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TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATION MANUAL FOR GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS Safety, Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Natural Gas Distribution Systems in Alberta Fourth Edition JUNE, 1999 ENERGY UTILITIES BRANCH
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Page 1: TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATION …...TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATION MANUAL FOR GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS Safety, Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Natural

TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND

SPECIFICATION MANUAL FOR

GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

Safety, Design,

Construction, Operation

and Maintenance of Natural

Gas Distribution Systems

in Alberta

Fourth Edition

JUNE, 1999

ENERGY UTILITIES BRANCH

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Foreword This Fourth Edition of the Technical Standards and Specifications Manual has been updated to reflect changes to technical standards, which have occurred since 1991. This manual is issued in accordance with provisions of Section 2(1) of the Gas Distribution Act and should therefore be considered as having the same authority as the Act. Any inquiries concerning this manual should be referred to: Senior Safety Technical Advisor Utilities Branch Alberta Energy 5th Floor Petroleum Plaza, North Tower 9945- 108 Street Edmonton, AB T5K 2G6 Tel: (780) 427-0111 Fax: (780) 422-1613 Email: [email protected]

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Table of ContentsPAGE

1. SCOPE AND APPLICATION ............................................................................... 1

2. REFERENCE LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS .............................. 3

3. DEFINITIONS.................................................................................................. 4

4. DESIGN......................................................................................................... 5

4.1 General ................................................................................................ 5

4.2 Establishing Peak Hour Design Loads ................................................. 5

4.2.1. Maximum Connected Load ............................................................. 5

4.2.2 Peak Design Loads ......................................................................... 5

4.2.3 Establishing Coincidence Factors .................................................. 6

4.2.4 Consumer Load Surveys................................................................. 6

4.2.5 Degree Day Method ........................................................................ 6

4.3 Sizing of Distribution Systems............................................................... 7

4.4. General Design of Distribution Systems................................................ 7

4.5 Routing of Distribution Systems ............................................................ 7

4.6 Depth of Cover and Clearance.............................................................. 8

4.7 Crossings of Other Facilities ................................................................. 8

4.8 Pipelines Parallel to Roads Administered by Counties and Municipal

District ................................................................................................. 10

4.9 Use of Road Rights-of-way as Pipeline Rights-of-way ........................ 10

5. CONSTRUCTION........................................................................................... 20

5.1 General ............................................................................................... 19

5.2 Material Specifications ........................................................................ 19

5.3 Materials Handling............................................................................... 19

5.4 Project Management ........................................................................... 20

5.5 Right-of-Entry and Crossing ................................................................ 20

5.6 Pipeline Jointing .................................................................................. 21

5.6.1 Welding of Steel or Aluminum Pipe............................................... 21

5.6.2 Fusion of Polyethylene Pipe.......................................................... 21

5.7 Pipeline Installations ........................................................................... 22

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5.8 Surface Installations............................................................................ 22

5.9 Warning Signs..................................................................................... 22

5.10 Domestic Meter Installations ............................................................... 22

5.11 Cathodic Protection............................................................................. 23

6. REGULATOR STATIONS AND ISOLATION VALVE ASSEMBLIES ............................ 30

6.1 General ............................................................................................... 30

6.2 Regulator Stations............................................................................... 30

6.3 Isolation Valve Assemblies.................................................................. 30

7. TESTING AND QUALIFYING OF PIPELINES........................................................ 44

7.1 General ............................................................................................... 41

7.2 Maximum Operating Pressures........................................................... 41

7.3 Pressure Testing ................................................................................. 41

7.4 Design Qualification of Low Pressure Pipelines.................................. 42

7.5 Increasing the Maximum Operating Pressure ..................................... 42

7.6 Interconnecting Low Pressure Pipelines With Different Maximum

Operating Pressures .......................................................................................... 42

