High Volume Gas Escape Toolkit
High Volume Gas Escapes (HVGE), although uncommon, pose a risk to individuals and infrastructure in their vicinity. HVGEs are often caused by third party damage, but it is the GDN’s responsibility to remedy the situation safely and quickly.
In effect, there are three issues that need responding to:
• Removing risk of explosion etc. to public and contractors.
• Mitigating the consequences of the loss of gas.
• Ensuring continuation of supply to customer.
Developing the solution
SGN commissioned Steer to develop appropriate tools for addressing these challenges.
A workgroup of over 40 relevant participants was assembled to support the project. Steer worked to develop a long list of solutions, considering different pipe damage and methods of application. These ideas were explored through a combination of testing and workgroup engagement. This iterative, operational-led design continued refining the concepts into "tool families", aimed at the most common incidents with a strong potential for success.
The HVGE Toolkit
The final delivered solution was a HVGE Toolkit, containing three different tools and a common control hub.
THE BOSIE
A remote means of placing a repair clamp over the exposed and damaged pipe.
THE FROG
A remotely placed external patch with internally locking legs to fix the cover in place over the pipe.
THE BUNG
This has two variants; the first aimed at severed small bore pipes such as standpipes and services, and a second aimed at torn out fitting leaving a regular circular aperture.
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