Gas Distribution Pressure Monitoring: Vaetrix and Dominion

How Did Vaetrix Get Involved With Gas Distribution Pressure Monitoring for Dominion?

Polyethylene (PE) pipes and fittings are widely used to transport natural gas to residential and commercial properties throughout Canada, the United States, and other markets. PE piping offers durability, flexibility, and resistance to corrosion, making it suitable for many underground gas distribution applications.

In most installations, PE pipes are joined using heat fusion. This process involves heating the surfaces of two pipe sections to a specified temperature and applying the required force to create a permanent fused joint.

The joining process must be performed by properly qualified technicians using approved equipment and procedures. Equipment such as Georg Fischer fusion machines is commonly used for this purpose.

The original Dominion project referenced ASTM F2620 for heat-fusion joining. In Canada, applicable requirements may also include CSA Z662, provincial or territorial regulations, and utility-specific procedures.

Once the pipe sections are fused, pressure testing is performed to check for leaks and verify the integrity of the installation.

In the original testing process described by Dominion, technicians typically used air to conduct a pressure test lasting approximately 20 minutes. The required pressure depended on the pipe volume and other installation-specific requirements.

The conventional method involved using an analogue pressure gauge, typically rated for 100 PSI (approximately 690 kPa), and monitoring the needle to confirm that pressure did not decrease during the test.

An approved contractor recorded the pressure readings and test time manually on a company form, usually at five-minute intervals.

Although this process provided a record of the test, it depended on technicians taking readings at the correct times and accurately transferring the information onto paper.

How Dominion Automated Gas Distribution Pressure Testing

Dominion wanted to automate the testing and documentation process so that the results from field-installed gas distribution piping could be verified, stored, and accessed by location.

The objective was to eliminate much of the manual paperwork and make it easier for engineers and quality control personnel to review pressure test results.

Vaetrix became involved in the project through its work with RCP and Flint Hill Group.

To address Dominion's requirements, a customized mobile application was developed using Vaetrix pressure measurement hardware and Bluetooth connectivity.

The application allowed pressure tests to be automatically logged and evaluated against the defined testing requirements.

Important test information, including pressure readings, test duration, temperature, and GPS coordinates, was automatically uploaded to Dominion's secure servers.

This made it possible to associate pressure test records with the locations where testing had been performed.

Instead of collecting handwritten forms and manually entering the results into a separate system, technicians could complete tests using the digital equipment while the application handled much of the documentation process.

Engineers and quality control personnel could then review the recorded results and approve them electronically.

The automated process offered several practical advantages:

• Reduced manual recording: Pressure readings and test times were captured digitally rather than written down at five-minute intervals.

• Improved record accuracy: Automatic data capture reduced the risk of transcription errors.

• Location-linked documentation: GPS coordinates helped associate results with the relevant field testing location.

• Faster quality review: Engineers and quality personnel could access records without waiting for paper forms.

• Consistent test procedures: The application evaluated recorded measurements against the configured testing requirements.

For gas distribution utilities and contractors, digital documentation can help improve the consistency and traceability of field pressure testing.

However, automated recording does not replace the need to follow approved pressure testing procedures or review results against the applicable acceptance criteria.

Designed for Field Conditions

Another important requirement was protecting the pressure measurement equipment during field testing.

Vaetrix developed a customized portable enclosure designed to provide IP67-rated protection in its specified configuration and support operation in cold weather conditions below 0°C (32°F).

This was particularly important for technicians conducting tests outdoors, where equipment could be exposed to moisture, changing temperatures, and demanding operating conditions.

For Canadian utilities and contractors working through colder seasons, suitable environmental protection is an important consideration when selecting pressure testing instruments.

Vaetrix Hardware

The customized system used a 300 PSI Vaetrix digital pressure gauge, equivalent to approximately 2,070 kPa, panel-mounted inside a protective enclosure.

The design included several features intended to improve reliability and make the system easier to use in the field.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Bluetooth communication allowed the digital gauge to transmit measurements to the customized mobile application.

This enabled pressure test data to be recorded electronically and uploaded for review.

Exterior Battery Access

The enclosure included external battery access, allowing technicians to replace the battery without needing to disassemble the entire testing system.

This helped simplify field maintenance.

Backup USB Connection

A USB connection was included to provide an alternative method for calibration-related access, powering the instrument, and extracting recorded data.

This offered additional flexibility if wireless communication was unavailable.

Protective Enclosure

The pressure gauge was housed in a customized enclosure designed to protect the instrument during transportation and field testing.

The design supported portability and provided environmental protection for outdoor use.

Viewing Window

A viewing window allowed technicians to read the digital pressure gauge directly without relying entirely on their mobile device.

If a technician's phone lost power, the gauge display remained accessible for checking pressure readings.

This combination of digital monitoring, protective hardware, and backup access made the customized Vaetrix system more practical for Dominion's field testing workflow.

The project demonstrates how purpose-built pressure testing equipment can address requirements that standard, off-the-shelf instruments may not fully accommodate.

Practical Takeaway

Gas distribution pressure testing is not only about confirming that a pipe section holds pressure. It is also about ensuring that test results are accurate, properly documented, and available for future review.

The Vaetrix and Dominion project demonstrates how a customized digital pressure monitoring system can reduce manual recording, simplify quality control, and make field testing information easier to access.

For Canadian gas distribution utilities and contractors, several factors should be considered when selecting pressure monitoring equipment:

1. Pressure measurement requirements: Choose an instrument with the appropriate pressure range, accuracy, resolution, and calibration documentation for the intended test.

2. Test duration and acceptance criteria: Follow the applicable utility procedures, adopted codes, and project requirements rather than assuming that one test pressure or duration applies to every installation.

3. Digital documentation: Consider equipment that records pressure, time, temperature, and test location to support traceable inspection records.

4. Environmental protection: Select equipment suitable for outdoor conditions, including moisture exposure and expected operating temperatures.

5. Data access and verification: Ensure that test records can be reviewed, stored, and retrieved without unnecessary manual data entry.

The most important benefit of automated pressure testing is not simply eliminating paperwork. It is creating a more consistent and traceable record of the testing process while reducing the opportunity for recording errors.

Vaetrix develops customized pressure measurement solutions for applications where standard testing equipment may not fully meet operational requirements.