Gas pipes are essential components of the energy supply and run through cities, industrial areas, and infrastructures. In construction, during the dismantling of structures, and in industrial plants, handling buried or visible gas pipes requires particular care. For safe workflows, precise investigation, controlled exposure, and spark-reduced and low-vibration methods are crucial. Depending on the task, tools such as concrete crushers, rock and concrete splitters, hydraulic rock splitting cylinders, steel shears, combination shears, and multi cutters are used, powered by suitable hydraulic power packs. The following content compiles fundamental knowledge and practice-oriented guidance for planning, demolition, refurbishment, and occupational safety around gas pipes.
Definition: What is a gas pipe
A gas pipe is a piping system for transporting combustible gases—typically natural gas, biogas, or liquefied petroleum gas in gaseous state—from the producer or feed-in point to the consumer. Gas pipes can be configured as transmission, distribution, or service connection lines and run above ground, buried, or within buildings. They are made of suitable materials (e.g., steel or polyethylene), are designed for defined pressure ranges, and contain fittings such as shut-off valves, control, and measuring devices. Key requirements concern tightness, corrosion protection, mechanical integrity, explosion protection, and the safe integration into building and industrial environments.
Structure, materials, and marking
Gas pipes are constructed differently depending on medium, pressure level, and location. Steel lines are often welded and provided with internal and external protection (e.g., coating, cathodic protection). Buried lines made of polyethylene (often PE 80/100) are flexible, corrosion-resistant, and electrically non-conductive; they are joined by heated-tool or electrofusion couplers. In existing networks, cast iron or older-type steel lines are still found in places. The route is generally marked (warning tapes, shaft markers); the color yellow signals gas. Installations include shut-off devices, service connections, regulator stations, and building entries. Utility cadastre and as-built plans document alignment, depth, dimension, and material.
Pressure ranges and application environments
Gas networks are divided into low-, medium-, and high-pressure ranges. House installations usually operate in the low-pressure range; distribution networks typically in the medium- to high-pressure range. In industrial plants, higher pressures and special media (e.g., process gases) may occur. The pressure level influences wall thickness, laying method, choice of fittings, and the safety distances for construction and demolition work.
Hazard profile: leakage, ignition, and mechanical impact
The principal risk when dealing with gas pipes is the unintended release of gas and potential ignition. Causes are mainly mechanical damage (drilling into, excavating, impact or cutting work), corrosion, or material fatigue. Hazards arise from explosive atmospheres, jet flames, fire spread, and vibrations. Escaping gas can also migrate through subsurface voids and ignite far from the damage site. Therefore, low-vibration, low-spark methods, a clear work permit, and atmospheric testing of areas are indispensable.
Investigation and locating before starting work
Before construction, cutting, or dismantling activities, a utility locate must be requested and the existing situation verified with suitable locating methods. These include digital as-built data, surface probing, and—in the protection zone—hand excavation exposure. In massive structural elements, controlled opening with concrete crushers can be used to gently separate reinforcement and make embedded items visible. Rock and concrete splitters and associated rock splitting cylinders enable directing cracks in concrete, allowing pipes and built-ins to be exposed without percussive blows. This reduces the risk of damage to unknown lines within the structural element.
Isolation, gas testing, and ignition source management
Work in the influence area of gas pipes is performed only in coordination with the network or plant operator. Isolation, depressurization, and gas testing for explosive atmospheres must be carried out by competent persons. Ignition sources must be avoided; in case of doubt, only low-spark separation methods are permitted. Hydraulically driven tools with suitable hydraulic power packs offer advantages, as they operate without hot flames and, compared to thermal methods, present less ignition potential. Which drives and devices are permitted in potentially explosive areas is determined by the applicable technical rules and must be clarified for the specific site.
Work in existing structures: demolition and alteration near gas pipes
In concrete demolition and specialized dismantling, sequence- and interface-oriented planning is essential. Load-bearing structural members and embedded items are released in such a way that pipes remain intact or are first properly taken out of service and removed. The choice of method depends on structural analysis, proximity to lines, material, and access.
Selective concrete demolition with concrete crushers
Concrete crushers allow targeted size reduction of concrete with comparatively low vibration. Reinforcement can be cut with visibility, while nearby pipes remain protected. The method is particularly suitable for gutting and cutting structural members in buildings when gas pipes remain in place or are taken out of service at a later stage.
Low-vibration work with rock and concrete splitters
Rock and concrete splitters with hydraulic rock splitting cylinders generate controlled splitting forces in the borehole or along existing cracks. This allows massive parts to be released with low stress. It is helpful to minimize vibrations and secondary damage near lines, for example when opening foundations with unknown embedded items.
Metal separation on decommissioned lines
If a line has been properly depressurized, emptied, and gas-tested, dismantling is often performed by cold mechanical means. Steel shears, combination shears, or multi cutters cut pipes, flanges, and beams without thermal input. For vessels and tanks in gas installations—after release and under strict protective measures—tank cutters are also used. Thermal cutting methods are only permitted in areas close to lines after explicit clearance and with enhanced protective measures.
Sequence for safe activities in the vicinity of gas pipes
The following sequence has proven to be a structured framework. It does not replace a site-specific risk assessment but offers orientation for safe procedures:
- Obtain utility locate information, reconcile plans, define protection corridors.
- Locating and probing; in the protection zone, hand excavation or controlled exposure (e.g., with concrete crushers).
- Define work permit, isolation concept, and ignition source management; keep measuring devices at the ready.
- Selective dismantling using low-spark, low-vibration methods (e.g., rock and concrete splitters, hydraulic shears).
- Ongoing monitoring: gas testing, visual inspections, documentation.
Special application environments: rock demolition, tunnel construction, and industrial plants
In rock demolition and tunnel construction, gas pipes sometimes run in crossings or service corridors. Low-vibration methods are advantageous to avoid settlement and pipe damage. Rock and concrete splitters enable precise release of rock or concrete without impact action. In industrial plants with complex piping networks, the selective use of concrete crushers and multi cutters supports safe exposure and separation of decommissioned pipe sections. In special deployments—such as emergency measures after incidents—there are heightened requirements for gas testing, access security, and the choice of cold separation methods.
Rehabilitation and renewal: methods and interfaces
Gas pipes are replaced conventionally as part of maintenance or rehabilitated by trenchless methods (e.g., relining, close-fit, segment replacement). Interfaces with construction arise when opening and reinstating structures, shafts, and building entries. Functional spaces in sleeves and wall penetrations must be upgraded so that tightness, fire protection, and corrosion protection are ensured. Mechanical methods using concrete crushers and rock and concrete splitters minimize vibrations and protect adjacent lines and built-ins.
Documentation and quality assurance
Measures on gas pipes and in their surroundings should be documented comprehensively: pipe exposures, readings from gas testing, tightness and pressure tests, materials used, as well as photo documentation of routes and fittings. Clean documentation reduces subsequent risks and facilitates future maintenance or dismantling.
Environmental and occupational safety
Escaping methane has a climate impact; therefore, tightness and careful rehabilitation are of high priority. Odorants serve as a warning signal but do not replace measuring and ventilation measures. Personal protective equipment, gas detectors, and a clear alarm and evacuation plan are standard in areas near lines. Tools must be chosen to minimize sparking and heat generation; hydraulic drives with suitable hydraulic power packs support this. Statements about permissible devices and zone classifications must always be made project-specifically and are based on recognized rules of technology.
Relevance for application areas of Darda GmbH
- Concrete demolition and specialized dismantling: Selective removal of slabs, walls, and foundations near lines with concrete crushers; controlled splitting of massive structural parts to avoid damaging gas pipes.
- Gutting and cutting: Low-spark separation work on depressurized metal lines with steel shears, combination shears, or multi cutters; removal of pipe supports and wrappings.
- Rock demolition and tunnel construction: Low-vibration excavation of rock using rock and concrete splitters when utility lines must be protected or crossed.
- Natural stone extraction: Organization of transport and utility lines around the quarry; route clearance and gentle construction activities.
- Special deployments: Damage mitigation and emergency exposure with mechanical, cold methods when thermal methods are not acceptable.
Components, interfaces, and structural details
A gas pipe includes shut-off valves, regulator and measuring stations, building entries, anchors, protective sleeves, and corrosion protection systems. Construction interfaces include wall penetrations, shafts, foundation openings, and beam bearings. During dismantling, the structural enclosures are often opened first (concrete crushers), followed by releasing the built-ins (multi cutters, steel shears). Where localized release of load-bearing members is required, rock splitting cylinders offer a controlled alternative to percussive tools.
Planning, responsibilities, and work permits
Work on or near gas pipes must be planned carefully and coordinated with the operator, the client, and the executing companies. Responsibilities for isolation, draining, gas testing, and commissioning must be clearly defined. Protection corridors must be set, traffic routes secured, and emergency measures prepared. Legal requirements and technical rules must be observed; specific requirements can vary by region and project and must be checked on site.