CHECK LIST ACCESS FITTINGS

The downstream access fittings should be situated sufficiently downstream the injection Access Fittings by typically 5-10 pipeline diameters that adequate dispersion of the corrosion inhibitor would have occurred by the time the treated fluid reaches the monitoring location. For water pipelines three access fittings shall be installed. This provides an additional access point for the installation of bio probes. All new corrosion monitoring access fitting shall be installed at the 6 oclock position in pipelines and network piping. The access fitting contains the system pressure through a sequence of elastomeric seals comprising a primary chevron-type seal and a secondary O-ring seal. The materials for these seals must be suitable for the temperature of the proposed service. When a new Access Fittings is installed it will be sealed with a solid plug to prevent damage to internal threads and sealing faces and permit hydro testing of the system. This generally requires an 1830 mm (6-ft) clearance in a direct line along the axis of the access fitting from the bottom of the pipe and adequate room for maneuver on at least one side of a pipe, a minimum of 1000 mm (3.3ft) should be allowed. Access to the fittings may require provision of detachable sections of gratings, provision of local stepladders, modification to pipe work or walkways. An assumption that scaffolding can be provided is not acceptable for new plant design. ADMA-OPCO requires flare weld 2 system fittings unless otherwise specified. The flare weld access fittings are rated to 6,000 psig. Access into the pipe for the corrosion monitoring coupons or probes is afforded by trepanning a hole through the pipe wall within the access fitting. It is most important that this hole is of the correct dimensions to permit installation of the 2-inch probes and fittings. Whatever the installation method the hole shall be post reamed with a 1.375-inch (35 mm) tool after the fitting is installed. For new access fitting installations steel thread protector caps with hole shall be used to protect the external threads during transport and installation of spool pieces and later during final completion of new works. Heavy-duty protective covers are not required. These caps should be painted to BS 4800 shade 12 E 51 or equivalent. After installation of new Access Fittings, the permanent cap will be a steel heavy-duty protective cover complete with bleed valve and pressure gauge. Chemical injection points should be installed on the top of the line wherever possible. The tee pipe to the access fitting must be of minimum 1-inch diameter and fabricated in steel of a schedule adequate for the design pressure of the system and the external mechanical and thermal loads, which may be imposed. The tee should be as short as is practicable but the length of the tee should not be less than 4-inches (100 mm) to permit Access Fittings of the isolation valve. Longer tees are acceptable but may require support to prevent mechanical damage.

Often the bolts or studs and nuts used to fix the permanent isolating valve interfere with installation of the retriever valve and prevent retrieval of the injection device in the access fitting. The length of the tee and studs and nuts should be such that there is a clear 3.25inch between the body of the access fitting and the upper bolts/studs/nuts. The area of concern is shown in Figure - 2. The tee pipe of the chemical injection Access Fittings should be orientated along the length of the spool piece or pipeline to reduce the risk of accidental mechanical damage. No chemical injection Access Fittings should be within 75mm (3inch) of any other weldment. Adequate access is required for insertion and removal of internal fittings into injection points. The space needed to install and remove the retriever is 6 ft (1830 mm) measured from the surface of the pipeline. Clear access to one side of the pipe of a minimum of 1020 mm (40 inches) is also required.