Buried LPG Pipework
Background
When liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is stored and used in installations compliant with relevant health and safety legislation and industry codes of practice, it is a safe fuel. However, when it is not the results can be catastrophic. In May 2004 a gas leak from a corroded buried pipe led to an accumulation of gas in the basement of a Glasgow plastics factory. This resulted in an explosion, which caused the building to collapse - nine people were killed and 33 were injured, some critically.
Further to a Public Inquiry into this explosion, the government has accepted the Gill Inquiry Report recommendation that underground metallic LPG pipework between tank and appliance, be replaced with polyethylene on a prioritised basis.
Buried LPG pipework initiative
In Northern Ireland HSENI and all twenty-six district council Environmental Health Departments are working in partnership on an initiative to increase duty-holders awareness of the risks associated with underground metallic LPG pipework. This will ensure that suitable steps, such as replacement where appropriate, are taken at each installation in Northern Ireland where underground metallic LPG pipework is known to exist.
On this page, you will find details on the initiative and what action you should take if you are a user of LPG.
What should I do?
If you are a user of LPG, you should ask yourself the following questions:-
* Are any parts of the LPG pipework underground?
* Is any underground pipework metallic?
* If metallic, does the pipework lack effective corrosion protection at any point along its length?
If you have answered yes (or don’t know) to ALL of these questions then you are advised to seek more information from your LPG supply company.
Calor Gas contact - 02890 458466
Flo Gas contact - 02890732611
- Make contact with your LPG gas supplier (at the appropriate number above) to discuss the LPG installation at your premises and their understanding that your installation may include underground metallic LPG pipework and why ensuring the safety of this is likely to be your responsibility;
- Visit to engage a competent gas engineer (who is appropriately registered with Gas Safe Register), to visit your business to discuss any underground metallic LPG pipework that may exist (including steel risers), so that you may put an appropriate plan of action in place to deal with the matter.
What are the associated legal provisions placed on duty holders?
If you are a user of a gas system and/or are an employer, then it is likely that you will have important legal duties placed on you under the following health and safety laws; even if your LPG supplier owns and is responsible for the LPG bulk tank located at your premises:
* The Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978;
* The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (NI) 2003;
* The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (NI) 1999.
What are the associated potential compliance options?
With respect to addressing any underground metallic LPG pipework that may exist at your premises, there are a number of potential compliance options.
The government has accepted the Gill Inquiry Report recommendation that underground metallic LPG pipework between tank and appliance, be replaced with polyethylene on a prioritised basis. It is the Government’s view, informed by HSE’s technical expertise, that replacement with polyethylene pipework will substantially reduce the risk at small bulk LPG installations.
However, while this is a very clear recommendation, a number of potential compliance options do exist (and these are summarised below) depending on your specific circumstances. It is recommended that you should discuss these options with a competent gas engineer (who is appropriately registered with Gas Safe Register to undertake this type of work - ) and also with the Health and Safety inspector who will shortly visit your business, preferably by arrangement.
The following points summarise a number of potential compliance options that may assist you in addressing any underground metallic LPG pipework that you are responsible for in your workplace:
1. Replace the underground metallic LPG pipework with buried polyethylene pipework or a proprietary pipework system which should be installed in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Alternatively:
2. Re-route the LPG pipework above ground with protection against mechanical damage, and devise aninspection, examination and maintenance strategy to ensure its integrity and that any deterioration is detected and remedied in good time;
OR:
3. Put in place arrangements to implement HSE’s published interim inspection and maintenance guidance for underground metallic pipework until the pipework is replaced – including written justification that it is appropriate to apply the guidance to the installation in question;
OR
4. Devise an inspection, examination and maintenance strategy to ensure the continuing integrity of the underground metallic pipes used to convey LPG and ensure that any deterioration is detected and remedied in good time. The strategy should be devised by a competent person (for example, Institute of Corrosion, Pipelines Coating Inspector, Level 2 – further information regarding such competent persons is available from ) and meet the associated detail prescribed by HSE, which the visiting Health and Safety Inspector can provide you with if you require.
OR
5. Implement any other equally effective measures to remedy the issue.
Are there any other site specific factors that increase the risk?
The LPG Independent Expert Working Group has identified the following additional site specific factors which you should discuss with a competent gas engineer (
Premises with medium pressure carbon steel pipework aged 10 years old or more as of 2009 AND where any one or more of the factors listed below apply:
* Regularly occupied by members of the public or
* Regularly occupied by more than 5 other persons, or
* A cellar, basement or other significant below-floor void is present.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of this information prior to the visit to your business, please contact:
Your local Council environmental health department or HSENI.
Further Information
- an interactive tool outlining the Safe use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at small commercial and industrial bulk installations.
- print version of Safe use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at small commercial and industrial bulk installations.
trade association for the LPG industry in the UK – provides advice and guidance.