VALVE POLICY UP TO AND INCLUDING 7 BAR

July 1997
 TRANSCO

VALVE POLICY UP TO AND INCLUDING 7 BAR

Contents

Foreword

Scope

1. Classification

2. Identification

3. Records

4. Installation

5. Operation

6. Maintenance

Appendix 1 Mains Valve Maintenance Specification.

Foreword

This document was approved by the Network Maintenance Support Managers - July 1997

Scope

This document sets down the procedures for classification, recording, installation, operation and maintenance
of mains and service valves in intermediate, medium and low pressure gas supply systems that are intended to
be operable for planned and emergency operations.

1. CLASSIFICATION

Valves should be classified by the following criteria.

1.1 Class M1, Strategic Mains Valves

Class M1 valves are those Mains Valves which the district consider to be strategically important because they
control critical mains in the supply system, or Holder Station Operations. Advice is given in DIS 5.1, 10.1.2
and DIS 5.3, 10.1.2

1.2 Class M2, Governor Valves

Class M2 valves are district governor inlet and outlet isolation valves in accordance with ENC 93/1.

1.3 Class S1, Service Valves operating at M.P. and I.P.

Class S1 valves are the service isolation valves for M.P and I.P services or the service governor stream valves
when remote from the property.

1.4 Class S2, L.P. Service Valves Supplying Special Risk Properties or of 50mm
Diameter and Larger Supplying Low Risk Properties.

Class S2 valves are all low pressure valves in services supplying multi-occupancy dwellings, places of public
assembly and premises where there are hazardous occupations, or of 50mm diameter or greater supplying low
risk properties.

1.5 Unclassified Valves requiring no action.

This includes:

- Valves that are not Class M1 or M2, and that are operable without excavation.
- Valves installed for connections that are completely buried.
- Valves that have been abandoned.
- Low pressure service valves smaller than 50mm diameter that do not supply special risk properties.

2. IDENTIFICATION

2.1 Mains Valves Class M1 and M2

All Class M1 and M2 Valves shall be identified as below.

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2.1.1 Valve Number

This should be unique to the valve on that District.

2.1.2 Marker Plates

Existing Class M1 and M2 valves should have a marker plate, attached to an approved marker post or wall.
This should give the diameter, valve number, pressure and distance.

All new valves shall have marker plates in accordance with 4.1.

2.1.3. Valve Covers/ Marker Disc

The valve cover should be marked "gas". Alternatively a marker disc should be fitted over the valve spindle;
this will have the word "Transco" indelibly marked on it.

3. RECORDS

3.1 Mains Valves

3.1.1 Schematic Diagrams

Each District should prepare a schematic diagram of its M.P. and I.P. mains network marking all Class M1
and M2 valves. If deemed necessary, holder valves may be held on separate site drawing cross referenced to
other schematic records.

3.1.2 OS and Digital Records

All mains valves shall be recorded on OS/DRS records and the valve numbers of Class M1 and M2 valves
should be noted.

3.1.3 Dimensioned Sketch

A dimensioned sketch of Class M1 and M2 valve locations shall be recorded as an insert on OS/DRS records,
or in a separate record file. This should include rider and pressure points where they are fitted.

3.1.4 Mains Valve Data Base

The details of Class M1 and M2 valves should be stored on a valve record database. The database should
record:
- Valve number
- Address
- O/S map reference
- Size
- Normal operating pressure
- Make and type
- Pressure point
- Rider points
- Number of turns to close
- Directions to close
- Classification (M1 or M2)
- Date installed
- Date of last maintenance visit
- One or two man maintenance

The Mains valve data base should also be able to schedule and record valve maintenance and report on valve
installations that are below standard.
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3.2 Service Valves

Class S1 Valves should be recorded on a governor data base, Class S2 should be recorded on OS/DRS records
or on a separate valve records system.

4. INSTALLATION OF NEW VALVES

4.1 Mains Valves

Mains valves should only be installed in strategic locations as defined in 1.1

Additional line valves should not be installed unless local circumstances make this operationally necessary.

