EnergySafe Magazine May 2014, issue 35 | Page 26

26 Gas Q&A  Piping— your questions answered! Compiled by ESV’s Gas Installations and Appliance Safety team. As per previous issues of Energysafe, we are pleased to provide answers for a varied range of frequently asked questions received on ESV’s gas technical helpline, 1800 652 563. Note The technical regulator may require notification before work commences and confirmation that completed work is in accordance with this Standard (AS 5601—2004) and any other relevant requirements. Question Answer Clause How do you connect two gas pipes together, which are made of electrochemically incompatible materials? You should make the connection using a suitable insulating joint. This will stop the two pipes touching. AS/NZS 5601:2013, Part 1 In a situation where you have a steel gas pipe (coated with high density polyethylene or covered with an appropriate wrapping) emerging from the ground, how far out of the ground should the coating or wrapping extend with the pipe? The coating or wrapping must extend at least 300mm out of the ground. How should a pipe or fitting be protected from damage in a corrosive environment? The pipe or fitting can be sheathed, coated or wrapped, or cathodic protection, sacrificial anodes or rectifier units can be installed. These methods will protect the pipe or fitting. AS/NZS 5601:2013, Part 1 Where you are installing uncoated or bare steel pipe, how should you go about protecting the pipe against corrosion? You must protect the uncoated or bare steel pipe as soon as possible after installation and before commissioning by: (a