8. PIPELINE SURVEYS AND PLAN LOCATION RECORDS........................................ 48

8.1 General ............................................................................................... 46

8.2 Pre-Construction Surveys ................................................................... 46

8.3 As-Built Surveys .................................................................................. 46

8.3.1 High Pressure Pipelines ................................................................ 46

8.3.2. Low Pressure Pipelines................................................................. 47

8.4 Plant Location Records ....................................................................... 47

8.5 Alberta Low Pressure Mapping Series ................................................ 48

9. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE .................................................................. 53

9.1. General ............................................................................................... 53

9.2 Operations and Maintenance Manuals................................................ 53

9.3 Training ............................................................................................... 53

9.4 Pipeline Location for Third Parties ...................................................... 54

List of FiguresPAGE

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1.1 Scope of Manual........................................................................................ 2

4.1 Load Survey Form for Alberta Gas Utilities.............................................. 12

4.2 Typical Highway or Road Crossings ......................................................... 13

4.3 Standard Dimensional Information for Highway or Road Crossings......... 14

4.4 Typical Railway Crossing.......................................................................... 15

4.6 Typical Water/Canal Crossing ................................................................. 16

4.7 Typical Cable Crossing............................................................................. 17

4.8 Control Areas for Pipelines Parallel to Roads........................................... 18

4.9 Pipeline Installations in Rural road/Highway Rights-of-way ...................... 19

5.1 Typical Cross Section of Sand-padded Rock Ditch .................................. 25

5.2 Determining depth of Cover at Crossing Locations .................................. 26

5.3 Location of Riser/Meter Sets Relative to Building Openings .................... 27

5.4 Typical Domestic Meter Set...................................................................... 28

5.5 Typical service Detail ................................................................................ 29

5.6 Typical Test Station c/w Anode Installation .............................................. 30

6.1 Typical Regulating Station c/w Accounting Meter..................................... 31

6.2 Typical Single Run , Single Cut Reg. Stations.......................................... 34

6.3 Typical Single Run , Double Cut Reg. Stations ....................................... 35

6.4 Typical Double Run , Single Cut Reg. Stations ........................................ 36

6.5 Typical Double Run , Double Cut Reg. Stations ...................................... 37

6.6 Typical Underground Polyethylene Isolation Valve Assembly .................. 38

6.7 Typical Underground Steel Isolation Valve Assembly .............................. 39

6.8 Typical Above Ground H. P. Steel Isolation Valve Assembly .................. 40

6.9 Typical Above Ground Polyethylene Isolation Valve Assembly ............... 41

7.1 Pipeline Test Confirmation........................................................................ 44

7.2 Pipeline Information Data Form................................................................ 45

7.3 Pipeline Information ................................................................................. 46

8.1 Typical As-Built Survey Plot...................................................................... 50

8.2 Typical Low Pressure Map Sheet ............................................................ 52

8.3 Alberta Low Pressure Pipelines Mapping Series ..................................... 53

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Appendices

A Degree Day Methods for Establishing Peak Hour Design Loads.............. 56

B Control Areas for Low Preasure Pipelines Paralleling Municipal Roads... 60

C Leak/Damage Report Forms .................................................................... 62

D Standards For Plant Location Records..................................................... 63

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1

1. Scope and Application

The scope of this manual is illustrated withFigure 1.1 and includes:

(a) Any part of a gas distribution systemwithin a franchise area which has beenapproved and issued under theauthority of the Gas Distribution Act.

(b) Any gas distribution pipeline operatingat 700 kPa or less which is located

within AlbertaThis manual covers the key aspects ofsafety, design, construction and operationwhich the Chief Officer (as defined in theGas Distribution Act) (the Branch) considersnecessary for the orderly and effectivedevelopment of gas distribution systems.

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Legend

FIGURE 1.1 SCOPE OF MANUAL

NOTES:1. High pressure pipelines that are downstream of transmission

pipelines have a joint Board/Branch responsibility as per the GasDistribution Act.

2. Secondary gas line downstream of the service regulator(Customer meters) are the under the regulatory authority ofMunicipal affairs.

