Shut the valve upstream to stop the gas release, which also cuts off service to all 4,000 downstream customers until the system is repaired and restarted.
- Gas service
- Cut off to ~4,000 customers
- Leak stops
- When the valve is closed
- Permanent repair
- Five days, then restart
- Worker hazard
- Urgent accelerated working conditions
- Also
- Two technician visits to every service; frozen-pipe risk; airport affected
Step 1 of 7
Where things stand
Gas is still escaping from the damaged main, and the fire department remains on scene.
Step 2 of 7
Close the upstream valve
Crews locate and close the nearest upstream valve. The gas release stops.
Step 3 of 7
~4,000 customers lose service Service is cut off
Closing the valve cuts off service to all 4,000 downstream customers fed by this gas line.
Step 4 of 7
Visit 1 of 2: shut off each service Shut off every service
Before gas can be reintroduced, qualified technicians must individually shut off each service to allow safety checks of the system.
Step 5 of 7
Excavate and repair
Excavating and making a permanent repair takes five days and is very expensive due to the urgent timeline.
Step 6 of 7
Visit 2 of 2: relight each service Relight every service
A technician makes a second visit to each service to safely reintroduce gas. Restarting could require assistance from other nearby gas companies.
Step 7 of 7
Subfreezing weather, no gas service · international airport affected Risks while gas is off
In severe subfreezing weather, many homes would likely experience frozen water pipes, including burst pipes and substantial property damage. Critical facilities, including the international airport, could face unsafe indoor temperatures.