INSERTION INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

The old steel service shall be reamed and internally cleaned as needed, to prevent damage to piping during or after insertion. The leading end of the plastic shall be closed before insertion.

Only approved adapter fittings, compression, stab-on and fusion fittings, and risers will be used. Care shall be taken to prevent the plastic piping from bearing on the end of the casing. Plastic piping shall be adequately protected against shearing from external loading or settling of back-fill by using well compacted support or bridging.

In cases where the meter set assembly or riser is located outside of the building being served, the riser shall be of the approved anodeless type, including the proper mounting or support bracket.

If the meter is in the basement, the inserted plastic line should terminate a maximum of six inches inside the basement wall with an approved service head adapter (see Figure 14). Exposure of plastic within the building or outside above grade is prohibited. In all cases, tubular metallic stiffeners should be of the type as specified by the manufacturer of the fitting being used. Any plastic piping that is deeply scored or kinked shall not be used.

Any excavations made during the renewal installation should not be back-filled until after visually inspected by a Company representative. Service lines shall be inspected and tested in accordance with Section 11 of this book.

A method of locating inserted plastic pipe must be provided. This can be accomplished by inserting a wire through the casing or bridging all gaps on the casing. The locating wire shall:

1. Be brought up and wrapped around the outside of the curb box and connected to the riser. At the top of the box, wrap the wire around and above the locating magnet so that it is caught when the lid is tightened down. This allows flexibility if the box must ever be raised or lowered and does not interfere with the curb stop operation. This wire shall also be attached to any other Company locating wire present using a split bolt connector.

2. Bridge any gaps in the old casing pipe to ensure electrical continuity. This can be accomplished by bonding a number12 tracer wire to the pipe ends.

3. Be connected above ground to anodeless risers with mechanical ground clamps. The connection above ground should be positioned so that it will not be easily damaged or disconnected.

4. A locating (tracer) wire is not required when the meter is located inside and the old service will not be excavated and severed beyond the initial curb valve excavation. If the old service is excavated and severed downstream of the curb valve, a locating wire shall be installed and fastened to the old service pipe to provide electrical continuity from the curb box to the meter riser.

SECTION 7

SPECIFICATION FOR INSTALLATION OF CONSUMER SERVICE LINE WITH STEEL PIPE

7.1 GENERAL

Steel pipe shall be used on steel systems operating above 60 psig and above. This section covers the installation of customer service piping, when applicable.

All services installed or replaced on systems operating at or below 60 psig and 2” and less in size, shall be plastic. Services installed off of a high density plastic main operating at less that 100 psig will be high density plastic, sized and installed by the Company.

7.2 MATERIAL

7.2.1 PIPE

Coated steel pipe complying with the American National Standard for Welded and Seamless Wrought-Steel Pipe, ANSI 36.10 shall be used for service lines.

Steel service pipe shall not be bent. Galvanized pipe or galvanized fittings are not permitted. See Section 12 for pipe coatings.

7.2.2 SCREW FITTINGS

Screwed couplings are permitted but only above ground level. Screw fittings are to be malleable iron, standard weight with the exception of meter bars. Bushings, couplings, all-thread nipples, saddles, cast iron fittings, or solder type fittings or connections shall not be permitted. Unions will not be permitted except where specified in meter or regulator settings.

7.2.3 COMPRESSION FITTINGS

The following mechanical and electric properties listed are minimum requirements.

1. Mechanical Properties

MATERIALS - the materials used in the body of the fitting and end nuts shall be metallurgically and chemically similar to pipe steel or shall be treated by a process such as Parkerizing (insulating coating) or equivalent, to eliminate galvanic corrosion effects.

BODY - the body of the fitting shall have a wall thickness equal to or greater than the pipe with extra thickness under the threaded areas. The minimum body length shall be four inches.

NUT - the nut shall be of heavy construction and threaded deeply enough to prevent danger of stripping. Threads shall be designed for easy starting.

The nut shall be of sufficient depth to overlap the body, leaving no exposed threads when assembled.

GASKET - the gasket shall meet the physical requirements of ASTM D735 Grade SA-710B. Provision should be made to prevent the possibility of the gasket catching in the threads of the end nut and causing a false sense of tightening.