June 1999

ENERGYUtilities Branch

Ms

cm

High PressureMeter Station

PressureRegulatingStation

Customer meter

SecondaryService

Responsibilities

Energy UtilitiesBoard

Utilities Branch

Joint Board &Branch

Alberta MunicipalAffairs

cm

cm

Ms Ms

Rs

Rs

Rs

Urban Area

cm

cm

cm cm cm

cm

cm

ss

ss

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2. Reference Legislation,Regulations and Standards

The design, construction and operation of gasdistribution systems are subject to statutesand regulations issued by the Government ofAlberta and the Government of Canada. Inaddition, applicable publications of theCanadian Standards Association (CSA), theCanadian Gas Association (CGA) and otherorganizations should be consulted.

The latest edition of the CSA standardpublished as “CSA Z662-99 Oil & GasPipeline Systems” should be considered asthe principal guideline for the design,construction and operation of distributionsystems. Regulations covering gas pipelinesystems in Alberta require compliance withthe CSA Z662 standard, although theseregulations include some variations toprovisions in the standard. Where suchconflicts exist, the applicable regulation shouldbe considered as overriding the standard in allcases.

Since the scope of this manual covers somedistribution pipelines, which fall within thejurisdictions of the Branch, the Energy UtilitiesBoard (the Board) and The Technical ServicesBranch of Alberta Municipal Affairs (MunicipalAffairs), the following principles should applywhere dual jurisdiction exists:

(a) Where a minimum specification issued bythe Board exceeds a specificationcontained in this manual, the Board’sspecification shall prevail.

(b) Where a minimum specification containedin this manual exceeds a specificationissued by the Board, the specification inthis manual shall prevail.

(c) Similarly, where a minimum specificationissued by Municipal Affairs exceeds asimilar specification contained in thismanual, the Municipal Affair’sspecification shall prevail.

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3. Definitions

(a) “The Branch” means the Utilities Branchof the Department of Energy.

(b) “Distribution System” means anintegrated network of distribution pipelinesand associated appurtenances.

(c) “Distribution Pipeline” means a pipelineused to transport and deliver gas toconsumers.

(d) “Distributor” means the person orcorporation that owns a distributionpipeline or distribution system.

(e) “Ground disturbance” means any work,operation or activity that results in adisturbance of the earth including, withoutlimitation, excavating, digging, trenching,plowing, drilling, tunneling, auguring,backfilling, blasting, topsoil stripping, landleveling, peak removing, quarrying,clearing and grading, but does notinclude:

(i) Except as otherwise provided in sub-clause (ii) below, a disturbance of theearth to a depth of less than 300 mmthat does not reduce the earth coverover the pipeline to less than thedepth of cover provided when thepipeline was installed.

(ii) Cultivation to a depth of less than 450mm below the surface of the ground.

(f) “High pressure pipeline” means adistribution pipeline, which is designed oris intended to be operated at a pressurein excess of 700 kPa.

(g) “Low pressure pipeline” means adistribution pipeline which is designed oris intended to be operated at a pressure700 kPa or less.

(h) “Main” means that part of a distributionsystem from the outlet of a regulatorstation and upstream of service lines.

(i) “Service line” means a distributionpipeline dedicated to serving a singleconsumer.

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4. Design

4.1 General

In designing a new distribution system, or anaddition or improvement to an existing system,a certain amount of judgment and flexibility isrequired. For example, some judgment isusually required in deriving the peak hourdesign load to serve consumers’ needs. This isparticularly so when the utilization of theappliances which will consume the gas cannotbe forecast with a sufficient degree of accuracy.An example of the need for flexibility is a loopline, which is required to decrease the pressuredrop across the system. Often, a number ofoptional locations exist for this loop while theloop itself can be altered in relation to its lengthand diameter.

In such cases, the Branch will acknowledge andgenerally accept the fact that the designer mayselect a design option of his or her ownchoosing. However, the Branch requests theuse of an alternative design where in its opinionthe alternative will be more effective and costefficient.

