Gas distribution systems - safety and loss management system requirements

Scope

This directive sets out the policies for the development and documentation of safety and loss management systems for the management of safety and loss control associated with activities throughout the life cycle of a gas installation owned or operated by a gas utility.

Definitions

City gate – the plant or premises where gas received from a pipeline is metered, reduced in pressure, and prepared for distribution to individual users of the gas

Distribution main – a pipe used for the transmission and distribution of gas at a pressure of 700 kPa gauge or less for any distance between a city gate and a service pipe

Gas - means any of the following:

(a) natural gas, manufactured gas, liquefied petroleum gas, digester gas, landfill gas, biogas or a mixture or dilution of any of them;

(b) hydrogen;

Gas company – a person or organization engaged in the sale or distribution of gas 

Gas Distribution system – the main and service lines, and their associated control devices, through

which gas is conveyed from transmission lines or from local sources of supply to the termination of the

operating company

Gas installation – a facility or system, including fittings, that is owned or operated by a gas company and is used to store, convey, measure, or regulate gas

Gas utility – a gas company that owns or operates a gas installation for conveying gas from a city gate or bulk storage facility to the outlet of an individual user's meter set

Safety and loss management system – a systematic, comprehensive, and proactive set of interrelated processes for the management of safety and loss control associated with activities throughout the lifecycle of a pipeline system including design, procurement, construction, operation, and abandonment activities

Service pipe – a pipe installed by or on behalf of a gas company for the transmission of gas from a distribution main to a meter on the land or premises of the purchaser of the gas

Details

CSA Z662 Oil and gas pipeline systems standard requires companies operating distribution systems to develop and implement safety and loss management systems for the management of safety and loss control associated with activities throughout the life cycle of a pipeline system.  

The requirements for safety and loss management systems apply to the following gas equipment within the jurisdiction of the Gas Safety Regulation:

• Distribution mains conveying gas at a pressure of 700 kPa or less between a city gate and a service pipe
• Service pipes conveying gas at a pressure of 700 kPa or less between a distribution main and to the gas purchaser’s service meter 

The owner of a gas utility holding an operating permit issued under section 28 subsection (1) (h) of the Gas Safety Regulation, shall develop and implement a safety and loss management system that includes policies, processes and procedures for the operation and maintenance of the facility which:

• Comply with the Safety Standards Act, Safety Standards General Regulation, Gas Safety Regulation and CSA Z662,
• Set relevant company policies and performance objectives, 
• Proactively identify hazards, evaluate risks, identify and implement risk mitigations measures, and conduct inspection, maintenance, and monitoring activities, 
• Establish clear responsibilities and accountabilities, 
• Provide sufficient trained and competent persons and other resources to manage the program and, 
• Administer documentation, records reporting, evaluation and continual improvement. 

Technical Safety BC manual “MAN-4057-00” provides guidance for the development, documentation and implementation of safety and loss management system. The manual will assist gas utilities to establish a safety and loss management plan relevant to the size and complexity of their facility.

Owners of gas utilities holding an operating permit issued under section 28(1) (h) of the Gas Safety Regulation are required to have documented operations and maintenance procedures in accordance with CSA Z662.  

Under section 18 (1)(k) of the Safety Standards Act, a safety officer may request to review; a gas utility’s operation and procedure manual, records or any other documentation for monitoring or auditing to verify requirements of a safety and loss management system. Section 52 of Gas Safety Regulation requires gas companies to file standards of construction with a provincial safety manager and to produce any gas installation plan within 24 hours when requested by a safety officer.

Vicky Kang
Manager, Energy
Provincial Safety Manager, Gas

References: 
Safety Standards Act
Gas Safety Regulation
CSA Z662 - Oil and gas pipeline systems standard