# Leaks

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** RCSA § 16-280b-B28
- **title:** Leaks
- **source type:** regulation
- **agency:** Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
- **status:** current
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2025-06-11
- **effective on:** 2025-06-11
- **summary:** (a) For purposes of this section, "Leak Extent" means the surface area of a Gas leak as determined by non-zero CGI readings. (b) Leakage surveys shall: (1) take Gas samples as close to the Pipeline as permitted by the instrument; and (2) include tests of the atmosphere in all manholes, at cracks in pavement and sidewal
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(a) For purposes of this section, "Leak Extent" means the surface area of a Gas leak as determined by non-zero CGI readings. (b) Leakage surveys shall: (1) take Gas samples as close to the Pipeline as permitted by the instrument; and (2) include tests of the atmosphere in all manholes, at cracks in pavement and sidewalks, and immediately adjacent to structure foundations. (c) Barholes shall be placed: (1) adjacent to the Pipeline; and (2) immediately adjacent to structure foundations. (d) If any leakage survey indicates the presence of Gas at a structure foundation, the interior of the structure shall be immediately checked for the presence of Gas inside the structure. (e) Once an Operator has a GIS pursuant to section 16-280b-B22(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, leakage surveys performed pursuant to 49 CFR 192.723, as amended from time to time, and section 16-280b-A67 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies shall be conducted vertically above below-ground Pipelines, and locations captured electronically, using Global Positioning System coordinates and GIS. (f) Each Operator shall promptly classify all Gas leaks as they are found, as follows: (1) Grade 1 Leak. A Grade 1 Leak is a leak that represents an existing or probable hazard to individuals or property. A Grade 1 Leak is present if any of the following conditions are met: (A) any lower explosive limit or percent Gas-in-air reading on a CGI that indicates natural Gas is entering a building, already exists in a building, is under a building or is in a tunnel; (B) any sustained subsurface reading of 0.5 percent Gas-in-air or more on a CGI within 5 feet of the wall or foundation of a building in a non-continuously paved 35 area or within 10 feet of the wall or foundation of a building in a continuously paved area; (C) any sustained reading on a CGI of 3 percent Gas-in-air or more in the atmosphere of any subsurface structure of sufficient size to accommodate an individual, and in which Gas could accumulate; (D) blowing Gas that either creates a serious operating problem or hazard, or has ignited; (E) any Gas leakage caused by third party damage; (F) any indication of below-ground Gas migration to an outside wall of a building, or where Gas would likely migrate to an outside wall of a building; or (G) any leak that can be seen, heard, or felt, or is in a location that may endanger the public or property, that in the judgement of the Operator represents an immediate hazard; (2) Grade 2 Leak. A Grade 2 Leak is a leak recognized as nonhazardous to individuals or property at the time of detection, but justifies scheduled repair based on probable future hazard. A Grade 2 Leak is present if any of the following conditions are met: (A) any sustained subsurface reading of 0.5 percent Gas-in-air or more on a CGI between 5 feet and 30 feet from the wall or foundation of a building in a non- continuously paved area or between 10 feet and 30 feet from the wall or foundation of a building in a continuously paved area; (B) any sustained subsurface reading on a CGI of 30 percent Gas-in-air or more beyond 30 feet and up to 50 feet from the wall or foundation of a building; (C) any sustained reading on a CGI of 1 percent to less than 3 percent Gas-in-air in the atmosphere of any subsurface structure of sufficient size to accommodate an individual, and in which Gas could accumulate; (D) any leak more than 50 feet from the wall or foundation of a building which, in the judgment of the individual performing the investigation, is of sufficient magnitude to justify a scheduled repair; (E) a continuous migration pattern of 50 feet or more in, or immediately adjacent to, a Street with a reading on a CGI of more than 20 percent Gas-in-air; or (F) any leak which is nonhazardous but based upon the evaluation of the site supervisor, is likely to become hazardous; (3) Grade 3 Leak. A Grade 3 Leak is a leak recognized as nonhazardous to individuals or property at the time of detection and can be reasonably expected to remain nonhazardous. A Grade 3 Leak is present if there is any leak not classified as a Grade 1 Leak or Grade 2 Leak. Above-ground Grade 3 Leaks do not have to be classified if they are eliminated by lubrication, adjustment, or tightening at the time of detection; (4) Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leak. An Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leak is a leak that may impact the environment more than other Grade 3 Leaks. An Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leak is present if the leak meets the criteria in subsection (f)(3) of this section and: (A) the highest Barhole reading shows a sustained reading on a CGI of 50 percent Gas-in-air or more; or (B) the Leak Extent is 2,000 square feet or more; 36 (5) each Operator shall state in its Procedures whether the highest Barhole reading or the Leak Extent will be used for the purposes of determining Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leaks; and (6) an Operator is not precluded from proposing to the Authority a more rigorous method of designating Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leaks based on field data or tested and proven technologies that may become available. Such proposals shall be submitted to the Authority for approval. (g) Leak Reclassification. (1) Existing Grade 3 Leaks, Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leaks, or Grade 2 Leaks that are found to meet more stringent leak classification criteria during any reevaluation shall be immediately reclassified as a Grade 1 Leak, Grade 2 Leak or Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leak, as appropriate. (2) Existing Grade 2 Leaks or Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leaks may be reclassified to a Grade 3 Leak or Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leak, as appropriate, if any reevaluation indicates such leak meets the criteria of a Grade 3 Leak or Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leak. (h) Leak Response Timeframes. (1) Each Operator shall respond in person to all reports of suspected Gas odors or potential leaks such that the elapsed time between when the Operator receives such report and the arrival of the Operator is: (A) 30 minutes or less during normal business hours; or (B) 45 minutes or less at all other times. (2) If the Operator's response time is likely to exceed the times listed in subsection (h)(1) of this section, the Operator shall, as soon as practicable, notify the local fire department having jurisdiction of the location of such report of suspected Gas odor or potential leak, and request the fire department's assistance in responding. (i) Leak Repair Timeframes. (1) Grade 1 Leaks require immediate repair or continuous action until the conditions are no longer hazardous and the source of the leak is eliminated, or permanent repairs have been completed. (2) At the end of each calendar year, each Operator shall have no more outstanding classified leaks than the limits shown in Table B28-1 based on the total mileage of Mains in the Operator's system. Table B28-1 - Maximum Outstanding Leaks <1,000 miles of Main 1,000-3,000 miles of Main >3,000 miles of Main Grade 2 Leaks 15 30 45 Grade 3 Leaks on plastic Pipe and coated and cathodically protected steel Pipe 30 60 90 (3) All Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leaks that are determined by the highest Barhole reading and any Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leaks which have a 37 Leak Extent up to and including 10,000 square feet shall be repaired by the Operator not later than 2 years after the initial classification as an Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leak. Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leaks which have a Leak Extent greater than 10,000 square feet shall be repaired by the Operator not later than 1 year after the initial classification as an Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leak. (4) The Authority may grant an exception to the timeframes for repair of Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leaks that are inaccessible, challenging to repair, or under a recently paved Street. (j) Reevaluation Timeframes. (1) All Grade 2 Leaks shall be reevaluated by the Operator at least once every 6 months until eliminated. (2) All Grade 3 Leaks and Environmentally Significant Grade 3 Leaks shall be reevaluated by the Operator at least once each calendar year, but at intervals not exceeding 15 months, until eliminated.
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