4.2 Establishing Peak Hour Design Loads

In the design of a distribution system, pipesizing is influenced primarily by the maximumhourly volume of gas, which the system isrequired to transport. Accordingly, if thedesigner is to ensure that the system designwill meet (but not greatly exceed) therequirements of the consumers served by thesystem, peak hour design loads must bederived with a certain amount of care.

The volume of gas, which the system musttransport, is determined from a combination ofthe following criteria:

4.2.1. Maximum Connected Load

The maximum connected load of theindividual consumer can be calculatedby establishing and tabulating the burnerinput rating of all appliances. Thisassumes the possibility that, forexample, that a consumer may operatea furnace, water heater, clothes dryer,oven and all stove top burners at thesame time. While this may not happentoo often, this total potential load shouldbe used to size the service line and, ofcourse, the gas meters.

Establishing the maximum connectedload for purposes of sizing the serviceline and meter is not quite so simple incases where, for example, specialagricultural equipment such as irrigationengines and grain dryers are servedfrom the same service line and meter.Due to the seasonal utilization of thisequipment, it is unrealistic to simply totalthe maximum burner rating ofappliances and equipment. In suchcases, the designer must apply somejudgment.

4.2.2 Peak Design Loads

The peak design load is the hourly loadwhich is used to size system mains andis derived by applying a “coincidencefactor” to the maximum connected load.The value of the coincidence factorvaries indirectly with the number ofconsumers being served from the mainwhich is being sized - the greater thenumber of consumers, the smaller thevalue of the coincidence factor. Forexample, a main servicing a large groupof consumers may be required to

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transport a peak design load of perhapsas little as only 50% of the totalconnected load of that group ofconsumers due to such factors as theintermittence of gas demand for heatingload, the variations which exist in thepersonal habits of consumers, and theburner rating of furnaces relative tobuilding heat loss. In this example, thecoincidence factor of 0.5 would ensurethat the main would be sized to carrysufficient but not excessive capacity tomeet the needs of consumers at peakflow conditions.

4.2.3 Establishing Coincidence Factors

It is the designer’s responsibility toestablish realistic coincidence factors forsizing mains. The designer willrecognize that each distribution systemis unique in this respect due to thesignificant variations that exist betweenthe number and type of consumers, theinfluence of seasonal loads, industrialloads that are not sensitive to ambienttemperature changes, and other factors.Since the only detailed studies, whichhave been conducted on the subject ofcoincidence factors, have focused onsystems servicing large cities, there areno substantive industry guidelinesavailable to assist the designer inderiving coincidence factors for a ruralgas distribution system. A designershould, therefore, establish his ownguidelines based on a comparisonbetween the theoretical pressure dropfrom calculation and the actual pressuredrop being experienced at the lowestambient temperature experienced.

4.2.4 Consumer Load Surveys

Where a consumer load survey is to beconducted to provide the designer withmaximum connected loads and topermit extrapolation of peak designloads, the form illustrated in Figure 4.1or an acceptable equivalent should beutilized.

Care must be taken in establishingfuture load requirements and therequirements for large load equipmentsince this information has a significantimpact on system sizing and costs.While allowance should be made forfuture additional loads, if appropriate,the load established should be a realisticprojection of the consumer’s futurerequirements. Similarly, large loadequipment should be carefully analyzedto ensure that the volume of gas setaside for this requirement is sufficientbut not excessive.

4.2.5 Degree Day Method

Where it is necessary to consider theloads of existing consumers (forexample, designing a loop line), thepeak design load for those consumersmay be reasonably estimated byconsidering the consumers’ actualconsumption for a specific billing periodand the number of degree-days locallyfor that same period. A discussion onthis method can be found in Appendix A.

The advantage of the degree-daymethod is that it is based on actualconsumption and eliminates the need fornew load surveys. Its use is, however,essentially limited to existing consumerswho have generated a billing history and

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whose peak design load is primarilyinfluenced by ambient temperatures, i.e.space heating purposes.

