+++ EWE NETWORK PRESS RELEASE +++
Out and about in Rüdersdorf with the tracking device
Natural gas network inspections until the end of June / Routine inspection of the local network and house connections on private property in compliance with distance regulations
On 19 April, EWE NETZ GmbH begins inspecting the natural gas network in the municipality of Rüdersdorf. The company will be on the road in all districts until around the end of June, checking around 200 kilometres of natural gas pipes. "Our aim is to detect leaks when checking the local network and house connection pipes," says EWE NETZ district manager Daniel Töpfer. The inspections are carried out in compliance with health protection regulations. "Our gas detectors are only out and about in pairs and in the open air, they don't have to go into people's homes and have no direct contact with them," adds Daniel Töpfer. The company inspects around 25,000 kilometres of the entire EWE network area every year.
Natural gas essentially consists of methane and is lighter than air. If there is even the slightest leak in a gas pipe, the natural gas rises to the surface. "We then detect it there with the help of a kind of high-tech nose," says Daniel Töpfer. The measuring device consists of a long rod with a soft plastic carpet. "Air is constantly sucked in underneath, which is channelled into the actual measuring device. As soon as the methane content per cubic metre of air is higher than one hundred thousandth, the device beeps," explains the district engineer.
"Our inspections show that our gas network is in very good condition. The number of damages is very low thanks to our continuous maintenance and servicing as well as our many years of experience," continues Daniel Töpfer. The high quality and safety standards are also reflected in the low number of interruptions to the gas supply. The annual average for household customers is just under one minute.
In addition to the pipes along the road, the house connections on private properties must also be checked during the routine inspections. "This is where leaks are discovered time and again, caused for example by ground collapsing sleeves for fence posts," explains Daniel Töpfer. EWE NETZ therefore asks for your understanding if driveways and gardens have to be entered for the inspection work. "We check every metre of pipe to rule out any possible leaks," the district manager continues. "We therefore ask all property owners to help us with this important work while observing social distancing and hygiene measures."
Gerd Ludewig and Frank Seiler from the company GDF in Fredersdorf carry out the inspection on behalf of EWE NETZ. The gas inspectors can show their contractors' ID cards at any time. In dry weather, they manage five to eight kilometres of inspection per day. In the event of ground frost, rain or damp weather, the inspection has to be cancelled as the highly sensitive special equipment is then unable to detect any gas.
The safety inspections are free of charge for the subscriber. The inspection takes place at regular intervals of four years. It is prescribed in the regulations of the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW).
Strausberg, 14 April 2022
EWE NETZ GmbH
Cloppenburger Straße 302
26133 Oldenburg
Brandenburg/Rügen
Hegermühlenstraße 58
15344 Strausberg