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SHG #6
Page 1 of 13
Revised 01/14/04
BLINDING GUIDELINE
1.0
PURPOSE
This guideline specifies vessel and line blinding methods to be used within this facility
by employees and contractors.
2.0
SCOPE
This guideline applies to all Valero and contractor employees involved in blinding within
this facility.
3.0
DEFINITIONS
4.0
Blinding - The absolute seal off of a pipe, duct, vessel, exchanger, tower or
other refinery equipment using a properly designed metal plate inserted
between two flanges or bolted onto the end of a flanged pipe and vessel.
Blind List - A written record listing where blinds have been or must be inserted
to isolate specific pieces of equipment. This guide or list includes the location,
size and flange rating of each blind to be installed.
Slip Blind Spacer ("Spidering") - A space created between a blind and the
equipment being blinded by insertion of appropriately designed spacers to allow
draining or venting during flushing, steam-out, etc.
Blind Tags - weatherproof, red and yellow tags which are numbered in pairs
that are used to identify the location and size of blinds installed. (See
Attachment IV)
Blind Book - the master record book in which blinding is recorded. This book
contains the blind tag numbers, a description of the blind, its location, the blind
size, date installed, operator responsible for installation, date removed, and
operator responsible for removal. This book will remain in the Control
Room/Pumpers Office at all times and will be kept for a minimum of two years
after the last entry (See Attachment III)
Permanently Installed Blinds - Blinds intended to remain installed and in
service indefinitely. These will appear on P&I Diagrams.
POLICIES
4.1
SHG #6
Page 2 of 13
Revised 01/14/04
Vessels are normally blinded at the first flange. If blinding at the first flange
poses more hazard to the personnel involved than blinding at a second or
alternate flange, the first flange practice can be waived but only with operations
supervision approval. With this approval, the blind can then be installed in the
next accessible piping flange. This alternate blind location can only be used if
there is a bleeder on the vessel side or if blind spacers are installed to allow the
line to be gas tested prior to issuing entry or hot work permits.
The requirements of SHG #11 Lock, Tag and Try must be followed when
installing blinds and working on equipment that has been blinded.
For situations where flanges are not available or appropriate such as tubing or
threaded pipe, capping or plugging shall be used for isolation.
4.2
Labeling of Blinds
4.3
Blinds to be used must be stenciled with size, flange rating and thickness.
Blinds manufactured in-house shall be stenciled before use.
When purchasing new blinds they shall be stenciled with proper size, flange
rating and thickness prior to shipment.
When a blind is removed from service confirm proper size, flange rating and
thickness and stencil if needed before reinstalling.
5.0
SHG #6
Page 3 of 13
Revised 01/14/04
RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible
Group/Individual
Operations Supervision
Operations Personnel
Maintenance/ Contractor
Supervision
Maintenance/ Contractor
Personnel
Reliability Inspectors
Responsibilities
Implement and enforce proper blinding procedures.
Be thoroughly familiar with their equipment and proper blinding
procedures.
Approve deviations to blinding guideline.
Assist Reliability Inspectors in scheduling the inspection of
permanently installed blinds.
For shutdowns, turnarounds, and confined space entries of vessels:
Prepare necessary blind lists with marked drawings or an
adequate description of location.
Be thoroughly familiar with equipment and proper blinding guidelines.
Prepare equipment for installation of blinds, including using proper
lockout/tagout procedures for appropriate valves upstream and
downstream of the blind insertion location.
Issue safe work permits, specifying proper PPE for blind insertion.
Inform appropriate maintenance or contractor supervision of any
special hazards involved and the precautions to be taken,
especially to identify equipment/lines containing toxic gases or
means used to maintain equipment under slight positive pressure.
Identify location where blinds need to be installed or removed based
on blind lists. Locations of blinds for running maintenance activities
will be jointly identified with maintenance/contractor personnel.
Assure that blinds are spidered and gasketed, when needed, on the
correct side.
Field verify against equipment blind lists or drawings that blinds and
gaskets of the proper size and flange rating are installed in the proper
location(s).
Sign the blind list when blinds are installed and removed.
Ensure that this SHG and Maintenance Craft Blinding Procedures are
followed.
Obtain safe work permits from operating personnel prior to blinding
vessels or lines.
Inspect blinds for size, flange rating, condition and material of
construction prior to installation.
Install blinds according to prescribed craft procedures or standard
industry practice.
Sign the blind list when blinds are installed and removed.
Before opening any flanged joint for the installation of a blind refer
to SHG #57, Safe Line Breaking Guideline. Flanges should be left
open a minimum length of time consistent with the safe installation
of the blind.
Follow refinery guidelines for installation of blinds in flare lines or
blowdown systems. See Section 6.3 of this guideline.
Develop and implement a written plan to periodically inspect
permanently installed blinds.
6.0
SHG #6
Page 4 of 13
Revised 01/14/04
REQUIREMENTS
6.1
Blinding Guidelines By Type of Service
Equipment Type
Blinding Requirements
Reactors, Towers & General
All vessel drain piping which is connected or sufficiently near in-service
Drums
process sewer systems will be either blinded or physically disconnected
before entry permits are issued.
