Valves to Automatically Shut Off Rupture Not Installed – Engineer Decided They Weren't Needed – Debate Continues

Interesting Associated Press story in the Houston Chronicle. It seems that there was a study to decide if Pacific Gas and Electric should install automatic valves to stop the gas flow if one of their pipelines ruptured. The engineer responsible looked at industry studies and thought that most of the damage occurs in the first 30 seconds, so that automatic valve would have no impact. However, government studies (that he didn’t look at) reached a different conclusion.

Then the real rupture occurs. The story says:

“Eight people were killed, many more injured and dozens of homes destroyed.”

“Coroner’s reports indicate at least five of the people killed in San Bruno were trying to flee when they died.”

Interesting article.