4.3 Sizing of Distribution Systems

As noted in Section 4.2, the principal factorinfluencing the sizing (i.e. pipe diameter) of adistribution system is the peak design loadwhich the system is required to transport. Thenext most significant factor is themathematical model used to calculatedynamic pressure loss over a segment ofpipeline and hence determine its size. Anumber of suitable models exist which areapplicable to a rural gas system designincluding the General Flow Equation and theIGT Flow Equation. These models, and anyother comparable models that utilize theReynolds Number for prediction of flowconditions within a distribution pipeline, aregenerally acceptable to the Branch.

4.4 General Design of Distribution Systems

A designer will usually have many optionsavailable for routing and sizing a newdistribution system or an addition to a systemto improve capacity. The location ofconsumers in relation to the gas source, theability to gain right-of-entry to lands, and theterrain conditions in the area are the principalfactors, which the designer must consider.

Improvements to existing distribution systemsto overcome inadequate flow capacity shouldconsider the following options:

(a) A simple loop line paralleling the existingsystem main for a sufficient distance.

The segment of the existing system to belooped should be carefully selected toensure maximum impact at minimumcost.

(b) As an alternative to looping, considerationshould be given to interconnectingsystems.

(c) Crossings of major obstacles such asrailways, highways, roads and canalsshould not be looped unless the existingcrossing is in a deteriorated condition orwill create a flow bottleneck, orconnecting the loop to the existing main ateither side of the crossing is impractical oruneconomical due to distance, costs orother factors.

4.5 Routing of Distribution Systems

The routing selected for a new distributionsystem or an improvement to an existingsystem should be determined for acombination of the following criteria:

(a) The requirements of any governmentbody, or any regulatory authority, havingjurisdiction over the land, waterway,railway, or roadway affected by thelocation of pipelines on or adjacent to thatproperty.

(b) The requirements of any landownerwhose property will be directly or indirectlyaffected by the location of pipelines on oradjacent to that property.

(c) The requirements of any owner of a utilityline whose pipeline or cable is to betraversed by a distributor’s pipelines. Inaddition, the designer should takeaccount of the effect of adjacent overheadpower lines on a steel or aluminum

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pipeline that is to be located adjacent tothat power line.

(d) Any proposal to amend the use of theland in which it is proposed to locatepipelines.

(e) The sub-surface condition of the land inwhich it is proposed to locate pipelines.Where it is feasible to do so, location ofpipelines in land with sub-surface rock, ineither solid or loose formation, should beavoided.

(f) The surface condition of the land in whichit is proposed to install distributionpipelines. Where it is feasible to do so,location of pipelines in swamp, muskeg,or bodies of water, or in land, which iscovered by timber or dense brush, shouldbe avoided.

(g) The possibility of soil erosion or removal.When necessary, a geotechnical studyshould be conducted to assist thedesigner in establishing effective methodsof avoiding or controlling severe soilerosion which could adversely affect thecondition and operation of pipelines.

(h) The location of all suitable gas sourceshaving regard to the proximity of themajority of consumers to be served fromthe pipeline system supplied from theselected gas source.

(i) The ease of access to the location ofpipelines for initial construction and forsubsequent inspection, maintenance andrepair of pipelines. Where it is feasibleand within economic reason to do so,pipelines should be located by a “gridsystem” based on the following principles:

• Location in an east-west or north-south direction.

• Location at established paralleldistances from east-west or north-south roads and fence lines.

• Changes of direction at right angles.

(j) The capital cost associated with alternativeroutes.

4.6 Depth of Cover and Clearance

For normal operation conditions, pipelinesshould be installed with the following minimumdepths of cover:

(a) For service lines located within farmyardsand other private properties where grounddisturbances are minimal, the depth ofcover may be 600 mm.

(b) For other service lines and for mains, theminimum depth of cover shall be 800 mm.

(c) For crossing of highways, roads, railways,canals, watercourses and foreignpipelines or cables, the minimum depth ofcover should be determined from Section4.7.

The minimum clearance to be maintainedbetween a pipeline and any other facility orstructure that it parallels or crosses should bein accordance with the latest edition of theCSA-Z662.

