Civil Engineering Expert On Pipeline Safety Part 2

Natural Gas Pipelines
Underground pipelines are also used to distribute natural gas to consumers including homes and apartment buildings. The aging steel gas pipes are being constantly replaced with high strength Polyethylene plastic pipes. (Since plastic pipes are buried underground they never corrode). One major problem with plastic pipes, however, is that unfortunately, they are vulnerable to ruptures caused by construction equipment. Damage to these pipes could result in escape of natural gas into the atmosphere and to ignite. Natural gas, when released, is more hazardous to life than oil. California Public Utilities Commission has safety jurisdiction and administers the safety of gas pipelines in California.

Major Causes Of Damage
A recent study by the California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) showed that 59 per cent of the failures on oil pipelines in California are the result of corrosion or rust. Damage by construction equipment is the next highest cause of oil pipeline spills.