Technical Guidelines for Rural Pipeline Natural Gas Engineering

Article 1: In order to standardize the construction and operational management of rural piped natural gas projects (hereinafter referred to as “rural gas”) and to ensure the safety of rural gas supply and consumption, these Guidelines are hereby formulated.

I. General Provisions

　　Article 1: In order to standardize the construction and operational management of rural piped natural gas projects (hereinafter referred to as “rural gas”) and to ensure the safety of rural gas supply and consumption, these Guidelines are hereby formulated.

　　Article 2: For the purposes of these Guidelines, “rural gas engineering” refers to piped natural gas projects that are connected to urban gas pipeline networks or gas supply plants and stations, and provide natural gas for residential use in rural areas, including cooking, bathing, and heating.

　　Article 3: This Guideline applies to the design, construction, acceptance, and operation and maintenance of rural gas projects; it does not apply to rural biogas, straw‑gas, or other similar gas supply projects.

　　Article 4: The construction of rural gas infrastructure shall be organized and implemented in accordance with the relevant procedures for municipal infrastructure projects, and shall comply with applicable standards and specifications for urban gas. This guideline addresses only the specific characteristics and salient issues associated with the use of natural gas in rural areas, and sets forth corresponding technical requirements.

II. General Provisions

　　Article 5: Rural gas supply plans shall be formulated in accordance with the principle of adapting to local conditions, taking into account the specific geological conditions, current energy situation, heating methods, and economic level of the locality, and shall be coordinated with efforts such as the control of loose coal use in rural areas, the renovation of dilapidated rural housing, and the improvement of the rural living environment.

　　Article 6: Rural buildings equipped with piped natural gas heating shall comply with the relevant provisions of the current national standard “Code for Fire Protection in Rural Areas” (GB 50039). Such buildings shall not be adobe structures, wooden‑board houses, or structures whose walls and roofs are constructed of flammable materials, nor shall they be included in imminent demolition plans or designated as dilapidated.

　　Article 7: Rural gas supply shall ensure stability and continuity. In areas close to piped gas sources, pipeline gas supply should be adopted as the primary source; in areas without access to piped gas, gas supply from dedicated gas plants or stations should be used as the primary source.
Gas supply plants and stations shall be designed on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the scale and characteristics of gas supply. For small, isolated supply points with limited access, it is advisable to establish cylinder‑group stations; for supply points serving larger areas, gasification stations or storage‑and‑distribution stations are recommended.

　　Article 8: The design pressure of rural gas transmission and distribution pipeline systems shall be determined in accordance with the pressure conditions of the gas source, as well as the relevant requirements for gas appliances and gas‑using equipment, and shall comply with the following provisions:

　　(1) The maximum operating pressure (gauge pressure) of the gas transmission and distribution pipelines within the village shall not exceed 0.4 MPa.

　　(2) The maximum operating pressure (gauge pressure) of gas pipelines for rural residential users shall not exceed 0.01 MPa.

　　Article 9: Gas appliances used by rural gas consumers shall be compatible with the gas supply source, and no more than one type of gas shall be used in the same room.

　　Article 10: Flue gases produced by gas combustion shall be discharged directly to the outdoors. Gas appliances or gas‑using equipment shall not share a flue or a common smoke‑exhaust system with equipment that uses solid fuels.

　　Article 11: Overhead gas pipelines shall be equipped with lightning protection and grounding measures. Steel pipes that extend above the roof or span across wall tops shall have a wall thickness of not less than 4 mm.

　　Article 12: When outdoor overhead gas pipelines are installed parallel to or cross insulated low-voltage power lines (220 V) that are openly routed along the walls of rural buildings, an insulating protective device shall be installed on the gas pipeline as required for safety, and the minimum clear distance shall not be less than 25 cm.

　　Article 13: Gas pipelines and facilities shall be equipped with clear and conspicuous signage; pipelines and facilities located in areas prone to damage shall also be provided with measures to prevent external damage.

