PSE fixing gas line installations that could lead to explosions

by GARY CHITTIM / KING 5 News

KING5.com

Posted on April 17, 2014 at 7:17 PM

Updated yesterday at 7:20 PM

SEATTLE Puget Sound Energy (PSE) will spend the next several years trying to find gas line installation problems that can lead to deadly explosions.

In thousands of cases nationwide, gas line installers accidentally punctured sewer lines with directional drill bits, then ran the gas lines through the sewer. Its called a cross bore and it usually never results in a problem.

But Duane Henderson, PSEs Manager of Gas System Integrity, said if a plumber or do-it-yourselfer tries to clear a clogged sewer line with a common cutter tool, they can unknowingly sever the gas line. Gas can then travel up sewer lines and into homes or businesses.

The structure can fill up with gas and if it finds an ignition source, then we have some serious damage, said Henderson.

Several people have died in explosions and fires caused by severed cross bores in several states. There have been no explosions in Washington state and PSE wants to make sure it doesnt happen with any of their lines.

They have spent just one year inspecting their 24,000 miles of pipes and have already discovered more than 500 cross bores. They will spend many more years looking for them and will dig up and repair each one they find.

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PSE fixing gas line installations that could lead to explosions