The Client: JCB, Stoke-on-Trent
The Problem:
JCB were undergoing updates on their gas installation supplying three furnaces. During the updates an underground gas leak was discovered. JCB’s gas supply had to remain closed off due to the smell of gas and tightness test failure.
After identifying the source of the leak, it was established the cause of the leak was due to steel pipework being installed underground without anti-corrosion tape. Not applying anti-corrosion tape to underground steel pipework violates Gas Safe standards and is often the cause of leaks. This is because anti-corrosion tape preserves steel pipework via a grease-soaked wrap that forms a barrier to moisture.
Due to the complicated nature of the industrial gas pipework, the commercial gas engineers at Ormond Pipework Services were called in to assist.
Our solution:
First, our gas engineers purged out the existing gas main because hot works were required in order to complete the repair.
We then cut out and replaced the existing section with a new fabricated 6” steel pipe configuration. Once fitted a commercial gas tightness test was undertaken to ensure the installation was safe to be turned back on.
We then purged the system back to gas and ensured appliances were able to fire up, confirming the indirect purge was done correctly. After the successful test and purge, paint and anti-corrosion tape was applied to protect the steel pipework from the elements.
Finally, a Gas Safe certificate was issued, ensuring the client's pipework was safe and up to standards.
Competencies involved:
Welded pipework installation
Gas purging
Gas tightness test
Gas pipework commissioning
Commercial Gas Safe certificate
Industrial Gas leak repair