　　Article 14: Upon completion of a rural gas project, the construction entity shall, in accordance with applicable regulations, organize the relevant participating entities to conduct a竣工验收 (completion acceptance). Any rural gas project that fails to pass such acceptance shall not be put into service. The results of the completion acceptance shall be filed with the local gas administration department at or above the county level.

　　Article 15: The gas administration authorities shall strengthen supervision and inspection of the operation and management of rural gas services and the safety of gas usage. Gas operators must obtain a gas operating license, and the unlicensed operation of rural gas projects is prohibited.

III. Transmission and Distribution Pipelines and Pressure Regulation Facilities

　　Article 16: Rural gas pipelines may be installed by underground laying, overhead installation, or other methods.

　　Article 17: Underground gas pipelines should be routed along roads with good pavement conditions, such as concrete, asphalt, or gravel surfaces, and shall avoid locations such as manholes, cellars, and septic tanks. They shall not pass beneath areas where hazardous chemicals or materials are stored, livestock sheds, or sites containing corrosive liquids.

　　Article 18: When underground installation is adopted, the minimum cover thickness from the top of the gas pipeline to the ground shall comply with the following provisions:

　　(1) When buried beneath a rigid pavement, the depth shall not be less than 0.9 m;

　　(2) When buried beneath areas that are difficult for motor vehicles to access (including sidewalks), the burial depth shall not be less than 0.6 m;

　　(3) When buried beneath dirt roads, the burial depth shall be increased, or protective measures shall be implemented to prevent crushing and damage.

　　Article 19: Buried pipelines shall be equipped with warning tapes along the pipeline’s alignment, with the tapes laid flat at a distance of 0.3 to 0.5 meters above the top of the buried pipeline. Buried polyethylene gas pipelines shall be fitted with tracer devices and protective plates; the protective plates shall bear warning markings. When the protective plate also serves as a tracer, neither a separate tracer device nor a warning tape is required.

　　Article 20: Buried steel gas pipelines shall be subject to corrosion control measures. When buried steel gas pipelines equipped with cathodic protection emerge above ground, insulation measures shall be implemented.

　　Article 21: Overhead gas pipelines shall be made of steel and installed on independent supports fabricated from non-combustible materials; such supports shall be sturdy and reliable. Gas pipelines shall not be directly welded to the supports.

　　Article 22: When overhead gas pipelines are installed along the exterior walls of buildings, medium-pressure pipelines may be routed along the exterior walls of buildings with a fire resistance rating of at least Grade II; low-pressure pipelines may be routed along the exterior walls of buildings with a fire resistance rating of at least Grade III. The wall supporting the pipeline shall provide adequate structural support.

　　Article 23: The clear distance between gas pipelines installed along the exterior walls of buildings and the openings of doors and windows in rooms where gas pipelines are prohibited shall comply with the following provisions:

　　(1) The clearance for low-pressure gas pipelines shall not be less than 0.3 m;

　　(2) The clearance for medium-pressure gas pipelines shall not be less than 0.5 m.

　　Article 24: Overhead gas pipelines crossing roads shall be equipped with conspicuous height‑limit signs and safety markings that are readily identifiable day and night; where necessary, height‑restriction gantries shall also be installed.

IV. User Piping and Gas Appliances

　　Article 25: User pipelines should be installed in an exposed manner and shall not be installed in or pass through the following areas:

　　(1) In bedrooms, guest rooms, and other rooms used for living and resting, as well as in bathrooms;

　　(2) Rooms used for storing flammable or explosive materials, rooms containing corrosive substances or where agricultural tools are stored, equipment rooms such as power generation rooms and switchgear and distribution rooms, as well as livestock sheds and similar facilities;

　　(3) Areas that may be subjected to heavy loads or other conditions that could damage the pipeline;

　　(4) At trenches for power lines, cables, heating systems, and sewage pipelines;

　　(5) Flues, air intake ducts, and similar locations.

　　Article 26: Prior to connection with the appliance, the user’s pipeline shall be equipped with a manual quick‑shut‑off valve, and it is recommended to install a device that provides cut‑off functions for overcurrent, overpressure, and undervoltage conditions.

