I. OBJECTIVE

• The Natural Gas Emergency Response Procedures are designed to provide a structured means for safe evacuation and notification of affected personnel when a potential Natural Gas Emergency exists.

II. DEFINITIONS

• Natural Gas - the primary component of natural gas is methane (CH4), the shortest and lightest hydrocarbon molecule. It may also contain heavier gaseous hydrocarbons such as ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10), as well as other gases, in varying amounts. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a common contaminant, which must be removed prior to most uses. In any form, a strong bad scent (such as ethyl mercaptan) is deliberately added to the otherwise colorless and odorless gas, so that leaks can be detected by the smell before an explosion occurs.
• Natural Gas Emergency – a situation where all of the following conditions are present:
  • The natural gas odor is persistent, i.e., continues to be detected via sense of smell as you walk from the area
  • The odor continues to be substantial, i.e., does not decrease as you continue to walk; and
  • The source of the odor cannot be readily identified

III. REPORTING/RESPONSE PROCEDURES

     BUILDINGS (INTERIOR)

• Faculty, Staff and Students
  Any faculty, staff or student recognizing a potential Natural Gas Emergency shall initiate the following procedures.
  1. Leave the area/building via the closest exit and activate the fire alarm system as you exit the building. The entire facility must be immediately evacuated in accordance with the University’s Evacuation Policy.
  2. Notify emergency personnel by:
     • Dialing 911 on a campus phone (UK Police) or #UKPD on a cell phone and advise them of the building, location, and whether or not anyone is directly involved; or by
     • Dialing 911 on a cellular phone (Lexington Police/Fire Department) and advise them of the building, location, and whether or not anyone is directly involved
  3. Meet the responding emergency personnel (UK Police or Lexington Fire Department) and provide them any information you can concerning the incident
  4. Do not reenter the building until the UK Police or Fire Department gives the approval

• UK Police, Medical Center PPD, Campus PPD and Environmental Health and Safety
  Any UK Police, Medical Center PPD, Campus PPD or Environmental Health and Safety personnel receiving notification of a potential natural release/odor shall implement the following precautionary action.
  1. Advise the caller/advisor to activate the fire alarm system and evacuate the building.
  2. Advise the caller/advisor to meet the first arriving University response person and provide information on the incident.
  3. Immediately call the UK Police Dispatcher (if another office/employee received the notification) and advise the UK Police Dispatcher of the incident

• UK Police Dispatcher
  Upon receipt of a potential natural release/odor incident, the UK Police Dispatcher will initiate the Emergency Response Plan Call List for natural gas incidents.

     GROUNDS (EXTERIOR)

• Faculty, Staff and Students
  Any faculty, staff or student recognizing a potential Natural Gas Emergency shall initiate the following procedures.
  1. Notify emergency personnel by:
     • Dialing 911 on a campus phone (UK Police) or #UKPD on a cell phone and advise them of the location, and whether or not anyone is directly involved; or by
     • Dialing 911 on a cellular phone (Lexington Police/Fire Department) and advise them of the location, and whether or not anyone is directly involved.
  2. Meet the responding emergency personnel (UK Police or Lexington Fire Department) and provide them any information you can concerning the incident
  3. Do not reenter the area until the "all-clear" signal is given by the fire department.

• Medical Center PPD, Campus PPD and Environmental Health and Safety
  Any Medical Center PPD, Campus PPD or Environmental Health and Safety personnel receiving notification of a potential natural release/odor shall implement the following precautionary action.
  1. Dialing 911 on a campus phone (UK Police) or #UKPD on a cell phone and advise them of the location, and whether or not anyone is directly involved; or by
  2. Dialing 911 on a cellular phone (Lexington Police/Fire Department) and advise them of the location, and whether or not anyone is directly involved

• UK Police Dispatcher
  Upon receipt of a potential natural release/odor incident, the UK Police Dispatcher will notify the fire department and initiate the Emergency Response Plan Call List for natural gas incidents.

This policy has been reviewed and endorsed by the University Committee on Safety and Environmental Health.
Date Endorsed: 26 January 2006

Fire Marshal