Gas Line Accident

I covet your prayers for the residents of our building, because we had a major incident this afternoon. An electrical contractor, who was quad drilling in the service staircase, accidentally went through an 1-1/2" gas branch line. Fortunately the water coolant prevented the formation of sparks and there was no explosion. But now the residents will have no gas for about 3 weeks, the time it takes to install new valves, pressure test the risers, all the branch lines individually, and receive certification for same from the NYC Buildings Department.

 

Continue praying for the residents of our building as it is the 19th day that we have no cooking gas coming in to our stoves, clothes dryers, and ranges. For some it is becoming a real hardship because of small children, but most of the folks are being patient. A team of 8 plumbers are working every day on the problem, and it seems that they need another 2 weeks to get some results.

 

Thanks for the prayer support on this one folks, but we still do not have any gas in the building. Today was the 50th day. Many of the folks are becoming restless, and tempers are flaring.

To make things worst, last month when our building upgrade would have been approved by the NYC Department of Buildings inspectors, 19 of them were arrested and put to jail for accepting bribes. Out of the 25 NYC (5 borough) inspectors now there are only 6 who are doing the job. The first date they did not keep. On the second date the inspector failed the building because before the new riser valves the plumber installed flange connections. The inspector said that only left to right threaded couplings can be accepted. The plumber feverishly worked 3 more days, pressure tested the lines after the job was done and got another date for inspection.

When the new inspector showed up and was explained what transpired, he said that the work was a "none issuse." In othere words, we did not have to change the flanges. Now the managing agency of the building has hired an engineering firm to talk to the commissioner and see what can be done to expedite things.

My wife and I had to purchase an electric cooker, with two hot plates. For the first time in many weeks she could cook my favorite soup - chicken noodle. For two of us it is sufficient, but we are unable to entertain any guests. We do not mind practicing the piooneer mode of life, but we feel that the rest of the residents have been stretched to their limits in their endurance. Please continue to pray that the commissioner may have a sympathetic heart. Thanks!

[ July 19, 2002, 07:49 PM: Message edited by: Barnabas ]

 

We still do not have gas, but there are some positive steps have been made with City and Utility company officials to re-establish the gas to the building. There is no gas since May 31, 2002. They are now promising to get the gas back by Thanksgiving. Please continue to pray that it may finally become a reality.

 

Thanks for the continued prayers folks! The latest update is that we will assuredly have the gas back before Thanksgiving. Please pray that on Oct. 3rd the meeting may go well between the residents and the various companies involved (management, engineering, contractors, attorneys, and insurance reps) in the gas up-grade work.

 

Gina, the gas is used to cook with, to dry the clothes with, some used it to barbecue and broil meat. In our building there are 54 apartments, and 95% of them were suing natural gas. They cope with the situation by going out to eat, calling for delivery, managing (like my wife) on a small electric hotplate to cook (limited fashion). Since last May 31st, my wife and I could not entertain anyone from church (as we used to) in our home because she couldn't have prepared a decent meal on two small hot-plates. So, it is not easy for anyone involved, but we are coping. Thanks for asking and thanks for your prayers!

 

Since May 31st our building has no natural gas, but finally we see a faint light at the end of the tunnel. Please pray that the last inspection by the NYC Dept. of Buildings would pass this morning at 10:15 AM. The plumbers had to re-pipe a riser, and all the branch lines to the apartments. Everything just been finished to the current code, and if we pass the test, sometime next week we could have the gas back.

Everybody involved with this project has been worn out, and stretched to the limits. But the Lord has never left us desolate, and He remained faithful. I can hardly wait for the good old natural gas to flow through these pipes again, and my wife to cook some of my favorite dishes. Thanks for praying folks!

 

PTL the inspection passed and next week we are expecting the gas to return to at least 85% of the building. Thanks for all the prayers.

No, the gas is used only for cooking, baking, barbecuing, drying clothes, and lighting fireplaces. But since May 31st it was greatly missed.

 

PTL the gas is back as of yesterday, Saturday, November 16, 2002. Since May 31st we were without cooking gas, but thank the Lord, we have the gas flowing throughout the building. Thanks again for all your prayers folks!