Are You up to date with New Guidance for Gas Operators?

As of October 2021, new guidance means that high pressure gas mains are subject to new development restrictions based on population densities.

This affects all HP steel pipelines and was introduced in Edition 6 of ‘Steel pipelines for high pressure gas transmission’ by the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) / TD 1 Ed 6.?These guidance notes are likely to be adopted by Gas Transporters and reflected through the planning and development process.

A new “Type H” (High Contingency) definition will be applied if a specific area around the pipelines contains or is likely to contain more than 30 people per hectare.?So, if a new development is set to tip the population over into a ‘H Zone’, developers will need to be aware of this beforehand.

Restrictions will be specific to each gas main and will be affected by such factors as the diameter, wall thickness and stress level of the pipeline in question.

Existing and recent developments on land containing pipelines will not be affected by the new legislation. However, going forward, as part of the planning process, developers may need to:

• Limit their development proposals in the affected area along the length of the line;
• Undertake a Quantitative Risk Assessment for any part of the site where the 30 people per hectare level has been exceeded; or
• Divert the pipeline

Whilst the new guidance still needs clarification, in the meantime, HSE’s PADHI regulations, and the easement restrictions specific to the pipeline concerned, will continue to play an important part in planning any development involving a gas pipeline. Furthermore, local authorities will continue to refer to HSE for the foreseeable future, however the new changes will become increasingly relevant and developers should be mindful of these constraints on sites.

If there is a gas pipe present on your development land and you would like further information with respect to how your site may be affected please contact BTS.