PISGS Qualified Agent
1. Q: What does PISGS stand for? ANSWER Pipeline Integrity and Gas
Safety.
2. Q: What Pennsylvania agency oversees the regulations for gas
utilities? ANSWER The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
(PUC).
3. Q: What is a "Qualified Agent"? ANSWER An individual authorized
by a gas utility to perform specific tasks, such as restoring service,
lighting pilots, and inspecting customer piping.
4. Q: What is Title 52 of the Pennsylvania Code? ANSWER Public
Utility Code.
5. Q: What is the "Hazard" definition regarding gas leaks? ANSWER
Any condition in a gas system that could be dangerous to life or
property.
6. Q: What is the minimum distance required for performing hot work
(welding/cutting) near a gas facility? ANSWER Defined in the
company’s safety procedures, usually a safe perimeter with fire
watch.
7. Q: What is "PA One Call"? ANSWER The notification system
required by law to have underground utilities marked before
excavation (8-1-1).
8. Q: What is the penalty for digging without calling PA One Call?
ANSWER Fines and liability for damage.
,9. Q: What is the "Prohibited Act" regarding gas meters? ANSWER
Tampering with, bypassing, or removing a gas meter or regulator.
10. Q: What is the first step when arriving at a customer's
premise? ANSWER Check for gas odors and general safety
conditions.
11. Q: What PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is generally
required? ANSWER Safety glasses, hard hat, gloves, and steel-toed
boots (often FR clothing).
12. Q: What is a "Grade 1" leak? ANSWER An immediate hazard
(leaking gas that is audible or indicates immediate danger).
13. Q: What is a "Grade 2" leak? ANSWER Recognized as being
non-hazardous at the time of detection but requires scheduled
repair.
14. Q: What is a "Grade 3" leak? ANSWER Non-hazardous,
usually monitored periodically.
15. Q: What is the "Emergency Flow Limit" (EFR)? ANSWER The
maximum volume of gas allowed to flow in an emergency
overpressure situation (for regulators).
16. Q: Who authorizes a new gas installation to be placed in
service? ANSWER A qualified inspector or qualified agent after all
tests are passed.
17. Q: What is "Cross-boring"? ANSWER Accidentally drilling
through an existing utility line (like a gas line) while installing
another utility.
18. Q: What is the definition of "Service Line"? ANSWER The
piping extending from the gas main to the meter.
19. Q: What is the definition of "Customer Line"? ANSWER The
piping extending from the outlet side of the meter to the appliances.
20. Q: What is a "Master Meter" system? ANSWER A system
where gas is delivered to a large user who then distributes it to sub-
users.
21. Q: What is "Service Restoration"? ANSWER The act of
turning the gas back on and lighting appliances after a shut-off.
, 22. Q: What is the specific regulation regarding "Unfit for Service"
tags? ANSWER A red tag (or similar) applied to equipment that is
unsafe and must not be used until repaired.
23. Q: What is the minimum odorant (Mercaptan) level in natural
gas? ANSWER 1 lb of odorant per 1,000,000 cubic feet of gas
(ensuring it is detectable at 1/5th the lower explosive limit).
24. Q: What is the primary safety device on a gas appliance?
ANSWER The thermocouple or flame sensor (safety pilot).
25. Q: What is "Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition"
(SCADA)? ANSWER A system used to remotely monitor and control
gas system pressure and flow.
26. Q: What is the "Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure"
(MAOP)? ANSWER The highest pressure at which a gas system
component is allowed to operate.
27. Q: What is "Overpressure Protection"? ANSWER A relief
valve or shutoff device designed to protect piping from excessive
pressure.
28. Q: What is "Vented Gas"? ANSWER Gas released intentionally
(e.g., regulator relief) to prevent explosion.
29. Q: What is a "Bar Hole"? ANSWER A small hole made in the
ground to test for the presence of gas.
30. Q: What is "Hazardous Atmosphere"? ANSWER An
atmosphere containing toxic gas, low oxygen, or explosive levels.
31. Q: What is the "Flashback Arrestor"? ANSWER A device that
prevents flame from traveling back into the hose/tank.
32. Q: What is the "NFPA 54" standard? ANSWER National Fuel
Gas Code.
33. Q: What is the "NFPA 58" standard? ANSWER Liquefied
Petroleum Gas Code.
34. Q: What is "Standing Pilot"? ANSWER A small flame that
stays lit continuously to ignite the main burner.
35. Q: What is "Interrupted Pilot"? ANSWER A pilot that lights
only when the thermostat calls for heat.
