A.U.C. 150 March 31, 2004 IROQUOIS NATURAL GAS PIPELINE AT CON EDISON HUNTS POINT FACILITY 1. DESCRIPTION

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1 March 31, 2004 IROQUOIS NATURAL GAS PIPELINE AT CON EDISON HUNTS POINT FACILITY 1. DESCRIPTION 1.1 The Iroquois pipeline consists primarily of a single 24" (OD) high strength steel pipeline, various valves and a meter/regulating station interconnection with Con Edison. The pipeline carries natural gas that is under pressure in a gaseous state. Natural gas is non-toxic, lighter than air, can be an asphyxiant as it displaces oxygen, combustible in concentrations from approximately 5% to 15% and will naturally disperse into the atmosphere. It is odorless and colorless in its natural state, however mercaptan is added to give the gas an odor for detection purposes. 1.2 The pipeline has a maximum allowable operating pressure of 1,440 psig, however it typically will operate in the 400 psig to 1,100-psig range. 2. PIPELINE SECTIONS 2.1 Within New York City, the Iroquois Pipeline can be subdivided into three sections. Each section can be isolated remotely by Iroquois Gas Control Center or manually in the event of an emergency For purposes of this document an automatic valve refers to a valve that can be operated automatically and/or remotely, with manual shutdown capabilities. 3. PIPELINE CONTROLS 3.1 Pressure Limiting Controls: There is an automatic valve where the pipe makes landfall at Hunts Point designated E13-1. A second automatic valve is located within the Hunts Point facility designated E14-1. (See Picture 1 for a general map of the system and Pictures 2, 3 and 4 for operation of these valves). Automatic valves require no action on the part of Fire Department personnel. These valves are continuously monitored and can be remotely controlled by the Iroquois Gas Control Center located in Shelton, Connecticut, which is staffed twenty-four hours a day. These valves also have manual shutdown capabilities. In the event these valves require manual shutdown, this will be performed by Con Edison/Iroquois qualified personnel when ordered by the FDNY Incident Commander. FDNY personnel will be familiarized with these manual shutdown procedures during drills. 1

2 3.2 Valve E13-1 and E14-1 Operation Inside the E13-1 and E14-1 valve buildings are controls to operate the valves. The smaller cabinets contains two sets of controls to manually open or close the valves by utilizing the gas pressure in the pipline or by hand pumping the valves. The cabinets also contain directions and diagrams on how to operate the valves. Note: Con Edison or Iroquois personnel should perform the manual closing of this valve when ordered by the FDNY. 3.3 Back Flow Prevention Valve There is a buried check valve located at the meter/regulating station that will prevent any backflow from the Con Edison system. 3.4 Manual Valve There is a buried manual valve designated E13A-1 outside the meter/regulating station at Food Center Drive. This valve is located 1000' east of Halleck St. and there is a sign "FDNY Valve E-13A-1" located on the fence adjacent to the gated entrance. The valve stem is covered by a flush mounted valve box similar to a Con Edison manhole cover. There is an additional sign opposite the valve manhole alongside the entrance road. This valve requires 213 full turns to close. There is a special manual wrench for this valve just inside the entrance gate with a sign attached identifying it. Rescue 3 carries a special hydraulic wrench for this valve and a backup hydraulic wrench is stored at the FDNY Command Post building at 500 Food Center Drive. 4. INCIDENT COMMAND 4.1 The highest-ranking FDNY Officer shall be designated the Incident Commander. The Incident Command Post (ICP) is located at 500 Food Center Drive. (See Picture 1). A sign is posted designating "FDNY Incident Command Post (ICP)" as well as a Con Edison "White Hat" sign at this location. 4.2 The Incident Command Post structure will contain a hardwire telephone, emergency contact telephone numbers, special wrench, a windsock and maps of the pipeline run and facility. The structure will provide the Incident Commander with a sheltered environment and will be the focal point to conduct initial operations. 4.3 Designated Con Edison personnel on scene prior to Iroquois staff may act as a representative of Iroquois until such time as Iroquois staff arrives on scene. 2

3 4.4 The FDNY Incident Commander shall contact Iroquois Gas Control and coordinate communications between Con Edison/Iroquois and emergency responders. All valve operations shall be coordinated with Con Edison/Iroquois and emergency responders through FDNY. 4.5 Except in the event of immediate threat to life or property, no valves should be opened or closed without the approval of the FDNY IC in consultation with Con Edison/Iroquois personnel. 5. ALARM PROCEDURES 5.1 Unit Alarm Assignment/Instruction Cards shall contain the box number 8600 identifying the Iroquois Natural Gas Pipeline/Con Edison Hunts Point Facility and the number of units for the first alarm response assignment. Instructions on the card will indicate if the unit is to respond to the Incident Command Post or the Staging Area. 5.2 Each 1 st through 3 rd alarm unit has been issued two Unit Alarm Assignment /Instruction Cards. One card shall be carried on the apparatus; the other card shall be placed in a prominent, clearly marked and protected place at the housewatch, for use by relocated units. 5.3 Duties of units may involve manually shutting down valves and/or patrolling the pipeline to locate the reported leak or fire. The dispatcher shall provide a full 1 st alarm assignment as designated on the Unit Alarm Assignment/Instruction Card. 6. LEAK DETECTION 6.1 A dynamic leak detection system is incorporated into the design of the pipeline. Leak detection is accomplished by monitoring the pressure in the pipeline When the system is automatically shut down due to an inconsistency of psi in the gas pipeline for a specific period of time, Iroquois will make an immediate telephone notification to the Bronx Communications Office and Con Edison. 7. FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS 7.1 Isolation of the pipeline is vital in controlling the gas leak. Isolation duties are typically carried out by remotely shutting down valves from the Iroquois Gas Control center The initial actions of units responding to pipeline boxes are to set up a perimeter and eliminate sources of ignition. Natural gas is lighter then air and will naturally disperse into the atmosphere. If the natural gas has ignited, consider shutting down the gas supply. 3