DEFLECTION - the coupling, when assembled on standard weight pipe, shall not allow a pipe deflection of more than seven degrees.

IDENTIFICATION - the coupling shall be permanently marked as to the manufacturer’s name, model number and type of gasket. Such markings shall be easily identified when the coupling is in the normally installed position.

2. Electrical Properties

All couplings should have gaskets, which allow electrical contact between the coupling body and the pipe unless others are specifically authorized.

The gasket shall consist of a closely wound wire coil molded in the gasket tip or an equivalent device that will make a permanent low resistance electrical contact between the coupling body and the pipe. Any such device shall be so located within the body of the coupling that it will not be affected by soil moisture.

COUPLING RESISTANCE - the resistance of the properly assembled coupling and pipe shall be equal to or less than the resistance of ten feet of the pipe being coupled.

The Company should be consulted for specifications on couplings on services larger than two inches.

7.2.4 METER STOPS AND VALVES

For gas piping designed to operate at 60 psig or less, meter valves shall be Company approved of the locking type, black iron body, brass tamperproof core with screw ends with a minimum working pressure rating of 60 psig. The tamperproof feature shall be designed and constructed to minimize the possibility of the removal of the core of the stop accidentally or willfully with ordinary household tools. Cast Iron valves shall only be installed aboveground.

Valves installed below ground shall be steel. Services designed to operate at a pressure in excess of 60 psig or two inches in diameter and larger, shall be equipped with a meter valve of the ball or lubricated plug type. Each stop or valve shall be identified with manufacturer’s name. Ref.: ANSI B16.5 and ANSI B31.1.

7.2.5 LUBRICATED PLUG VALVES

Lubricated plug valves shall be of the tapered core type with a manufacturer’s pressure rating of not less than 125 psig working pressure or a higher rated valve that has been approved by the Company.

7.2.6 BALL VALVES

Ball valves shall have body with a manufacturer’s pressure rating of not less than 175 psig working pressure or a high rated valve that has been approved by the Company.

7.2.7 GATE VALVES

Gate valves shall be of the single wedge, non-rising stem type with a manufacturer’s pressure rating of not less than 125 psig.

7.2.8 APPROVAL OF MATERIAL

When uncertain, the Company should be consulted for a list of approved and proper materials to use on consumer’s service pipe. Requests for new material review and consideration for use should be submitted to the Company.

7.3 INSTALLATION

7.3.1 GENERAL

All consumers’ steel service pipe shall be coated and cathodically protected according to Company specifications for protective coating and cathodic protection listed in Section 12. Where the consumer’s service pipe is laid under corrosive soil, the Company shall be contacted for special protective recommendations. Where the gas main has been tapped and a Company service made available before the consumer’s service pipe is installed, an operator qualified individual shall make the connection to the Company service stop after inspection and testing. Each length of steel pipe shall be examined before installation and any dirt or obstruction shall be removed. Any burrs left by the cutting tool shall be reamed off. Pipe and fittings shall be examined for condition of threads. Pipe dope or thread lubricant shall be used sparingly and on male threads only. Defective pipe or fittings shall be replaced. Repairs are prohibited.

Pipe, fittings and valves removed from any existing installation shall not be again used until they have been thoroughly cleaned, inspected and determined to be equal to new material.

7.3.2 TRENCH

The consumer’s service pipe may be installed in a separate trench or in a common trench with other utilities such as electric and telephone. Gas services shall not be installed with sewers, water lines, downspout drains or other draining tile. If all utilities are installed at the same level, the gas piping should be located with at

sloped toward the main, when practical, and provide a solid, continuous foundation for the consumer’s service pipe. The trench shall also be of sufficient depth to provide a minimum of 18 inches of cover. Where crossings are necessary there should be a clearance of at least twelve inches and the gas service must be on top of the other utilities.

7.3.3 JOINING STEEL PIPE

Where it is necessary to use more than one length of pipe in the consumer’s service pipe, the lengths must be joined by an approved conducting, compression type coupling or welded joint. The first pipe joint shall be a full pipe length (approximately 21 feet, if the service is that long) from the outside riser.

