RULE 1240

POWER PIPING LINES

1241: Definitions

1. Power Piping Line shall include all steam, water, air, gas, hazardous substances, oil piping
and the component parts such as the pipe, flanges, bolting, gaskets, valves, fittings and
other components related to steam generating plants, central heating plants and industrial
plants.

2. Installation shall mean assemblance or connection of power piping in a given location,

designed for safety operation in accordance with the prescribed standards.

3. Cleared shall mean acceptance by the Regional Labor Office concerned after verification
and checking of the applications, plans and other pertinent documents showing compliance
with prescribed installation requirements.

1242: General Provisions

1. Application for installation of power pipeline shall be filed with the Regional Labor Office
concerned for processing and evaluation. Application shall be accompanied by the working
drawings showing location plant piping layout and piping specifications, all in five (5) copies
(white/blue print) duly signed by the owner and signed sealed by a professional mechanical
engineer.

2. No power piping line shall be connected/installed without the plans cleared by the Regional
Labor Office concerned.

3. No power piping line shall be operated until the necessary documents are submitted and
final inspection conducted, the safety permit is issued upon payment of the corresponding
inspection fee.

4. Any repair work done on power pipeline shall be documented and shall be made available
during the conduct of periodic inspection.

1243: Standard Requirements

For purposes of design installation, inspection and other considerations prior to the clearance of
any installation of the power piping connection system, Chapter 11 on Power Piping System of the
Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineering (PSME) Code shall be applied as a minimum requirement.

1244: Construction

1. Power piping shall be designed to be of sufficient strength suitable for their intended use.

2. Power pipeline shall be provided with safety and or relief valves, indicating and controlling
devices to ensure their safe operation. The safety devices shall be accessible, installed and
maintained in good operating condition.

3. The discharge capacity of safety valves provided on power pipelines shall be sufficient for
the size and pressure at which the power pipeline is operated.

4. Outlets of safety valves on power pipeline shall be installed on location so that hazards to
personnel shall be avoided.

5. In the absence of appropriate provisions in the PSME Code, the manner of installation of
approved pressure relief devices such as rupture discs shall be in accordance with the code
of practice for mechanical engineering under the supervision of a professional mechanical
engineer.
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 6. Indicating and recording devices on power pipeline shall be protected against breakage or
clogging and shall be clearly visible.

7. Where pressure reducing valves shall be provided on the low pressure side of the reducing
valve, in case the piping or equipment on the low pressure side does not meet the
requirements for the full initial pressure. The relief of safety valve shall be located adjoining
or as close as possible to the reducing valve. The vents shall be of ample size and as shot
and direct as possible.

8. Pressure gauge in power pipeline shall be installed on the low pressure side of a reducing valve.

9. Flange connections for their respective pressures and temperatures shall conform to the
specifications set forth by the PSME Code.

10. Piping lines must be provided with loops and bends and expansion joints to avoid:

a. failure because of excessive stresses;

b. excessive thrusts or moments at connected component; or
c. leakage at joint because of expansion of the pipe.

11. Welding in power piping lines whether in the shop or at the job site must be done by
qualified welders.

12. All power pipelines shall follow the standard color code as required in Rule 1230 of the
Occupational Safety and Health Standards.

13. All power pipelines shall have appropriate supports or hangers and guard provision against bumps.

14. All other provisions on bolting, flanges, fittings, gaskets, hangers, supports, anchors, pipe
sleeves, drains, drips and steam traps requirement in the power pipeline shall be in
accordance/conformity with the provisions in Chapter 11 (Power Piping System) of the PSME
Code as a minimum requirement.

1245: Non-Destructive Test

All newly installed and repaired pipelines are required to be subjected to a random Non-Destructive
Testing prior to its operation, by either Radiographic Examination (RT) or Ultrasonic Test (UT).

1246: Hydrostatic Test

After installation, all piping line connection shall be hydrostatically tested and shall observe the following:

a. The ends of the pipelines and any equipment are blanked off, such as, pressure
reducing valve diaphragms is removed or protected to avoid over pressure.

b. Applied hydrostatic test is equal to 1.5 times the service operating pressure for a
minimum of 24 hours for new installation and 4 hours for existing repaired/installation.

For strict compliance of all concerned

Manila, Philippines, December 18, 2001

PATRICIA A. STO. TOMAS

Secretary

124 RULE 1240