811 Brochure Call Before You Dig
Statistics indicate that damage from excavation
related activities is a leading cause of pipeline
accidents. If you are a homeowner, farmer,
excavator, or developer, we need your help in
preventing pipeline emergencies.
1. Call your state's One-Call Center before
excavation begins- regulatory mandate as
state law requires.
2. Wait the required amount of time.
3. A trained technician will mark the location of
the pipeline at no cost to you.
4. Respect the marks.
5. Dig with care.
Di g Safely.®
National One-Call Referral Number
1-888-258-0808
National One-Call Dialing Number:
811 ®
Know what's below.
Call before you dig.
For more details visit: www.call811.com
Signs of a Release
Sight*
• Liquid on the ground
• Rainbow sheen on water
• Dead vegetation in an otherwise green area
• Dirt blowing into the air
• White vapor cloud
• Mud or water bubbling up
• Frozen area on ground
*Signs vary based upon product
Liquid on the ground Mud or water bubbling up
'414r-
- •
Fire or explosion Rainbow sheen on water
..
rtu,
White vapor cloud Dead vegetation in a green area
Sound
• A hissing or roaring sound
Smell
• Odors such as gas or oil
• Natural gas is colorless and odorless-
Unless mercaptan has been added
(Note:A"rotten egg odor")
Other-Near Pipeline Operations
• Burning eyes, nose or throat
• Nausea
tt
What to do if a Leak Occurs
• Evacuate immediately upwind
• Eliminate ignition sources
• Advise others to stay away
• Call 911/local emergency number
• Call pipeline company- number on warning
marker
• Call collect if necessary
• Make calls from safe distance not "Hot Zone"
• Give details to pipeline operator
-Your Name
-Your Phone Number
- Leak Location
- Product Activity
- Extent Of Damage
What Not to do if a Leak Occurs
• Do Not drive into leak or vapor cloud
• Do Not make contact with liquid or vapor
• Do Not operate pipeline valves
(unless directed by pipeline operator)
- Valve may be automatically shut by
control center
- Valve may have integrated shut-down device
- Valve may need to be shut by hand
- Valve may be operated by qualified pipeline
personnel only, unless specified otherwise
Ignition Sources May Vary-A Partial List
• Static Electricity
• Metal To Metal Contact
• Pilot Lights
• Matches/Smoking
• Sparks From Telephone
• Electric Switches
• Electric Motors
• Overhead Wires
• Internal Combustion Engines
• Garage Door Openers
• Firearms
• Photo Equipment
• Remote Car AlarmslDoor Locks
• High Torque Starters- Diesel Engines
• Communication Devices
HCA and IMP
Contact your local pipeline company for
information on High-Consequence Areas and
Integrity Management Programs.
A a i 4 s t it . . .4. ,:i. f A ,..', -,,,,,_ :„.Afitit,
I - , , .-.
, ► ;
- . cA ..
*.
us _
N PRE E
�' 4' G ��N�psE of �� ,
N� ON OS IS � �TA
4 8EFOREGENCY caLL CoG •
EMER f
'1 1 :
,b° —r , . il °:
Pipelines In Our Community
There are over 2.4 million miles of pipelines in
the United States made up of liquid production,
gathering and transmission lines; gas production,
gathering, storage and transmission lines and
gas distribution lines. According to the National
Transportation Safety Board statistics, pipelines
are the safest method of transporting the
products we use from each of these systems.
Transmission pipelines are made of steel,
covered with a protective coating and buried
underground where they quietly and efficiently
deliver a multitude of products throughout
our nation.
Distribution lines can be made of either steel or
high-strength plastic and provide the final link
in delivering the vital resources needed to heat
our homes and businesses, fuel the factories
that produce other energy sources and provide a
constant support to our way of life.
In our country, we transport and use over 19
million barrels of liquid products every day and
over 21 trillion cubic feet of natural gas every
year. To ensure these products reach us safely,
pipelines are tested and maintained through the
use of cleaning devices, diagnostic tools and
cathodic protection, which provides crucial rust-
inhibitive activities through a pipeline system.
Pipelines are a critical part of our national
infrastructure and rely on everybody's safety
awareness to remain our silent partner in fueling
this country's ongoing progress.
Pipelines Markers
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
requires the use of signs to indicate the location
of underground pipelines. Markers like these
are located on road, railroad, and navigable
waterway crossings. Markers are posted along
gas transmission & liquids pipeline rights-of-way.
Markers are typically not present for gathering or
distribution pipeline systems.
The markers display:
• The material transported
• The name of the pipeline operator
• The operator's emergency number
Me � a
1 1
R ^"
�G H
c i „ 8'sue"
i
i 1.r} _ 1
N
Marker Information
• Indicates area of pipeline operations
• Does not show exact location
• Does not indicate depth (Never assume
pipeline depth)
• Does not indicate pipeline pressure
• May have numerous markers in single right
of way
• May have numerous companies in single
right of way
Online Resources /
National Response Center
www.nrc.uscg.mil
Federal Office of Pipeline Safety
www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline
Infrastructure Protection - NIPC
www.infragard.net
National Pipeline Mapping System
www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov