The San Bruno Fire in California

The San Bruno Fire in California
By T.S. Khanna, September 16, 2010.

Last week’s San Bruno fire has left an indelible impression on the nation’s mind. Gas leaks cause non-controllable fires. Ground movement due to growth of tree roots, earthquakes, or floods cause cracks in the underground gas pipes that start leaking. To avert such disasters, some suggestions are presented:
1. Use coiled accordion type flex pipe sections at all bends and joints of gas supply lines;
2. closely monitor sudden changes in gas pressure in the supply lines;
3. Use lower gas pressure in old supply lines until replaced with new ones;
4. At the points of branch lines to housing and building developments, install shut off valves that may be remotely controlled from an operating room, and also respond to heat/smoke sensitivity;
5. Install easy manual shut off valve for each home and building about twenty feet away from the building; and,
6. Relocate water heaters and gas furnaces twenty feet away from the houses and buildings they serve, the current practice of locating them in the adjoining garage is not safe.

Funding for this nationwide project may be provided under the Recovery Act presently in force.