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Engineering Standard
SAES-B-008 13 September 2017
Restrictions to Use of Cellars, Pits, and Trenches
Document Responsibility: Loss Prevention Standards Committee

Contents
1 Scope ................................................................ 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations ................................... 2
3 References........................................................ 2
4 Definitions ......................................................... 3
5 Restrictions ....................................................... 4
Revision Summary................................................... 5

Previous Issue: 19 August 2014 Next Planned Update: 13 September 2020

Page 1 of 5
Contact: Ghamdi, Salem S. (ghamss1i) on phone +966-13-8729642

©Saudi Aramco 2017. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Loss Prevention Standards Committee SAES-B-008
Issue Date: 13 September 2017
Next Planned Update: 13 September 2020 Restrictions to Use of Cellars, Pits, and Trenches

1 Scope

1.1 This standard provides the minimum mandatory requirements to the use of
below-grade unventilated enclosures such as cellars, pits, valve boxes,
telecommunication service points and trenches in which hazardous vapors may
collect. This applies for all on-site and off-site facilities, pipeways, cross-
country transportation pipeline corridors, flowlines, trunklines, gaslift pipelines,
and test pipelines.

1.2 The requirements of this standard are not applicable to cellars for oil or gas wells,
drainage culverts, and piping and pits that are part of sanitary sewer systems.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this standard and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Engineering Standards (SAESs), Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs),
Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the
Manager, Loss Prevention Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this standard in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager of the Loss Prevention Department of
Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

3 References

The selection of material and equipment, and the design, construction, maintenance, and
repair of equipment and facilities covered by this standard shall comply with the latest
edition of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-B-064 Onshore and Nearshore Pipeline Safety
SAES-B-068 Electrical Area Classification
SAES-T-632 Telecommunications: Splicing Copper Cables,
Fiber Optic Cables, and Types of Splice Closure
Saudi Aramco: Company General Use
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Document Responsibility: Loss Prevention Standards Committee SAES-B-008
Issue Date: 13 September 2017
Next Planned Update: 13 September 2020 Restrictions to Use of Cellars, Pits, and Trenches

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

National Fire Protection Association

NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code

4 Definitions

Combustible Liquid: A liquid that has a flash point greater than 54°C. For purposes
of this standard, the words “combustible liquid near or above its flash point” shall mean
a combustible liquid which is at any temperature above or within 8°C of its flash point.

Combustible Gas: A gas which can form flammable or explosive mixtures with air.

Confined Space: Any space that:

a) has limited or restricted means of entry or exit,
b) is not designed for human occupancy,
c) contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere,
d) contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazards.
Examples of confined spaces include tanks, vessels, vessel skirts, vaults, manholes,
sewers, valve boxes, and structures or excavations 1.2 meter (4 feet) deep or
deeper. Areas above floating roof tanks where the top of the roof is more than
1.2 meter (4 feet) below the rim of the tank are also considered confined spaces.
Dikes around tanks are not considered confined space.
Commentary:

Below-grade pit is a below-grade space where human can access (enter) and meets
the definition of confined space. Oily Water Lift Station (OWLS) and sulfur pit cannot
be accessed (during operation) as they are full of hazardous material.

Connections in Plant Piping: For purposes of this standard, any flanged connection,
valve, vent, drain, or screwed piping connection.

Electrically Classified Area: This is the area shown on electrically classified area
drawings produced under SAES-B-068 for all facilities where flammable liquids, gases
or vapors are produced, processed, stored, or handled.

Flammable Liquid: A liquid that has a flash point equal to or less than 54°C.

Flash Point: The minimum temperature of a liquid at which sufficient vapor is given
off to form an ignitable mixture with the air, near the surface of the liquid or within the
vessel used, as determined by the appropriate test procedure and apparatus specified in
NFPA 30.

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

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Document Responsibility: Loss Prevention Standards Committee SAES-B-008
Issue Date: 13 September 2017
Next Planned Update: 13 September 2020 Restrictions to Use of Cellars, Pits, and Trenches

Plant Piping: For purposes of this standard, all piping, above or below grade, within
the perimeter fence.

