EUSLDC7 Prove the integrity of district metered areas on the distribution network

Overview

This Standard is about proving the integrity of district metered areas on the distribution network and recommissioning networks after they have been repaired. 

This includes operating network fittings to isolate specified sections of networks, making sure boundary and other required valves are watertight and working and establishing inflow and outflow meters.  It also includes checking all required work has been carried out, recommissioning, flushing and checking that samples have been taken. You must follow safe working and hygiene practices at all times.

This Standard is for anyone who is involved with proving the integrity of district metered areas on the distribution network.

Performance Criteria

You must be able to:

  1. follow safe working and hygiene practices according to relevant regulatory and statutory procedures
  2. obtain information about the distribution network relevant to the work in line with organisational procedures
  3. check that permanent boundary valves are marked in the correct positions on site plans and on network plans
  4. confirm that boundary meters which provide total inflow and outflow to metered areas are accessible and in working condition
  5. check the water tightness of boundary valves according to organisational procedures
  6. identify sections of distribution networks which need to be isolated to establish integrity of metered areas
  7. confirm that customers who will be affected have been informed, and that service levels will be maintained, in accordance with organisational requirements
  8. confirm that specified network fittings are in expected locations, accessible and in working condition
  9. confirm that there are no obvious sources of potential contamination on network fittings within the area you are working
  10. access and operate relevant network fittings in the required sequence to isolate and recommission identified sections of distribution networks in line with calm network techniques
  11. deal with network fittings and equipment requiring repair and maintenance in line with organisational processes
  12. confirm that any known leaks on network fittings have been repaired prior to proving in line with organisational procedures
  13. confirm that valve operations do not affect system pressures
  14. carry out any hygiene procedures required in line with organisational and work requirements
  15. carry out flushing operations and discharge water in an environmentally sustainable manner and in accordance with organisational procedures
  16. confirm that any required mains water sampling is carried out by designated people, according to organisational procedures
  17. re-commission sections of networks once all relevant proving activity has been carried out in line with work requirements
  18. confirm that known leaks on network fittings have been repaired prior to proving in line with orrganisational procedures
  19. inform relevant people about progress, problems and actions taken during isolation, proving and recommissioning activities
  20. record complete and accurate details of progress, problems and actions taken in line with organisational procedures

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. safety and hygiene practices and related regulatory statutory requirements relating to health and safety and street works
  2. work requirements for isolating, proving and re-commissioning network sections
  3. where to find and how to interpret information about metered areas, existing and new valves, meters, hydrants and other fittings including plans, data, records, trends from historic data, surface evidence of route of mains
  4. the effect that isolating a section of the network may have on the wider distribution system, district metered area, water quality and customers
  5. what is meant by a calm network and techniques to achieve and maintain them
  6. service levels and organisational requirements and processes for informing customers regarding supply interruptions and other issues
  7. potential sources of contamination of network fittings
  8. how to operate network fittings including isolation valves, air valves and hydrants and the importance of doing it in the required sequence
  9. how to check that isolation has been successful, the importance of doing this, and who to inform when it has been completed
  10. the importance of checking accessibility and working conditions of boundary valves
  11. who to report repair and maintenance details to
  12. the importance of checking repair of network fittings and procedures for doing so
  13. procedures for water tightness of boundary valves
  14. reasons why valves may not be in the expected status, and the implications of changing them
  15. the consequences of making any changes or variations to water quality and supply, with regard to service level agreements and outcome delivery incentives
  16. the importance of not affecting system pressures
  17. air venting methods to avoid bursts or water quality issues
  18. when and how to carry out hygiene procedures
  19. flushing procedures
  20. water disposal procedures, dichlorination techniques and the potential damage which can be caused by incorrect disposal
  21. the need for sampling and who should do it
  22. recording requirements in relation to progress including date and time of isolation, problems and actions taken
  23. who needs to be informed about progress, problems and actions taken and when