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Welcome to Rhode Island Energy’s Tips of the trade for first responders. These tips are intended to help you respond safely and effectively to incidents involving natural gas and electricity. Please review them with your team.
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| Valves on underground natural gas pipelines |
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| As a first responder in the Rhode Island Energy operating area, you should never close a valve or relief vent on an underground natural gas pipeline. But do you know why? |
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| To order our FREE safety kit, visit the Rhode Island Energy e-SMARTresponders website. |
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| Natural gas pipelines may be orange, black or yellow. |
| Closing valves on underground gas pipelines is dangerous |
| Throughout the natural gas delivery system, a series of stations works to move natural gas from processing plants to customers. Compressor stations every 50 to 60 miles along large transmission pipelines pressurize the gas to keep it moving. Once the gas arrives at a local distribution utility like Rhode Island Energy, metering and regulating stations reduce the pressure to levels suitable for homes and businesses. |
| Shut-off valves and relief vents are critical components of compressor and regulating stations and are strategically located along transmission pipelines and distribution mains as well. Never attempt to open or close valves or relief vents on underground gas pipelines, because doing so could cause dangerous pressure changes in the system. These valves should only be operated by trained Rhode Island Energy personnel. |
| Closing valves on service meters and appliances |
| In the event of a gas leak or fire, you may close the shut-off valves on the supply pipelines before service meters and appliances, provided you have been trained to do so and it is safe to do so. But remember: |
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Notify Rhode Island Energy of the location of any gas valve that has been closed. |
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Once a gas valve is closed, only Rhode Island Energy personnel may reopen it. |
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Consult with Rhode Island Energy throughout the leak or fire response. Our representatives can be a valuable technical resource for your incident commander. |
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| Curb valve procedures |
| Curb valves are a safety feature on service lateral gas lines. They are located at or near the property line and are accessible through a curb or gate box, which allows Rhode Island Energy to shut off gas to a building. Only specially trained and equipped Rhode Island Energy personnel should close curb valves. |
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