Gospromnadzor informs about safe work execution in gas pipeline protection zones

The Vitebsk Regional Inspectorate for Safe Operation in Industry reminds business entities that the Regulation on the procedure for establishing security zones of gas distribution system facilities, their sizes and the regime of their use (hereinafter referred to as the Regulation) was approved by the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated October 25, 2022 No. 726. In accordance with the Regulation, the following sizes of security zones are defined:

- along high-pressure gas pipelines of category I - in the form of a land plot bounded by conditional lines running 10 meters from the gas pipeline axis on each side;

- along high-pressure gas pipelines of category II - in the form of a land plot bounded by conditional lines running 7 meters from the gas pipeline axis on each side;

- along medium-pressure gas pipelines - in the form of a land plot bounded by conditional lines running 4 meters from the gas pipeline axis on each side;

- along low-pressure gas pipelines - in the form of a land plot bounded by conditional lines running 2 meters from the gas pipeline axis on each side;

- along underwater gas pipeline crossings - in the form of a water area from the water surface to the bottom, enclosed between parallel planes, 50 meters from the axes of the extreme lines of the gas pipeline crossings on each side;

- around buildings of gas distribution points (GRPS), gas distribution points (SHRPS), territories of liquefied gas filling stations (AGZS), distribution units (RU) and group cylinder installations - in the form of a land plot bounded by a conditional line, 10 meters away from the boundaries of the territories of the specified facilities in all directions.

Within the boundaries of hazardous zones, the following are prohibited:

- moving, dismantling, backfilling, damaging indicators of underground gas pipeline routes and locations of network facilities on them, control and measuring points;

- unauthorized opening of gas well manholes and covers, gates of distribution units, doors of gas distribution points, gas distribution points, gas pipeline corrosion protection stations, opening and closing valves and gates, disconnecting and connecting power supply and telemechanics systems of gas pipelines;

- arranging landfills, pouring aggressive liquids, including solutions of acids, salts and alkalis;

- stack materials and equipment, including for temporary storage, along the route of an underground gas pipeline within 2 meters on both sides of its axis;

- destroy structures and devices that protect gas pipelines and structures on them from damage;

- drop anchors, pass with anchors, chains, sounding leads, drag anchors, conduct trawling with rigid and semi-rigid trawls;

- make fires and place any open or closed sources of fire;

- conduct any events associated with large gatherings of people not engaged in performing work permitted in the prescribed manner;

- carry out the construction of buildings, structures and facilities in violation of the minimum distances to the gas distribution system facilities established by technical regulatory legal acts, including building codes, and other rules;

- carry out planting, cultivation, and allow the growth of trees within:

1 meter on both sides of the axis of an underground polyethylene gas pipeline with a diameter of up to 63 mm inclusive;

2 meters on both sides of the axis of an underground steel gas pipeline regardless of its diameter, and an underground polyethylene gas pipeline with a diameter of more than 63 mm.

- carry out repair, construction, and earthworks without a permit issued by the gas supply organization (unless otherwise determined by the Regulations).

A legal entity or individual entrepreneur interested in carrying out repair, construction, and earthworks in the protection zone of a gas distribution system facility, if necessary, to obtain a permit, shall submit to the gas supply organization or its structural unit in written or electronic form through the unified portal of electronic services:

an application for a permit to carry out repair, construction, and earthworks in the protection zone of a gas distribution system facility;

a work execution project that complies with the requirements of the legislation on architectural, urban planning, and construction activities.

The gas supply organization (its structural unit) considers the application for carrying out works, the work execution project and makes a decision on issuing a permit to a legal entity or individual entrepreneur or refusing to issue it (refusing to perform the administrative procedure) within the period established in subparagraph 3.15.1 of paragraph 3.15 of the unified list of administrative procedures carried out in relation to business entities, approved by the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of September 24, 2021 No. 548 (5 working days, and in case of sending a request to other state bodies, other organizations – 15 working days).

Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs who have received a permit are obliged to comply with (fulfill) the requirements (conditions) for carrying out repair, construction, and excavation works in the protection zone specified therein.

Upon expiration of the permit, the interested party has the right to apply in the manner prescribed by these Regulations for a new permit, if the period for carrying out repair, construction, and excavation works exceeds or has exceeded three months.

Works in the protection zone are carried out in the presence of the work supervisor, as well as a representative of the gas supply organization (owner of the gas distribution system facility) in the manner determined by the permit.

Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs carrying out repair, construction, and excavation works in protection zones are obliged, no later than one day before the commencement of works, in the manner determined by the permit, to summon a representative of the gas supply organization (owner of the gas distribution system facility) to the work site.

Agricultural works in protection zones are carried out by land users with prior notification of their commencement to the owners of the gas distribution system facilities.

We draw the attention of economic entities to the fact that, in accordance with Article 18.34 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses dated January 6, 2021, No. 91-3, taking into account amendments and additions, violation of the rules for the protection of main and other pipelines entails the imposition of a fine in the following amounts: for an individual – from ten to forty basic units, for an individual entrepreneur – up to fifty basic units, for a legal entity – up to two hundred basic units.

Vitebsk Regional Directorate of Gospromnadzor.