10969 Decommission and Disconnect Services in a Gas Distribution Network

Explanatory notes

1This unit standard is intended for, but not limited to, workplace assessment. The range statements relate to enterprise specific equipment, procedures, and processes.

2The current version of the following documents must be complied with:

Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992;

Resource Management Act 1991;

Approved Code of Practice for Safety in Excavation and Shafts for Foundations, Occupational Safety and Health Service, Dept of Labour, 1995, available at

NZS 5258:2003 Gas distribution networks available at

manufacturer’s instructions.

3All work practices must comply with regulations and codes of practice pertaining to the gas industry.

4Definition

Company procedures means the documented methods for performing work activities and include health and safety, environmental, and quality management requirements. They may refer to manuals, codes of practice, or policy statements

Outcomes and evidence requirements

Outcome 1

Locate and identify procedures, documentation, and equipment for decommissioning a gas service.

Evidence requirements

1.1Documentation and company procedures for decommissioning are located and interpreted in relation to specified job requirements.

1.2Job instructions are confirmed in accordance with company procedures.

Rangeinstructions include – site location, utility plans and/or mark-outs, consents, easements.

1.3Potential environmental and safety hazards are identified in accordance with company procedures.

1.4Decommissioning equipment and materials are identified and described in terms of type and function.

Rangemay include – squeeze offs, flow stopping bags, stopple, flare stack, self-tapping tee, tools, end caps.

1.5Equipment is described in terms of potential hazards of incorrect application and operation, and the steps to avoid them are described in accordance with company procedures.

1.6Decommissioning and disconnection resources are identified and sourced for specific job in accordance with company procedures.

Rangeplant, tools, materials, documentation, system components, personnel, communication equipment.

Outcome 2

Prepare to decommission and decommission a gas service.

Evidence requirements

2.1Safety and environmental hazards are identified, then isolated, removed, or minimised, in accordance with company procedures.

Rangemay include – signage, barriers, personal protective equipment, safe access and egress, gas escape, fire, explosion, asphyxiation, other utilities, temporary traffic control, environmental protection, excavations.

2.2Decommissioning equipment and materials are prepared, handled, and positioned in accordance with company procedures and manufacturer’s instructions.

2.3Pressure conditions are identified and monitored in accordance with company procedures.

2.4Flow of gas is stopped in accordance with company procedures.

2.5Isolated pipe section is depressurised, vented, and purged, and service is maintained gas-free in accordance with company procedures.

Outcome 3

Prepare to disconnect and disconnect a gas service.

Evidence requirements

3.1Service is confirmed as being gas-free in accordance with company procedures.

3.2The section of pipe to be removed is cut and disposed of in accordance with company procedures and manufacturer’s instructions.

3.3Live pipe ends are sealed in accordance with company procedures.

3.4Flow-stopping equipment, excluding self-tapping tees, is removed and pipe ends are tested for soundness in accordance with company procedures.

3.5Abandoned pipe is sealed in accordance with company procedures.

Outcome 4

Reinstate site.

Evidence requirements

4.1Equipment and materials temporarily left on site are stored safely and securely and arrangements made for their collection according to company procedures.

4.2Tools, equipment, and materials are removed from site in accordance with job requirements and company procedures.

4.3Worksite is reinstated and made safe in accordance with company procedures.

Outcome 5

Complete reporting and documentation.

Evidence requirements

5.1Information is communicated to other parties, both internal and external, in accordance with company procedures.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – special conditions, completion notice, additional work.

5.2Records and documents are completed and processed in accordance with company procedures.

This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the unit standard must take place by the last date for assessments set out below.

Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions

This CMR can be accessed at

Please note

Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.