Blogs

By Neal Bucher

An alert plant worker spotted it first — actually, he smelled it: a gas leak coming from the main natural gas pipe entering the SA Building of the chemical plant. This was not a small plant (it was several miles long), and that leaking pipe was three feet in diameter! Obviously, this was a serious situation with unimaginable consequences.

“Evacuate the plant!” the safety department personnel screamed as they went from building to building to get the workers out of danger. So out in the yard we went, a thousand of us: engineers (me), plant workers, secretarial staff, cafeteria workers … the lot. 

The fire department arrived soon after — more like fire departments for every fire engine for miles around was soon on the property, their rooftop lights flashing in a massive light show. OSHA (government) officials then arrived, along with chiefs in charge of the local fire departments.

Firemen in their florescent yellow jackets and plant safety officers were seen dashing about to ensure the area was cleared. Other firemen, wearing fire protection suits, complete with Scott air packs, helmets and face shields, had congregated as close to that leaking pipe as they dared. Hand-held fire extinguishers by the dozens had been broken out, and fire hoses attached to the plant’s fire water system were snaking along the ground.

Amid the clamor someone had the foresight to call the gas company, who sent a repairman and his truck. Weaving his way through the maze of fire engines, spectators and firemen, he arrived at the SA Building and the scene of the leak.       

“Shut that motor off!” screamed one of the firemen, worried it would ignite the gas leak and “blow us all to Kingdom Come!”

With a shrug the repairman complied. He got out of his truck, dressed in a simple uniform of the gas company, and asked if a “welding stinger” could be made available. (This was a long electric cable with a welding rod holder at the other end. With the gas main and building grounded, the “stinger” was all that was needed for arc welding.) While that was being provided, along with a ladder to reach the gas main (that was 30 feet up), he got out his welding helmet and a wire brush. Then, dragging the welding lead with him, he made his way up the tall ladder to the gas main, straddling it like sitting on a bare-backed horse.

After spotting the leak, which was caused by a six inch crack in the pipe, he wire-brushed the rust away and struck an arc near the leak to ignite the gas (which produced a flame similar to a kitchen stove burner turned on high). Next, starting at one end of the crack, he welded it up — zzzzzzzz — until it was nicely sealed.

Five minutes later he was back in his truck and ready to leave. “Is that all?” gasped a local fireman who had been nervously standing by with an extinguisher in each hand.

“All set,” the repairman answered.

He then weaved his way through the throng of spectators and dozens of fire engines, their rooftop lights flashing madly away, and left the plant behind.

— Neal Bucher

Over the last 40 plus years Neil Bucher has written nearly a dozen novels on a variety of subjects. Two of them have been published. A proud grandfather three times over, he is a retired mechanical engineer who started out as a rocket scientist (believe it or not). For recreation he’s an avid kayaker, and since he can’t leave well enough alone he modified his kayak to use retractable portaging wheels and a rudder.