Isolating, depressuring and repairing steam service line

[Len Phillips]

Posted on behalf of Jim Manson, Central Heat Distribution Ltd:

Hello all,

 Wondering what “industry standard practice” is for isolating, depressuring, and repairing part of a steam service line (150-200 psig sat steam), whether in a manhole or in a trench (both being confined spaces).  Is it one of the following methods?

• (1) Single valve isolation of energy source, with “telltale” bleed, or
• (2)    Energy source side “disconnection” to ensure isolation, or
• (3)    Blinding, or
• (4)    Energy source side Double block and bleed (in between double block).

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

 

Regards,

 Jim Manson, M.Sc. P.Eng.

Central Heat Distribution Limited
Suite 1, 720 Beatty Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 2M1
Tel:  604.688.9584
Cell: 778.686.6927
Fax: 604.688.2213
manso...@telus.net

[David Christiansen]

In my experience, the extent that the energy source is isolated tends to be left up to the responsible organization.  When with the nuclear power sector, we typically maintained 2 valve isolation policy with an open downstream vent or drain valve (both part of the LOTO boundary).  Deviations from this policy could be approved with engineering evaluation and management approval.  While at the University of Minnesota, we use a 1 valve isolation policy (part of LOTO Boundary) with a vent/drain open, but not part of LOTO.  The main differences between the organizations comes down to risk tolerance (nuclear vs. non-nuclear) and system design constraints - UM steam distribution system is looped with isolation valves placed to allow isolation of sections of the system or branch lines, hence limited options for 2 valve isolation.

OSHA talks about the Worker Protection Assurance (WPA), in terms of ensuring that hazardous energy is removed from the work site, however, OSHA doesn't tell you how to do that - only that the process/policy is documented and followed.  So, it typically comes down to the system design capabilities, the risk tolerance of management, and the confidence of the system isolation valves.

[Chuck Edwards]

We do #1.

 

Sincerely,

 

Chuck Edwards, PE

General Manager

GDF Suez Energy NA

PMB 307, 4423 Lehigh Road

College Park, MD 20740

(W) 301-405-1229

(C) 410-977-6693

(F) 301-314-9978

charles...@gdfsuezna.com

 

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[Hugh Bahar]

Jim/Len,

 

For steam line repairs in permit-required confined spaces, option (4), with properly rated blind flanges OK as half of the double block.  If you lack a bleed, one may be easily incorporated into the blind flange.

 

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=9797

 

For help getting a 29CFR1910 (or Canadian equivalent) program off the ground for your utility systems, energy plant, etc., I recommend Compliance Management, Inc.  Ask for Jeffrey Koch, President.  866-223-1012, or 716-805-1700 in Buffalo, NY.  They also have an office in Cincinnati, OH.

 

Regards,

Hugh

 

Hugh Bahar, PMP

Sr. Engineer

Cornell University, Facilities Engineering

201 Humphreys Service Building

Ithaca, NY  14853-3701

Email: hr...@cornell.edu

Desk:  607-255-3853

Cell:    607-592-2197

Fax:    607-255-8071

 

 

From: distribut...@googlegroups.com [mailto:distribut...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Len Phillips
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2012 3:43 PM
To: distribut...@googlegroups.com
Subject: {Distribution Forum} Isolating, depressuring and repairing steam service line

 

Posted on behalf of Jim Manson, Central Heat Distribution Ltd:

--

[Davin, Pat]

#1 for Veolia Philadelphia

 

Patrick R. Davin

Distribution Manager

Veolia Energy Philadelphia Inc.

(267) 350-5887       Phone

(267) 350-5898       Fax

pda...@veoliaenergyna.com    Email

www.veoliaenergyna.com     Web

 

P please consider the environment before printing this email 

Confidentiality Note: This e-mail message and any attachments to it are intended only for the named recipients and may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not one of the intended recipients, please do not duplicate or forward this e-mail message and immediately delete it from your computer.

 

From: distribut...@googlegroups.com [mailto:distribut...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Len Phillips
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2012 3:43 PM
To: distribut...@googlegroups.com
Subject: {Distribution Forum} Isolating, depressuring and repairing steam service line

 

Posted on behalf of Jim Manson, Central Heat Distribution Ltd:

--

[Jauch, Carl]

At NRG Minneapolis - either #1 or #2. For short duration it is #1. For long duration and subcontractors involved, we may cap the energy side to limit the number of LOTO's that the subcontractors have to be involved in.
Carl

 

From: Len Phillips [mailto:len....@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2012 03:43 PM
To: distribut...@googlegroups.com <distribut...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: {Distribution Forum} Isolating, depressuring and repairing steam service line
 

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