SPECIFICATION FOR UNDERGROUND PIPING

1 18.05.2020 Revised SC VB SJG

0 27.08.2015 First Issue NV US SVK
Rev. Date Revision Description Issued By Checked By Approved By

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 SCOPE.......................................................................................................................................................4
 1.1 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................4
2.0 DEFINATION.............................................................................................................................................4
2.1 TECHNICAL...............................................................................................................................................4
2.2 CONTRACTUAL.........................................................................................................................................5
3 DESIGN........................................................................................................................................................5
3.1 CODES AND STANDARDS..........................................................................................................................5
3.2 INSTALLATION..........................................................................................................................................5
3.3 LAYOUT....................................................................................................................................................6
3.4 TRENCH EXCAVATION AND BACKFILL.......................................................................................................7
3.5 TERMINATIONS ABOVE GROUND.............................................................................................................8
3.6 CATHODIC PROTECTION...........................................................................................................................8
3.7 STRESS SUPPORTS....................................................................................................................................8
3.8 PIPE JOINTS BELOW GROUND..................................................................................................................8
4 MATERIALS..................................................................................................................................................9
4.1 GENERAL..................................................................................................................................................9
4.2 PROCESS WATER COOLING SYSTEMS.......................................................................................................9
4.3 FIREMAINS...............................................................................................................................................9
4.4 POTABLE WATER......................................................................................................................................9
4.5 SUMMARY OF MATERIALS.......................................................................................................................9
5 INSPECTION..............................................................................................................................................10
5.1 PROCEDURES..........................................................................................................................................10
5.2 SCOPE.....................................................................................................................................................10
6 TESTING....................................................................................................................................................10
6.1 REQUIRED TESTS....................................................................................................................................10
6.2 TEST CERTIFICATES.................................................................................................................................10
7 DOCUMENTATION....................................................................................................................................10
7.1 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................................10
7.2 SCHEDULES AND REPORTS.....................................................................................................................10
7.3 DATA AND CALCULATIONS.....................................................................................................................10
7.4 DRAWINGS.............................................................................................................................................11
7.5 FABRICATION..........................................................................................................................................11
8 PRIOR TO SHIPMENT.................................................................................................................................12

Change Log Summary

Doc No.: SP-P-005 Rev. 1

 Comments

Rev 0: Prepared for “First Issue”.

Rev 1: Revised for company logo & for proper formatting.

Revision Rev 1
Date 18/05/2020
Completed by SC
Checked by VB
Approved by SJG

Doc No.: SP-P-005 Rev. 1

1.0 SCOPE

1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.1.1 This specification covers the minimum requirements for the design, fabrication, installation,
inspection and testing of underground piping for refineries, onshore oil and gas installations and
processing facilities, including piping items purchased either directly or as a part of a package.

1.1.2 This specification is limited to below ground process piping, process drains, including fire water
mains, foam lines (where specified) cooling water lines, mains water supply and plant potable water
supply.

1.1.3 This specification only covers underground pressure piping within the pressure/temperature range
of Class 150, ASME B16.5, within the temperature limits of -20°F(-29°C) to 200°F(93°C).

1.1.4 This specification does not cover the general requirements for rainwater, oily water and sanitary
sewer systems.

1.1.5 Pipeline systems are outside the scope of this specification.

1.1.6 The Vendor/Contractor shall comply fully with the provisions laid down in this specification. Any
exceptions must be authorized in writing by the Owner.

1.1.7 In the event of any conflict between this specification and any of the applicable codes and
standards, the Vendor/Contractor shall inform the Owner in writing and receive written clarification
before proceeding with the work.

1.1.8 This General Engineering Specification will form part of the Purchase Order/Contract.

2.0 DEFINATION

2.1 TECHNICAL
The technical terms used in this specification are defined as follows:

Design Drawings (Studies)

Conceptual drawings for a plant EPIC (Engineering, Procurement, Installation and Commissioning) contract
may be supplied by the Owner to the Vendor/Contractor or by the Vendor/Contractor to the Owner,
which together with the technical specification defines the scope of work of the Purchase Order/Contract.

Detail Engineering Drawings

Working drawings proposed by the Vendor/Contractor prior to commencement of construction.

Pipe Liner

A filled or unfilled thermoplastic or thermosetting resin layer reinforced or non-reinforced forming the
interior surface of the pipe.

Surge Pressure (Water Hammer)

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A short-term pressure increases greater than working pressure that is anticipated in a system as a result of
a change in velocity of a fluid, e.g. when valves are opened / closed or when pumps are started / stopped.

2.2 CONTRACTUAL
The commercial terms used in this specification are defined as follows:

Owner

The oil or gas company, an associate or subsidiary, who is the end user of the equipment and facilities,

Contractor

The main contractor for a defined piece of work

Sub-Contractor

A company awarded a contract by a Contractor to do part of the work awarded to the Contractor.

