Isolated Steel
What is isolated steel?
Buried steel pipelines are monitored to ensure that adequate protection measures are in place so the pipe does not deteriorate or corrode. Isolated steel are sections of steel pipe or steel service risers found without adequate protection. These facilities require additional mitigation or potentially replacement to ensure adequate protection measures are in place to prevent deterioration or corrosion of the steel material.
Isolated steel inspections
The Isolated Steel Inspection Program will identify and document sections of isolated steel pipeline (free from cathodic protection), including any isolated service risers, within Avista’s system. Once identified, the goal is to replace each riser or pipeline section within a specified time frame. This program started in Washington State in November of 2011. An established completion date of November 2016 was set for the identification phase of the program and a date of November 2021 was set for the replacement phrase of the program in Washington. Similar inspections are now currently being conducted in Avista’s Oregon service territory. This process will likely run through 2030 as we complete the inspection of 10% of gas services per year for the 90,000 locations identified as part of a program scoping analysis. Isolated steel replacement will likely run beyond 2030 as Avista replaces the identified isolated risers and services.
Sunrise Engineering plays an integral role in Avista’s Isolated Steel Inspections Program. Sunrise is a leader in the natural gas industry and for the past 40 years has served municipal and investor-owned natural gas pipeline and distribution companies. Working hand-in-hand, the Sunrise team has become an extension of Avista to help achieve safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to our customers. Sunrise employs a “Safety First” approach to provide quality deliverables and services. Their team of experts is ready, willing, and able to assist their clients with critical and complex operational and design challenges.
For more information, visit www.sunrise-eng.com.
What to expect
Day of inspection
If a meter is accessible, no customer follow up would be required. We will complete any required inspection at that time. If the meter is not accessible, we will knock on your door to make contact in attempt to gain access to the meter for any required inspection.
If we missed you, we will leave a door hanger with the inspector’s contact information, requesting a call back to schedule an inspection appointment.
Requesting additional notification/contact: If you need further assistance with scheduling an inspection appointment, or if you have any questions, contact Avista at (800) 227-9187.
Confirm your contact information: Help Avista notify you ahead of time by keeping your email, phone number, and mailing address current in your online account.