For gauge glasses, displacers, sight glasses, bridles and other chemical or oil
bearing traps, blinding will be required if evidence of thorough steam-out and
water wash is not present. Caps should be removed, low point bleed valves
should be wide open and free flowing, and steam-out/purge connections
should be disconnected or blinded before entry or hot work permits are
issued.
Entry and Hot Work
When towers and drums are opened for entry or out-of-service hot work,
blind all lines except sight glasses, pressure gauge, liquid level columns,
trycocks or connecting lines that have been removed or disconnected prior to
entry. Relief valves venting to a closed system need to be blinded. Relief
valves venting to atmosphere need not be blinded.
Furnaces/ Boilers For ID tube cleaning, repairs in firebox, including hot work or any activity that
will risk the integrity of the tubes, the charge lines, transfer line or lines,
blowdown lines, fire box steam, fuel gas, burner steam out lines, flare lines
and pilot gas lines shall be blinded.
For routine jobs in firebox, i.e. fire brick or refractory repair, ultrasonic testing
the tubes, etc. fuel gas, pilot gas and the firebox steam shall be blinded.
Whenever the burner and pilot fires are out in a furnace or boiler, for an
extended period of time, the fuel gas lines to the burners must be blinded.
Fuel gas line blinds will be removed only when the furnace is ready to be
fired.
When working in a furnace fire box which has a common stack with another
furnace in service, some means to blind or isolate the flue gas duct must be
provided.
Pumps
Compressors
Tanks
SHG #6
Page 5 of 13
Revised 01/14/04
6.2
Blinding Guidelines
Blinding Steps
Action List/Responsibilities
Blind List/Location Prior to blind list approval, maintenance and operations supervision will
identify all blind and energy source isolation locations.
Identification
Operations supervision will furnish maintenance planning with an approved
blind list and marked P&IDs, drawings or adequate descriptions of locations.
The approved blind list and marked P&IDs, drawings or adequate
descriptions of locations, can then be issued by maintenance planning. A
master copy will be supplied to appropriate control rooms.
For priority 1 and 2 work orders, maintenance planning may not be furnished
an approved blind list. Maintenance and operations supervision will field
identify all blind and energy source isolation locations. Follow record
keeping per section 7.
The master copy of the blind list and the marked P&IDs must remain in
the control room.
Any changes required in the blind list must be approved by operations
supervision. The changes must be noted and initialed on the master
blind list by the person approving the changes.
The flange will be in accordance with the piping into which the blind will be
Blind Selection
installed.
Blind thickness shall be determined according to the maximum pressure
& temperature the blind must contain. Blinds which must contain
pressure may be selected according to Attachment V.
Note Attachment V is only applicable to blinds in ambient temperature
service. Thicknesses for blinds which may encounter temperature
higher than 700 degrees must be recommended by Inspection
personnel.
Thinner blinds than recommended by Attachment V may be used for
isolation-only applications.
Blinding Steps
SHG #6
Page 6 of 13
Revised 01/14/04
Action List/Responsibilities
Company or contractor craftsman will obtain the required permits after
Blind Installation
energy source control has been achieved per refinery safe work permit
procedures.
Company or contractor craftsman will then begin installation of approved
blinds.
Blinds are to be installed at the nearest accessible flange, consistent with
safety and practicality, of any equipment to be isolated.
NOTE: OPERATORS MUST ENSURE THAT ALL BLINDS ARE INSTALLED
IN THE CORRECT LOCATION AND THAT LINES OR EQUIPMENT UNDER
PRESSURE, OR THOSE CONTAINING HYDROCARBONS, ARE NOT
INADVERTENTLY OPENED DURING INSTALLATION OF BLINDS.
After blinds are installed, company or contractor craftsman will initial the
master blind list for each blind they installed.
Red tags shall be attached to each blind after installation by operations
personnel. The corresponding yellow tag will be posted in the control room.
Upon completion by craftsmen, an operations supervisor or his designee will
visually check each blind and verify installation. This representative will then
initial the master blind list for each blind they installed.
6.3
Notes:
SHG #6
Page 7 of 13
Revised 01/14/04
Any invasive work involving active flare systems requires the use of fresh
air.
CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL SHALL NOT INSTALL BLINDS IN
ACTIVE FLARE LINES UNLESS VALERO SUPERVISION IS PRESENT
AND DIRECTING THE WORK AT THE BLINDING SITE.
(2)
Type of Action
Precautions
Deviations
Precautions
Before work is started, a meeting will be held between Operations and
Maintenance supervision to verify the following:
All sources of gas to the flare have been identified.
A communications system is established so that there is direct contact
between the workers at the site and any unit that could release gas into
the flare.
Operations of the units connecting to the flare line have been reviewed
to anticipate potential problems; production rates will be adjusted as
necessary.
A work platform, where possible, with proper access and egress shall be
provided.
