XYZ Utilities O&M Manual Rev. 2.0 - November 1, 2019
The links below take you to subsections within the current topic.
8.0 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
9.0 DOCUMENTATION/RECORDKEEPING
The purpose of this document is to describe the requirements and procedures for the installation of distribution mains and transmission pipelines.
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Construction practices must conform to XYZ Utilities standards and associated procedures applicable to construction of distribution mains and transmission pipelines.
This section includes:
Gas Personnel involved in performing these Construction Requirements shall be Operator Qualified, per the Company Operator Qualification Plan, for the appropriate tasks being performed.
Gas – Means natural gas, flammable gas, or gas which is toxic or corrosive.
Main – Means a distribution line that serves as a common source of supply for more than one service line.
Pipe – Means any pipe or tubing used in the transportation of gas, including pipe-type holders.
Pipeline – Means all parts of those physical facilities through which gas moves in transportation, including pipe, valves, and other appurtenances attached to pipe, compressor units, metering stations, regulator stations, holders, and fabricated assemblies.
Service Line – Means a distribution line that transports gas from a common source of supply to an individual customer, to two adjacent or adjoining residential or small commercial customers, or to multiple residential or small commercial customers served through a meter header or manifold.
The links below take you to the applicable federal or state regulation. The regulations will open in a new browser tab.
49 CFR §§ 192.317, 192.319, 192.321, 192.323, 192.325, 192.327
Georgia, 515-9-1-.04, 515-9-3-.02(f)
Iowa §199-10.12(479), 199 IAC 9.1 to 9.7
Massachusetts, 101.04
New Hampshire, 506.02(f).
New Hampshire Nov. # PS1201LU
The shaded sections above show state-specific information that can be shown or hidden using the Filter feature.
Engineering shall be responsible for:
Gas Control shall be responsible for:
Operations/Support shall be responsible for:
Operations Regulatory Compliance or designee shall be responsible for:
Mapping Department shall be responsible for:
6.2 Clearance from Underground Structures
6.3 Backfilling and Depth Of Cover
A. Supports and Blocking
B. Moving Pressurized Steel and Plastic Pipelines
This procedure is to provide guidelines to gas operating personnel when relocation of pressurized plastic and steel pipelines may be required. Cast iron pipelines are NEVER to be relocated in place; they must be replaced with the appropriate size plastic or steel pipe.
1. Prior to any physical movement, i.e., lowering in place or relocation of existing distribution main piping, approval must be received from the Manager of Operations or Engineering.
2. Engineering will evaluate the general condition of the pipe prior to relocation and/or lowering. Engineering will perform all appropriate engineering design calculations to verify that the integrity of the pipe once relocated or lowered meets all applicable design standards.
3. Engineering will oversee the project on site, if necessary.
State Specific Requirement: New Hampshire
See Keyhole Repairs. (PDF file)
The shaded section above shows state-specific information that can be shown or hidden using the Filter feature.
The link opens a supporting document in a new tab.
Note that PDFs included with your manual are also searchable by keyword. To see how this works, try searching for the following terms or phrases: keyhole, "service cutoff" or or "repair sleeve". Search phrases must be in quotes. The included PDF, Keyhole Repairs, will be returned as a search result; click the link to open the document.
6.2 Clearance from Underground Structures
A minimum clearance of 12 inches is required between any main and any electrical conduit or direct buried electrical cable. If this clearance cannot be attained, contact Engineering for possible options.
A minimum clearance of 12 inches is required between any plastic main and any source of heat, e.g., steam lines or electrical cables/conduits. Special attention shall be given to subsurface steam. Plastic mains should have a minimum of five (5) feet from steam lines. Refer to Engineering (or designee) for installation criteria.
Provide additional protection when minimum clearance cannot be maintained by:
Whenever practical, mains should be installed a minimum of 3 feet from a parallel utility. If such clearances are not attainable, closer placement shall be allowed and protection afforded to the main against interference and/or external force as necessary.
Mains crossing underground structures shall maintain at least 6 inches of clearance. Where approved by Engineering, or designee, clearances may be reduced. Additional protection for the main may be required based on field conditions.
State Specific Requirement: New Hampshire, 506.02(b)
Construction, Operations and Maintenance
Clearances less than 12 inches shall be documented and records kept for the life of the pipeline.
6.3 Backfilling and Depth Of Cover
A. Pipelines shall be laid on continuous bedding consisting of suitable rock free materials or well compacted soils as follows:
1. If piping is to be laid in soils which may damage the piping, the piping shall be protected before back-filling is completed.
2. Plastic piping shall not be supported by blocking and well tampered earth or other continuous support shall be used.
B. Trench bottoms should be relatively smooth, as well as free of rocks and debris to afford continuous support beneath the pipe that is to be installed.
C. Backfill material used around the pipe and fittings and for a minimum of six (6) inches above and below the piping shall be free of all rocks, pavement chunks, or other debris that could be harmful or injurious to the pipe surfaces. Rock shields, when required, shall be applied.
State Specific Requirement: - Massachusetts
The Company shall adopt the Northeast Gas Association (NGA) Backfill and Compaction Protocol as the accepted procedure for soil compaction when backfilling Company pipelines and components.
