Steve Vick News

No-gas cut-off for live services17 Oct 2007

Steve Vick International reports very positive response to its new Live Service Isolation technique - a safe alternative to the practice of cutting service pipes in live gas conditions and a solution to what has always been a major safety issue in the gas distribution industry.

The company initially won a tender from National Grid Gas for the supply of Live Service Isolation equipment. Now, National Grid Gas and Scotia Gas Networks are both adopting the technique throughout their networks and have worked with Steve Vick International to roll out a training programme.

The Live Service Isolation technique is designed for use as a cut-off procedure or, in conjunction with Live Service Insertion, it offes a totally gas-free method of service renewal. It is intended for isolating steel services from three-quarters of an inch to 2 inches diameter operating at up to 75mbar.

The key component of the equipment developed for the technique is a re-useable, under pressure Isolator Clamp which is attached to the service. This has a perpendicular valve for drilling through the pipe and an angled valve for inserting a temporary rubber flow stopper. Both operations are carried out under no-gas conditions.

Briefly, the method involves drilling the live steel service using the Steve Vick International under-pressure drill. A finned rubber stopper attached to an insertion rod is then pushed through the drilled hole into the service via the angled valve on the Isolator Clamp. The insertion rod is unscrewed leaving the stopper in place to temporarily stop the flow of gas.

Once the Isolator Clamp has been removed, the service pipe can safely be cut. A retrieval rod is then used to withdraw the stopper, gas-free, through a valve and gland assembly used for Live Service Insertion. The service can then be capped off or inserted live with PE.

Steve Vick International supplies all the equipment required for Live Service Isolation. It can be supplied in kit form to suit customer requirements with clamps in one or more sizes, the under-pressure drill and all associated components. A purpose-built carrying case can be specified in plastic or metal.

Andy Sutherland, Business Improvement Officer with National Grid Gas's Operations Performance Team said, "The development of this technique with Steve Vick International demonstrates our commitment to improving working practices and reducing risk. Live Service Isolation enables steel services to be isolated under no-gas conditions in an average of 8 minutes. It allows the operator to control the speed of the job, not the environment he is working in due to blowing gas."

Soctia Gas Network's Performance Manger, Mick Emery said, "The introduction of this new technique will not only provide an even safer and more environmentally friendly approach to our daily activities, but also reinforce our total commitment in reducing risks and improving safety across all our working practices."