Propane Course Descriptions

LP-AOC Abnormal Operating Conditions

Operators of propane gas pipelines must have basic knowledge in order to comply with federal regulations. Operators must be able to identify when an abnormal or possible hazardous condition exists, and then react appropriately. This course provides basic information on how to recognize and react to Abnormal Operating Conditions (AOCs) both on the job and during the evaluation process.

LP-0401 Corrosion Monitoring - Atmospheric, External, and Internal

Deterioration of metal pipe includes corrosion and graphitization. Corrosion is the primary form of deterioration in steel pipe. Graphitization is a form of corrosion that appears in cast iron, replacing the iron with soft graphite. This course provides information identifying the requirements for inspecting external & internal pipe for corrosion.

LP-0402 Coating Maintenance

According to the rule, buried or submerged pipelines installed after July 31, 1971 must be protected against external corrosion. The coating used must not be damaged in any way. The coating must be applied to a properly prepared surface, have sufficient adhesion, be ductile, damage resistant, and compatible with the cathodic protection. It must also adhere to the pipe and its components, including exposed test-lead wire. This course covers requirements for removing deteriorated, damaged, or disbonded coating without damaging the pipe, and methods for repairing, replacing, or altering pipe.

LP-0501 Cathodic Protection System Maintenance

This course covers cathodic protection system maintenance requirements, corrosion monitoring, preserving and maintaining cathodic protection, removal and application of protective coatings, cathodic protection system wiring, leak testing, and testing of cathodic protection systems.

LP-0503 Cathodic Protection Systems: Electrical Connections

This course covers the requirements for connecting electrical wires to pipelines, evaluation of electrical connections, and making electrical connections to pipelines.

LP-0505 Cathodic Protection System Testing

Each pipeline under cathodic protection must be tested at least once each calendar year, within intervals not exceeding 15 months. This course covers the testing of cathodic protection systems including: system requirements, monitoring for corrosion, how and when to evaluate cathodic protection systems, and how to preserve cathodic protection systems.

LP-0511 Soil Resistivity Testing

Pipelines installed after July 31, 1971, must have cathodic protection unless it can be proved that a non-corrosive environment exits. At a minimum, tests must include soil resistivity measurements and tests for corrosion accelerating bacteria. This course covers requirements and methods for soil resistivity testing.

LP-0512 Pipe-to-Soil Testing

Pipe-to-soil readings for cathodically protected systems must be made annually, at intervals not to exceed 15 months from the previous read. Individuals who perform these tests must be familiar with the requirements and accepted tolerance to know whether or not the read is accurate. This course covers testing requirements, pipeline locating, performing an equipment check, and test step procedures.

LP-0701 Locating, Installing, and Protecting Customer Meters and Regulators

The boundary where a propane gas distribution system changes from Company to Customer ownership is usually at the Customer's gas meter. This course covers requirements for design and selection of meters, regulators, and pressure relief and limiting devices; location requirements, protection from damage, installation and system uprating procedures.

LP-0702 Customer Pressure Regulating, Limiting, and Relief Devices - Operation and Maintenance

This course covers requirements for customer pressure regulating, limiting, and relief devices, including: location and installation, inspection, testing, maintenance, and pressure adjustment requirements.

LP-0801 Locating Pipelines

Accurately locating pipelines before excavating activity begins cuts down on gas leaks and damaged pipe or pipe coating. This course covers preliminary activities required for successful locates, and ow to properly locate and mark facilities.

LP-0802 Protection During Disturbance of Segment Support

Cast iron pipe segments must be protected against damage during disturbance caused by: vibrations from heavy construction equipment, trains, trucks, buses, or blasting; impact forces by vehicles; and earth movement. This course covers requirements and methods for protection during disturbance of segment support and installation of suitable support.

LP-0803 Inspection for Damage

Damage prevention programs must include pipeline inspection before and after excavating or blasting. This course covers inspection requirements during excavation activities, segment support during disturbance of pipeline, and leak surveys after excavating or blasting.

LP-0804 Damage Prevention During Excavation

This course discusses damage prevention during excavations activities, such as auguring, backfilling, blasting, boring, drilling, grading, jack hammering, plowing, trenching, and tunneling.

LP-0901 System Patrolling

During routine pipeline patrols on transmission and distribution pipeline systems check for indications of leaks, construction activity, or factors that could affect the safety and operation. The frequency of these patrols is determined by the size of the line, operating pressures, class location, and other relevant factors. This course covers patrolling methods, requirements, record keeping, and identification of soil disturbance.

LP-1001 Cast Iron Joints - Sealing

Cast iron uses specific methods for joining sections. Since welding is not a method for joining cast iron pipe, mechanical joining methods are used. The typical mechanical joining method uses a caulked bell and spigot joint, sealed with mechanical leak clamps. This course provides information identifying the requirements for, inspecting, and maintaining properly sealed cast iron bell and spigot joints.

LP-1002 Plastic Pipe - Electrofusion

Electrofusion is a process of joining plastic pipe through the use of specially engineered fittings. This course covers electrofusion preparation steps, the electrofusion process, and electrofusion inspection procedures.

