HSE Toolbox Talk

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Although they provide convenient access to nitrogen
in the field, utility stations can also present a hazard
when they are not designed and used correctly. Basic
nitrogen utility station design requirements are:
1. They must be constructed per ACES Specification
A PN-UTIL-HS-E.
1.1. All piping connections must be socket-
welded. Vent valves must have plain,
unthreaded connections at the open end.
1.2. Each hose connection must be provided with
block and vent valves, a check valve, and a
unique welded end hose coupling. One of the
hose connections must have a pressure gauge.
1.2.1. TCR Nitrogen Hose Coupling:
3/4/ Nitrogen Fitting Female SAP No.
90139901
3/4 Nitrogen Fitting Male SAP N. 90139902
1.2.2. TCC Nitrogen Hose Coupling:
1 Nitrogen Fitting Male SAP No. 219311
1 Nitrogen Fitting Male SAP No. 210312
3/4 Nitrogen Fittings Male/Female SAP No.
219287
3/4" Nitrogen Fittings Male/Female SAP No.
219288
Safety Clips SAP No. 219241
1.2.3. CBW Nitrogen Hose Coupling:
SAP No. 90171833
1.2.4. DP Nitrogen Hose Coupling:
SAP No. 90171833
2. The check valves on the nitrogen service outlets
must be tested annually by connecting a nitrogen
hose at the pressure indicator and connecting the
other end of the hose to an adjacent hose connection
with the upstream block valve closed and the vent
valve open. Raise the pressure in the hose to 10
psig and determine if the check holds the 10 psig
pressure. The tests shall be documented in PRIDE.
CAUTION: Do not allow the pressure to go above
10 psig in the hose in order to permit the test hose
to be safely disconnected after completion of the
test.
3. Nitrogen utility station piping shall be painted
orange to a height of at least 10 feet above grade.
4. A CAUTION NITROGEN sign (SAP No.
90171833) shall be attached to each nitrogen
utility station.
5. The valve to each hose connection shall be chain-
locked-closed using a common keyed operations
lock. LOTO locks shall not be used for this
purpose.
Emergency N2/Instrument Air Cross-Connections
Nitrogen has been used in place of instrument air at
many petrochemical facilitiesincluding those of
BP. But the history of serious incidents, including
fatalities, resulting from this practice has led our
safety leaders to conclude that the risk is too great to
continue this practice. The use of nitrogen as a
replacement for instrument air is prohibited in BPSH
facilities. (Active projects to eliminate this practice
are under way at CBW and DP.)
Preventing Hydrocarbons in Utility Systems
To protect against the hazard of contaminating the
utility system with hydrocarbons, a guideline
(TCPSG No. 7) has been developed for connections
of steam, condensate, water, air and inert gas to
process lines or equipment. The guideline provides
detailed standards for equipment and procedures,
including Permanent Connections/Continuous or
Emergency Service, Permanent Connections/
Intermittent Service, and Temporary Connections.
References: SH-PSM-16.0, Nitrogen Utility Stations
http://txc-phm.bpweb.bp.com/BPSH-PSM-Policies/PSM-16/SH-PSM-16-0.doc
TCPSG No. 7, Guidelines to Prevent Hydrocarbons in the Utility Systems
http://txc-phm.bpweb.bp.com/ProcessSafetyCommittee/TCPSG/tcpsg07.doc
TBT04-17 November 8, 2004
N2 Utility
Stations
Design, Use Are
Life-Critical
VITAL CONNECTIONS
Regulations specify the correct,
safe way to connect hoses and
equipment to nitrogen utility
stations.