What should be done when the distances required in Appendix F of the “Code for Design of Industrial Metal Piping” are not met?
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There is an underground nitrogen pipeline (1.24 MPa); the horizontal distance between it and the building is less than 2.5 meters. Logically speaking, Appendix F is not a mandatory requirement. How can I convince the experts?
How much short is it? But the drawings must be compliant; the nitrogen pipelines are fine ； The 2.4m must be indicated on your drawings. However, the piping can be adjusted appropriately according to the site conditions ； The regulations also state that the distance between pipes must be no less than 50 mm. Currently, there are strict requirements regarding construction
Take a look at the supplementary provisions in the \"Code for Design of Industrial Metal Piping\"; it states that reference is made to the \"Code for General Layout Design of Industrial Enterprises\" GB10187. In Table 8.2.10, which specifies the spacing requirements between underground pipelines and buildings and structures, although there are no requirements specified for nitrogen pipelines, there are requirements for compressed air pipelines, with a spacing of 1.5 meters. Logically speaking, nitrogen is even safer than air, so these requirements can be applied here as a reference. Additionally, note 4 below the table states that for oxygen pipelines, when they are located near buildings without basements and operate at pressures below 1.6 MPa, the required spacing is 1.2 meters； There is a basement, with a spacing of 2m. Air is actually a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen; the value for air can be 1.5, while that for oxygen ranges from 1.2 to 2.0 m. Therefore, nitrogen can naturally follow the stricter standards set in this regulation. Ordinary industrial buildings don’t usually have basements either.
Nitrogen pipelines are more dangerous than compressed air pipelines because they are not breathable.
There are indeed no clear regulatory provisions; only the 2.5m figure exists. If you only accept this manner of persuasion, then there’s no need for you to read on. I’m not an expert in nitrogen systems, but from the perspective of users and pipeline designers, the asphyxiation risk associated with nitrogen can be analyzed as follows: in confined spaces, nitrogen pipelines are typically located outdoors; even if a leak occurs, it would be in an open outdoor environment where air circulation can dilute the nitrogen. If there is no basement beneath the walls of buildings adjacent to the nitrogen pipeline, then this aspect need not be considered. In the “Code for General Layout Design of Industrial Enterprises”, the requirements regarding the distance between buried pipes and buildings vary depending on whether the buildings have basements or not; this also indirectly confirms this point. Since it isn’t a mandatory provision and there are other regulations available for verification, and the analysis seems reasonable, as long as one maintains good relations with experts, there shouldn’t be any major problems.