1. Q: What does PISGS stand for? ANSWER Pipeline Integrity and Gas
Safety.
2. Q: What Pennsylvania agency oversees the regulations for gas
utilities? ANSWER The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
(PUC).
3. Q: What is a "Qualified Agent"? ANSWER An individual authorized
by a gas utility to perform specific tasks, such as restoring service,
lighting pilots, and inspecting customer piping.
4. Q: What is Title 52 of the Pennsylvania Code? ANSWER Public
Utility Code.
5. Q: What is the "Hazard" definition regarding gas leaks? ANSWER
Any condition in a gas system that could be dangerous to life or
property.
6. Q: What is the minimum distance required for performing hot work
(welding/cutting) near a gas facility? ANSWER Defined in the
company’s safety procedures, usually a safe perimeter with fire
watch.
7. Q: What is "PA One Call"? ANSWER The notification system
required by law to have underground utilities marked before
excavation (8-1-1).
8. Q: What is the penalty for digging without calling PA One Call?
ANSWER Fines and liability for damage.
,9. Q: What is the "Prohibited Act" regarding gas meters? ANSWER
Tampering with, bypassing, or removing a gas meter or regulator.
10. Q: What is the first step when arriving at a customer's
premise? ANSWER Check for gas odors and general safety
conditions.
11. Q: What PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is generally
required? ANSWER Safety glasses, hard hat, gloves, and steel-toed
boots (often FR clothing).
12. Q: What is a "Grade 1" leak? ANSWER An immediate hazard
(leaking gas that is audible or indicates immediate danger).
13. Q: What is a "Grade 2" leak? ANSWER Recognized as being
non-hazardous at the time of detection but requires scheduled
repair.
14. Q: What is a "Grade 3" leak? ANSWER Non-hazardous,
usually monitored periodically.
15. Q: What is the "Emergency Flow Limit" (EFR)? ANSWER The
maximum volume of gas allowed to flow in an emergency
overpressure situation (for regulators).
16. Q: Who authorizes a new gas installation to be placed in
service? ANSWER A qualified inspector or qualified agent after all
tests are passed.
17. Q: What is "Cross-boring"? ANSWER Accidentally drilling
through an existing utility line (like a gas line) while installing
another utility.
18. Q: What is the definition of "Service Line"? ANSWER The
piping extending from the gas main to the meter.
19. Q: What is the definition of "Customer Line"? ANSWER The
piping extending from the outlet side of the meter to the appliances.
20. Q: What is a "Master Meter" system? ANSWER A system
where gas is delivered to a large user who then distributes it to sub-
users.
21. Q: What is "Service Restoration"? ANSWER The act of
turning the gas back on and lighting appliances after a shut-off.
, 22. Q: What is the specific regulation regarding "Unfit for Service"
tags? ANSWER A red tag (or similar) applied to equipment that is
unsafe and must not be used until repaired.
23. Q: What is the minimum odorant (Mercaptan) level in natural
gas? ANSWER 1 lb of odorant per 1,000,000 cubic feet of gas
(ensuring it is detectable at 1/5th the lower explosive limit).
24. Q: What is the primary safety device on a gas appliance?
ANSWER The thermocouple or flame sensor (safety pilot).
25. Q: What is "Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition"
(SCADA)? ANSWER A system used to remotely monitor and control
gas system pressure and flow.
26. Q: What is the "Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure"
(MAOP)? ANSWER The highest pressure at which a gas system
component is allowed to operate.
27. Q: What is "Overpressure Protection"? ANSWER A relief
valve or shutoff device designed to protect piping from excessive
pressure.
28. Q: What is "Vented Gas"? ANSWER Gas released intentionally
(e.g., regulator relief) to prevent explosion.
29. Q: What is a "Bar Hole"? ANSWER A small hole made in the
ground to test for the presence of gas.
30. Q: What is "Hazardous Atmosphere"? ANSWER An
atmosphere containing toxic gas, low oxygen, or explosive levels.
31. Q: What is the "Flashback Arrestor"? ANSWER A device that
prevents flame from traveling back into the hose/tank.
32. Q: What is the "NFPA 54" standard? ANSWER National Fuel
Gas Code.
33. Q: What is the "NFPA 58" standard? ANSWER Liquefied
Petroleum Gas Code.
34. Q: What is "Standing Pilot"? ANSWER A small flame that
stays lit continuously to ignite the main burner.
35. Q: What is "Interrupted Pilot"? ANSWER A pilot that lights
only when the thermostat calls for heat.
