Works in gas pipeline protection zones
The Vitebsk Regional Inspectorate of Industrial Safety (Gospromnadzor) hereby informs economic entities that Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus No. 726 of October 25, 2022, approved the "Regulations on the Procedure for Establishing Protection Zones of Gas Distribution System Facilities, their Sizes and Usage Regimes" (hereinafter referred to as the Regulations).
Gas pipeline protection zone is a land area located between two parallel lines running on both sides of the gas pipeline axis.
In accordance with the Regulations, the following protection zone sizes have been established:
· along high-pressure gas pipelines of Category I - in the form of a land area bounded by imaginary lines located 10 meters from the gas pipeline axis on each side;
· along high-pressure gas pipelines of Category II - in the form of a land area bounded by imaginary lines located 7 meters from the gas pipeline axis on each side;
· along medium-pressure gas pipelines - in the form of a land area bounded by imaginary lines located 4 meters from the gas pipeline axis on each side;
· along low-pressure gas pipelines - in the form of a land area bounded by imaginary lines located 2 meters from the gas pipeline axis on each side;
· along underwater gas pipeline crossings - in the form of a water area from the water surface to the bottom, enclosed between parallel planes located 50 meters from the axes of the extreme strands of the gas pipeline crossings on each side;
· around gas distribution points (GRP), gas pressure regulating points (SHRP), liquefied petroleum gas filling station (AGZS) territories, distribution units (RU), and group cylinder installations - in the form of a land area bounded by an imaginary line located 10 meters from the boundaries of the specified facilities in all directions.
In accordance with clause 640 of the Rules for ensuring industrial safety in the field of gas supply, approved by the Resolution of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus No. 66 dated December 5, 2022, when carrying out repair, construction, and excavation work in the protection zones of gas distribution system facilities, the integrity of gas pipelines and structures must be ensured.
Within the boundaries of hazardous zones, it is prohibited to:
- move, dismantle, cover, or damage indicators of underground gas pipeline routes and locations of network structures on them, as well as control and measuring points;
- arbitrarily open hatches of gas wells and covers, gates of switchgear, and doors of gas distribution points, sectional gas distribution points, gas pipeline corrosion protection stations, open and close valves and shut-off valves, disconnect and connect power supply and telemechanics systems of gas pipelines;
- create dumps, pour aggressive liquids, including solutions of acids, salts, and alkalis;
- store materials and equipment, including for temporary storage, along the route of an underground gas pipeline within 2 meters on both sides of its axis;
- destroy structures and devices that protect gas pipelines and structures on them from damage;
- drop anchors, pass with anchors, chains, sounding leads, drag dredges, conduct trawling with rigid and semi-rigid trawls;
- make fires and place any open or closed sources of fire;
- carry out any events involving large gatherings of people not engaged in performing work permitted in the established manner;
- carry out the construction of buildings, structures, and facilities in violation of the minimum distances to gas distribution system facilities established by technical regulatory legal acts, including building codes, and other rules;
- carry out planting, cultivation, or allow the growth of trees within:
· 1 meter on both sides of the axis
Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs who have received a permit are obliged to comply with (fulfill) the requirements (conditions) specified therein for carrying out repair, construction, and excavation work in the protection zone.
Upon expiration of the permit, the interested party has the right to apply, in the manner established by these Regulations, for a new permit, if the duration of repair, construction, and excavation work exceeds or has exceeded three months.
Work in the protection zone is carried out in the presence of the work supervisor, as well as a representative of the gas supply organization (owner of the gas distribution system facility), in the manner determined by the permit.
Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs carrying out repair, construction, and excavation work in protection zones are obliged, no later than one day before the start of work, in the manner determined by the permit, to summon a representative of the gas supply organization (owner of the gas distribution system facility) to the work site.
Agricultural work in protection zones is carried out by land users with prior notification of its commencement to the owners of gas distribution system facilities.
We draw the attention of business entities to the fact that, in accordance with Article 18.34 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses dated January 6, 2021, No. 91-3, taking into account amendments and additions, violation of the rules for the protection of main and other pipelines entails the imposition of a fine in the following amounts: on an individual – from ten to forty basic units, on an individual entrepreneur – up to fifty basic units, on a legal entity – up to two hundred basic units.
Vitebsk Regional Department of the State Industrial Supervision Service.