The level of risk of gas in no access properties is currently undefined. This project aims to better understand the exact risk of not being able to access these properties and will aid us in the eradication or minimisation of the adverse affects of these risks to which our employees and the public could be exposed to.

Technical consultants DNV GL will develop the QRA, the results of which will be used to reassess the ‘Immediate Action Criteria’ and the work procedure for no access properties.

DNV GL will manage the entire QRA process; scoping the QRA, collecting the necessary data, and evaluating a number of failure cases in order to build the QRA model. Based on the QRA model developed, DNV GL will also perform analysis of results including assessment against acceptance criteria and identification of measures for mitigating risks. In order to build the QRA a representative sample of properties within our Scotland network will be used. This will be a mainly be desktop exercise but may also involve some property visits.

DNV GL will use QRA to update the work procedures, so results can be used by FCO operatives. SGN’s Operations Department keep records and details of all call outs, including the no access properties. Once the project has ended the call out times and associated cost records will be collated and compared with previous years. The project may benefit financially, should the call out times and costs be reduced.

SGN’s Operations records can also be used to assess the effects the QRA will have on SGN’s performance. Should the records show a reduction in the average time spent resolving emergency call outs during the new procedures, it can be concluded as a more efficient and therefore enhanced gas emergency service. The records will also illustrate whether fewer ‘false positive’ decisions are made during use of the QRA. Should this be successful, our more accurate emergency service will contribute to our improved procedures when dealing with inaccessible properties. If fewer calls out times are recorded and the number of return visits to properties reduces also, the costs associated with the emergency services would therefore decrease. If the records show that the QRA provides more accuracy in risk assessment during our emergency services then this will lead to a reduction in risk when dealing with inaccessible properties.

Benefits

The success criteria for the project are:

• To provide a basis for reducing risk arising from CO and methane build up in inaccessible properties.

• To improve procedures for dealing with inaccessible properties.

• To provide a basis for reducing for reducing costs associated with emergency service activities.