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Replacing Lpg Pipework at Boot Camp

By Steve Holland, managing director, Morland Utilities

Morland Utilities has recently replaced buried metallic lpg gas pipework at Westdown Camp in Wiltshire, helping to improve the living accommodation of soldiers undergoing military training.

There is united recognition across the lp gas industry that lpg systems with buried metallic pipework installed 20 to 30 years ago have the potential to fail with catastrophic results.

The principal findings from the Gill Report following the fatal explosion at Maryhill, Glasgow, in 2004 still stand. The report recommended that ageing buried metallic lpg gas pipework between lpg bulk tanks and a building should be replaced with PE, and that lp gas systems generally should be supported with a more rigorous risk assessment and inspection regime to ensure their integrity and safety for the future.

Generally, lpg systems are installed when domestic or commercial sites are beyond practical and economic reach of the natural gas network, with sites including Ministry of Defence (MoD) bases, farms and caravan parks. Some lpg gas installations have been in operation for about 30 years, and recent surveys show that some systems have had little or no maintenance with regards to buried and aboveground lp gas pipework.

Corroding buried metallic lpg systems may fail due to disturbance by machinery or plant movement over the existing pipe routes, the crossing of the existing lpg gas networks while installing other new buried services, or failure due to corrosion itself. The recent cold weather could play its part, with hard ground frosts causing ground heave with the potential to further weaken already corroded buried lp gas metallic pipes as they leave buildings and tank bases.

The renewal of lpg buried metallic mains and services is paramount to ensure the safety of employees who maintain lpg gas systems, as well as other employees and members of the public. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is encouraging lp gas suppliers and system owners to register their systems, actively encouraging an lpg pipework replacement programme to reduce the potential recurrence of an incident. The failure of an lpg gas system can potentially result in injuries, fatalities and extensive property damage, as well as the financial and reputational cost to a company.

Morland Utilities recently completed an lp gas replacement project for Landmarc Support Services Ltd at Westdown Camp in Wiltshire. Landmarc provides fully integrated facilities management services to the MoD at Westdown Camp and other MoD sites on Salisbury Plain.

The MoD’s investment at Westdown Camp was intended to improve the living accommodation of soldiers undergoing military training. The project included replacing the existing lpg buried metallic mains with 2.5km of new buried PE mains and services, supplying 112 billets fed from nine tank farms totalling 36 tanks and holding 72 tonnes of lpg gas.

Morland Utilities completed a site survey and network design for the project and advised on the optimum sizes and routes for existing and new loads throughout the military camp. In addition, some existing bulk lp gas storage tanks were relocated with associated minor civil engineering for new concrete bases and tank farm fencing.

With the installation of new PE mains and services, new regulators for the tanks and service entries were installed and commissioned, ensuring good operation and maintenance for the future. Morland Utilities utilised its experienced team, including supervisors and team leaders onsite, who were able to complete the lpg installation on time and within budget.

Larger sites, such as Westdown Camp, have benefited from innovative design techniques that have enabled the project to be more cost efficient and have less impact on the environment during construction. The lpg gas network at Westdown Camp has been designed as an elevated low pressure system, resulting in smaller pipe diameters that give greater flexibility in terms of distributing lp gas around the network and the positioning of tank farms.

Key economic benefits are the real savings associated with the use of smaller pipe diameters; smaller pipe sizing equates to smaller excavation sizes, reducing backfilling and reinstatement materials, with less draw on natural resources. The lpg system is controlled with first and second stream regulators with automatic shut-off positioned on the tanks with a 75 mbar outlet pressure, and third stage regulators, including shut-off devices, being fitted at service entries, providing final reduction to working pressure for appliance burns and internal pipework. All service entries are housed within a lockable meter box or kiosk, giving the equipment protection from the elements.

Morland Utilities has been working with lp gas and natural gas installations since the late 1990s and has continued to invest in its people, business infrastructure, equipment and industry accreditation, allowing the company to meet the requirements and expectations of the industry and its clients.

Morland Utilities can offer lpg gas buried system owners or maintainers a prompt and efficient lpg survey service, design and PE mains replacement service, including any new tank arrangements, associated civil engineering and final commissioning.

Contact Morland Utilities on 01952 681981 www.morland–utilities.co.uk

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