The Source - Spring 2009 - (Page 38)

the pipeline away from the job site. The SIF also has diligently searched for qualified evaluators within each state so workshops can be held on a more local basis. In 2009, the SIF will expand its original curriculum offering from 19 covered tasks to more than 50 covered tasks. OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES During the first few years conducting OQ evaluations the SIF evaluators noticed that some operators attending the workshops did not have written procedures describing how covered tasks should be performed, or their procedures differed from the way the SIF was testing for those tasks to be performed. The SIF responded by developing, in collaboration with the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia and Austell (GA) Gas, written Operating and Maintenance (O&M) procedures for each of the covered tasks. While not a complete O&M manual, these procedures can be incorporated into an operator’s O&M manual to ensure consistency between how its OQ plan evaluates its employees on a task and how the O&M manual describes how the task should be performed. Together these programs create a full spectrum qualification package for small operators and master meter operators. Best of all, the O&M procedures can be downloaded for free. To obtain the SIF O&M procedures or for more information about SIF OQ workshops or SIF training workshops visit www.apgasif.org or call 202-370-6211. DISTRIBUTION INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS (DIMP) While PHMSA has made every effort to make the rule flexible and reasonable for utilities of all sizes, DIMP will be the most significant regulation affecting gas utilities since the Federal government first began regulating pipeline safety in 1970. In extending its cooperative agreement with the SIF, PHMSA requested that the SIF develop a model DIMP plan that would be easy for small utilities to use to assess the threats to their system integrity and create a written plan to address those threats. Nicknamed “SHRIMP” for “Small, Handy, Risk-based Integrity Management Plan,” the SIF is developing a web-based tool that will walk utilities through developing an integrity management plan specific to their needs. Similar to tax preparation software, SHRIMP will ask a series of questions about the design, construction, inspection and maintenance history of a utility’s distribution system, then create a written DIMP plan meeting all the requirements of the DIMP rule. The SIF is plans to have SHRIMP available when the final rule is issued, expected in the second half of 2009. As with the SIF O&M procedures, SHRIMP will be available free to small utilities and master meter operators and at a nominal charge to larger utilities. John Erickson is the vice president of operations for APGA. PRODUCTS & SERVICES FOR THE NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY We proudly offer the following list of products and services to the Natural Gas industry: OUR PRODUCTS We also offer TraceKlip™. This instrument is intended to reduce lightning strike damage to plastic gas facilities by positioning the required tracer wire at a 6-inch standoff distance directly above the plastic gas piping facility. This device will also dramatically enhance locate accuracy of plastic gas piping facilities, which, when properly installed, may save considerable repair expenditure by the gas system operator whenever locate accuracy is in question by excavators causing facility damage. OUR SERVICES 1. Operator Qualification Plans (written). Includes identified covered task list, identified AOCs (both generic & task specific), Knowledge Based OQ Classroom Presentations (on-site & instructor led) with associated written & graded examinations, Direct Observation Field Evaluations. 2. Comprehensive written O&M Manuals including extensive procedural materials. 3. Written Welding and Plastic Fusion Procedures. 4. Written Emergency Response Plans. 6940 Sphinx Ct., Peyton, CO 80831 (719) 683-4995 (office) • (719) 683-2065 (fax) • (719) 651-8179 (cell) Email: HITKITLLC2@CS.COM • Website: WWW.HIT-KIT.COM 5. Emergency Response Liaison Programs including Code Requirements overview, Natural Gas Characteristics & associated combustion experiments. 6. Comprehensive Gas System Leakage Surveys. 7. Cathodic Protection Surveys & CP System Design & Construction Services. 8. Natural Gas Regulatory Compliance Audits. 9. Gas System Construction Management. 38 THE SOURCE | THE VOICE AND CHOICE OF PUBLIC GAS http://www.apgasif.org http://www.hit-kit.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Source - Spring 2009

The Source - Spring 2009 Contents First Person APGA Events Q&A: One-on-One with Senator Jeff Bingaman Great Malls Think Alike The Economy and Your Customers Member to Member New Technology: Saving Energy Never Felt So Good New Technology: Get Pumped! Legislative Outlook The Pipeline Advertiser.com Advertisers' Index At Last

The Source - Spring 2009

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