How to crash into a gas pipeline: technical requirements and performance features

Natural gas provides a person with heat and hot food. However, for the implementation of these functions, it must be brought to the house - to equip a pipeline connected to the central network, heating equipment and household appliances.

At the design stage of the pipeline, it is necessary to figure out which permits are to be drawn up, how to properly crash into the gas pipeline and who to entrust with such responsible work. The answers to these questions are detailed in the article.

In addition, we described different ways of connecting to the central highway, and also outlined the features of connecting to a plastic and metal pipeline.

What are gas transmission lines

A gas pipeline is a specialized pipeline whose purpose is to transport and store certain volumes of blue fuel. It can have different design features that differ depending on the tasks assigned to the highway.

For example, networks of international importance deliver huge volumes of gas over long distances, therefore constant pressure is maintained at a high level in them. That is why any experiments with gas supply systems are inappropriate and can be dangerous not only for you, but also for others.

This means that the best option for carrying out work with the system will be to call the appropriate services specializing in working with gas communications, which meets the requirements of the law.

An insert into the gas pipeline must be carried out by a gas service specialist who has the necessary level of tolerance and complies with all safety measures

Gas pipelines are arranged like the circulatory system of the human body. Their role can be compared with coronary vessels. And already from the central pipes of regional significance depart, distributing blue fuel between consumers.

They are smaller than the trunk, and therefore the pressure in them is much lower. However, even in such gas networks, its jumps are possible both in the direction of decrease and in the increasing direction.

Connection to gas communications occurs if the organization has special access. And you can try to do the wiring inside your house yourself. To do this, you just need to know a clear sequence of actions and adhere to the necessary security measures.

Bandwidth Rules

The main factor responsible for the continuous supply of blue fuel to consumers is the value of the throughput of the pipeline. The calculation of this parameter is carried out according to a special algorithm. Moreover, it is made regardless of the type of pipe used.

Maximum throughput gas pipe can be calculated by the following formula:

Q max = 196.386 × D² × P / Z × T,

Where:

• R - operating pressure maintained in the gas pipeline, plus 0.1 MPa or absolute gas pressure;
• D - inner diameter of the pipe;
• T - temperature of the pumped blue fuel, measured on the Kelvin scale;
• Z - compressibility factor.

This formula establishes the following pattern: the higher the value of the T indicator, the greater the network bandwidth should be.

Otherwise, the gas transmission line will be depressurized, which will inevitably lead to the explosion of this dangerous substance.

Having made the choice of the type of pipe for the gas pipeline, it is important to determine the type of insert

There is a more complicated formula. However, the algorithm given above is quite enough to make the necessary calculations that precede the insertion into the gas pipeline.

How to connect to the gas pipeline?

Insertion into the trunk network cannot be done by hand - only with the help of specialists from gas companies with permits and authorization to carry out such work. Regardless of the chosen company, a large-scale preparation stage is ahead of connecting to communications.

Inset preparation

If you decide to entrust the process of joining the gas network to specialists of the corresponding company, then you must contact the licensing service. Here, in addition to submitting an application of an established form, it will be necessary to provide a package of documents provided for at the legislative level.

On the eve of the tie-in to the gas pipeline, it is necessary not only to make the correct calculations, but also to obtain the permission of the gas workers

When it comes to tapping a newly erected building into the gas pipeline, the owner should first provide a passport, identification code and an approved gas supply system design.

In addition, a set of documents should be prepared:

• statement, personally certified by the head of the territorial branch of the gas economy;
• permission to connect to the gas pipeline issued by the planning department of the architectural arrangement;
• a photographmade in the process of topographic survey of the area on which the insert will be carried out;
• technical passport for a private house, or a copy certified by a notary.

The picture must be certified by authorized employees of the gas service. It will capture the entire engineering infrastructure, including not only gas communications, but also water supply, heating pipes, as well as sewers.

If the house is under construction, then an appropriate architectural project, permission for its construction and a floor plan should be provided.

And if its total area exceeds 300 square meters, it is necessary to submit a thermal calculation of the structure, a situational plan of the site on a scale of 1: 5000, the consent of the neighbors to join the gas network, drawn up in writing.