4 7.1.2 Due to the extremely high pressure found in this pipeline system, consideration shall be given to allow escaping gas to naturally disperse into the atmosphere without the use of fog lines to assist in dispersal. The use of fog lines may actually hinder the dissipation of the gas. The Incident Commander must evaluate existing conditions such as weather, exposure problems, etc. in determining the most effective method in dispersing the gas. 7.2 Actions to be taken by the Fire Department include: The primary consideration is the evacuation of the area involved. Avenues of escape must remain open for civilians and FD personnel In the event the Incident Commander decides to have the manually operated valve E13A-1 closed, designated personnel will perform this function. This valve must only be re-opened by personnel of Con Edison or the Iroquois Pipeline Company in consultation with and when authorized by the FDNY Incident Commander Patrolling the pipeline to locate the leak will be performed by a Squad Company or SOC Support Ladder Company as designated by the Incident Commander. The designated units shall utilize their metering capabilities during their patrol duties. Note: If Rescue, Squad or SOC Support Ladder Company personnel are not available, the IC shall order available units to perform these duties In the event of a sub sea leak, a Marine Company will be assigned to patrol the sub sea pipeline When the leak is located, the Incident Commander will establish an Operations Post at a location consistent with existing conditions The following actions shall be ordered by the FDNY Incident Commander: A. Upon confirmation of a leak, transmit a second alarm for the street box nearest the leak location. B. Verify that Box 8600 for the Iroquois Pipeline Hunts Point Facility has been transmitted. C. Utilize employees of Con Edison/Iroquois with their specialized knowledge, skills, and equipment to advise and assist in controlling the situation. D. Evacuate buildings and areas involved. E. Eliminate or extinguish sources of ignition. F. Divert pedestrian and vehicular traffic. G. Coordinate Department activities with other city agencies and public utilities. 4

5 7.3 Operations Adjacent to Railroad Tracks: The Iroquois Pipeline crosses and runs parallel to active railroad tracks. The tracks are owned by New York City with CSX Corporation operating the trains. Diesel powered trains operate on these tracks. Train speed is limited in the area to ten miles per hour. The Incident Commander should immediately contact the dispatcher if this train effects operations. The Incident Commander must position flag-persons at least 1,000 feet on each side of the incident. These flag-persons must be equipped with handi-talkies and flashlights, and must have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and how to accomplish them, (i.e. to warn our members immediately upon any suspicion indication of an approaching train and after placing themselves out of certain danger, to attempt to stop the approaching train in accordance with the provisions of AUC 207 and standard operating procedures for track operations). The dispatcher shall notify the CSX Corporation dispatcher and request that all train traffic be suspended. 7.4 Pipeline Venting Valves E-11-1, E-13-1 and E-14-1 have manual venting capabilities Venting may be required at a valve location in order to reduce the volume of gas being released at a leak site. All venting will normally occur at valve E-11-1 (Northport, L.I.). The FDNY IC will coordinate this venting with Iroquois Gas Control Venting at valve E-13-1 and/or E-14-1 will only be done after careful consideration of existing conditions and with approval of the FDNY IC. 8. TRAINING 8.1 There will be two types of drills conducted during the year; Familiarization Drills conducted in October/November and Borough Drills conducted in April/May. Multi Unit drills may be utilized for Familiarization and Borough Drills. NOTE: Under no circumstances shall valves be operated without prior consultation with Iroquois/Con Edison personnel during drills. Partial closure of the valves may be permitted after consultation with pipeline personnel. Under NO circumstances will full closure of these valves be permitted during drills. 5

6 8.2 Familiarization Drills Familiarization Drills shall be held annually in October/November. The purpose of these drills is to have all 1 st through 3 rd alarm units visit the valve sites at least once each year. During these drills members are to become familiar with pipeline and valve locations, examine the valves, and test the fit of the wrenches. 8.3 Borough Drills Borough Drills shall be held annually in April/May. The FDNY Pipeline Coordinator, an assigned Division 6 Deputy Chief, shall conduct this drill. This drill in conducted to closely simulate a fire and/or emergency. Borough Fire Commanders and Deputy Chiefs shall insure that the members of all units under their command are notified of the approximate date and time of this drill The FDNY Pipeline Coordinator shall notify the Bureau of Operations of the time and location of the drill All transmissions shall be preceded by the phrase: "This is a drill transmission." Units participating in the Borough Drill shall proceed to their destinations under a response mode. 6

7 FROM NORTHPORT, L.I. TO CON EDISON HUNTS POINT, BRONX Picture 1 7

8 March 31, 2004 ALL VALVES IN PICTURES 2, 3 AND 4 ARE IN THE SAME VALVE ROOM. Red Handle Picture 2 To use reserve gas to close valve, push in the red handle. Note: This should be the primary method to attempt to close this valve. Picture 3 To use manual pump handle, turn lever under the red handle to the 9 o'clock position, insert pump handle and begin pumping. Picture 4 This picture shows the valve flow indicator in the closed position. This valve flow indicator should be checked prior to attempting to close valve. If it indicates that the valve is closed, no further action is required. 8