Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2014-11-07 — CA
Operator
Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Cause
Excavation Issue
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$105,000
Incident datetime
2014-11-07 11:14
Report number
Location
CA, SANTA CLARA
Narrative
At 1114 hours pg&e was notified of a third party dig-in at 1 south market street in san jose. A third party (gm engineering) struck a 2-inch plastic distribution main (near a 3-way tee, which branches off a 4-inch plastic distribution main) with a backhoe, causing an unintentional release of natural gas. The third party called USA (no. 459722) on 11/3/2014. Pg&e received the normal notice on 11/03/2014 (11:25:55 am). In response to the ticket, pg&e attempted to make contact with the excavator before locating and marking its facilities. Pg&e left a message for the excavator on 11/5/2014 but did not receive a response from the excavator to coordinate the locate and mark prior to the excavation. (as is customary for large excavation projects, pg&e communicates with the excavators to phase the marking of pg&e facilities to ensure markings remain visible in the excavation area.) a pg&e gas service representative (gsr) arrived on scene at 1131 hours. Pg&e repair crew arrived at approximately 1140 hours. Gas was completely shut in at 1702 hours by closing 10 distribution main valves and isolating approximately 4 blocks of the gas distribution system and 40 customers. Pg&e initially planned to safely squeeze the 2-inch diameter plastic pipe at a location away from the periphery of the dig-in location. Upon further evaluation it was determined that digging and squeezing the line would take a substantial amount of time due to the depth exceeding 5 feet and the need to install shoring to complete this work. Once pg&e estimated the total time required for the shut-in, pg&e decided to look for an alternative that included closing valves in the surrounding area that could potentially cause more customer outages. Pg&e determined that closing valves was the fastest and safest method and chose to close nearby valves for shutting in gas flow. Repair crew replaced the 4x4x2-inch tee and the damaged 2-inch distribution main. About 2,500 people were evacuated from office buildings on a two-block area of market and first and san pedro streets. Santa clara street was closed between first and san pedro streets, according to the valley transportation authority. Bus lines 22, 522, 68, 17, 168, and 181 were rerouted, vta officials said. Several san francisco bay area news stations were observed on scene (I.E., ktvu, nbc bay area). This incident was reported to the cpuc and DOT due to the estimated damages expected to exceed $50,000 and major media observed on scene.
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2014-11-07 11:14:00
Year
2014
Report Received Date
2014-12-08 00:00:00
Iyear
2014.0
Report Number
20140111.0
Supplemental Number
15978.0
Report Type
Original Final
Operator Id
15007
Name
Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Operator Street Address
6121 Bollinger Canyon Rd.
Operator City Name
San Ramon
Operator State Abbreviation
CA
Operator Postal Code
94583
Local Datetime
2014-11-07 11:14:00
Location Street Address
1 S. Market Street
Location City Name
San Jose
Location County Name
Santa Clara
Location State Abbreviation
CA
Location Postal Code
95113
Location Latitude
37.334882
Location Longitude
-121.892209
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2014-11-07 00:00:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1100473
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
1228.0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Ignite Ind
No
Explode Ind
No
Incident Identified Datetime
2014-11-07 11:14:00
On Site Datetime
2014-11-07 11:31:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Public Property
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Exposed Due To Excavation
Depth Of Cover
63.0
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Privately Owned
System Part Involved
Main
Installation Year
1988.0
Pipe Diameter
2.0
Pipe Specification
Tr-418 Pl
Pipe Manufacturer
Unknown
Material Involved
Plastic
Plastic Type
Polyethylene (Pe)
Wt Plastic Unknown Ind
Unknown
Material Pe Pipe Code
