Questions and answers about Pipeline Safety
What if I suspect a natural gas pipeline leak? If you suspect a pipeline leak in your area, turn off and abandon any motorized equipment you may be operating. Leave the area quickly. Warn others to stay away. From a safe place, call the pipeline operator and your local fire or police department. Do not use open flames or bring anything into the area that may spark ignition. Do not attempt to operate pipeline valves.
What if I smell gas inside my home? If you have gas service and you detect a natural gas odor coming from inside your home, leave the area immediately and from a safe place call your local gas company and the fire department.
Are pipelines safe? Natural gas pipelines are the nation's safest method of transporting energy, quietly delivering large volumes of the clean-burning fuel to local gas distribution companies, who ultimately carry the gas to homes and businesses. While our safety record is exceptional, it's important for everyone who lives and works near natural gas pipelines to know basic safety information.
What is a pipeline marker? Since pipelines are buried underground, pipeline companies use line markers like those shown above to indicate the approximate location of a pipeline. The markers are placed where pipelines intersect streets, railroads, rivers and heavily congested areas. Markers identify the pipeline and show a 24-hour emergency telephone number for the pipeline operator. Markers indicate the general, not exact, location of a pipeline. Markers do not indicate how deep the pipeline is buried. Nor do they necessarily indicate how many lines are in the area. And, pipelines do not necessarily follow a straight course between two markers. Never rely solely on the presence or absence of pipeline markers. Always call 811 or your state's One-Call notification service before digging. Pipeline markers are important to public safety. It is a federal crime for any person to willfully deface, damage, remove, or destroy any pipeline sign or right-of-way marker required by federal law.
What is a pipeline right-of-way? A pipeline right-of-way is the strip of land over a pipeline. A right-of-way agreement between pipeline companies and property owner is called an easement. Easements provide pipeline companies with permanent, limited interest to the land to enable us to operate, test, inspect, maintain and protect our pipelines. Although agreements may vary, pipeline companies rights-of-way generally extend 25 feet from each side of the pipeline unless specified otherwise.
Can I build or dig in the pipeline right-of-way? Pipeline rights-of-way must be kept free from structures and other obstructions. If a pipeline crosses your property, please do not plant trees or high shrubs on the right-of-way. Also, do not dig, store, or place anything on or near the right-of-way without first having pipeline company personnel mark the pipeline, stake the right-of-way and explain the company's Minimum Guidelines for construction near natural gas pipeline facilities to you.
Pipeline company personnel regularly inspect their pipeline rights-of-way using air, foot and vehicle patrols. The inspectors look for potential danger to pipelines, such as construction activity, and check for signs of gas leaks.
How do I get natural gas service to my home? NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage companies operate the pipelines that deliver gas to local gas distribution companies. The distribution companies, in turn, deliver the gas to homes and businesses. If you desire natural gas service to your home, contact the local gas distribution company in your area. If local gas service is not available, check your phone directory for bottled gas, propane or other energy providers.
