I work for the telephone company, 28 years, and know my way around the utility industry.
Shooter, Good thing eveything is OK.
While it's fresh, document (write down) everything, including the gas-guy who said it was their fault, put a date and time next to that quote.
Wait and see if you even get a bill. If so, then start fighting it. First mention to the gas company about whether they reported this leak to the EPA, it certainly let enough natural gas into the atmosphere to require them to report it. Ask them if it is their practice to leave a "live" gas line exposed above ground? If you have to, ask them to speak with their legal department. Their legal department will look at it, and tell the gas-flunkies to shut-up, mind their business, and NOT bill you, for threat of a court case.
FarmWithJunk,
It might vary from state to state, but the markings are good 3 feet either side of the line. This means, if digging within 3 feet of the mark they made, you must show caution, including digging test holes by hand, before using any powered equipment. You probably already are aware of this.
This fight is going to be between the Gas Co. and BUD. BUD is saying they marked what was on their reference material (microfilm). This material is supplied by the utility, in this case the Gas Co. So, I can tell you of 2 possible scenarios that typically occur:
1. Gas Co supplied BUD contractor with proper microfilm reference, they never filed it properly, and used the older version.
2. Since a repair was done, the Gas Co never updated their records, so BUD, using records on hand, marked what they had record of.
Number 2. is the highly likely scenario in this case. So it comes back to the Gas Co. as the ones who goofed. The ceramic business is probably SOL. Public Utilities cannot be billed for lost business such as this without finding them grossly negligent.
Even if their records were not corrected, that is NOT gross negligence.
With the advent of digital cameras and camera-phones, I would suggest to anyone digging where lines have been marked, take a digi-photo of the lines.
If possible, preserve the lines, as you are digging elsewhere. if you are digging within 10 feet or so, of the lines, take a photo of the lines, with your piece of equipment engaging the ground, showing it's beyond the 3 foot limit, or whatever the rule happens to be in your locale.
In FarmWithJunk's case, I'd look at the gas Co representative, with a straightface, and say "I called, the lines were marked. Are you saying I knowingly risked my life and property to dig on top of a Live gas main??"
It would be different if you were digging right over the mark, being careful, and nicked the line with a backhoe tooth, that kind of thing happens everyday, the contractor is usually more than happy to help them expose and repair the line, a bill is rarely issued in those types of cases.
Lastly, high pressure Metal gas pipes can ignite themselves, due to the friction created by the gas rushing out of the tip. Fortunately, they burn like a big-ole blow torch, not like a bomb. Still dangerous.
Service lines, coming off of a high pressure main, to houses, are regulated down to a lower psi, so the chances of them igniting on their own is less.
*Always call before you dig.
*Always take a digi-photo of the marks.
*When digging within 3 feet of a mark, dig test holes by hand.
