Commission and Decommission Gas Networks
URN: EUSGNC5
Business Sectors (Suites): Gas Network Construction Operations
Developed by: Energy & Utility Skills
Approved on:
01 Mar 2023
Overview
This standard is about commissioning and decommissioning gas networks.
It can apply to any type of fuel gas or combinations of fuel gas including, but not restricted to, natural gas, LPG, blended or 100% hydrogen.
It includes interpreting technical information, selecting components and resources, using flow-stopping techniques, connecting and disconnecting engineering products or assets, completing documentation and dealing with problems. These activities will usually include the leadership and direction of the members of a team and decision making regarding the approach to take when undertaking the work.
This standard is for those responsible for carrying out operations during gas network activities.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
1. interpret required dimensions, lengths, widths, and quantities from relevant technical specifications and work instructions
2. interpret accurate positions of other utilities, plant, sub-structures, buildings, kerbs and boundaries that will affect connections
3. select component types in compliance with work instructions and technical specifications
4. follow organisational procedures to replace defective components, nonmatch components and sub-standard components
5. check and make sure sufficient labour, plant, equipment, materials and consumables are available for the work
6. respond without delay to actual and predicted changes to planned use of resources so that work requirements are met
7. determine the correct methods and techniques to be used to meet design criteria based on known information and site circumstances
8. carry out and review site-specific risk assessments and apply control measures in accordance with organisational policy as work progresses
9. select, check condition of, use and store appropriate PPE in line with organisational procedures
10. check and confirm excavations are of a sufficient size and that their condition conforms to work instructions and technical specifications
11. ensure that work instructions, authorised operational procedures and authorisations are in place prior to commencement of work
12. take precautions which prevent damage to components, tools and equipment
13. support and anchor installed engineering assets in accordance with technical specifications
14. use authorised flow stopping and connection techniques to connect to and disconnect from existing systems in line with work instructions
15. carry out all work in line with authorised procedure documents and organisational procedures and practices in compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements
16. provide information about technical specifications to other people when it is required, checking and confirming understanding of information provided to and from recipients
17. complete work documentation in accordance with organisational procedures
18. refer problems and conditions outside own responsibility to designated people in line with organisational procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
1. the main responsibilities of the employer and employee under health and safety and environmental protection legislation and how to comply with them
2. the company reporting lines, roles, responsibilities and levels of authority
3. the identification and application of safe procedures for handling and lifting and the dangers of inadequate handling and lifting procedures
4. the range and use of personal protective equipment for the work activity, procedures for checking it is fit for purpose and the importance of wearing it
5. legislation and organisational procedures relating to hazardous materials and the potential dangers and hazards from medium, intermediate or high pressure gas systems and other utilities’ assets
6. different methods of accessing technical specifications from reference documents, manuals, regulations, codes of practice, risk assessments and method statements and how to interpret them
7. how to interpret work instructions including drawings, records, work authorisations and other project specific information
8. the importance of carrying out and reviewing on-site risk assessments and how to do so
9. the importance of compliance with current industry standards, statutory requirements, regulations and codes of practice and the organisation's policy and procedures for meeting them including those relating to recording and reporting accidents and emergencies
10. the potential dangers in cavities, trenches and excavations and the factors affecting their suitability, including actions that can create confined spaces
11. the different types of connection methods and flow stopping equipment that may be used and the implications and limitations of using them on different pipe materials and pressure regimes
12. the importance of using correct techniques, plant, tools, materials and system components and likely faults when they are incorrect
13. the range of isolation methods available and the rationale for their selection
14. the importance of obtaining the necessary permission for connections, disconnections or isolation of any part of the network, the procedure for obtaining it and the implications of not obtaining it
15. the types and causes of disruption likely, avoidance measures, the range of actions to be taken if work cannot proceed and how to determine appropriate safe remedial action
16. the types and signs of defect likely to be present on sub-system and means of determining appropriate and safe action
17. how to relay technical information to others in a way that suits the recipient, the type of information and the way it will be used
18. techniques to check understanding of others and clarify own understanding of technical information and work instructions
19. the organisation's reporting procedures and who to report problems to including inaccuracies in technical information sources, damage or defects to tools, equipment or materials and work which is incomplete or not to schedule
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Links To Other NOS
External Links
Version Number
3
Indicative Review Date
01 Mar 2026
Validity
Current
Status
Original
Originating Organisation
Energy & Utility Skills
Original URN
EUSGNC014
Relevant Occupations
Gas Network Construction
SOC Code
8159
Keywords
gas, LPG, hydrogen, network, gas network, commission, connections, mains, interpreting technical information, selecting components and resources, flow-stopping, connecting, disconnecting, engineering, products, assets, documentation