Project – Switzerland - IWB-Industriewerke Basel

In case of strong earthquakes in future natural gas supply into the gas distribution system will
automatically shut off. With it secondary damage are reduced by uncontrolled escaped natural
gas.

The advanced earthquake early warning system „secty lifePatron®“ to shut off natural gas supply into IWB gas distribution system from the transfer stations of GVM has been starting running successfully. The corresponding safety shut-off valves of the transfer stations are shut off in case of stronger earthquakes with a local intensity between VI and VII. The above mentioned intensity values at which the shut off occur, now apply for each station. Subject to future empirical values these intensity values can be changed by authorized employees of the IWB at any time.

To make sure that the natural gas supply is really interrupted only in case of a strong earthquake, always three independently in the network working earthquake detectors per transfer station decide on the earthquake alert. So, when two of three detectors raise the alarm the natural gas supply of the corresponding station is shut off.

Project description:
IWB-Industriewerke Basel