Singapore pipes are reliable and safe: Lee

SINGAPORE — Following the recent gas pipe explosion in Taiwan, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Mr Lee Yi Shyan said at parliament today (Sept 9) he was confident that the pipes here in Singapore are safe, and that there are strict measures to prevent such occurrences.

“Ensuring the safety of our utilities infrastructure is a key priority. EMA (Energy Market Authority) has put in place robust regulatory requirements, and conducts regular inspections, to ensure the reliability and safety of Singapore’s gas pipelines,” said Mr Lee.

For SP PowerGrid (SPPG), the company which manages Singapore’s gas network, it is required to conduct a risk assessment and meet the requirements set by SCDF and other authorities, before constructing a pipeline. SPPG carries out various surveillance and maintenance measures, and also surveys the pipeline network regularly for leaks using gas detectors. For example, SPPG inspects the pipelines in the vicinity of MRT stations on a monthly basis, while non-residential areas are surveyed on an annual basis.

On pipeline specifics, Mr Lee said that all high-pressure gas pipelines are constructed using high-strength steel with anti-corrosion coating. He added that the pipelines on the mainland are buried at a depth of 1.5 metres on average and further protected by concrete slabs. Gas that is distributed to consumers is also odourised to facilitate detection in the event of any leak.