GIS 02: Hot-tapping of consumer piping

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Overview

Hot-tapping is a method for adding a new consumer pipe connection to, or squashing off, an existing consumer pipe while the consumer piping remains in service, without isolating the gas supply or requiring purging. This involves attaching a branch connection and valve on the outside of an operating consumer piping and then cutting out the piping wall within the branch and removing the wall section through the valve.

Due to the complexity and risks associated with this type of work not all gasfitters are competent and equipped to perform such work. As a result, prior to carrying out hot-tapping work gasfitters must first apply to Energy Safe Victoria for authorisation to perform this work.

Legislation

Gas Safety (Gas Installation) Regulations 2018 requirement

Division 4 — Standards and requirements in relation to hot-tapping work

Regulation 22 Standards and requirements for hot-tapping work

• (1) For the purposes of section 72(1) (relating to standard of work) of the Act, it is a prescribed requirement that a person must—
  • (a) before carrying out gasfitting work that is hot-tapping work, apply to Energy Safe Victoria for authorisation to carry out that work; and
  • (b) not carry out gasfitting work that is hot-tapping work unless that work is authorised by Energy Safe Victoria.
• (2) For the purposes of section 72(1) of the Act, the prescribed standard for carrying out gasfitting work that is hot-tapping work is the standard determined by Energy Safe Victoria for tha work in the authorisation of that work.
• (3) This regulation applies despite anything to the contrary in Division 1.

Application information

The gasfitter conducting the work must submit a Gas Application via ESVConnect – GasTrac, prior to commencing the work. Energy Safe will review the application and, if acceptable will provide authorisation for the work and set conditions of acceptance.

An application should include the following information, as a minimum:

• Demonstration of the need to conduct hot-tapping work (including the requirement for this approach over other methods).
• Specification of the works and applicable technical and/or Australian Standards to be used in addition to AS/NZS 5601.1 Gas installations, Part 1: General installations.
• An undertaking that an appropriate hazard/risk assessment will be undertaken and mitigations planned to be employed by the worker(s) (i.e. adequate Job Safety Analysis (JSA)/Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) or equivalent, proposed emergency procedures including adequate means of piping isolation, personnel access and egress from work site and emergency communications)
• Demonstration of competency to carry out the works. This should include:
  • training and experience, including information about hot-tapping experience
  • any relevant qualifications or certifications e.g. higher education/training to relevant standards such as ISO45001: Occupational health and safety management systems and/or ISO31000: Risk management
• Information that details the hot-tapping methodology, that may include:
  • pre-hot tap pipe inspections e.g. diameter, wall thickness, evidence of corrosion, etc
  • type of equipment to be used, and material that is proposed to be used (i.e. carbon steel, copper or polyethylene)
  • welding/jointing and tapping operation
  • pressure testing
  • commissioning/purging and final inspection tests
    

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