When the first of any type of system is designed and installed, it is done to suit the practicality of what is required. Performance is the initial objective and a design is judged by how well it achieves its goals, does it go fast enough? Deliver enough? Is it strong enough?

Very soon, problems are identified. These may be problems with performance or they may be problems with safety. It becomes apparent that if a design is to be repeated and adapted, but without repeating mistakes, then some form of written design or safety standard is required.

With the pipeline industry in the UK these are ‘The Pipeline Safety Regulations 1996’. These were enacted as part of the ‘Health and Safety Act’ of 1974.

These regulations cover the design principles required for any pipeline used for conveying gas or fluids, which is not a drain or part of a heating system, and refers particularly to fluids considered ‘dangerous’, which relates to the petrochemical industry.

Part II item 7 specifically states that the pipeline must be designed so that maintenance and inspection work can be carried out safely.

One way of achieving this is to ensure that joints with bolted flanges are located at suitable locations to allow the critical sections of the pipeline to be dismantled. Also, suitable pipe fittings are provided where required such as isolation valves, to ensure that sections can be isolated and drained for working.

We at Chemipetro supply a wide range of flanges and pipe fittings to ensure that your design will comply with the safety regulations.