Inspection Authority

The organization representing the Owner or Vendor/Contractor that verifies that the equipment
and facilities have been designed, constructed, inspected and tested in accordance with the
requirements of this specification and the Purchase Order/Contract.

Inspector

A qualified individual representing the Owner, Vendor/Contractor or the assigned Inspection.

Authority, who verifies that the equipment and facilities have been designed, constructed,
inspected and tested in accordance with the requirements of this specification and the Purchase
Order/Contract.

3 DESIGN

3.1 CODES AND STANDARDS

The governing codes for buried piping are ASME B31.3 "Process Piping" for steel piping and
thermoplastic piping and AWWA C950 "Fiber Glass Pressure Pipe" for GRP piping. These codes
together and the following codes and standards shall be deemed to be part of this specification.
All recommendations shall apply, unless specifically modified herein.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

NFPA 11 Standards for Low Expansion Foam.

3.2 INSTALLATION

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3.2.1 Depth of Cover (To Top of Pipe)

Depth of Cover in Feet (Meters)

Accessible to Traffic Inaccessible to Traffic

Steel Piping (Coated & Wrapped) 2'(0.6m) 1'(0.3m)

Fire Water Lines

Steel Piping (Plastic Lined) 2'(0.6m) 1'(0.3m)

Fire Water Lines

Steel Piping (Coated & Wrapped) 2'(0.6m) 1'(0.3m)

NPS 24 and Below

Steel Piping (Plastic Lined)

2'(0.6m) 1'(0.3m)
NPS 24 and Below

Steel Piping (Coated & Wrapped) 3'(0.9m) 2' (0.6m)

Above NPS 24

Steel Piping (Plastic Lined) 3'(0.9m) 2' (0.6m)

Above NPS 24

Glass-Reinforced Plastic Pipe (GRP) 4'(1.2m) 3'(0.9m)

Steel Piping (Cement Lined) 4'(1.2m) 3'(0.9m)

3.3 LAYOUT
3.3.1 Cooling Water Lines in Process Areas

Buried cooling water piping in Process Areas shall be laid out with consideration to other underground
services in the same vicinity, e.g. sewers and cable trenches. In general, where there is interference in
elevation between underground services, sewers, which are limited by gravity fall, and cable trenches,
which are normally near or at the grade level, shall take priority in elevation.

Underground lines shall be grouped together, in a common trench where feasible, with a common bottom
of pipe elevation.

Where two or more lines are running parallel, they shall have a minimum distance of 1.0 ft (0.3m) between
the outside diameters of the lines. This dimension may be reduced for short distances in congested areas.

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The minimum clear distance between buried lines, where lines cross, shall be 0.5 ft (0.15m).

The minimum clear distance between buried piping operating at ambient temperatures and electrical and
instrument cables shall be 1.0 ft (0.3m). The minimum clear distance between buried piping operating
above ambient temperatures to a maximum of 140°F (60°C) and electrical and instrument cables shall be
2.0 ft (0.6m).

Valves in buried lines shall be accessible from installed valve boxes, so that the valve may be operated
either by extension key from grade, or from the floor of the valve box. The valve box shall be provided with
ladder access to the floor and shall be designed to provide sufficient space at one side of the valve for
access and maintenance. Where a valve is remotely operated, adequate space shall be provided for the
actuator. The concrete valve box shall be designed.

Instruments, e.g. flow meters, in buried lines shall be located in installed instrument boxes, which shall be
designed to provide sufficient space for maintenance of the instrument. Provision shall be made so that
the instrument maybe read locally from grade level, in addition to any remote reading requirements.

3.3.2 Fire water mains

Fire water ring mains, particularly when constructed of GRP material, shall generally be buried when
located around process areas and tank age areas for protection from a hydrocarbon fire and located just
off the hard shoulder of access roads, for protection from accidental damage from vehicles. Valves in
buried fire mains shall be installed in accordance with fire water system, paragraph 3.3.

3.3.3 Foam Lines

Foam lines within a dyked area containing storage tanks for flammable liquids or within 50 ft (15m) of a
tank that is not dyked, shall be buried with a minimum cover of 1 ft (0.3m), in accordance with NFPA 11.

3.4 TRENCH EXCAVATION AND BACKFILL

Trenches for buried lines, lined or unlined, shall be excavated to the required widths as listed in Table I
below.

