INCIDENT RESPONSE CHECKLIST
Pipeline operators will concentrate on shutting down pipeline facilities. Responders should
focus on protecting the public and isolating or removing ignition sources.
1) APPROACH CAUTIOUSLY FROM UPWIND, UPHILL OR UPSTREAM
Stay clear of vapors, fumes, smoke and spills
Do NOT park over a manhole or storm drain
Do NOT assume that gases or vapors are harmless because of lack of a smell
2) SECURE THE SCENE
Establish isolation zones and set up barricades
3) IDENTIFY HAZARDS
Obtain information from persons at the scene
Locate pipeline markers to identify: product, operator name and emergency phone number
Refer to DOT Emergency Response Guidebook
4) ASSESS THE SITUATION
Is there a fire, spill or leak?
What are the weather conditions?
What is the terrain like?
Who and what is at risk?
What resources (human and equipment) are required?
5) OBTAIN ASSISTANCE FROM TRAINED PERSONNEL
Contact your organization
Contact the pipeline operator
6) RESPOND TO PROTECT PEOPLE, PROPERTY & THE ENVIRONMENT
Consider the safety of people first
Eliminate ignition sources
Rescue and evacuate people
Employ the Incident Command System
Control fire, vapor and/or leak
7) WORK TOGETHER WITH THE PIPELINE OPERATOR
Coordinate valve closures with all affected parties
Establish a Unified Command SCAN FOR A PDF COPY
Cooperate with responding organizations
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INDICATIONS OF A LEAK
SEE – liquid pooling on the ground
SEE – a white vapor cloud that may look like smoke
PRODUCTS AND FACILITIES SAFETY SEE – fire coming out of or on top of the ground
SEE – dirt blowing from a hole in the ground
INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS SEE – a sheen on the surface of water
SEE – an area of frozen ground in the summer
NATURAL GAS transported via transmission pipelines CARBON DIOXIDE
is a naturally occurring resource formed it normally will not have odorant added. is a heavy gas that is normally transported SEE – an unusual area of melted snow in the winter
millions of years ago because of heat Odorant is added when LPG is offloaded in transmission pipelines as a com- SEE – an area of dead vegetation
and pressure acting on decayed organic to a distribution pipeline system or pressed fluid. It is a naturally occurring, SEE – bubbling in pools of water
material. It is extracted from wells and transport tanks to facilitate leak colorless, odorless and tasteless gas
detection. Ethylene and propylene do HEAR – a loud roaring sound like a jet engine
transported through gathering pipelines used in the petroleum industry. Under
to processing facilities. From these facilities, have a faint natural odor like petroleum. normal conditions, carbon dioxide is HEAR – a hissing or whistling noise
it is transported through transmission stable, inert and nontoxic. However, it SMELL – an odor like rotten eggs or a burnt match 1 1
PETROLEUM LIQUIDS
pipelines to distribution pipeline sys- can act as an asphyxiant. SMELL – an odor like petroleum liquids or gasoline
tems. The main ingredient in natural gas is a broad term covering many products,
is methane (approximately 94 percent). including: crude oil, gasoline, diesel ETHANOL SMELL – an irritating and pungent odor
fuel, aviation gasoline, jet fuel, fuel oil, (also called ethyl alcohol) is a colorless
Natural gas is odorless, colorless, kerosene, naphtha, xylene and other liquid that is widely used as an additive HAZARDS OF A RELEASE
tasteless and nontoxic in its natural refined products. Crude oil is unrefined to automotive gasoline. It may be
state. An odorant (called mercaptan) petroleum that is extracted from transported in buried transmission Highly flammable and easily ignited by heat or sparks
is normally added when it is delivered beneath the Earth’s surface through pipelines. Ethanol has a natural odor Will displace oxygen and can cause asphyxiation
to a distribution system. At ambient wells. As it comes from the well, crude similar to gasoline and will mix easily
oil contains a mixture of oil, gas, water Vapors are heavier than air and will collect in low areas
temperatures, natural gas remains with water.
lighter than air. However, it can be and other impurities, such as metallic Contact with skin may cause burns, injury or frostbite
compressed (CNG) under high pressure compounds and sulfur. Refinement of HYDROGEN GAS Initial odor may be irritating and deaden the sense of smell
to make it convenient for use in other crude oil produces petroleum products is commonly produced from the steam Toxic and may be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin
applications or liquefied (LNG) under that we use every day, such as motor oils reformation of natural gas. It is frequently
extremely cold temperatures (-260° F) and gasoline. Crude oil is transported used near its production site, with the Vapors are extremely irritating and corrosive
to facilitate transportation. from wells to refineries through gathering two main uses being petrochemical Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases
or transmission pipelines. Refined processing and ammonia production. Runoff may cause pollution
PETROLEUM GAS petroleum products are transported Hydrogen is a flammable gas that is
is a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons, in transmission pipelines to rail or truck Vapors may form an explosive mixture with air
colorless, odorless and lighter than air. It
primarily propane, butane and ethane. terminals for distribution to consumers. is nontoxic, but can act as an asphyxiant. Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warning 1 1
These products are commonly used Odorant is not added to these products Is lighter than air and can migrate into enclosed spaces
for cooking, heating and other industrial because they have a natural odor. “SOUR” CRUDE OIL &
applications. They are easily liquefied “SOUR” GAS EMERGENCY RESPONSE
under pressure and are often stored ANHYDROUS AMMONIA refer to products containing high
and transported in portable containers is the liquefied form of pure ammonia concentrations of sulfur and hydrogen Avoid any action that may create a spark
labeled as Liquified Petroleum Gas gas. It is a colorless gas or liquid sulfide. Products containing little or no Do NOT start vehicles, switch lights or hang up phones
(LPG). When transported in transmission with an extremely pungent odor. sulfur are often referred to as “sweet.”
Evacuate the area on foot in an upwind and/or uphill direction 2 2 2 2
pipelines they may also be identified as It is normally transported through Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxic,
Highly Volatile Liquids (HVLs) or Natural transmission pipelines and is used corrosive contaminant found in natural Alert others to evacuate the area and keep people away 2 2 2 2
Gas Liquids (NGLs). Vaporized LPG may primarily as an agricultural fertilizer gas and crude oil. It has an odor like the From a safe location, call 911 to report the emergency
also be found in smaller gas distribution or industrial refrigerant. smell of rotten eggs or a burnt match.
Call the pipeline operator and report the event
systems. Typically, LPG is a taste- Exposure to relatively low levels of
less, colorless and odorless gas. When hydrogen sulfide (500 ppm) can be fatal. Wait for emergency responders to arrive
Do NOT attempt to close any pipeline valves
Take shelter inside a building and close all windows 2 2 2 2
Looking for guidance on when to shelter-in-place or evacuate? Scan here for a technical guide. 1 The majority of these products are naturally odorless and only certain pipeline systems may be odorized. Odorant can also fade or be scrubbed
out when leaking products migrate through soil.
2 Sheltering in place is an alternative to evacuation when the products are toxic or the risk of fire is very low. Refer to “Shelter-In-Place or
Evacuate Guidance Document” provided online at [Link] .
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