Unknown
Release Type
Other
Release Type Details
The 2-Inch Plastic Main Was Separated At The Coupling
Class Location Type
Class 4 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
0.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
105000.0
Est Cost Emergency
0.0
Est Cost Other
0.0
Est Cost Unintentional Release
4640.0
Prpty
109640.0
Commercial Affected
40.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
0.0
Accident Psig
55.0
Normal Psig
55.0
Mop Psig
60.0
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Scada In Place Ind
No
Accident Identifier
Notification From Emergency Responder
Investigation Status
No, the operator did not find that an investigation of the controller(s) actions or control room issues was necessary due to: (provide an explanation for why the operator did not investigate)
Investigation Status Details
Third-party dig-in
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Excavation Damage
Cause Details
Excavation Damage By Third Party
Ex Party Type
Excavation Damage By Third Party
Prior Notification Ind
Yes
One Call System Ind
Yes
Notify Cga Dirt
Yes
Public Row Ind
Yes
Public Subtype
City Street
Excavator Type
Contractor
Excavator Equipment
Backhoe/trackhoe
Work Performed
Sewer (Sanitary/storm)
One Call Notified Ind
Yes
One Call Ticket Num
459722
One Call Center Name
Usan
Locator Type
Utility Owner
Visible Marks
Unknown/other
Service Interruption
Yes
Service Interruption Hours
16.0
Root Cause Category
Excavation Issue
Root Cause Type
Improper Backfilling Practices
Preparer Name
W*** C***
Preparer Title
Program Manager
Preparer Email
W***@p**.com
Preparer Telephone
925-328-5798
Authorizer Name
L**** D*******
Authorizer Title
Manager Of Gas Operations Regulatory Compliance
Authorizer Telephone
925-328-5756
Authorizer Email
L***@p**.com
Narrative
At 1114 hours pg&e was notified of a third party dig-in at 1 south market street in san jose. A third party (gm engineering) struck a 2-inch plastic distribution main (near a 3-way tee, which branches off a 4-inch plastic distribution main) with a backhoe, causing an unintentional release of natural gas. The third party called USA (no. 459722) on 11/3/2014. Pg&e received the normal notice on 11/03/2014 (11:25:55 am). In response to the ticket, pg&e attempted to make contact with the excavator before locating and marking its facilities. Pg&e left a message for the excavator on 11/5/2014 but did not receive a response from the excavator to coordinate the locate and mark prior to the excavation. (as is customary for large excavation projects, pg&e communicates with the excavators to phase the marking of pg&e facilities to ensure markings remain visible in the excavation area.) a pg&e gas service representative (gsr) arrived on scene at 1131 hours. Pg&e repair crew arrived at approximately 1140 hours. Gas was completely shut in at 1702 hours by closing 10 distribution main valves and isolating approximately 4 blocks of the gas distribution system and 40 customers. Pg&e initially planned to safely squeeze the 2-inch diameter plastic pipe at a location away from the periphery of the dig-in location. Upon further evaluation it was determined that digging and squeezing the line would take a substantial amount of time due to the depth exceeding 5 feet and the need to install shoring to complete this work. Once pg&e estimated the total time required for the shut-in, pg&e decided to look for an alternative that included closing valves in the surrounding area that could potentially cause more customer outages. Pg&e determined that closing valves was the fastest and safest method and chose to close nearby valves for shutting in gas flow. Repair crew replaced the 4x4x2-inch tee and the damaged 2-inch distribution main. About 2,500 people were evacuated from office buildings on a two-block area of market and first and san pedro streets. Santa clara street was closed between first and san pedro streets, according to the valley transportation authority. Bus lines 22, 522, 68, 17, 168, and 181 were rerouted, vta officials said. Several san francisco bay area news stations were observed on scene (I.E., ktvu, nbc bay area). This incident was reported to the cpuc and DOT due to the estimated damages expected to exceed $50,000 and major media observed on scene.