The last document will be needed if it is planned to put part of the pipeline underground under the sections belonging to them.

On the eve of work on laying a pipe for tapping into a gas pipeline, it is necessary to obtain a documented permit of the established form

In most cases, permits of this kind are issued by the city department of gas facilities, since they are the rightful owners of gas transmission pipelines.

In addition, you will need to provide technical passports or other documents attached to the gas appliances that are planned to be installed in the building - permission to use the equipment in the place of residence, certificates of conformity, as well as service contracts.

Still need to be an act of inspection of smoke and ventilation ducts and other documents required by law. Only having all the permissions and acts in hand can one begin to carry out insert work, that is, exclusively on a legal basis.

It must be remembered that unauthorized connection to the main gas pipeline, without drawing up appropriate documents in the manner prescribed by law and coordination with the relevant services, is fraught with administrative measures. And if at the same time damage to the gas pipeline still occurred, then criminal punishment.

Features of the insertion process

The process of tapping into a gas pipeline is the connection of a new pipe, through which the substance from the central highway will be transported to the consumer. As a rule, this kind of connection is made without blocking the gas supply in the trunk network.

The use of such a product for connection to gas pipelines through a valve allows the entire range of insertion work to be performed without reducing the gas pressure. Explanations for the scheme: 1 - a cup mill, 2 - a spindle, 3 - ratchet mechanism, 4 - a rod, 5 - a chamber, 6 - a chamber gland, 7 - a pressure screw, 8.9 - handles, 10 - a coupling, 11 - a branch pipe, 12 - gate valve, 13 - locking bolt (+)

There are certain points to consider. One of them is the high pressure in the main pipeline, so insert work is carried out using a special device. And this is done after the installation is completed and the operability of the installed pipeline is checked for a new consumer.

If the construction of an individual branch can be carried out by employees of private companies, and some processes can be carried out by the owner himself, if there are appropriate skills and tools, then only a specially trained employee can connect to the central highway, following the developed instructions.

His actions will be led by a specialist in the gas service.

Work Rules

The set of rules that must be observed when inserting into the main gas pipeline is simple to remember. However, in the process of connecting it should be strictly adhered to.

These are the following items:

1. When the network is characterized by low pressure, an insert in its communication is recommended to be carried out with indicators from 20 to 80 mm of water. Art.
2. Work with the pipeline under medium or high pressure is allowed only after its level is reduced to acceptable levels.
3. If it is technically impossible to reduce the pressure, it is necessary to resort to the help of specialized equipment, which is designed to carry out work in unusual conditions.
4. It is important to attract employees of the relevant organizations with special permission to carry out this type of work.
5. If you have to use welding and gas cutting, you should control the pressure in the area, which during installation must be maintained in the range of 40-150 kg / cm.

Compliance with the complex of these simple rules will allow you to avoid emergency situations in the process of tapping into the gas pipeline and guarantee safety to others.

Insertion into the main gas pipeline is subject to pressure control in the gas pipeline

Possible connection methods

The connection of the new blue fuel supply network to the existing one is carried out by means of a tie-in or welding.

In the first case, the operation of the main pipeline does not undergo drastic changes, since the process of cold tapping into the gas pipe is carried out without the use of welding. The volume of the pumped substance and its pressure do not change and are still kept in the working range of the network.

This method is used to connect new consumers. To perform work associated with the central network, you must have permission and admission to conduct gas hazardous activities.

Without special preparation, it is absolutely impossible to intervene in the operation of the main pipeline. Violation can result in tragic consequences with death or imprisonment.

In some cases, the insertion into the gas pipeline should be performed with the intersection of the axes of the networks. Explanations for the scheme: 1 - pipe to be connected, 2 - work of the working gas pipeline, 3 - “window” (cut-out wall), 4 - visor, 5 - wooden disk, 6 - welded shock, 7 connecting pipe, 8 - extraction rod, 9 - overlay (+)

The second option of joining is more familiar to most ordinary people. He is reliable and managed to pass the test of time. However, the specialist conducting the insert in this way must have a high level of professional qualification, as well as have special access.

