Identifying High Consequence Areas

As regulations became a driving force in pipeline operations, the asset managers realized the need to have a single source for all their data. The U.S. Department of Transportation, for example, requires pipeline operators to note Identified sites (IS) such as hospitals, schools, playgrounds, parks and theaters.

The PetrisWINDS HCA tool uses the Potential Impact Radius (PIR) equation to calculate the potential impact zone based upon pipeline conditions which take into account the gas factor, diameter and Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP). Using this tool, pipeline operators can quickly find segments of their network that meet the DOT’s criteria for High Consequence. A segment with a large number of residences, an HCA structure (e.g., schools, prisons, religious facilities, etc.) or an outdoor gathering within the buffer will designate the area as ‘high consequence’.