RMGA Emergency Response Procedures

Question 1

What is the first action a gas utility employee should take upon arriving at a reported gas leak inside a building?

Accepted Answer

Evacuate the building and call 911 before entering

Answer

Enter the building and search for the leak source

Answer

Call the customer to confirm the smell

Answer

Shut off the gas at the meter and then enter

Question 2

What is the 'isolation zone' in a gas emergency response?

Accepted Answer

The area around a gas incident from which non-essential personnel are excluded

Answer

The area inside the pipeline where gas flow is blocked

Answer

The storage tank where recovered gas is held

Answer

The regulatory buffer zone around a compressor station

Question 3

When should a gas utility worker eliminate ignition sources near a gas leak?

Accepted Answer

Immediately upon detecting or suspecting a gas leak

Answer

Only after the leak is repaired

Answer

After ventilating the area for at least one hour

Answer

Only when gas concentration exceeds 25% LEL

Question 4

What does the PHMSA National Response Center phone number allow pipeline operators to do?

Accepted Answer

Report significant incidents as required by federal regulation

Answer

Order emergency pipeline repair equipment

Answer

Request additional pipeline inspectors

Answer

File annual safety reports

Question 5

What is the purpose of an 'emergency response plan' (ERP) for a gas distribution operator?

Accepted Answer

To provide written procedures for responding to gas emergencies to protect life and property

Answer

To document customer billing procedures during service outages

Answer

To outline annual capital improvement priorities

Answer

To record employee emergency contact information

Question 6

What is 'blowing down' a gas line in the context of emergency response?

Accepted Answer

Venting gas from a pipeline segment to atmosphere to allow safe repair work

Answer

Using compressed air to test pipe integrity

Answer

Increasing pipeline pressure to clear a blockage

Answer

Purging air from a pipeline before introducing gas