Natural Gas is a hazardous material commonly found in nearly every structure in the USA. It is so abundant that many have lost respect for this highly flammable gas. I deal with NG nearly every month, either as a utility to appliances within a facility or as a “critical utility” to a PSM/RMP-covered process. Recently, a facility experienced a severe leak, which triggered an “emergency shutdown” of several processes and the evacuation of a portion of the facility. This leak was caused by “failure to meet code” during a major NG project in one of the units. The International Fuel Gas Code and NFPA 54 – National Fuel Gas Code require that:
7.7.2 Each outlet, including a valve, shall be closed gastight with a threaded plug or cap immediately after installation and shall be left closed until the appliance or equipment is connected thereto. When an appliance or equipment is disconnected from an outlet and the outlet is not to be used again immediately, it shall be capped or plugged gastight.