4.7 Crossings of Other Facilities

The design of any distribution pipelinecrossing of highways, roads, railways, canals,watercourses and foreign pipelines or cablesmust receive the prior approval of the owner,administrator or authorized agent of the right-of-way or facility that is to be crossed. Typicalcrossing profile designs and dimensions

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acceptable to the Branch are illustrated inFigures 4.2 to 4.7 inclusive.

The depth of cover for buried pipelines at allcrossing locations should be determined froma review of operational safety factors whichmay cause damage to a pipeline. Thesefactors include stress loading, sub-surfacematerials, special soil cultivation methodswithin the right-of-way, and potential grounddisturbances above or adjacent to thepipeline.

The depths of cover specified in Figures 4.2 to4.7 inclusive should be considered only asstandard dimensions that reflect theoperational factors typically found at each typeof facility to be crossed. However, it may veryoften be prudent or necessary to increase thedepth of cover to address special factors thatmay be revealed in consultation with theowner, administrator or agent for the facilitybeing crossed. In particular, plannedimprovements to highways or roads should beconsidered and the location and/or the depthof the crossing should take account of anydevelopment plans by the road authority.

Since the distributor is usually faced with thecost of replacing or lowering its crossing whenroad improvements take place, it is in thedistributor’s interests to initiate consultationand hence ensure that the crossing is locatedand designed so that it will remain undisturbedfor its operational lifespan, even if futuredevelopment takes place at the crossing site.This consultative process applies to thefollowing aspects of highway or roadcrossings as outlined in Figures 4.2 and 4.3:

(a) The depth of cover under the lowest pointin the right-of-way (usually the ditchbottom) which is, as a minimum, either1100 mm or 1400 mm depending on the

type of road being crossed (see Figure4.3).

(b) These depths of cover should beadequate for most crossings, but shouldbe increased if, following consultation withthe road authority, it is determined thatfuture roadway development plans willnecessitate pipe replacement or lowering.

(c) The standard distance of any verticalbends from the edge of the right-of-wayas specified in Figure 4.3 where thisstandard distance is difficult to maintaindue to terrain and/or access problems,application may be made to the roadauthority for a lesser distance. However,where approval for a lesser distance isgranted by the road authority, thedistributor will have to accept theresponsibility for the cost of lowering orrelocating the pipeline should this berequired by future roadway development.

(d) Crossings of undeveloped roadallowances should only be made at thenominal installation depth of 800-mmfollowing consultation with the roadauthority and confirmation that the roadallowance is unlikely to be developed. Ifroad development is planned, thecrossing should be designed and installedto suit the profile of the proposed road.

4.8 Pipelines Parallel to Roads Administered by Counties and Municipal Districts

Municipal authorities are required from time totime to alter, widen or relocate the rights-of-way of roads that fall under theiradministration. Where a distribution pipelineexists parallel to and within proximity of theexisting right-of-way of a road, the new designmay require that the pipeline be relocated orlowered. While this is often unavoidable,good planning techniques can usuallyeliminate the need for future relocation orlowering. To facilitate good planning and

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avoid unnecessary pipeline relocation orlowering, a control area or zone as illustratedin Figure 4.8 should be used in the design ofgas distribution systems. For distributionpipelines operating at a pressure of 700 kPaor less, the control area concept should not beconsidered as a minimum distance parallel toand on either side of an existing road right-of-way in which the municipal authority has theinherent right to either approve or reject apipeline installation (it should be noted,however, that the Pipeline Act does in factrequire that high pressure pipelines to beconstructed under that Act shall not belocated within 30 meters of the boundary of amunicipal road without the approval of thelocal authority).

The various control areas illustrated in Figure4.8 should be used by a designer of a low-pressure distribution pipeline to considerfuture planning. If an initial design of a low-pressure pipeline paralleling a municipal roadfalls within one of the control areas illustrated,the designer should consider the followingoptions:

(a) Redesign the pipeline route such that itlies outside any control area.

