Evaluation of Fire Protection & Emergency Response and Disaster Management Plan for Natural Gas Pipeline Installation

The natural gas processing and distributing industry operates widely distributed huge pipeline installations over large geographical areas. Loss of containment of natural gas from any point in this pipeline supply network may have disastrous consequences on life safety and investment. The industry currently has considerable experience gathered from such incidents in the past in the country. Learning lessons from such incidents, modern installations for natural gas distribution need to be better designed and equipped to address the risks involved. In order to prevent disastrous incidents that leave behind painful loss statistics of precious lives and public wealth, a thorough review of the fire protection philosophy and up gradation of both hardware and software control measures are required. This work critically analyzes natural gas supply network from the perspectives of fire safety and reviews the adequacy of protective measures against codes and applicable standards. Recommendations have been formulated for improved safety of the installation in line with industry best practices.