Valves inside pits

by tosif 07 Jul 2010, 13:16

Can any body share the requirement of installing a valve inside a pit. Usually pipeline underground have valves installed in pits. Are these due to the ease in in-line installation of valve, or there is any other reason?
[tosif]
tosif Core Member

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Re: Valves inside pits

by arcpro 07 Jul 2010, 16:20

Valve pits are provided just to provide easy access to operators. Line can also be erected in a way to have access above ground but it's upon your situation like frequent valve operation and permanent operators are located at the site. Providing valve pits can have safe place for valve operation especially when placed at off-sites where vale operation is rarely required and permanent offices are not nearby. This is what as per my experience. No other reason comes to my mind.
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Re: Valves inside pits

by tosif 08 Jul 2010, 10:09

arcpro, I am of same opinion, but I have a discussion with one of a safety guys (explosion simulation expert). He told me that a battery limit remotely operated valve and its associated upstream piping should be

underground (for operating sites). So that in-case of explosion and fire, we can isolate the main upstream line, properly. In that case valves installed inside a pit will be safer than installed above ground. What say you about that?
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Re: Valves inside pits

by arcpro 10 Jul 2010, 07:40

This is something new for me. Some safety guy can provide useful inputs.
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Re: Valves inside pits

by ibrahim 17 Jul 2010, 05:35

tosif, you are right. In fire case scenario country wide pipelines are buried in concrete (only inside plant boundary limits), including battery limit isolation valve (Remote block valve). That's why it is always recommended to install such valves away from plant, so that there would be lesser effect of fire upon using bare pipelines. So yes, if main isolation valve is very close to plant and it lies within fire/explosion circle during "plant hazard study", then it should be properly protected.