(b) Consult with the municipal authority todetermine if there is likelihood that theroad may be altered, widened orrelocated such that the pipeline would beaffected. If necessary, the pipeline routeshould be redesigned to avoid futureconflict with road planning. If consultationwith the municipal authority indicates thatthere is a good possibility that future roadplanning should not affect the proposedpipeline route, then that route may beretained.

The basis for the consultative process relatedto control areas for low-pressure distributionpipelines is the mutual and common interestsof the distributor and the municipal authority,as well as the need for both parties todemonstrate reasonableness. These aspectsare discussed in more detail in Appendix B.

4.9 Use of Road Rights-of-way asPipeline Rights-of-way

The use of road rights-of-way as pipelinerights-of-way in rural areas should be avoidedwherever possible and should be used onlywhere extenuating circumstances exist. In allcases, the prior approval of the road authoritymust be obtained before the pipelineinstallation can proceed and the authoritymust be consulted to ensure that roadwaymaintenance, sign installation or other workwill not cause damage to or interfere with theoperation of the pipeline.

Unless otherwise approved by the roadauthority, the pipe should be located under thebar ditch on the back slope side. The entirelength of the pipeline should be placed parallelto the centerline of the road or highwaymaintaining a consistent offset as much asphysically possible.

The minimum depth of cover as specified inFigure 4.3 should be a vertical depthmeasured from the lowest point of the barditch as illustrated in Figure 4.9. Warningsigns should be installed along the entirelength of the pipeline route within the road orhighway rights-of-way at such frequency orintervals as are required to clearly identify thelocation of the pipeline. The maximumdistance between warning signs should beapproximately 300 meters.This specification does not apply to pipelineinstallations within hamlets, subdivisions orincorporated urban areas.

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Legend

Right-of-way

Permanent warning signs, Both sides

Tracer wire

Polyethylene Natural Gas Pipeline

FIGURE 4.2 : TYPICAL HIGHWAY OR ROAD CROSSING

ENERGY

Utilities Branch

NOTES: 1. For nominal Right-Of-Way widths see Table 4.3. 2. Minimum depth of cover to be maintained for entire with of Right-

Of-Way or as in Table 4.3. 3. Tracer wire to be brought to the surface ina protective sleeve on

both sides of the Right-of-Way or on one side of the Right-Of-Way and laid continuously across the right-Of-Way.

June 2001

Minimum cover as per Figure 4.3

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Legend

Right-of-way

Permanent warning signs,Both sides

Tracer wire

Transition fitting

Steel Natural Gas Pipeline

FIGURE 4.4 : TYPICAL RAILWAY CROSSING

ENERGYUtilities Branch

NOTES:1. All railway crossings to be built and maintained with General

Order E10 (as revised at time of construction) by the CanadianTransport commission.

2. Crossing materials may be either uncased Schedule 40 steelcarrier pipe c/w suitable coating and cathodic protection or casedSDR 11 PE with Schedule 40 steel casing. Material to bespecified in consultation with railway owner.

June 2001

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Legend

Right-of-way

Permanent warning signs,both sides

3 m backset, both sides

Tracer wire

Polyethylene natural gaspipeline

FIGURE 4.5 TYPICAL WATER/CANAL CROSSING

ENERGYUtilities Branch

NOTES:1. Minimum cover to be kept until 3 m backset of the high water

mark.2. Cover may depend on outcome of hydrological designs when

requested by governing body.

June 2001

GradeHigh water level

Drainage bed or canal

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Legend

Foreign pipeline Right-of-way

Temporary warning signs,both sides during construction.

Tracer wire

*Marker tape*3m long treated wood plank

Polyethylene natural gaspipeline

FIGURE 4.6 TYPICAL PIPELINE CROSSING

ENERGYUtilities Branch

NOTES:1. Foreign pipeline locations to be determined in the field.2. *Installation of marker tape and treated wood plank is optional,

unless specified by foreign pipeline owner

June 2001

Minimum Clearances

Foreign pipeline 60 mm

Marker Tape

100 mmTreated wood plank 40 mm

Polyethylene natural gas pipeline 100 mm

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Legend

Right-of-way

Temporary warning signs,both sides during constructionif applicable.

