SPIRE ALABAMA INC.
gas_distribution Incident — BIRMINGHAM, AL — November 4, 2020
Incident Information
| Incident Date | November 4, 2020 |
| Operator | SPIRE ALABAMA INC. |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | BIRMINGHAM |
| State | AL |
| County | JEFFERSON |
| Coordinates | 33.56163, -86.81484 |
Cause
| Cause | INCORRECT OPERATION |
| Subcause | OTHER INCORRECT OPERATION |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $20,260 |
| Emergency Response | $8,001 |
| Other Costs | $0 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
"OPERATOR CREWS WERE IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING A VALVE ON A 12"" STEEL MAIN AT THE REFERENCED ADDRESS. A SEGMENT HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED AND REMOVED BY USE OF STOPPER FITTINGS. THE REMAINING IN-SERVICE MAIN WAS NOT SECURED BY USING ANCHORS OR OTHER METHODS OF REINFORCEMENT. LINE PRESSURE FORCED THIS SEGMENT OF PIPELINE LOOSE FROM AN UPSTREAM COUPLING AT APPROXIMATELY 12:45 PM ON NOVEMBER 4. GAS WAS STOPPED AT 3:45 PM THE SAME DAY. AT APPROXIMATELY 4:20 PM THE OPERATOR DETERMINED THAT THIS EVENT WOULD BE REPORTABLE DUE TO ESTIMATING THE UNINTENTIONAL RELEASE OF GAS TO EXCEED 3 MILLION CUBIC FEET."
About This Pipeline Incident
Pipeline incident data is reported to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). All significant incidents involving fatalities, injuries, or property damage over $50,000 must be reported.