TABLE I
MINIMUM TRENCH WIDTHS

Pipe Size (NPS) Minimum Trench Widths Inches (m)

4” 18” (0.45m)
6” 20” (0.50m)
8” 22” (0.55m)
10” 24” (0.60m)
12” 26” (0.65m)
14” 28” (0.70m)
16” 30” (0.75m)
18” 32” (0.80m)
20” 36” (0.90m)
24” 40” (1.00m)
30” 46” (1.20m)

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 36” 52” (1.30m)
42” 58” (1.50m)
48” 64” (1.60m)

The above table covers individual lines. When two or more lines are routed together in a common trench,
then half the above values shall be taken for each outside line in a bank, plus the minimum spacing
between lines, shall be taken when calculating the minimum trench width.

Excavation and backfill for buried lines, lined or unlined, the minimum soil cover for GRP buried piping
shall be not less than 2.5 ft (0.76m).

Backfilling shall not take place, until field hydrostatic testing is completed, and the pipe has been examined
for leaks.

3.5 TERMINATIONS ABOVE GROUND

All underground pipe connections to above ground location shall terminate with a flange, 1 ft (0.3m) above
grade, to the face of flange.

There shall be no butt welded, socket welded or threaded terminal points above grade.

Where an underground line ties into a horizontal valve manifold above grade and there is insufficient room
for fittings and flanges elevation wise, the terminal flange shall be in the horizontal plane at the manifold
elevation. The underground piping contract shall include all above ground piping and fittings as far as the
terminal flange.

Terminal points to above ground equipment such as heat exchangers shall be located so that an adjustable
pipe spool may be installed between the terminal flange and the equipment nozzle.

3.6 CATHODIC PROTECTION

Underground steel piping shall be cathodically protected against corrosion.

3.7 STRESS SUPPORTS

It is not anticipated that there shall be any requirement for evaluation of stresses resulting from
temperature within the scope of this specification. Buried piping is subject to restraint against movement
from soil resistance. The design of underground piping shall nevertheless allow for horizontal legs in
branch lines to compensate for horizontal movement of a header, or vertical movement of risers
connecting to above ground piping. Risers projecting through concrete paving effectively form an anchor.

Underground lines shall be laid and embedded on an annulus of clean sand in the trench, so that all of the
underground piping is continuously supported. The remainder of the backfill shall be installed so that the
sand pad is not disturbed.

Where GRP bell and spigot pipe is installed, concrete thrust blocks shall be installed.

3.8 PIPE JOINTS BELOW GROUND

There shall be no buried flange connections in any buried pipe work. Steel pipes, other than galvanized,
will have fully welded joints; galvanized pipe work will have threaded joints. GRP pipe work shall have
permanently fused joints.

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4 MATERIALS

4.1 GENERAL
Material for underground pressure piping for water systems is dependent upon the quality of the water
supply, the service required and the degree of soil corrosiveness in the plant area.

The minimum size for underground water distribution headers shall be NPS 4.

The minimum size of underground branch lines shall be NPS 2.

Transition joints from underground to above ground piping shall be flanged, underground piping shall have
the same flange rating and facing as the above ground piping. Insulating flange sets shall be installed at the
transition joints.

4.2 PROCESS WATER COOLING SYSTEMS

Underground cooling water lines in process plant areas normally carry treated raw water or desalinated
water, unlined carbon steel welded pipe, externally coated and wrapped, shall be used.

Note: If process plants on the coastline use seawater for cooling, then cement lined steel piping shall be
used for this service.

Most soils are likely to be moderate to severely corrosive; carbon steel underground piping in low to
moderately corrosive soils shall be coated and wrapped. GRP materials may be selected for highly
corrosive soils.

4.3 FIREMAINS
Underground firewater ring mains may use either seawater or raw water from wells. Cement lined or
plastic lined carbon steel pipe, externally coated and wrapped, shall be used for sea water or raw water
with high salinity content. Epoxy lined carbon steel pipe shall be used for raw water with a low salinity
content.

GRP material may be used as alternative to the above, in areas with highly corrosive soil, for sea water or
raw water with either a high or a low salinity.

4.4 POTABLE WATER

Material for underground potable water lines shall be galvanized carbon steel. Minimum branch size shall
be NPS 2.

4.5 SUMMARY OF MATERIALS

The cost effectiveness of using GRP material as opposed to plastic or cement lined steel pipe, externally
coated and wrapped, where there is both an internal and external corrosion problem shall be assessed by
the Vendor/Contractor, selection of material shall be subject to approval by the Owner.

The Vendor/Contractor should consider the relative weakness of GRP piping material in comparison to
steel pipe and the severity of soil corrosion, when making an assessment.

For static water conditions such as fire water mains when the raw water supply is mildly corrosive,
corrosion inhibitors shall be considered and assessed instead of using lined pipe, subject to approval by
the Owner.

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5 INSPECTION

5.1 PROCEDURES
The Vendor/Contractor shall allow the Inspector free access to all areas of fabrication, installation and
testing.