300 mm minimum cover or asper company specifications.

Tracer wire

Polyethylene natural gaspipeline

FIGURE 4.7 TYPICAL CABLE CROSSING

ENERGYUtilities Branch

NOTES:1. Temporary warning signs during construction are optional and

depend on local conditions at time of Installation.

June 2001

Grade

Cable

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Legend

30 m from the center line of road forinternal subdivision roads and serviceroads40 m from the center line of road forlocal municipal roads on statutory roadgrid including forced road, roaddiversions and service roads alonghighway50 m from the center line of road formunicipal roads designated assecondary roads or park roads

100 m from the center line of anymunicipal roadway in areas ofextreme adverse terrain conditionssuch as ravines and steep hills

FIGURE 4.8 CONTROL AREA FOR PIPELINES PARALLEL TO LOCALMUNICIPAL ROADS

ENERGYUtilities Branch

NOTES:1. Normal road allowance widenings may be equal on both sides

because of terrain conditions or development constraints.2. Control area is both of the sides of the center line of roadway.

June 2001

Control Area Road Allowance

30 m

40 m

50 m

100 m

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Legend

Permanent warning sign to beplaced beside buried pipewithout causing damage tothe pipeline

Polyethylene natural gaspipeline

FIGURE 4.9 PIPE INSTALLATIONS IN RURAL ROAD/ HIGHWAY RIGHTS-OF-WAY

ENERGYUtilities Branch

NOTES:1. Maximum distance between warning signs shall be approximately

300 m.2. Minimum depth of cover as outlined in Figure 4.3

June 2001

WarningGas Pipeline

Sample GasCo-op Ltd.

PhoneNumber

Backslope of Ditch

SEE NOTE (2)

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03/01/01

.5. Construction

5.1 General

Construction of distribution systems orpipelines which fall within the scope of thismanual must not commence until thedistributor is in receipt of all approvals,permits or rights-of-entry granted byregulatory authorities having jurisdiction,landowners, and the owners or administratorsof any other lands or any facilities which areto be crossed. All construction must becarried out in accordance with approveddesigns and specifications and withrecognized safety practices.

5.2 Material Specifications

All materials intended for installation withinthe scope of this manual must comply withthe requirements of any regulatory authorityhaving jurisdiction and with any applicableCSA standard. Gas meters and ancillaryinstruments and controls must comply withthe requirement of Measurement Canada. Inaddition, only polyethylene pipe which hasbeen released for installation under theBranch’s Quality Assurance Program shouldbe accepted for installation.

Materials should be selected in accordancewith the following criteria:

(a) Safety of installation and operation.

(b) Efficiency of operation.

(c) Initial capital cost of construction.

(d) Operating and maintenance costs.

(e) Availability of spare and replacementparts during the anticipated operating life.

(f) The physical and chemical properties ofthe natural gas which is to be transmitted.

(g) Where applicable, the atmospheric andenvironmental conditions under which thematerials will operate.

(h) The frequency, extent, and type ofservicing which will be provided by thedistributor.

Tracer wire manufactured from 16 gaugesolid core copper wire with an extrudedpolyethylene coating should be installedsimultaneously with polyethylene pipe. Aboveground connectors for tracer wire should bespecifically designed and manufactured toprovide electrical continuity for the tracer wire.

5.3 Materials Handling

Suitable techniques should be developed toprevent damage to materials duringtransportation, storage, and installation.During transportation, all materials should beloaded and secured to the vehicle in asuitable manner such that damage tomaterials is prevented. Line pipe in particularshould be protected by:

(a) Ensuring that the vehicle is free ofprotruding nails or other sharp objects,which could damage the pipe.

(b) Ensuring that the pipe is firmly securedand properly supported to preventspillage from the vehicle.

Materials should be stored and handled in asuitable manner to prevent damage frommechanical handling equipment, othervehicles, and weather conditions. Line pipeshould be stacked to a maximum height suchthat damage to bottom layers by crushingdoes not occur, and care should be taken to