SECTION

3.01

PROPANE PIPELINE STANDARDS MANUAL

Page 1 of 2

OPERATING PROCEDURES

CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

07/15/11

HIS SECTION DESCRIBES MINIMUM CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS for steel pipelines in the Companys Liquid Propane (L.P.) systems.

GENERAL

The requirements in this section apply to new pipeline systems constructed with steel pipe, and for relocating, replacing or otherwise changing existing steel pipe systems. They do not apply to movement of pipeline covered by CFR 49, Part 195.424 (Pipe Movement.).
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

Propane pipeline construction must comply with the Companys written specifications or standards, which comply with CFR 49, Part 195.202 (Compliance with specifications or standards.). These requirements include: All propane system piping and components must be visually inspected before installation to ensure there is no damage that could reduce the systems serviceability or strength Supports and braces should not be welded directly to pipeline systems transporting propane A propane pipeline must not have a wrinkle bend. Any field bend(s) should have a smooth contour, free of buckling, cracks or other mechanical damage. Field bends should be made with a bending shoe or bending machine. Pipeline system components must be protected against external corrosion. Buried pipelines or components must have an external protective coating which is inspected just before burying to ensure it is not damaged. Any coating damage must be repaired before backfilling. The coating material should meet the criteria of CFR 49, Part 195.599, see Section 3.03 (Normal Operating & Maintenance Requirements-Pipeline Coatings) for criteria information. Underground propane piping should: Be installed in a manner to minimize any stress Have at least 36 inches of cover Have at least 12 inches clearance from any other underground structure Have (preferred) at least 48 inches of cover in cultivated, agricultural areas where plowing or subsurface ripping is common Have (preferred) at least 48 inches of cover in drainage ditches at roadways and railroads Backfilling must be performed in a manner to protect the pipeline coating Pipelines at railroad and highway crossings must be installed to withstand traffic loads continued

Formatted: Bullets and Numbering

SECTION

3.01

PROPANE PIPELINE STANDARDS MANUAL

Page 2 of 2

OPERATING PROCEDURES

CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

07/15/11

Valves installed in propane pipelines must be protected from damage or tampering, and installed: Where accessible to authorized employees At the suction and discharge ends of pump stations At locations along the pipeline to minimize damage or pollution from accidental liquid discharge A record must be maintained for the life of the pipeline showing the: Number of welds (including the number nondestructively tested, the number rejected and the disposition of the rejected weld[s]) Amount, location and cover of the pipe size installed Locations of: Foreign pipeline crossings Valves Corrosion test stations In accordance with the Companys Welding Procedures Manual: Welding on a propane pipeline system will be performed by qualified welders using qualified procedures, with test weld quality determined by destructive testing Each weld should be visually inspected, with 10% of each welders daily welds supplemented with non-destructive testing performed by personnel trained in the established procedures. The weld acceptance standards is based on API Standard 1104 (Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities) Unacceptable welds must be removed or repaired A propane pipeline should not be located within 50 feet of a private dwelling, industrial building or place of public assembly unless it has at least 12 inches of cover in excess of that described in Table 3.01.1:
TABLE 1: PROPANE PIPELINE COVER REQUIREMENTS (FROM CFR 49, Part 195.248) LOCATION NORMAL SOIL INCHES (MILLIMETERS) 36 (914) 36 (914) 30 (762) CONSOLIDATED ROCK INCHES (MILLIMETERS) * 30 (762) 36 (914) 18 (457)

Industrial, commercial, and residential areas Drainage ditches at public roads and railroads Any other area

EXCEPTION: Where an underground structure prevents installing a steel propane line with the minimum cover, the line may be installed with less cover if additional protection, equivalent to the required minimum cover, is provided to withstand anticipated external loads.
*

Rock excavation is any excavation that requires blasting or removal by equivalent means.