Replacement Gas Pipes Are Safe, PG&E Tells Northwest Square Neighborhood

PG&E officials assured Northwest Square residents still worried after an in one of their condominiums that new gas pipes scheduled for installation are safe.

About 80 residents crowded into the neighborhood's community room on Thursday night to ask questions and find out what steps the utility company is taking to prevent another blast, according to Northpoint homeowner Chris Zhang. Zhang is also running for Cupertino City Council in November's election.

"The room was very packed," Zhang said. "They (residents) are very concerned. There were a lot of questions from the audience."

The project to replace the Aldyl "A" pipes laid in the early 70s when the condominium community was built will begin in late November or early December, and could take as long as a year to complete, PG&E spokesman Brian Swanson told Patch on Friday.

"We did acknowlege it's going to be disruptive," from heavy construction vehicles, noise and traffic impacts, Swanson said. "We definitely appreciate the residents' patience."

PG&E officials assured residents that the new replacement pipes are "industry standard," Zhang said.

"PG&E answered the questions pretty well, but they were being very careful in what they were saying," he said.

Although officials assured residents the replacement pipes will be safe, Zhang said people still asked questions about what might happen during an earthquake, or how the new pipes might fare under various conditions.

Swanson said officials met with residents for about an hour and a half answering questions.

"What we primarily wanted to do is just let people know we're here to answer their questions and concerns," he said.

On Wednesday, Aug. 31, a gas buildup in the garage of homewoner Lynn Tsui caused the garage door to blow off, and sparked a fire that severely damaged the home. Tsui had stepped out to get some lunch with her daughter; the family dog was found safe under a bed by fire fighters.

According to a Santa Clara County Fire spokesman, the explosion was triggered by the furnace pilot light mixing with the built up gas. He said the "fuel and air mixture" was just right for an explosion.

Investigators said gas leaking from t-shaped connectors in the street probably traveled along the water pipe or gas line up to the house.

PG&E officials told residents they are continuing in the neighborhood, but residents must call to request inspections inside garages and homes, Zhang said.

Swanson said after an initial six leaks were found shortly after the incident, no other leaks have been found since. He said weekly inspections will continue, and if anything is found it will be corrected immediately.

He said the company is putting together a search and replacement program for other neighorhoods that contain the same Aldyl "A" pipe, which was used in the late 60s and early 70s.

The Northwest Square community contains both Aldyl "A" pipe and orange pipe, a newer pipe that was phased in around the same time the development was built. However, PG&E is replacing the entire system in Northwest Square, Swanson said.