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Contents
1 Scope ................................................................ 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations ................................... 2
3 References........................................................ 2
4 Definitions ......................................................... 3
5 Restrictions ....................................................... 4
Revision Summary................................................... 5
1 Scope
1.1 This standard provides the minimum mandatory requirements to the use of
below-grade unventilated enclosures such as cellars, pits, valve boxes,
telecommunication service points and trenches in which hazardous vapors may
collect. This applies for all on-site and off-site facilities, pipeways, cross-
country transportation pipeline corridors, flowlines, trunklines, gaslift pipelines,
and test pipelines.
1.2 The requirements of this standard are not applicable to cellars for oil or gas wells,
drainage culverts, and piping and pits that are part of sanitary sewer systems.
Any conflicts between this document and other applicable Mandatory Saudi Aramco
Engineering Requirements (MSAERs) shall be addressed to the EK&RD Coordinator.
Any deviation from the requirements herein shall follow internal company procedure
SAEP-302.
3 References
The selection of material and equipment, and the design, construction, maintenance, and
repair of equipment and facilities covered by this standard shall comply with the latest
edition of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.
4 Definitions
Combustible Liquid: A liquid that has a flash point greater than 54°C. For purposes
of this standard, the words “combustible liquid near or above its flash point” shall mean
a combustible liquid which is at any temperature above or within 8°C of its flash point.
Combustible Gas: A gas which can form flammable or explosive mixtures with air.
Below-grade pit is a below-grade space where human can access (enter) and meets
the definition of confined space. Oily Water Lift Station (OWLS) and sulfur pit cannot
be accessed (during operation) as they are full of hazardous material.
Connections in Plant Piping: For purposes of this standard, any flanged connection,
valve, vent, drain, or screwed piping connection.
Electrically Classified Area: This is the area shown on electrically classified area
drawings produced under SAES-B-068 for all facilities where flammable liquids, gases
or vapors are produced, processed, stored, or handled.
Flammable Liquid: A liquid that has a flash point equal to or less than 54°C.
Flash Point: The minimum temperature of a liquid at which sufficient vapor is given
off to form an ignitable mixture with the air, near the surface of the liquid or within the
vessel used, as determined by the appropriate test procedure and apparatus specified in
NFPA 30.
Plant Piping: For purposes of this standard, all piping, above or below grade, within
the perimeter fence.
Potentially Toxic Material: In the context of this standard, is a liquid or a gas substance
whereby the toxic concentration in the gas phase, determined through equilibrium flash
calculations, exceeds its Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH).
Valve Box: An enclosure large enough to permit entry of a person and that otherwise
qualifies as a confined space as defined above, either covered or open at the top, and
that contains a valve or other component of underground piping.
Commentary:
This definition excludes a casing which provides access only to the top of a valve or other
components such as flanges, from ground level and provides less than 0.3 m (1 ft) air
space around the valve body.
5 Restrictions
5.1 Below-grade pipe trenches deeper than 1.2 meter (4 feet) that are open or that
are covered but not backfilled shall not be used.
5.2 Valves and piping that contain hydrocarbons or potentially toxic materials shall
not be allowed inside valve boxes, manholes or other sub-grade enclosures.
5.3 All permanent outdoor below-grade pits and manholes, valve boxes, cable
pull/splice boxes, cable chambers, service points, or manholes, other than those
associated with sewer systems or drainage culverts, are prohibited in the
following locations:
a) Inside electrically classified areas.
b) Within 60 m of tanks, vessels, process equipment, and connections in plant
piping, containing flammable liquid, combustible liquid near or above its
flash point, combustible gas, or potentially toxic material.
c) Within 60 m of surface drainage swales, diked areas, or impounding areas
serving tanks, vessels, equipment, or connections in plant piping containing
flammable liquid, combustible liquid near or above its flash point,
combustible gas, or potentially toxic material.
Exception to c):
5.4 Buildings that are characterized by the following shall not have below-grade
cellars, basements, or cable vaults:
5.5 All power, control, and communications cables and conduits entering buildings
described by 5.4 (a) and (b) shall enter above grade through walls or floor using
sealed conduit or sleeves.
Exception:
For control room buildings, all cables shall enter the building underground but no
cable vaults are allowed if 5.4 (a) applies. Where cables enter the building or
pass through fire walls and partitions, the penetrations shall be fully sealed with
the firestop rated for the particular firewalls or partitions to prevent transmission of
fire and vapors. The opening shall be protected by a steel-framed transit
assembly with packing assembly for fire and watertight seal around the cable.
Also, appropriate measures shall be taken to prevent transmission of fire or
vapors inside the cables or conduits at the points of penetration. For the
purposes of this standard, stand-alone unmanned process interface buildings are
not considered control room buildings.
Revision Summary
19 August 2014 Revised the Next Planned Update, removed Exception Note in Section 5.2, as should be
processed through waiver request as stated in Section 2.2, and reissued as major revision.
13 September 2017 Planned/minor revision, expanding definition section, updating references and clarifying
confusing statements.
1 July 2019 Editorial revision, to meet content confirmation requirement.