The consumer’s service pipe shall be made to match the Company service pipe size or existing curb valve with a welded or compression fitting approximately two feet from the point of delivery. Standard sizes for tie-in to Company services are 1¼ inches and 2 inches; check with the Company for other sizes.

High pressure steel piping (above 60 psig) shall be joined by welding. See Section 4.6.3 “Welder Qualification”.

Screw fittings are not permitted underground in the consumer’s service pipe.

Unions of the grounded joint type may be used above ground in the meter or regulator settings.

Where offsets are required, welding ells are recommended.

7.3.4 WELDING LIMITATIONS

Welders performing work on steel piping systems shall be properly qualified in accordance with Section 4.6.3 “Welder Qualification”. Pipe sizes of 2 inch diameter and larger can be utilized for production weld tests. Butt welds will be the only joint design used for these weld test.

A welder may only weld on facilities using the specific procedures that they have been qualified to perform. Each qualified welder will have access to the Vectren Energy Delivery – Welding Procedure Manual.

Welders should be qualified well in advance of any welding activity.

7.3.5 BACKFILLING

The consumer’s service pipe trench shall not be back-filled until after the pipe has been inspected by the Company. The trench shall be back-filled within 24 hours after approval of inspection. An exception to this 24-hour rule will be allowed when the back-fill material is frozen. The ditch and back-fill material shall be free of rocks, stones, cinders, slag, concrete blocks, pieces of wood or other materials which can cause damage to the pipe or pipe coating.

SECTION 8

SERVICE PRESSURE REGULATORS

8.1 GENERAL

Where the consumer’s service pipe is subject to pressure in excess of one-half psig (14”

water column), service pressure regulation is required immediately ahead of the meter as a part of the meter setting. It is important that the appropriate regulator be used for the given operating pressure and flow characteristics. This regulator will reduce the distribution line pressure to that recommended for household appliances. Additional field regulators may be required for services off of high pressure mains and transmission pipelines.

8.2 OWNERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY

The service pressure regulators will be supplied, owned and maintained by the Company.

Such regulators shall be installed by the consumer, at their expense, in a manner and at a location on the consumer’s premises satisfactory to the Company. The service regulator supplied by the Company for a given address shall be installed at that address.

8.3 LOCATION

8.3.1 GENERAL

Outside settings are preferred for service pressure regulators. If the Company approves an inside setting, the regulator must be located as near as practicable to the point of service line entrance and the relief valve vented outside.

8.3.2 PROHIBITED LOCATIONS

Locations that are prohibited for installations of meters are also prohibited for service pressure regulators (see Section 9.3.2). In addition, service pressure regulators shall not be installed inside public buildings such as schools, churches, auditoriums, etc. Provisions shall be made by the consumer for service pressure regulators to be located outside, properly protected and at a location designated by a Company representative.

8.3.3 MEDIUM PRESSURE (1 psig to 20 psig)

The service pressure regulator should be installed as a part of the meter setting as described inSection 9.3.3.

If the regulator has been approved for installation inside of a building, refer to Section 8.4 for venting requirements.

8.3.4 MEDIUM PRESSURE (greater than 20 to 60 psig)

The service pressure regulator shall be installed as a part of the meter setting as described in Section 9.3.4.

8.3.5 HIGH PRESSURE (greater than 60 psig)

The service pressure regulator shall be installed as a part of the meter setting as described in Section 9.3.5.

8.3.6 TAPS ON TRANSMISSION LINES

The service pressure regulator shall be installed as a part of the meter setting as described in Section 9.3.6.

8.3.7 COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SETTINGS

The service pressure regulator shall be installed as a part of the meter setting as described in Section 9.3.7.

8.4 VENTING

8.4.1 SERVICE PRESSURE REGULATORS

All service pressure regulators installed inside a building shall be installed with a suitable, rigid steel or approved flexible vent terminating to the outside with an insect guard and water proof fitting. The Company shall approve installations that use flexible vent that is over 10 feet in length and has more than two connections.

Vent lines shall be located so that vented gas will not come back into the house through windows, doors, air intakes or other openings and be at least three feet from sources of ignition (i.e., electric meter settings, air conditioning units, etc.).

