Having an Integrity Management Plan in place from the inception of the gas pipeline network will surely serve in the long term and ASME B31.8S is the mother source of all the Pipeline Integrity principles.
I have put together an overview of ASME B31.8S. I hope you will find this useful.
Overview of ASME standard B31.8S : Managing System Integrity of Gas Pipelines
I) General
- ASME B31.8S is a ‘Standard’.
- This is a supplement to ASME code B31.8 ‘Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping System’
- This standard applies to onshore pipeline systems constructed with ferrous materials and that transport gas.
- ‘Pipeline System’ means all the parts of physical facilities through which gas is transported including,
- Pipe
- Valves
- Appurtenances attached to pipe
- Compressor Units
- Metering Locations
- Regulator Stations
- Delivery Stations
- Holders and,
- Fabricated assemblies
III) Integrity Management Principles
- Functional requirements for IM shall be engineered into new pipeline system
- Commitment by all operating personnel
- IM program must be flexible and should be customized to meet operator’s unique conditions
- Periodic evaluation
- Information Integration
- Risk assessments form the foundation
- Effective Performance Measurement
- Communication to appropriate stakeholders
Following is the description for each of the element,
- Integrity Management Plan
- IM plan is developed after gathering the data and completing the risk assessment for each threat and for each pipeline segment or system.
- The plan shall be updated. The plan must remain flexible and incorporate any new information
- IM Plan Framework:
- Gathering , Reviewing and integrating data
- Assess Risk
- Integrity Assessment
- Responses to integrity assessment, mitigation (Repair and prevention) and intervals.
- Performance Plan
- Performance Plan shall be evaluated at least annually.
- Performance Plan requires operator to:
- Collect performance information
- Periodically evaluate success of program
- Evaluate effectiveness of its management systems and processes
- Evaluate new technologies for use in the program
- Performance Measures focus attention to IM program results that demonstrate improved safety. Following are the Performance Measures Group:
- Process or activity measures
- Operational Measures
- Direct Integrity Measures
- Performance Measurement Methodology can be of two types:
- Intrasystem – within operators own system
- Industry based – Comparison with other systems on industry-wide basis
- Communication Plan
- Communication shall inform about operators IM efforts and the results of IM activities. Information shall be communicated routinely /ad-hoc basis /upon request as per the target party and the nature of the information.
- External Communication to:
- Landowners and tenants along the Right of way
- Public officials other than emergency responders
- Local and regional emergency responders
- General Public
- Internal Communication: within operator’s organization
- Management of Change Plan
- Management of change shall address technical, physical, procedural and organizational changes to the system whether permanent or temporary.
- System changes can require changes in the IM program and, conversely, results from the program can cause system changes.
- Management should involve operating staff to review the procedures.
- All changes (whether small or major) shall be identified and reviewed before implementation.
- Documented record of changes should be developed and maintained.
- Changes should be communicated to affected parties.
- Training should be provided if required.
- Quality Control Plan
- The standard defines ‘Quality Control’ as “documented proof that the operator meets all the requirements of their IM program.
- Quality Management Control:
- Requirements of Quality Control Program:
- Documentation
- Implementation
- Maintenance
- Activities that should be included in the QC program are as follows:
- Determine the documentation required
- Define responsibilities and authorities
- Periodic review of results
- Involvement of qualified and competent personnel
- Define performance metrics, control points/criteria
- Internal/external audit
- Continuous improvement to QC program
- Outsourced activities shall be included in the QC program
Let there be Light Gas! :)
