Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department recommends shutting down the NCH construction site in Lawas after detecting highly-flammable methane gas at dangerous levels.
LAWAS: The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department has recommended that the Sarawak North Coastal Highway (NCH) construction site in Lawas be shut down after highly-flammable methane gas was detected at high risk levels today.
The department’s operations centre said that the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) readings for three days by portable gas detectors near the gas-emitting hole had risen to 100%, while readings within a five metre radius in the area recorded LEL readings of 0%.
“The Hazmat team recommended the area to be shut down and the local authorities ensure that no activities be conducted at the location to avoid safety risks.
“Advice and confirmation by the Minerals and Geosciences Department, the Department of Environment and the Chemistry Department were also obtained,” the centre said in a statement today.
The Lawas Fire and Rescue Station received a call at 12.33 pm Wednesday about gas being emitted from the ground at the construction site after contractors conducted drilling work at a depth of about 45 metres, with gas flow being reported as still active at the surface.
NCH is a RM6.8 billion infrastructure project conducted by the Sarawak government under Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) and the North Region Development Agency (NRDA).