New mains valve installations should incorporate the following:

- Concrete haunching of the main either side of the valve as required.

- Plugged valve fitted to the body vent.
- Extension spindle where a valve spindle is more than 450mm below ground level.
- Marker disc over the spindle or cover marked "gas".
- Two rider points, where operational requirements necessitate their inclusion, either side of the valve.
50mm if valve is 150mm and above.
32mm if valve is 100mm or below.
- Two pressure points 32mm diameter one each side of the valve.
- Rider and pressure points to be PE if operational pressure is up to and including 4 bar, and steel if
operating pressure is between 4 bar and 7 bar.
- Rider and pressure points to have valves fitted at the top and bottom.
- Valves covers to be set in concrete surround if the valve installation is in unsurfaced ground.
- Marker plates to be fitted to marker posts.
- Valves to be allocated a number and entered on to the mains valve data base.
- Cathodic Protection should be fitted to valves operating above 2 bar, together with a CP test point in
accordance with ECP 1.

Body vents will not normally be piped to the surface unless an operational requirement is identified. When
pressure points are installed in the same surface box as the valve spindle there must be sufficient room to use
the points and operate the spindle.

4.2 Service Valves

Service valves should be installed on:

- M.P and I.P. services where the service governor is not remote from the property
- Low pressure services 50mm diameter and larger
- Services supplying high risk properties
- Services supplying multiple primary meters in the same building.

Pressure points are not required for service valves unless they are larger than 50mm diameter, when they
should be treated as mains valves.

Valve marker plates should be installed in line with the service valve. Service valve covers should have a
concrete surround if they are located in unmade ground.

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5. OPERATION

5.1 Mains Valves

Mains valves shall only be operated if pressures can be ascertained either side of the valve. This would
normally be done by fitting pressure gauges to pressure points. Care should be taken to ensure readings are
taken from the correct main. Pressures shall be closely monitored and noted before, during and after valve
operations.

All valve operations are to be the subject of an approved written procedure and are to be controlled by one
person in accordance with the procedure. A record is to be kept of each operation, whether opening or closing,
the number of turns, and the direction of rotation.

5.2 Service Valves

When a service valve has been closed for any reason then, if the service is not to be promptly recommissioned,
the service should be disconnected at the meter and securely capped off at the meter control valve left in the
closed position. Open ends on the meter installation pipework shall be securely capped.

The valve shall not be reopened until the service has been tested.

6. MAINTENANCE

6.1 Strategic Mains Valves

Until an RCM assessment has been completed Class M1 valves should be maintained at a five yearly interval
in accordance with the description in Appendix 1. This includes:

- Checking the valve is properly identified

- Checking the records are complete and correct
- Checking for gas escapes
- Ensuring pressure points are fitted
- Carrying out any remedial works

If Class M1 valves are not found to have pressure points they should be fitted retrospectively. If this creates a
large workload for the district this can be phased over a suitable period.

6.2 Governor Valves

Class M2 valves should be maintained in accordance with the RCM schedules for the governor.

6.3 Class S1 Service Valves (M.P and I.P)

Class S1 valves should be maintained in accordance with the RCM schedules for the service governor.

6.4 Class S2, L.P. Service Valves Supplying High Risk Properties and 50mm Diameter and
Larger Supplying Low Risk Properties (Class S2 & S3)

These valves do not require regular maintenance.

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Appendix 1

Maintenance of Mains Valves Class M1 & M2

Detailed guidance on maintenance requirements are contained within the Transco Maintenance Manual -
TMM/5 - Valves and Valve Actuators. However, maintenance will basically comprise of the following :

1) Locate site, and prepare equipment for valve operations.

2) Check marker posts and plates and valve covers, repair/replace as necessary.

3) Check technical data and amend records as necessary.

4) Undertake leakage test and visually examine valve and valve spindle for severe corrosion.

5) Ensure pressure points are fitted and readily accessible.

6) Operate valve (s) as necessary.

7) Clear site and complete documentation as necessary.

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