathering lines, and local distribution companies.
The final rule, implemented in June 2005, calls for pipeline operators to develop
and implement public education programs that address key stakeholder audiences including:
affected public; local officials; emergency responders, excavators and contractors;
land developers and One-
RP 1162 defines requirements for public awareness programs including: the message delivered to each audience; the frequency of message; and the methods and vehicles for delivering the message.
The overriding purpose of RP 1162 is to assist pipeline operators in developing an effective, yet flexible framework for managing a public awareness program and for analyzing and gauging the effectiveness of their public education efforts.
Emergency Responders Play Key Role in FPU Safety Efforts
Every day, over two million miles of underground pipeline safely transport and distribute natural gas and propane to millions of consumers in the United States. From design and construction to operations and maintenance, gas pipeline companies and utilities like FPUC set high standards to keep this system incident free. A key component of this safety commitment involves having an emergency preparedness plan in place and partnering with local emergency responders. When responding to a gas pipeline emergency, it’s critical that we all work together to keep residents safe, especially since emergency officials may be the first ones on the scene.
To better coordinate response efforts, FPUC annually updates emergency officials of the proper procedures to follow if dispatched to a gas leak or incident. FPUC employees go through rigorous training on both safety inspection procedures and emergency preparedness. FPUC has a plan in place in case of a gas incident, and need our partners and neighbors, including our local emergency officials, to be familiar with it as well.
We encourage those who are interested in learning more about the safe delivery of
natural gas and propane, and the critical role these clean-
In the meantime, here are some simple safety dos and don’ts for emergency officials to keep in mind if dispatched to a pipeline incident (keep in mind that these tips are general guidelines; they do not replace any steps outlined in an emergency response plan):
DO ...
DON'T ...
CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG -
Anytime is a good time in Florida to do yard work or home improvement projects. But
before you reach for your shovel, posthole digger or Bobcat, reach for your phone
and call Sunshine State One Call at 800-
Why Call? So buried utility lines in your area can be located and marked with color-
One Call Excavation Guide (PDF)
Detecting Outdoor Leaks
Underground pipelines transport natural gas. Interstate gas lines are clearly marked with signs so that you know they're in the area. Gas lines are constantly monitored and inspected. Leaks are rare, but it is best to be prepared.
If you smell gas outdoors:
Detecting Indoor Leaks -
Do not return to the structure until:
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that is odorless, colorless, tasteless and
non-
Symptoms of CO poisoning:
Heavy or prolonged exposure:
Protecting yourself:
Industry thoughts on CO detectors
Gas Research Institute (GRI) studies into the accuracy of CO alarms have shown, that at this point, residential CO alarms should not be relied upon as the primary defense against CO poisonings. The majority of CO alarm problems involve activating in the presence of little or no CO (resulting in "nuisance alarms" that present no threat to health).
Situations remain where they fail to activate in the presence of unhealthy levels of CO or they incorrectly report the amount of carbon monoxide in the indoor air. (Based on information from the American Gas Association).
Given these problems, CO alarms should be used as a secondary line of defense after taking care of automobile exhaust in attached garages and regularly inspecting all gas appliances.
Know Your Responsibility
Florida Public Utilities is required under federal and state regulations to maintain natural gas service lines up to and including the gas meter. Beyond the meter, the maintenance of any piping is the responsibility of the customer or property owner. Sometimes, a customer's piping may be underground. If customers do not maintain their underground gas lines, the piping may corrode and leak, causing a potential safety hazard. This gas piping should be periodically inspected for leaks, and if metal, the pipes should also be inspected for corrosion.
Never Hang Anything On Gas Piping
You should never hang clothing (or, anything else) from gas pipes, because the added weight of clothing (especially wet clothing being hung to air dry) can weaken or break joints or fittings, resulting in a gas leak.
Never Tamper With Gas Equipment
If you tamper with natural gas meters or piping assemblies, you endanger lives and property. If you alter the natural gas equipment so that you can use gas without paying for it, you are subject to shutoff of service, legal prosecution or both. People who do this are also raising the rates for other customers. If you suspect someone is tampering with natural gas, call us immediately. Your call will be confidential.
Protect yourself from costly repair bills
By enrolling in FPUC’s Fuel Line Maintenance program, if your gas fuel line ever leaks or fails because of normal wear and tear, we’ll repair or replace it.
Click here for details or to sign up
Reporting Outages
If you experience a power outage or some other power related problem, always check your breakers before calling to report the situation. You may also want to check with your neighbors. When you call, always provide your name, address, telephone number and the nature of your problem to the operator. Don't keep them on the telephone as others will be calling to provide us with additional information. Also, make sure your address is properly and visibly displayed at your home to avoid delays in responding to your call. We can't make repairs if we can't find your address.
Working Near Power Lines
Whether your working or playing outdoors, always look up to ensure you avoid electrical wires. Look carefully since they are not always easily spotted, especially those that are passing through or near trees. Always keep ladders, antennas, poles, boat mast, etc. at least 10 feet from the lines. Also be careful when pruning or climbing trees to avoid the wires. Call FPUC for assistance before working closer than 10 feet from any electrical wire.
Fallen Wires
If you discover a downed wire, assume it is an electric wire and stay as far away as possible. Call FPUC immediately and do not attempt to move the line. Only by using the proper tools for moving electrical wires can safety be ensured. While waiting for FPUC to arrive, take care to keep everyone, especially children and pets, as far as possible away from the wire.
Transformers/Substations
Electrical substations, utility poles, pad-
Inside your home
Keep your home electrical system in proper working order by ensuring the circuit breakers and fuses in your home are sized correctly and in proper working order. Don't overload electrical outlets; use damaged plugs/cords or place anything is an electrical outlet that is not intended for that use. Keep electrical cords and appliances away from water or damp areas at all time.
Electrical Cord Safety
Prevent Being Shocked
In high-
For repairs contact your local FPUC facility. Click Here