Author: Admin

Accurate gas line locating and mapping is an integral step in the construction and maintenance of polyethylene pipe systems. Most of the time traditional locating techniques are sufficient, but what happens when those methods fail due to absent or faulty tracer wire connections, or from incorrect or non-existent mapping? This can result in a loss of time and money due to unnecessary excavation, or even worse, accidental damage to the system resulting in a gas leak. Thankfully there are numerous products available that can help you accurately locate and map these “unlocateable” gas mains and service lines! With these tools, you’ll be able to easily trace any hard to locate pipelines and ensure future locates go smoothly.

 

Insertable Tracers

Tracer wire is usually placed along buried PE pipe to assist in locating the system prior to future digs. A signal is transmitted through the wire, and through the use of a locator, allows the pipe to be traced and marked in order to avoid damage during excavation. Unfortunately accidents happen, and oftentimes that wire can be become severed or disconnected, resulting in the pipe path becoming untraceable. That’s where the Jameson Live Gas Main Line Tracer Kit comes in!

 

By tapping into the pipe with an insertion tee, the Main Line Tracer Kit is capable of inserting a rod into the line without blow-by up to 125 psi. The rod’s internal copper wire can then be energized to radiate a signal to the surface for tracing with a proper locator along a continuous path with minimal or no excavation. With up to 600 feet of rod to insert, a good length of pipe can now be located, properly marked, and digging can begin.

 

Directional Entry Tool

If you’re looking to tap into the system in order to insert a camera head into the line, or if you just want more control of your insertion, we recommend using the Jameson Directional Entry Tool. Also allowing no blow-by up to 125 psi, the tool’s vertical insertion makes the rod entry easier by facilitating that difficult first bend while also providing a 360° rotation that allows it to be fed in either direction of the pipe. The Directional Entry Tool fits most camera heads 1-3/8” in diameter or smaller and works on PVC, PE, steel and ductile iron mains.

 

Hot-Tapping System

Whether you’re in need of a one-time, reusable or permanent port for future access, the Georg Fischer Central Plastics Surtap Tapping System and VersaTap Electrofusion Insertion Fittings work in conjunction with the Jameson Directional Entry Tool to provide exactly that. Once installed, these access ports help aid the insertion of the Main Line Tracer, inspection cameras, shut off bags, bladders and butterfly valves, and can also be used as a siphon or purge point.

 

Key-Hole Gas Camera System

If you need to inspect a pipeline’s internal condition or pinpoint a specific segment of damage without excavating the entire area, a Key Hole Gas Camera System can provide those answers. Like the Main Line Tracer, the camera system can be easily inserted with the Directional Entry Tool through GFCP VersaTap fittings, allowing you to easily feed the rugged camera head through the system and internally inspect up to 400 feet of pipe to reveal any damage that needs repairing.

 

Electronic Marking System Technology

Once the pipeline system has been traced and repairs have been made, permanently mark those lines so they can be easily located in the future. This can be accomplished by dropping in an electronic marking system along the pipe path. 3M’s Electronic Marking System (EMS) consists of multiple options dependent on the system’s depth. These range from near-surface markers for a max depth of 2 feet, ball markers for depths down to 5 feet, and full-range markers that can be placed down to 8 feet.

 

RFID models are also available. These can be programmed to include customer-specific information such as facility data, type of application, material type and size, & placement date. Once placed, future locates can be performed quickly and accurately with the use of a 3M EMS locator.

 

Another virtually maintenance free solution for marking and locating the path of underground PE pipe and conduits is 3M’s EMS path marking tape and rope. Both options can be used to provide pinpoint locating accuracy at depths down to 4 feet.

 

Save time and money

If you’re looking to increase production and avoid the expense and headache of extensive excavating due to untraceable pipe systems, EGW Gas Solutions can help. Our knowledgeable Territory Managers are here to answer any questions you may have and you can even schedule a demonstration for a first-hand look at how easy locating unlocatable pipe systems can be.

 

For more information on any of the products described above, don’t hesitate to contact us! Give us a call today at 972.446.1655 or send us an email at sales@egwusa.com.

Among the most hazardous construction operations in the underground utility industry are trenching and excavation. Excavation is defined by OSHA as any man-made trench, cut, depression, or cavity formed by removal of the earth’s surface. A trench is a narrow underground excavation that is deeper than it is wide, and no wider than 15 feet.

 

Cave-ins, falls, and hazardous atmospheres contribute to dozens of injuries and even fatalities each year. Due to these dangers, OSHA requires that companies provide equipment designed to help keep their employees safe when working in trench excavations 4 feet or deeper. At EGW Gas Solutions, we supply a number of products that aid in protecting workers within these precarious environments, including trench shoring, telescoping ladders and intrinsically safe blowers/exhausters.

 

UltraSHORE Aluminum Trench Boxes

UltraSHORE aluminum trench boxes give workers protection in trenches up to 12 feet deep, even in Class “C” soils (gravel or sand). They are composed of a specially corrugated, puncture proof aluminum that weighs hundreds of pounds less than other shoring products.

 

All UltraSHORE panels can be used horizontally or stacked vertically, arranged as parallel shields or in a “vee” or “wedge” configuration, and each end can be closed off with quick-release, spring-loaded end closure panels. One panel pair can be assembled and lowered by a single person, and two people can lower a stacked assembly of two panels into an excavation. These panels are easily broken-down to fit in even the smallest pickup truck, or placed on one of our custom trailers for transport to and from the job site.

 

UltraSHORE Aluminum Trench Boxes are perfect for municipalities, utility companies, underground contractors and more!

 

Telesteps Telecopic Ladders

The safe, stable entry and exit of an excavation or trench is critical in limiting falls that can lead to injury or worse. To help with this, we offer 16 and 18 foot reach extension ladders from Telesteps.

 

These professional, wide-step, telescoping ladders are lightweight yet durable due to their Type 1A 300lb rated, aircraft grade aluminum construction. Wide step rungs allow for added safety and maximum grip and the 100% silicone pivoting feet help ensure it won’t slip. These ladders also feature a One-Touch release mechanism that allows for fully automatic up and down operation as well as safety indicator windows to tell you when it’s safe to climb.

 

Telesteps Telescopic Ladders are both OSHA Compliant and ANSI 14.2 tested.

 

Ramfan Intrinsically Safe Blowers/Exhausters

Exposure to hazardous gases is another risk that workers face when operating within trenches. Not only are the fumes dangerous to inhale, but the slightest spark can cause a devastating explosion. Proper gas exhaustion is essential before any construction or repair within the trench can be initiated. That’s where the Ramfan Intrinsically Safe Blower/Exhauster comes in.

 

The Ramfan UB20xx 8” explosion-proof blower/exhauster is manufactured to meet the requirements of the ATEX Directive, IEC standard and INMETRO standards. It can safely blow or exhaust hazardous gas with minimal risk of the fan causing a spark. It is built using only explosion-proof components along the electrical path and the whole unit is certified for safe use in combustible atmospheres. Anti-static ducts of various sizes are available to suit numerous settings.

 

This ultra-quiet, durable, compact and lightweight blower/exhauster will provide the user with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that they’re using a certified explosion-proof product!

 

Trench Safety is Always a Priority

No matter how complex the job, any time that utility work is to be done within a trench or excavation, proper equipment is needed to ensure worker safety. EGW Gas Solutions is able to provide the tools discussed as well as hundreds of other products designed to make underground utility operations more efficient and secure.

 

For more information about essential excavation safety equipment or other underground utility products, give us a call today at (972) 446-1655 or send us a message through our contact form.