Engineering Standard

SAES-B-008 15 April 2009

Restrictions to Use
of Cellars, Pits and Trenches
Loss Prevention Standards Committee Members
Ashoor, Esam Ahmed, Chairman
Fadley, Gary Lowell, Vice Chairman
Karvois, Edwin Frank
Sayed, Salah Moh'D Al-Housseiny
Solomon Jr, Clarence Ray
Utaibi, Abdul Aziz Saud
Zahrani, Mansour Jamman
Ghobari, Ali Mahdi
Sultan, Sultan Abdul Hadi
Janaby, Mohammad Taqy
Hassar, Fahad Abdullah
Seba, Zaki Ahmed
Ageel, Adel Abdulaziz
Juraifani, Hatim Hamad
Churches, David Kenneth
Cole, Anthony Richard

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

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

Previous Issue: 30 April 2005 Next Planned Update: 15 April 2014

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 6
Primary contact: Esam Ahmed on 966-3-8728431

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2009. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Loss Prevention Standards Committee SAES-B-008
Issue Date: 15 April 2009 Restrictions to Use
Next Planned Update: 15 April 2014 of Cellars, Pits and Trenches

1 Scope

1.1 This Standard provides the minimum mandatory requirements for 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 Communications Cable Splicing

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Document Responsibility: Loss Prevention Standards Committee SAES-B-008
Issue Date: 15 April 2009 Restrictions to Use
Next Planned Update: 15 April 2014 of Cellars, Pits and Trenches

SAES-T-633 Communications Splice Closures

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

National Fire Protection Association

NFPA 49 Hazardous Chemical Data

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME B31.8 Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping
Systems

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 an ignitable mixture (as defined in NFPA
49) 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 four (4) feet deep or deeper. Areas
above floating roof tanks where the top of the roof is more than 4 feet below the
rim of the tank are also considered confined spaces.

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

Potentially Toxic Material: In the context of this Standard is a liquid, gas, or solid
with a total concentration of 5% or greater of materials with a Health Category rating of
"3" or greater per NFPA 49 or the Saudi Aramco Chemical Hazards Bulletin at any
operating condition.

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

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Document Responsibility: Loss Prevention Standards Committee SAES-B-008
Issue Date: 15 April 2009 Restrictions to Use
Next Planned Update: 15 April 2014 of Cellars, Pits and Trenches

Connections in plant piping: For purposes of this Standard, any flanged connection,
valve, vent, drain, or screwed piping connection.

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 Note:

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 air space
around the valve body.

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.

5 Restrictions

5.1 Below-grade pipe trenches 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 the Manager, Loss Prevention. If so permitted, they shall meet the
following requirements:

1) Sub-grade enclosures shall meet ASME B31.8, Sections 847 and 853.5.

2) A warning sign requiring a confined space entry permit shall be posted

nearby, installed, or painted on the valve box.

3) Valve service and valve number shall be marked clearly and prominently
on the valve box.

4) The valve box entrance shall be kept locked and the key kept under the
custody of the responsible Proponent Operating Department.

5) A ladder and a stairway on opposite sides of the box shall be provided.

6) The walls of the valve box shall extend no less than 0.6 m above the
finished and stabilized grade. Valve boxes shall be designed to prevent the
accumulation of blowing sand or surface water into the box.

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Document Responsibility: Loss Prevention Standards Committee SAES-B-008
Issue Date: 15 April 2009 Restrictions to Use
Next Planned Update: 15 April 2014 of Cellars, Pits and Trenches

5.3 All permanent outdoor below-grade pits and manholes other than those
associated with sanitary sewer systems, cable pull/splice boxes, cable chambers,
service points, and valve boxes 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

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 and SAES-T-633.

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 10.6.1 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 to
prevent transmission of fire and vapors. The opening shall be protected by a

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Document Responsibility: Loss Prevention Standards Committee SAES-B-008
Issue Date: 15 April 2009 Restrictions to Use
Next Planned Update: 15 April 2014 of Cellars, Pits and Trenches

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
15 April 2009 Revised the "Next Planned Update". Reaffirmed the contents of the document and reissued with
editorial change.

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