Working in the vicinity of high-pressure lines
High-pressure pipelines for transporting energy carriers are subject to special regulations. Pipeline owners require a concession from the government.
Pipelines are considered to be pipelines in which the product of the maximum possible operating pressure times the outside diameter is greater than 200,000 Pa m (200 bar cm) and at the same time the maximum possible operating pressure is greater than 500,000 Pa (5 bar).
Energy carriers are liquid or gaseous fuels or propellants. In particular, these are liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons, or hydrocarbon mixtures such as crude petroleum, natural gas, refinery gases, petroleum distillates and liquid residues of petroleum refining, town gas and industrial heating gases, and steam pipes.
Third-party construction projects near high-pressure pipelines
Approval must be obtained from the Office of National Economy for third party construction projects near the high pressure pipelines. This approval is necessary for the protection of the pipeline system as well as for the protection of third-party structures.
For construction projects (public facilities, buildings, traffic routes,..), which may subsequently lead to larger gatherings of people in the area of the pipeline system (100m on both sides of the pipeline axis), a risk analysis must be carried out to protect people, if necessary.
Duty to obtain consent
Third parties who wish to carry out construction projects in the vicinity of high-pressure pipelines must obtain approval for this from the Office of National Economy in good time before the start of construction.
If structures and other objects to which the distance regulations apply are to be erected within the construction and safety distances prescribed for the construction of high-pressure pipeline facilities, prior consent must be obtained for this from the AVW.
Application for Permit
All documents necessary for the evaluation of the application (site plan, longitudinal and transverse profiles, elevations, views, description of the structures and the construction process) must be submitted using the online form.
Start of work
Third-party construction projects in the vicinity of the high-pressure pipelines may not begin until the appropriate permit has been obtained from the developer, project designer and pipeline operator.