During the work, Operations will be present to monitor the progress of the
work and to assure communications with affected units is maintained. A fire
watch with a charged fire hose line will also be standing by during this work.
Craftsmen performing the work will use supplied air respirators and clothing
suitable for flash fire protection. Flash fire protective clothing (bunker pants,
coat, gloves & Nomex hood) meeting NFPA 600 requirements will be worn.
Any deviations must be discussed and agreed to at a work planning meeting
between Operations, Maintenance and Safety supervision. Refer to Section
6.4.
6.4
Blinding Deviations
SHG #6
Page 8 of 13
Revised 01/14/04
Recordkeeping
Records of multiple blind installations must be kept to verify that all appropriate blinds
have been installed or removed. These records must contain the following information
as a minimum:
SHG #6
Page 9 of 13
Revised 01/14/04
ATTACHMENT I
THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF APPROVED BLINDING DEVIATIONS THAT ARE VALID IF PROPER ENERGY
SOURCE CONTROL PROCEDURES ARE FOLLOWED .
EQUIPMENT
MAINTENANCE ACTIVITY/TYPE OF SERVICE
Level Column/Sight Glass
Control/Relief/Check/Block
/Valves
Strainers
Turbines
Governor work
Replace sentinel valve/bleeder/utility piping
Inlet strainer cleaning
Bearing replacing where split lines are not separated
Overspeed trip assembly removal and immediate replacement
Compressor
General
SHG #6
Page 10 of 13
Revised 01/14/04
ATTACHMENT II
BLINDING DEVIATION FORM
DATE:_______________
TIME:________________
DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT & SERVICE:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
REASON FOR THE BLINDING DEVIATION:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
DO YOU RECOMMEND THIS AS BEING AN ACCEPTABLE LONG TERM PRACTICE?
YES
NO
IF NO, SUGGESTION FOR ELIMINATING THE NEED TO DEVIATE:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
IF YES, SHOULD THIS TYPE OF DEVIATION BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF APPROVED
BLINDING DEVIATIONS?
YES
NO
____________________________
UNIT/AREA SUPERINTENDENT
Route To:
Operations Director
Maintenance Director
Safety Manager
_________________________________
MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR
SHG #6
Page 11 of 14
Revised 01/14/04
ATTACHMENT III
MASTER BLIND LIST
Blind
Tag #
Description / Location
Size
Date In
Initial In
OPS
Maint
Date
Out
Initial Out
OPS
Maint
OPS
SHG #6
Page 12 of 14
Revised 01/14/04
ATTACHMENT IV
BLINDING TAGS
YELLOW
No.
5127
RED
No.
5127
FIRST OPERATION
FIRST OPERATION
________________________________
________________________________
Operation ________________________
Operation ________________________
Location _________________________
Location _________________________
________________________________
________________________________
a.m.
a.m.
BLIND TAG
BLIND TAG
SHG #6
Page 13 of 13
Revised 01/14/04
ATTACHMENT V
BLIND THICKNESS SELECTION TABLE
Maximum temperature 700 degrees
Consult Reliability Inspectors for applications hotter than 700 degrees
Pressure (PSIG)
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
550
600
650
700
750
800
850
900
950
1000
1050
1100
1150
1200
1250
1/2"
3/4"
1"
1 1/2"
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
2"
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
3"
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.625
0.625
0.625
4"
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.625
0.625
0.625
0.625
0.625
0.625
0.625
0.625
0.625
Nominal
6"
0.375
0.375
0.625
0.625
0.625
0.625
0.625
0.875
0.875
0.875
0.875
0.875
0.875
0.875
1
1
Pipe Size
8"
10"
0.375 0.375
0.375
0.625
0.625
0.625
0.625
0.875
0.875
0.875
1
0.875
1
0.875
1
0.875 1.125
0.875 1.125
1
1.125
1
1.125
1
1
1
1
1.125
1
1.125
1
1.125 1.375
1.125 1.375
1.125 1.375
1.125 1.375
1
1
12"
0.375
0.625
0.625
0.875
0.875
1
1
1.125
1.125
1.125
1
1
1
1.375
1.375
1.375
1
1
1
1.625
1.625
1.625
1.625
1
14"
0.625
0.875
1
1
1.125
1.125
1
1
1
1.375
1.375
1
1
1
1.625
1.625
1.625
1
1
1
1
1.875
16"
0.625
0.875
1
1.125
1.125
1
1
1.375
1.375
1
1
1.625
1.625
1.625
1
1
1.875
1.875
1.875
2
2
2
2.125
18"
0.875
1
1.125
1
1
1.375
1
1
1.625
1.625
1
1
1.875
1.875
1.875
2
2
2.125
2.125
2.125
2
2
2.375
20"
0.625
1
1.125
1
1
1.375
1
1.625
1.625
1
1
1.875
2
2
2.125
2.125
2.125
2
2
2.375
2.375
2
2
2
24"
1
1.125
1
1.375
1
1.625
1
1.875
2
2
2.125
2
2
2.375
2
2
2.625
2.625
2
2
2.875
2.875
3
3