Potentially Toxic Material: In the context of this standard, is a liquid or a gas substance
whereby the toxic concentration in the gas phase, determined through equilibrium flash
calculations, exceeds its Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH).

Valve Box: An enclosure large enough to permit entry of a person and that otherwise
qualifies as a confined space as defined above, either covered or open at the top, and
that contains a valve or other component of underground piping.
Commentary:

This definition excludes a casing which provides access only to the top of a valve or other
components such as flanges, from ground level and provides less than 0.3 m (1 ft) air
space around the valve body.

5 Restrictions

5.1 Below-grade pipe trenches deeper than 1.2 meter (4 feet) that are open or that
are covered but not backfilled shall not be used.

5.2 Valves and piping that contain hydrocarbons or potentially toxic materials shall
not be allowed inside valve boxes, manholes or other sub-grade enclosures.
Exception:

In situations where there is no other alternative, each shall be reviewed and

approved by Chief Fire Prevention Engineer, Loss Prevention.

5.3 All permanent outdoor below-grade pits and manholes, valve boxes, cable
pull/splice boxes, cable chambers, service points, or manholes, other than those
associated with sewer systems or drainage culverts, are prohibited in the
following locations:
a) Inside electrically classified areas.
b) Within 60 m of tanks, vessels, process equipment, and connections in plant
piping, containing flammable liquid, combustible liquid near or above its
flash point, combustible gas, or potentially toxic material.
c) Within 60 m of surface drainage swales, diked areas, or impounding areas
serving tanks, vessels, equipment, or connections in plant piping containing
flammable liquid, combustible liquid near or above its flash point,
combustible gas, or potentially toxic material.
Exception to c):

Splice chambers for communications cables are permitted provided that

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

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Document Responsibility: Loss Prevention Standards Committee SAES-B-008
Issue Date: 13 September 2017
Next Planned Update: 13 September 2020 Restrictions to Use of Cellars, Pits, and Trenches

chambers are at least 30 m from surface drainage swales, and similar

hazards and chamber depth does not exceed 750 mm (2.5 ft). Cable splices
must meet SAES-T-632.

d) Within the designated corridors of pipelines containing flammable liquid,

combustible liquid near or above its flashpoint, combustible gas, or
potentially toxic material, except as permitted by paragraph 7.8.4 of
SAES-B-064.

5.4 Buildings that are characterized by the following shall not have below-grade
cellars, basements, or cable vaults:
a) In plant areas, any building within 60 m of tanks, vessels, process
equipment, or connections in plant piping, containing flammable liquid,
combustible liquid near or above its flashpoint, combustible gas, or
potentially toxic material.
b) Within 60 m of surface drainage swales, diked areas, or impounding areas
serving tanks and vessels, or process equipment noted in 5.3 (a).

5.5 All power, control, and communications cables and conduits entering buildings
described by 5.4 (a) and (b) shall enter above grade through walls or floor using
sealed conduit or sleeves.
Exception:

For control room buildings, all cables shall enter the building underground but no
cable vaults are allowed if 5.4 (a) applies. Where cables enter the building or
pass through fire walls and partitions, the penetrations shall be fully sealed with
the firestop rated for the particular firewalls or partitions to prevent transmission of
fire and vapors. The opening shall be protected by a steel-framed transit
assembly with packing assembly for fire and watertight seal around the cable.
Also, appropriate measures shall be taken to prevent transmission of fire or
vapors inside the cables or conduits at the points of penetration. For the
purposes of this standard, stand-alone unmanned process interface buildings are
not considered control room buildings.

Revision Summary
19 August 2014 Revised the Next Planned Update, removed Exception Note in Section 5.2, as should be
processed through waiver request as stated in Section 2.2, and reissued as major revision.
13 September 2017 Planned/minor revision, expanding definition section, updating references and clarifying
confusing statements.

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

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