LP-1003 Plastic Pipe - Butt Heat Fusion

Fusion is the technique most commonly used to join plastic pipe. Butt heat fusion joins pipe sections or fittings end-to-end. This module provides information on conventional butt heat fusion requirements, and preparation of pipe ends prior to fusing, the fusion procedure, and inspection requirements.

LP-1004 Plastic Pipe - Sidewall Heat Fusion

Fusion is the method most commonly used to join plastic pipe. Saddle (or sidewall) heat fusion joins a branching or service saddle to the sidewall of another pipe at a 90-degree angle. This module provides information on conventional sidewall heat fusion requirements and preparation of pipe and fittings prior to fusing, the fusion procedure, and inspection requirements.

LP-1005 Mechanical Joints

This course covers: identification of mechanical joint requirements; general design requirements, coupling/fitting selection, pipe preparation, protection of joining procedure from adverse weather, installation, inspection, and removal.

LP-1006 Plastic Pipe - Socket Heat Fusion

Fusion is the technique most commonly used to joint plastic pipe. Socket heat fusion joins pipe inside a fitting such as a coupling, tee, or elbow. This module provides information on conventional socket heat fusion requirements and preparation of pipe and fittings prior to fusing, the fusion procedure, and inspection requirements.

LP-1201 Leakage Survey: Distribution and Transmission

This course covers how to prepare for and perform leak surveys. This includes: identification of the types of facilities and leakage surveys required; requirements and methods for performing leakage surveys; leakage survey equipment checks; operation of leakage detection equipment; inside/outside leakage investigation, pinpointing and grading; and system patrolling.

LP-1202 Outside Gas Leakage Investigation, Pinpointing, and Grading

All leak reports require an immediate response. This course covers responding to and investigating a reported gas leak, precautionary actions in hazardous situations, outside leak investigation procedure, visual inspection and identification of buried service locations, and how to pinpoint and classify leaks.

LP-1203 Inside Gas Leakage Investigation

All leak reports require an immediate response. This course covers performimg inside gas leakage investigations, checking for migration of gas at entry points, initiating precautionary actions, and verifing inside service line and fuel line integrity.

LP-1401 Abandonment or Inactivation of Facilities

Safely abandoning or deactivating facilities requires detailed planning and job preparation – including the correct tools and materials. This module will acquaint you with some of the basic requirements for deactivating and abandoning pipelines, including cast iron and steel. The following topics are covered: disconnecting piping from a gas system, purging gas and liquids, sealing open outlets in an abandoned pipe, removal of above ground facilities, and monitoring for corrosion.

LP-1402 Backfilling

Propane gas facilities need to be supported and covered with proper backfill material that protects the pipe and its coating from damage caused by settlement of backfill. This course covers backfilling steps and requirements, compaction basics, evaluation of backfill materials, and how to support/brace pipe during backfilling.

LP-1408 Installation of plastic pipe

This course covers preparation requirements, plastic pipe handling, joining, and installing procedures.

LP-1418 Purging

Purging is the process of removing the contents of a pipeline or segment. Propane gas and air mixed in a pipeline can create an explosive mixture. The purging process must be carefully implemented according to company procedures. This module covers requirements that must be followed before, during, and after purging a pipeline, purging methods, and testing for a complete purge.

LP-1421 Installation of Steel Pipe - Repair of Imperfections or Damage

Imperfections or damage to the wall of steel pipe can reduce its strength by reducing the overall wall thickness. Damage such as dents can also weaken pipe by causing stress concentrators in the area where the pipe surface has been disturbed. Pipe damage can occur during storage, handling, transportation, or installation. This course covers the repair of steel pipe imperfections or damage.

LP-1422 Segment Repair, Replacement, Etc. (Service Lines, Mains, and Transmission Lines)

All pipelines are subject to damage and deterioration over time. Damaged or corroded services and mains are an ongoing threat to the safe delivery of propane gas. This course covers segment repair and replacement of service lines, mains, and transmission lines.

LP-1426 Tapping Steel and Plastic Pipe

Work on gas pipelines sometimes requires you to tap into a live main and temporarily stop the gas flow by inserting a physical barrier. When tapping and stopping, you must take precautions and follow required procedures to minimize abnormal conditions, ignition hazards, and potential damage to pipelines. This module covers preparation steps for tapping steel and plastic pipe, safety procedures, equipment inspection, evaluating operating conditions, requirements for connecting equipment to main, and general installation of mechanical and bag stoppers.

LP-1427 Valve Maintenance

A valve is a mechanical device that controls gas pressure and flow in the system. Valves have a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and operating designs. This course covers inspection and maintenance of transmission line and distribution line valves.

LP-1803 Pressure Regulating, Limiting, and Relief Device - Operation and Maintenance

Every part of a propane gas system is designed to work at a certain pressure. Pressure regulating and limiting equipment is used to control the operating pressure within the system. This course will cover installations commonly referred to as "station" or "regulator station" installations. Topics covered include: installation, capacity, inspection, testing, maintenance, and pressure adjustments.