The Vendor/Contractor always has the responsibility to provide adequate quality control and inspection of
materials. Any inspection by the Owner or his Inspector shall not relieve the

Vendor/Contractor of these responsibilities or those under his guarantees

5.2 SCOPE
The inspection of cement lined or plastic lined are governed by ASME B31.3.

6 TESTING

6.1 REQUIRED TESTS

All underground steel piping, unlined or lined shall be pressure tested in accordance with the
requirements in ASME B31.3.

All underground piping of thermoplastic material shall be tested in accordance with the requirements of
ASME B.31.3 Chapter VII.

All underground piping of GRP material shall be tested in accordance with AWWA C950.

Pressure and leak tests shall be carried out in the presence of the Owner's Inspector.

6.2 TEST CERTIFICATES

Test certificates for the successful testing of the underground pressure piping shall be submitted by the
Vendor/Contractor in accordance with the appropriate specifications as listed above in the test
procedures.

7 DOCUMENTATION

7.1 INTRODUCTION
This section covers the documentation required for the design, fabrication, testing and installation of
underground piping.

7.2 SCHEDULES AND REPORTS

The Vendor/Contractor shall supply a schedule showing the documents for review and approval, proposed
sub-contractors, material procurement and a production/fabrication programmed.

7.3 DATA AND CALCULATIONS

7.3.1 Project specific instructions will be issued to the Vendor/Contractor with the Purchase
Order/Contract; this describes the data and calculations to be submitted, and the methods of submission.

7.3.2 The Vendor/Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining approvals from the Inspection authority.

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7.3.3 All calculations shall be carried out in clear and logical manner. Where conditions involve the use
of formulae or methods not specified in the Design Codes, the source of these formulae or methods shall
be clearly referenced

7.3.4 Computer calculations will only be acceptable if all input is shown, together with calculated values
of intermediate terms, factors and options chosen, including final calculated dimensions, stresses or other
values and the computer program has been validated to the satisfaction of the Owner

7.4 DRAWINGS
Process and Instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) and piping general arrangements shall be submitted to the
Owner and/or Inspection Authority for review and approval. "Issued for Construction" status drawings
shall be issued after final approval.

7.5 FABRICATION
7.5.1 Documentation of all welding, fabrication and construction activities shall be maintained. It is the
responsibility of the Vendor/Contractor to collate all documentation and certification relating to a specific
contract and to generate and issue Data Books in accordance with Contract requirements.

These data books as a minimum requirement shall include the following, where applicable:

(a) Quality plans,

(b) Manufacturer's material certificates of conformity and Test Reports,

(c) Description and location of all repairs,

(d) Tie-in temperatures and location of all tie-ins,

(e) All survey data and as-built drawings,

(f) Grade and wall thickness of the pipe and fittings,

(g) Welding procedures,

(h) Welding qualification procedures,

(i) Welding/Material maps,

(j) Notes on land reinstatement, including any drainage modification,

(k) Details of cathodic protection system,

(l) Details of other buried installations crossing the underground piping,

(m) Pressure test procedures,

(n) Pressure test reports,

(o) Inspection reports,

(p) Concession documents,

(q) Release notes.

7.5.2 Following completion of construction work, all appropriate documentation and certification
necessary to complete the contract data shall be collated, checked and authorized by the Inspector prior
to dispatch to the Owner. Two (2) copies of the completed Data Books shall be dispatched to the Owner.

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The manuals shall be presented in A4 format, securely bound in heavy duty 4 ring binders

7.5.3 The Vendor/Contractor shall supply one set of reproducible original drawings.

8 PRIOR TO SHIPMENT
8.1 PROTECTION OF UNDERGROUND PIPING AGAINST DAMAGE IN STORAGE, TRANSPORT AND
HANDLING

Plastic and GRP Piping and fittings shall not be shipped, stored or handled at temperatures below the
recommended minimum limit established in ASME B31.3, Appendix F, for the specific grade under
consideration.

All pipes, fittings and specials shall be protected against damage in storage, transport and handling, e.g. by
using straw or wood wool pads.

Care must be taken during loading, handling and lifting of any section of pipe. Slings shall be used for lifting
pipes, the use of hooks in pipe ends is not permitted. Pipe and fittings shall be adequately braced,
supported and protected from vibration during transit and tied down to prevent shifting or distortion of
pipe sections.

8.2 WARRANTY

The Vendor/Contractor shall warrant all equipment, materials and services supplied against any defect for
a period of 12 months after commissioning or 24 months from the date of delivery to site, whichever is the
shorter period, or for the period stipulated in the Purchase Order/Contract.

Should any item be found defective, the Vendor/Contractor shall be responsible for all costs associated
with restoring the equipment to the standard specified by the Purchase Order/Contract.

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