Improve Pipeline Leak Detection and Mitigation

<strong><a href="https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-21-002">P-21-2 to PHMSA</a></strong>: Evaluate industry’s implementation of the gas distribution pipeline integrity management requirements and develop updated guidance for improving their effectiveness. The evaluation should specifically consider factors that may increase the likelihood of failure such as age, increase the overall risk (including factors that simultaneously increase the likelihood and consequence of failure), and limit the effectiveness of leak management programs.&#160;&#160;<p></p><p> <strong><a href="https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-21-003">P-21-3&#160;to PHMSA</a></strong>: Assist the Railroad Commission of Texas in conducting the audit recommended in Safety Recommendation P-21-4.<br/></p><p> <strong><a href="https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-19-001">P-19-1 to PHMSA</a></strong>: Require that all new service regulators be installed outside occupied structures.​​<br/></p><p> <strong><a href="https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-19-002">P-19-2 to PHMSA</a></strong>:&#160;&#160;​​​​Require existing interior service regulators be relocated outside occupied structures whenever the gas service line, meter, or regulator is replaced. In addition, multifamily structures should be prioritized over single-family dwellings.​​<br/></p><p> <strong><a href="https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-19-006">P-19-6 to International Code Council</a></strong>: In coordination with the Gas Technology Institute and the National Fire Protection Association, incorporate provisions in the International Fuel Gas Code that requires methane detection systems for all types of residential occupancies with gas service. At a minimum, the provisions should cover the installation, maintenance, placement of the detectors, and testing requirements.​<br/></p><p> <a href="https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-19-007">P-19-7 to National Fire Protection Association</a>:&#160; In coordination with the Gas Technology Institute and the International Code Council, revise the National Fuel Gas Code, National Fire Protection Association 54 to require methane detection systems for all types of residential occupancies with gas service. At a minimum, the provisions should cover the installation, maintenance, placement of the detectors, and testing requirements.​​<br/></p><p> <a href="https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-11-010">P-11-10 to PHMSA</a>: Require that all operators of natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines equip their supervisory control and data acquisition systems with tools to assist in recognizing and pinpointing the location of leaks, including line breaks; such tools could include a real-time leak detection system and appropriately spaced flow and pressure transmitters along covered transmission lines.​<br/></p><p> <a href="https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-11-011">P-11-​11 to PHMSA</a>:&#160;​Amend Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 192.935(c) to directly require that automatic shutoff valves or remote control valves in high consequence areas and in class 3 and 4 locations be installed and spaced at intervals that consider the factors listed in that regulation.​</p>

<a href="https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-21-004">P-21-004 to State of Texas Railroad Commission</a>:&#160;​With assistance from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, conduct a comprehensive audit of Atmos Energy Corporation’s incident-reporting practices; policies and procedures for responding to leaks, fires, explosions, and emergency calls; and integrity management programs.<br/><p></p><p> <a href="https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-21-011">​P-21-011 to ATMOS Every Corporation</a>:&#160;​Revise policies and procedures for responding to leaks, fires, explosions, and emergency calls to address the challenges caused by wet weather conditions. The revised policies and procedures should include:&#160;</p><ol><li>​​leak investigation methods that are reliable in wet weather;&#160;</li><li>leak investigation procedures that assess all viable gas migration paths;</li><li>criteria for when to shut down or isolate gas distribution systems and pressure test main and service lines; and&#160;</li><li>​an alternate safe response such as evacuation when reliable leak investigations are not possible due to wet weather or other circumstances.​​&#160;</li></ol><p> <a href="https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-21-013">P-21-013 to American Gas Association and Gas Piping Technology Committee</a>:&#160;Develop additional guidance that identifies steps gas distribution operators can take to safely respond to leaks, fires, explosions, and emergency calls, considering the limitations due to wet weather conditions, that includes:&#160;</p><p></p><ol><li>​criteria for when to shut down or isolate gas distribution systems, pres&#160;sure test main and service lines, and begin evacuations;&#160;</li><li>leak investigation methods that are reliable in wet weather,&#160;</li><li>require an alternate safe response, such as an evacuation when reliable leak investigations are not possible due to wet weather, and&#160;</li><li>leak investigations that assess all viable gas migration paths, including granular backfill and crawlspaces.​​<br/><br/></li></ol> ​<a href="https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-19-008">P-19-08 to Gas Technology Institute<strong></strong>​</a>: In coordination with the National Fire Protection Association and the International Code Council, work to develop standards for methane detection systems for all types of residential occupancies in both the International Fuel Gas Code and the National Fuel Gas Code, National Fire Prot​ection Association 54. At a minimum, the provisions should cover the installation, maintenance, placement of the detectors, and testing requirements.​ <div>&#160; <p>​​ </p></div><br/>