New gas piping rules will change the way you do business

Major changes are coming to the way projects involving natural gas piping are conducted. Spurred on by the massive explosion at the Kleen Energy power plant under construction in Middletown, Conn., this past February, the National Fire Protection Association has adopted more than 40 changes to the National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54). These changes outline new procedures for purging gas lines, a process which has led to numerous explosions, injuries and even fatalities in recent years – including the 6 deaths and millions of dollars worth of damage at Kleen Energy.

Did you know the new provisions require that all purging be directed outdoors? That is a major change for many facilities. These new provisions also prohibit the purging of gas pipelines by using natural gas and change the way that purging events should be monitored. The complete list of changes is available at www.nfpa.org.

Are you prepared to study and implement the new and coming code changes? Do you have the time and resources to train your personnel in the correct procedures for a safe purging project? Do you have the right equipment, and is it all maintained properly?

Compounded by the gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno, Calif., many companies and their insurers are no longer willing to take on the liability for purging gas lines without professional third-party support.

We can help as your Purge Support Specialists.

Gas pipeline venting, purging, and re-commissioning – this is our specialty!

Our team of combustion safety professionals has developed an in-depth process for conducting safe piping repairs and purging projects. We do it SAFELY, with the skill, proper planning and oversight it needs. This process includes:

• Site review
• Customer options review
• Site modifications
• Third-party verification of isolation
• A written plan to discuss and implement
• Safety training the day of the venting and purging including issues regarding Nitrogen asphyxiation – a serious issue which has killed many through the years
• Actual hands-on processing of the gas and nitrogen
• Monitoring and control of end points as required by NFPA 54
• 3rd party pressure test monitoring and witnessing
• Post-Purge verification with proper metering
• Gas re-introduction monitoring

There's too much on the line to treat natural gas purging casually. There have been a number of incidents over the past 10 years that have killed or injured dozens of workers and cost billions of dollars in damage.

Are you willing to risk being the next headline? Can you afford not to have CEC Combustion Services Group as a part of your team?

For more information contact CEC at 216-749-2992 or e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .