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PRCI PR-244-0015
- Class Location Criteria for Gas Pipelines
- Report / Survey by Pipeline Research Council International, 12/01/2002
- Publisher: PRCI
$198.00$395.00
L51995e
C-FER
Need: Current standards and regulations for gas transmission pipelines classify pipeline corridors into location classes and specify design factors accordingly. In the U.S., the current class location system was developed in the 1950's to mitigate increased potential of equipment impact due to frequent excavation activities in developed areas (Shires and Harrison 1998, Michalopoulos and Babka 2000). By using relatively low design factors for populated areas, the increased wall thickness provides extra protection to resist equipment impact with corresponding increase in costs. The primary objectives of this project were to examine the current class location system and develop supplementary criteria that would enhance pipeline safety by applying risk-based or reliability-based methods.
Result: This report covers four related topics dealing with 1. assessment area, 2. end boundary between different class locations, 3. enhanced prevention and maintenance for class upgrade, and 4. development of a new safety class system.
Benefit: Compared to the current design method, a system that consists of safety classes and corresponding target reliabilities is more compatible with the reliability-based design methodology. Such a safety class system is expected to produce overall cost savings for new pipeline construction and for class upgrade of existing pipelines while not degrading overall safety of the system. It is also expected to produce more consistent risk levels for different pipelines. The development of a safety class system includes data collection, development of safety class criteria, calibration of target reliabilities, and assessment of practical implications.
C-FER
Need: Current standards and regulations for gas transmission pipelines classify pipeline corridors into location classes and specify design factors accordingly. In the U.S., the current class location system was developed in the 1950's to mitigate increased potential of equipment impact due to frequent excavation activities in developed areas (Shires and Harrison 1998, Michalopoulos and Babka 2000). By using relatively low design factors for populated areas, the increased wall thickness provides extra protection to resist equipment impact with corresponding increase in costs. The primary objectives of this project were to examine the current class location system and develop supplementary criteria that would enhance pipeline safety by applying risk-based or reliability-based methods.
Result: This report covers four related topics dealing with 1. assessment area, 2. end boundary between different class locations, 3. enhanced prevention and maintenance for class upgrade, and 4. development of a new safety class system.
Benefit: Compared to the current design method, a system that consists of safety classes and corresponding target reliabilities is more compatible with the reliability-based design methodology. Such a safety class system is expected to produce overall cost savings for new pipeline construction and for class upgrade of existing pipelines while not degrading overall safety of the system. It is also expected to produce more consistent risk levels for different pipelines. The development of a safety class system includes data collection, development of safety class criteria, calibration of target reliabilities, and assessment of practical implications.