Mobile ‘sniffer’ technology aids this year’s annual gas infrastructure inspection

Medicine Hat – On Aug. 18, the City of Medicine Hat begins the annual leak survey and infrastructure assessment on its gas distribution network. Each year, trained contractors inspect critical infrastructure to evaluate and maintain the integrity of the natural gas delivery system.

This year, the City has introduced a mobile detection unit to supplement the usual in-person walking assessments to complete the 7,264 residential and commercial service inspections and 151 kilometres of gas main in the regions highlighted below.

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The Mobile Guard is a vehicle-mounted super sniffer manufactured by global technology leader ABB that uses an anemometer to identify wind direction and a pump that samples air quality as it drives. The device measures the level of methane in the air sample and tracks the location and severity on a map. It can also detect and inform whether any recorded methane is likely to be naturally occurring, or if it is gas coming from a pipeline.

The contracted mobile vehicle will drive streets and alleys in the inspection boundaries each evening Monday through Sunday between the hours of 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. and is easily identified by equipment mounted on the roof and a Hetek Solutions decal.  

Similar to previous years, trained contractors also conduct physical onsite inspections of individual gas services during daytime hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The City’s contractor will be in and around each yard in the inspection area surveying pipe, risers, regulators, meters or more. Contractors will carry City of Medicine Hat photo identification at all times, which will be presented upon request.

Access to the exterior of each property is necessary. If the contractor is unable to gain access, they will leave a notification slip with a phone number to call to arrange inspection. Due to the quantity of infrastructure being examined, it is not possible to seek permission from each property owner prior to entering their yards.

With the aid of the added technology, which is faster and more efficient to assess the main pipelines than walking, the inspection process should conclude within three weeks.

The City of Medicine Hat thanks residents for their understanding and co-operation as the necessary inspections are completed to ensure the continued safety and reliability of the natural gas delivery system. Inquiries may be directed to the Gas Distribution office at 403-529-8190.

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