Singapore has high gas safety standards

GAS safety is a key priority for the Energy Market Authority and SP PowerGrid (SPPG).

We thank Ms Lai Wai Mun ("Take steps to prevent gas explosions"), Ms Ada Chan Siew Foen ("Gas leaks not easy for public to detect"; Forum Online) and Mr Cheng Choon Fei ("Any contingency plan for gas leaks?"; Forum Online) for sharing their feedback and concerns in their letters on Monday.

We assure the public that we have a robust regulatory framework and standards in place to safeguard the reliability and safety of Singapore's gas network.

Pipelines transmitting gas at high pressure are made of high-strength steel with anti-corrosion coating. These are mostly buried underground and further protected by concrete slabs. Careful attention is also given to the planning and design of our gas network, to enhance safety for consumers.

Before constructing a gas pipeline, SPPG carries out stringent checks and risk assessments, to meet the safety requirements set by the Singapore Civil Defence Force and other authorities.

As the sole owner of all the gas pipelines in Singapore, SPPG is required to conduct regular tests and inspections to ensure that the pipeline network is in good working condition. In addition, SPPG will systematically replace older pipelines to prevent corrosion from affecting the integrity of these pipelines.

We have put in place measures to prevent damage to gas pipelines during excavation and earthworks. Contractors are given safety briefings by SPPG on precautions and mitigation measures. SPPG also supervises all excavation works in the vicinity of gas transmission pipelines.

While it is not possible to completely eliminate all gas incidents, these measures have significantly lowered the safety risks.

Singapore's gas network contains natural gas and town gas, which are lighter than air. If there is a leak, the gas will rise and dissipate instead of accumulating near the source of the leak. This helps to lower the combustion risks. In addition, the gas in Singapore that is distributed to consumers is odourised to allow for easy detection.

In the event of a gas leak, SPPG will promptly shut the relevant gas valves to isolate the leak and prevent further build-up of gas. It will also work with the emergency response agencies to contain the leak and bring the situation under control.

Members of the public who suspect a gas leak should not light any flames or turn any switches. Once they have moved out of the area of the suspected gas leak, they should call SPPG's hotline on 1-800-752-1800 to report the incident.

Yeo Yek Seng
Deputy Chief Executive, Regulation Energy Market Authority

Cheng See Tau
Deputy Managing Director, Gas Operations SP PowerGrid
ST Forum, 8 Aug 2014

Take steps to prevent gas explosions

THE gas explosion in Kaohsiung caused by leaks from underground pipes caused many injuries and deaths ("25 killed in Taiwan's deadliest gas blasts"; last Saturday).

Similar to Kaohsiung, our water and gas pipes and electrical cables are laid underground.

Our pipes and cables underground are ageing, just like many of the trees that have fallen in recent years after heavy rainfall.

A few years ago, my family suffered a sudden disruption to our water supply because the major underground pipe that supplied water to our flat burst.

Water could be seen gushing out from the ground and manholes.

I wrote to the authorities to ask what they have or will put in place to prevent similar incidents from happening, but the answer was not convincing.

Will the Kaohsiung incident happen to our small city one day, given that we have so many commercial and residential gas pipes running underground all over the country?

There are also a lot of road works and construction that involve digging up of the roads. Could any of these bring about an accident too?

With modern sensor and material testing technology, we can take a more preventive approach instead of waiting for an accident to happen.

Our ageing infrastructure, especially what's hidden from public view, needs attention.

What steps have the authorities taken, or will take, to prevent accidents?

Lai Wai Mun (Ms)

ST Forum, 4 Aug 2014

Gas leaks not easy for public to detect

RECENTLY, the water pipes under the roads around my residential estate leaked, causing pools of water on the road.

We reported the matter to the authorities and the cause was traced to possible damage to the pipes during road resurfacing works done a few days before the leak.

Most of Singapore's gas pipes are laid underground, and with a lot of ongoing road repair and resurfacing works, how can we ensure that the pipes are not accidentally damaged during such works?

Leaks from underground water pipes are relatively easy to detect, with the pooling of water above ground. But underground gas leaks are not so easily detectable as gas is invisible.

How can we minimise the potential hazard of underground poisonous gas leaks ("25 killed in Taiwan's deadliest gas blasts"; last Saturday)?

Ada Chan Siew Foen (Ms)
ST Forum, 4 Aug 2014

Any contingency plan for gas leaks?

IN SINGAPORE, underground water, electrical, sewer and gas pipes vary in material, size and pressure, and it is not uncommon for these pipes to be laid close to one another.

Low, medium and high pressure gas pipes are vulnerable to damage caused by construction activities such as soil investigation, excavation, boring/tunnelling, building demolition, addition and alteration work, as well as major renovation.

There is a lot of construction work in progress in Singapore. What preventive and safety measures are in place to prevent damage to underground gas pipes and resulting gas leaks ("25 killed in Taiwan's deadliest gas blasts"; last Saturday)?

What sort of care is taken during works to avoid damaging the underground gas pipes? What levels of checks at every stage of the works are in place?

If workers spot exposed gas pipes during construction work, are they allowed to proceed with work? What safety protocol must they follow?

Are workers and safety officers trained on what to do if gas pipes are damaged and are they authorised to tamper with or attempt to repair the damaged pipes? If not, who is authorised to carry out these repairs?

We should have clear instructions and protocols on the safety of underground gas pipes. We can't wait for an explosion to happen before we take action.

Cheng Choon Fei
ST Forum, 4 Aug 2014