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GL Model Prioritising Buried Metallic Lpg Pipework for Replacement

Following the ICL Plastics inquiry and Lord Gill’s expected recommendation that all lpg metallic buried pipework be replaced, UKLPG and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) have appointed GL Industrial Services to create a risk ranking model that can be used to prioritise lp gas pipework for replacement. Rankings will be based on several factors, including soil type and ground cover.

Speaking at the UKLPG Conference in May, Jeff Watson, technical manager at UKLPG, said: “HSE is already putting a lot of effort and resources into the pipework problem. We have made it clear to them that the industry wants pipework replaced as soon as possible.” Commercial and industrial customers have already been asked to return questionnaires on their lpg gas pipework and replies from them are needed by July 13. Data on domestic customers from lpg supply companies is also needed by that date.

The GL model results will then be provided by September 4 and UKLPG will produce a detailed timetable by September 30. HSE will meet the cost for the model’s production and half the handling fees.

UKLPG has also been in discussions with HSE and the Gas Safe Register to develop engineer availability. The CORGI register indicated that 1,000 engineers in the UK are qualified to do the work, but not all are likely to be active and this may lead to delays. In unsafe situations where pipework is inspected and fails, the supplier should not refill the vessel.

Jeff Watson said: “Everyone needs to take an active part. There must be no denial, or ‘it’s not my problem’. We urge lpg supply companies to review their operative resource availability and see how many replacements can be achieved in the six months from October and let us know. “The industry has worked hard to keep itself and its customers safe, and it has to rise to this challenge.”

Contact UKLPG on 02476 711601 www.uklpg.org