The connection methods themselves are:

• insertion into a gas pipeline under low pressure;
• under medium and high pressure gas when special devices are used;
• with gas shutdown and complete release of pipes from it.

The choice of method for connecting to the gas pipeline depends on several factors. Therefore, the decision must be made by the people making the connection in each individual case.

As for the contractor, there can be 2 options: representatives of the gas service or employees of a private company with a legal right to take actions, as well as the necessary equipment and access to gas hazardous work.

Moreover, in the second case, the office may assume obligations for the preparation and execution of a package of documents for lawful insertion into the main gas network. True, all additional services will affect the final cost of the connection.

The correct choice of pipes depends not only on the perfect operability of the gas pipeline, but also on the safety of the entire gas transmission system

Features of tapping into a metal gas pipeline

Insertion into the central branch of metal pipes is carried out after drawing up a sketch of future work and preparing all the materials that will be useful in the process based on the selected connection method.

First of all, do the cleaning of the work surface. In this case, absolutely everything superfluous is removed from the place chosen for connection to the gas pipeline: garbage, paint, rust. Next, carry out the marking of the insertion point, putting down marks. Make the necessary holes.

After that, the wells are well treated. During the dissection of the surface of the pipe, the cracks are carefully coated with clay. This is required to minimize the risk of ignition of the oozing gas during the incision.

The holes made are corked with an asbestos-clay plug as soon as possible, and the place that has been processed is quickly cooled.

Pipe connection should be done so as to achieve extremely accurate intersection of the axes of the pipelines

The next stage of work will be the installation of a disconnecting device. After the metal has cooled, a plug is removed in order to be able to remove a section of the cut pipe from the gas pipeline.

Now, a disconnecting device is installed in the formed gap.It consists of a set of rubber and wooden discs and pouches filled with clay of viscous consistency.

Next, install the pipe. Having closed the hole with a disconnecting device, they begin to make the main hole, designed to connect a new pipe. First of all, it is necessary to verify the correspondence of the diameter, because sometimes the markup has to be adjusted.

Next, make a hole and mount the pipe. Its butt joints are welded from two sides and close the valve on it. After close up the holes.

After completing the installation of the pipe, proceed to welding a new pipe. Before this, metal slag formed after making the main hole is removed. Having cleaned the surface of the pipeline, install a new pipe in the holes and, having coated it with clay, make welds.

Next, they take an aqueous soap solution and carefully grease them with new seams, making sure that they are tight and that there is no leakage of blue fuel.

The pipe joints should be carefully checked for leaks of blue fuel by lubricating them with soap and water

If a gas leak is not observed, proceed to the final stage of work, that is, they fill up the trench. However, this is not as simple an operation as it seems at first glance.

Backfilling of the trench should also be carried out in accordance with the standards below:

• around the circumference of the insertion point of the ball valve and the connecting pipe, it is necessary to backfill the soft soil with a layer more than 20 cm thick and compact it;
• final filling of the trench with soil is strictly forbidden to produce with a bulldozer or other heavy construction equipment.

A collision of the mentioned equipment on the soil layer covering the insertion point, and pipes coming from it, as well as on the ball valve protruding above the soil surface, is strictly prohibited.

Inserting into a plastic pipe

Connecting to gas pipelines from plastic pipes is not so financially expensive compared to steel gas pipelines. And in the case of plastic pipes, this is much easier to do than with metal pipes. It is important to follow a clear sequence of actions.

Plastic products for the installation of engineering structures are now used quite often.

Among their advantages include:

• expensive insulation materials are not required;
• reasonable price with a high level of manufacturability of installation and construction works due to the use of automatic welding machines, low demand for heavy equipment and expensive employees;
• service life - at least 50 years;
• minimum costs during operation and repair.

On the eve of the insertion it is necessary to purchase high-quality fittings (connecting elements) manufactured at the plant in accordance with the requirements of GOST. And also to give the seams greater reliability, you will need to use specialized glue and a bell-shaped joint.

In addition, it is necessary to carefully ensure that the junction of the pipes is as tight as possible and has the best density. On the eve of installation, the insert must be treated with an anti-corrosion agent.