They should not be located where they will be subject to damage or flooding.

The vent line shall be of adequate size to meet the fail open regulator capacity requirements and shall not be less than the same size as the vent opening on the regulator. As a rule of thumb, increase the entire vent line size one pipe diameter (nominal) for every 20 equivalent feet of length. A union is required on the vent line and should be located within six inches of the regulator.

SECTION 9 METERS 9.1 GENERAL

The Company will approve all meter site locations. The consumer shall make provisions for the location of metering equipment on the consumer’s premises as specified by the Company.

Only operator qualified individuals shall be allowed to connect or disconnect any meter or metering equipment or turn on or shut off gas to any premises.

9.2 OWNERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY

The metering equipment shall be installed and maintained by the Company and shall remain the property of the Company.

9.3 LOCATION

9.3.1 GENERAL

Outside settings in a readily accessible location are preferred for meters. When more than one meter is set on a premise, they should be installed at one location whenever practical. An inside setting may be used only if approved by the Company.

9.3.2 PROHIBITED LOCATIONS

Gas meters should not be placed where they will be subjected to damage, such as adjacent to a driveway, under a fire escape, in public passages, halls or where they will be subject to excessive corrosion, vibration or extreme heat. In addition, gas meters shall not be installed in small, unventilated or confined spaces or in sleeping quarters, bathrooms or closets. Gas meters shall be located at least three feet from sources of ignition, air intakes, windows or doors capable of being opened. Meters shall not be in contact with the soil.

9.3.3 LOW PRESSURE (less than 1 psig) AND MEDIUM PRESSURE (greater than 1 psig to 20 psig)

When the tap is on a low or medium (greater than 1 psig to 20 psig) pressure distribution main, the meter should be located outside the building in an accessible location where it will be protected from damage, with the following exceptions:

1. When the consumer’s service is over 150 feet in length the meter should be set at the property line nearest the gas main. Exceptions are subject to approval of the Company with consideration regarding alignment and year around visibility (line of sight) of the meter setting in relation to the point

2. When building design or obstruction prohibits, the meter may be located away from the building at a point nearer the gas main. At the Company’s discretion, the meter may be located adjacent to the gas main or to the property line nearest the gas main.

3. With Company approval, when no acceptable outside location is available, the meter may be set inside the building at the building wall near the point of service entry.

The meter shall be readily accessible for examination, reading, and replacement and shall be located where it will be protected from damage (see Figures 5 and 6).

9.3.4 MEDIUM PRESSURE (greater than 20 to 60 psig)

When the tap is on a medium pressure line the meter shall be located outside the building in an accessible location where it will be protected from damage (see Figure 6, also see Paragraphs 1 and 2 of 9.3.3 above).

9.3.5 HIGH PRESSURE (greater than 60 psig)

When the tap is on a high pressure line the meter shall be located adjacent to the gas main or to the property line nearest the gas main immediately following the service regulators in a readily accessible location and where it will be protected from damage (see Figure 7).

9.3.6 TAPS ON TRANSMISSION LINES

When service is provided from a transmission line the meter shall be located one foot from the transmission line. Where required, the consumer shall provide suitable housing for the meter, as protection for this equipment from the weather and acts of third parties (see Figures 7 and 8).

9.3.7 COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SETTINGS

Commercial and industrial settings will be designed/installed per Company specifications. Consult the Company for special rules and regulations. All multiple meter manifold settings require a survey by the Company.

9.4 INSTALLATION

9.4.1 GENERAL

The Company shall supply, install and maintain the gas meter. The consumer is required to furnish an insulating type meter bar on all new and rebuilt gas meter installations where a domestic size meter is used. Typical meter setting installations are illustrated in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Non supported meter settings shall use rigid risers.

9.4.2 SUPPORT

The meter setting shall be constructed so that the meter will be plumb and level and securely supported with no strain exerted on it. Wall brackets are specified for the service riser in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6. Metal straps and hangers used to

The meter setting shall be constructed so that the meter will be plumb and level and securely supported with no strain exerted on it. Wall brackets are specified for the service riser in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6. Metal straps and hangers used to