Third-party work

On-site orientation

Before starting work, Gaznat informs the construction management and the contractor on site about the pipeline installation (high-pressure gas pipeline, telecommunication cable, etc.), as well as the dangers and consequences of damage. The general and special conditions and regulations of the Swiss Federal Pipeline Inspectorate (IFP) are discussed.

Determining the position of the high-pressure gas pipeline

Before starting work, Gaznat determines the exact position of the high-pressure pipeline axis and marks it accordingly. The pipe axis must be marked in all construction phases and may only be removed or relocated with Gaznat's consent. The marked pipe axis must be checked against the planning documents.

In general, the pipe axis is determined using a pipe finder. If this is not possible with the necessary precision, due to excessive overlap or for other reasons, the pipe axis must be determined using coordinates by a qualified surveyor. If there is any uncertainty as to the exact location, boreholes must be drilled.

Determining the position of telecommunication cables and other conduits

Gaznat's telecommunications cable runs alongside the high-pressure gas pipeline. During excavation work, special care must be taken when exposing the telecom cable and any other pipes.

Excavation work

The first 30 cm layer (road surface, humus, etc.) can be removed by machine if the pipe has a minimum overlap of 1 m.

Further excavation work by machine within a 2 m strip on either side of the pipe is permitted only under the following conditions:

- Pre-probing the excavation by hand. When excavations are fairly long or close to curves, the excavation area must be pre-probed in at least two places.

- Digging by hand only from an overlap of less than 30 cm and with a clearance of 50 cm on either side of the pipe. - The above distances may be reduced depending on the situation and in agreement with Gaznat. Gaznat must be notified immediately if the pipe overlap or the work carried out by third parties does not correspond to the plans.

- Machine excavation with a backhoe bucket without teeth and only to a manually probed depth. Use the lightest excavator possible.

Protection of the pipeline system

If the high-pressure gas pipeline and/or the telecommunication cable are cleared, these parts of the installations must be protected in agreement with Gaznat by massive mechanical protection against the influence of third parties. Before reclosing, the cleared parts of the installations must be inspected by Gaznat.

Damage to the pipeline system

If the high-pressure gas pipeline, pipe insulation or telecommunication cable is damaged, Gaznat must be notified immediately.

Monitoring

Gaznat supervises work in the area of the high-pressure gas pipeline.
If Gaznat is unable to carry out this task, qualified personnel, previously instructed by a competent Gaznat employee, will be called in. The personnel in charge of supervision must be informed in particular of the construction project, the safety regulations and the provisions of the Federal Pipeline Inspectorate for third-party construction projects.

Excavation work within a 2 m strip (horizontal clear width) on either side of a high-pressure gas pipeline must be supervised at all times by a competent Gaznat employee.

For excavation work outside a 2 m strip (horizontal clear width) on both sides of a high-pressure gas pipeline, all necessary measures must be taken at all times, so that a danger to the pipeline installation can be excluded in all cases. If the work has been planned and discussed in advance with Gaznat, no permanent supervision is required by the competent Gaznat personnel.

Special protection measures

Special precautions must be taken if mining, drilling or pile-driving is to be carried out in the area of a high-pressure gas pipeline, or if the pipeline is to be crossed by vehicles or heavy machinery. Such projects must be specifically mentioned in building permit applications, and may only be carried out after prior authorization from the Swiss Federal Pipeline Inspectorate. The necessary protective measures are to be agreed in advance with Gaznat.
Before drilling or pile-driving work in the vicinity of a high-pressure gas pipeline, it is generally necessary to test the pipe by means of a borehole. Seismic measurements may also be required for mining or pile-driving operations.

Subcontractor

Gaznat shall be notified immediately of any subcontracting so that it can inform the subcontractor of these requirements before the start of its activities.

Fees

The costs of the authorization procedure shall be borne by Gaznat, except in exceptional cases. Gaznat reserves the right to invoice travel and other expenses if it has not been informed of a postponement of work requiring its supervision on site.

Getting to know you

The representative of the executing company/subcontractor of the executing company hereby confirms that he/she has taken note of the safety regulations. He/she undertakes to ensure that work in the area of the high-pressure gas pipeline is carried out in full compliance with the aforementioned safety regulations.