Material within 6” of the main shall be suitable padding backfill, and be completely covering the main for open trench installations. When utilizing trenchless technology, suitable padding backfill shall be used at the open excavations. Remaining backfill must be free of rocks larger than half of the size of the compacted lift as provided in the NGA Protocol for Backfill and Compaction. The compaction of backfill material in the roadway or sidewalk area shall be consistent with the NGA protocol.
D. Precautions shall be taken to ensure that the inside of the pipe is free of foreign material. The open ends of the line shall be securely capped at the end of each day.
E. When adequate protection of the pipe is not provided by the minimum cover, increase the amount of cover or provide additional protection when minimum cover is impractical (due to underground structures, rock, etc) by:
(f) The utility shall avoid any interfering structure which provides a space in which a substantial accumulation of explosive mixture might accumulate in the event of a leak. Preference shall be given to crossing over rather than under such structure but minimum cover requirements shall be maintained. In those situations where minimum cover cannot be maintained, applicable protective devices such as steel plating or concrete padding shall be installed. Installation of protective devices shall be documented and records kept for the life of the pipeline wherever possible.
State Specific Requirement: New Hampshire
1. The minimum cover as indicated in the charts below shall be maintained in conditions such as ditch lines, gutter lines, gullies, etc., except when prevented by underground structures.
2. Where this cover provision cannot be met, or where external loads may be excessive, the pipeline shall be encased, bridged properly or designed to withstand anticipated external load. The company shall avoid any interfering structure which provides a space in which a substantial accumulation of explosive mixture might accumulate in the event of a leak. Preference shall be given to crossing over rather than under such structure but minimum cover requirements shall be maintained. In those situations where minimum cover cannot be maintained, applicable protective devices such as steel plating or concrete padding shall be installed. Installation of protective devices shall be documented and submitted to maps and records where records will be kept for the life of the pipeline.
3. Where farming or other operations might result in deep plowing or in areas subject to erosion or in locations where grading is likely, such as at road, highway, railroad and ditch crossings, adequate protection shall be provided i.e.: casings, warning signs etc.
*Railroad crossing will comply with appropriate railroad specifications.
Normal Soil |
Consolidated Rock |
|
| Distribution Main up to 125 psi |
|
|
| Minimum cover** all locations* | 36” |
30” |
| Distribution Main for 125 psi and above and Transmission Pipelines |
|
|
| Minimum cover** all Locations* | 36” |
36” |
| Uncased State Highway Crossings Cover | 60” |
60” |
| Cased Crossing * | 60” |
60” |
| Distribution Service lines |
|
|
| Minimum cover** all locations* | 18” |
18” |
**Cover is defined as the distance measured from the top of pipe or casing to ground level
State Specific Requirement: Massachusetts
XYZ Utilities has no transmission pipeline facilities in Massachusetts. The following requirements apply to distribution facilities.
1. The depth of the excavation should be sufficient to provide a cover of 30 inches. A minimum cover of 24 inches shall be adhered to at all times with the following exception:
2. Obstructions that cannot be removed that require the main to be installed at less than 24 inches of cover shall be padded to protect the main. The main shall be protected from external damage by a method approved by the Engineering Department and/or Construction and Maintenance Department.
New Construction:
New construction is the act of building a pipeline facility, or expanding an existing pipeline facility to provide new service to a customer(s) in order to meet load requirements. XYZ Utilities requires all individuals to be qualified to perform Covered Tasks regardless of whether it is New Construction or Maintenance.
The links below take you to locations within a different topic.
Massachusetts OQ Tasks:
Task #31 – Installation of pipe
Task #32 – Purging a pipeline into service
Task #70 – Properties of natural gas and abnormal operating conditions
New Hampshire OQ Tasks:
Task #31 – Installation of pipe
Task #70 – Properties of natural gas and abnormal operating conditions
8.0 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Observe all personnel and procedural safety procedures as necessary per job requirements.
9.0 DOCUMENTATION/RECORDKEEPING
All forms and data sheets associated with the implementation of this instruction shall be stored with the applicable job file or electronic data base for as long as the pipeline remains in service.
Documentation shall include but not be limited to the following:
State Specific Requirement: Massachusetts, 101.04
Notice of Proposed Construction
At least forty-eight hours prior to the start of construction of pipeline installations, notice shall be filed with the D.P.U. in accordance with the requirements listed below:
(1) Pipeline Installation projects of 5000 feet or more in length. ALL such projects.
(2) Pipeline installation projects of 2500 feet to 5000 feet in length. 25 percent or a maximum of three of the projects in a calendar year.
(3) If no pipeline installation projects in a calendar year meet the requirements of 220 CMR 101.04(l) and 101.04(2) then there shall be reported to the D.P.U. no less than three pipeline installations irrespective of the length, provided this number or more are undertaken.
State Specific Requirement: New Hampshire, 506.02
Construction, Operations and Maintenance
The NH PUC Safety Division shall be notified at least 10 days prior to the construction or replacement of gas pipelines operating at a pressure greater than 60 psig that are installed under roads, public waters or railroad crossings.
The links below open a supporting document in a new tab.
New Hampshire
Keyhole Repairs (PDF file)
Massachusetts
Main Repair (PDF file)
Note that PDFs included with your manual are also searchable by keyword. To see how this works, try searching for the following terms or phrases: "cast iron", plastic, or "repair method. Search phrases must be in quotes. The included PDF, Main Repair, will be returned as a search result; click the link to open the document.)
Reserved for future use.