| Occurred At | 2014-11-07 11:14:00 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2014 |
| Report Received Date | 2014-12-08 00:00:00 |
| Iyear | 2014.0 |
| Report Number | 20140111.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 15978.0 |
| Report Type | Original Final |
| Operator Id | 15007 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Pacific Gas & Electric Co |
| Operator Street Address | 6121 Bollinger Canyon Rd. |
| Operator City Name | San Ramon |
| Operator State Abbreviation | CA |
| Operator Postal Code | 94583 |
| Local Datetime | 2014-11-07 11:14:00 |
| Location Street Address | 1 S. Market Street |
| Location City Name | San Jose |
| Location County Name | Santa Clara |
| Location State Abbreviation | CA |
| Location Postal Code | 95113 |
| Location Latitude | 37.334882 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -121.892209 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2014-11-07 00:00:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1100473 NRC Report How to search |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 1228.0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Ignite Ind | No |
| Explode Ind | No |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2014-11-07 11:14:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2014-11-07 11:31:00 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Public Property |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Exposed Due To Excavation |
| Depth Of Cover | 63.0 |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Privately Owned |
| System Part Involved | Main |
| Installation Year | 1988.0 |
| Pipe Diameter | 2.0 |
| Pipe Specification | Tr-418 Pl |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Unknown |
| Material Involved | Plastic |
| Plastic Type | Polyethylene (Pe) |
| Wt Plastic Unknown Ind | Unknown |
| Material Pe Pipe Code | Unknown |
| Release Type | Other |
| Release Type Details | The 2-Inch Plastic Main Was Separated At The Coupling |
| Class Location Type | Class 4 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 0.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 105000.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 0.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0.0 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 4640.0 |
| Prpty | 109640.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 40.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 0.0 |
| Residences Affected | 0.0 |
| Accident Psig | 55.0 |
| Normal Psig | 55.0 |
| Mop Psig | 60.0 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Scada In Place Ind | No |
| Accident Identifier | Notification From Emergency Responder |
| Investigation Status | No, the operator did not find that an investigation of the controller(s) actions or control room issues was necessary due to: (provide an explanation for why the operator did not investigate) |
| Investigation Status Details | Third-party dig-in |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Excavation Damage |
| Cause Details | Excavation Damage By Third Party |
| Ex Party Type | Excavation Damage By Third Party |
| Prior Notification Ind | Yes |
| One Call System Ind | Yes |
| Notify Cga Dirt | Yes |
| Public Row Ind | Yes |
| Public Subtype | City Street |
| Excavator Type | Contractor |
| Excavator Equipment | Backhoe/trackhoe |
| Work Performed | Sewer (Sanitary/storm) |
| One Call Notified Ind | Yes |
| One Call Ticket Num | 459722 |
| One Call Center Name | Usan |
| Locator Type | Utility Owner |
| Visible Marks | Unknown/other |
| Service Interruption | Yes |
| Service Interruption Hours | 16.0 |
| Root Cause Category | Excavation Issue |
| Root Cause Type | Improper Backfilling Practices |
| Preparer Name | W*** C*** |
| Preparer Title | Program Manager |
| Preparer Email | W***@p**.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 925-328-5798 |
| Authorizer Name | L**** D******* |
| Authorizer Title | Manager Of Gas Operations Regulatory Compliance |
| Authorizer Telephone | 925-328-5756 |
| Authorizer Email | L***@p**.com |
| Narrative | At 1114 hours pg&e was notified of a third party dig-in at 1 south market street in san jose. A third party (gm engineering) struck a 2-inch plastic distribution main (near a 3-way tee, which branches off a 4-inch plastic distribution main) with a backhoe, causing an unintentional release of natural gas. The third party called USA (no. 459722) on 11/3/2014. Pg&e received the normal notice on 11/03/2014 (11:25:55 am). In response to the ticket, pg&e attempted to make contact with the excavator before locating and marking its facilities. Pg&e left a message for the excavator on 11/5/2014 but did not receive a response from the excavator to coordinate the locate and mark prior to the excavation. (as is customary for large excavation projects, pg&e communicates with the excavators to phase the marking of pg&e facilities to ensure markings remain visible in the excavation area.) a pg&e gas service representative (gsr) arrived on scene at 1131 hours. Pg&e repair crew arrived at approximately 1140 hours. Gas was completely shut in at 1702 hours by closing 10 distribution main valves and isolating approximately 4 blocks of the gas distribution system and 40 customers. Pg&e initially planned to safely squeeze the 2-inch diameter plastic pipe at a location away from the periphery of the dig-in location. Upon further evaluation it was determined that digging and squeezing the line would take a substantial amount of time due to the depth exceeding 5 feet and the need to install shoring to complete this work. Once pg&e estimated the total time required for the shut-in, pg&e decided to look for an alternative that included closing valves in the surrounding area that could potentially cause more customer outages. Pg&e determined that closing valves was the fastest and safest method and chose to close nearby valves for shutting in gas flow. Repair crew replaced the 4x4x2-inch tee and the damaged 2-inch distribution main. About 2,500 people were evacuated from office buildings on a two-block area of market and first and san pedro streets. Santa clara street was closed between first and san pedro streets, according to the valley transportation authority. Bus lines 22, 522, 68, 17, 168, and 181 were rerouted, vta officials said. Several san francisco bay area news stations were observed on scene (I.E., ktvu, nbc bay area). This incident was reported to the cpuc and DOT due to the estimated damages expected to exceed $50,000 and major media observed on scene. |
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