Regardless of which method of insertion into the HDPE pipe is selected, all actions should be performed using special technology

As for the process of tapping into a gas pipeline consisting of plastic pipes, it is carried out as follows. Connect the pipes with special steel or polyethylene inserts. They are perpendicular to the existing gas transmission system. Their length can be from 80 to 100 cm.

The building process itself is carried out by means of plastic pipes with a bell-contact connection at the base. The technology of insertion into the gas pipeline is performed as follows: by heating a steel insert to a temperature of 60 ° C, they quickly and with physical effort put on a plastic structure.

A fairly popular technology is the connection through the use of a ball valve. The maximum diameter of the gas pipeline from polyethylene products into which the insert can be made is 500 mm for models with SDR 11 and 800 mm - with SDR 17.6.

In this case gas line pressure should not be more than 1 MPa (10 bar). The very technology of tapping into gas pipelines from polyethylene pipes is carried out in a certain sequence.

You can crash into a polyethylene pipe without using welding; in this case, resort to the use of a special clamp

The faucet is welded first. On the eve of the installation of equipment in the existing network, fittings and embedded heaters (clutch and overhead care) are installed, a ball overhead valve is mounted in accordance with SP 42-103-2003.

Next, the assembly and installation of equipment. The drill rod, at the end of which the cutter is mounted, and the tie-in assembly are fixed on the free branch pipe of the ball valve. To do this, it is pulled together by bolts of the half-ring of the clamping device. These actions allow you to get a completely tight connection.

The next step will be tapping knot through the fitting with a tap. In this case, the pressure should be greater by 0.1 MPa than in the existing gas transmission line.

After the insert is made into the pipeline. The drill rod rotates by means of a ratchet lever, feeding the cutter forward, which, in turn, cuts through the wall of the gas pipeline.

Then the rod with the cutter is fed back, and the ball valve is closed. The moment of entry of the cutter into the existing gas transmission line is determined by decreasing the force with which the drill rod rotates, as well as by changing its stroke length.

After the hole is made, the drill rod with the cutter is retracted by rotating the handles of the cutting device counterclockwise. As soon as the cutter is brought out of the ball valve, it must be closed.

Further insertion into the gas pipeline should be aimed at sealing the butt joints and checking their safety

After that, depressurize the tie-in assembly to the gas pipeline, and dismantle the equipment. Having shut off the valve, gas is vented from the insertion unit through a gas outlet hose and a valve with a fitting. At the same time, equipment is removed from the free branch of the ball valve. Now the cutter from the drill rod can be removed.

At the next stage, it is necessary to extract the cut pipe fragment from the cutter and remove the resulting chips.

Then the branch of the gas pipeline joins. It is welded with a coupling to a free branch pipe of a ball valve. After the blue fuel is started up, the welded joint must be crimped under working pressure, after having pre-treated the joints with an aqueous soap solution, in order to make sure there is no gas leak.

The contract for the supply of blue fuel must be concluded at the end of the insertion process into the gas pipeline in order to legalize the connection

Having successfully completed the insertion into the main gas pipeline, it is necessary to complete the documentary part of the work by concluding a supply contract, technical and emergency dispatch services with the regional representative of the gas company in the region.

Acceptance of a new gas facility after completion of the insertion process and sealing of devices controlling the amount of blue fuel consumed is carried out by a representative of the aforementioned company.

On our site there is a block of articles devoted to connecting gas to a private house, we recommend that you read:

1. How much does it cost to connect gas to a private house: the price of organizing gas supply
2. How is gas connected to a private house: input device + system installation
3. Technical conditions for gas connection: the procedure for obtaining the necessary documentation

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The video demonstrates real-time insertion under pressure without blocking the gas:

Video about insertion into the existing high pressure gas pipeline:

An example of a tapping into a gas pipeline under pressure in a video clip:

Having a general understanding of the technical requirements and the procedure for connecting to the gas network, it will be easier to navigate in all the nuances, and it will also become easier to control the work of the company with which the connection agreement is concluded.

In addition, the absurd desire to crash into the gas pipeline on their own will disappear, inviting the jack of all trades to save money.

Share with your readers your experience in coordinating documents and connecting to the central gas pipeline. Please leave comments on the article and ask your questions. The feedback form is located below.