　　Article 27: The connection between the user’s pipeline and the gas appliance shall use a dedicated flexible hose with rodent‑proof features, and the service life of the hose shall not be shorter than the prescribed scrap‑age limit of the gas appliance. The hose shall not pass through walls, doors, windows, ceilings, or floors; its length shall not exceed 2.0 m, and it shall have no joints.

　　Hoses should be connected to pipes and appliances using threaded fittings; when using socket‑type connections, measures to prevent disconnection must be provided. The hose connecting to the cooking appliance shall be positioned 30 mm below the countertop surface.

　　Article 28: Pipelines installed within sleeves shall be properly corrosion‑protected and shall not have mechanical joints. The sleeve material should preferably be steel, and the gap between the sleeve and the pipeline shall be tightly filled with a flexible, corrosion‑resistant, waterproof material.

　　Article 29: The installation of gas meters shall comply with the following provisions:

　　(1) It shall be installed in a well-ventilated area that is convenient for installation and meter reading, and shall not be placed in enclosed spaces such as storage rooms.

　　(2) When installed inside a cabinet, the cabinet door shall open outward, and the cabinet body shall be equipped with ventilation openings.

　　(3) The installation height of the gas meter shall comply with the relevant standards and specifications, and its clear distance from electrical equipment shall not be less than 20 cm.

　　(4) When installed outdoors, it shall be housed in a dedicated meter box and shall comply with the following provisions:

　　1. The enclosure shall be installed in a location that facilitates operation, meter reading, and maintenance, and should preferably be mounted on the exterior wall of a building or structure constructed of noncombustible or flame‑retardant materials.

　　2. The enclosure shall be robust and rainproof, equipped with a transparent observation window, and shall include additional drainage holes at the lower end as required by the specific application.

　　3. Metal meter enclosures shall be equipped with corrosion‑control measures, while non‑metallic meter enclosures shall possess flame‑retardant and aging‑resistant properties, and their service life shall not be shorter than that of the gas meter itself.

　　4. The meter box shall be well-ventilated;

　　5. The enclosure shall be marked with warning labels such as “Gas Facilities—Protect with Care.”

　　Article 30: Gas appliances shall be equipped with an automatic flame‑out protection device and shall not be installed in living rooms or bedrooms. After ventilation has been installed, the intended use of the gas‑using space shall not be altered arbitrarily. The use of direct‑vent heating stoves and direct‑vent water heaters indoors is prohibited.

　　Article 31: Rooms in which gas appliances are installed shall comply with the following provisions:

　　(1) There shall be a solid wall separating it from the bedroom, and a door shall be provided to further separate the two spaces.

　　(2) Floors and walls shall be constructed of noncombustible materials; when walls are made of combustible or slow‑burning materials, fire‑resistant insulation panels shall be installed.

　　(3) When the ceiling and roof are constructed of noncombustible or flame‑retardant materials, the floor-to‑ceiling height shall not be less than 2.2 m; when a water heater or heating furnace is installed, the floor-to‑ceiling height shall not be less than 2.4 m; when the ceiling and roof are constructed of combustible materials, the floor-to‑ceiling height shall not be less than 2.8 m.

　　(4) It shall be equipped with a window that provides direct access to the outdoors and ensures natural ventilation.

　　Article 32: Heating furnaces shall be installed in well-ventilated rooms and shall comply with the following provisions:

　　(1) There shall be a water source and water pressure that meet its operational requirements;

　　(2) The horizontal clear distance between the heating stove and the cooking appliance shall not be less than 30 cm.

　　(3) No exposed electrical wires, electrical equipment, or flammable materials shall be present on the upper part of the heating furnace.

　　(4) The floor on which a floor-standing heating boiler is installed and the wall on which a wall‑mounted heating boiler is installed shall be made of noncombustible materials; the use of combustible materials is strictly prohibited. When the floor or wall is constructed of combustible or flame‑retardant materials, a fire‑resistant insulation board shall be provided.

　　(5) The supply and exhaust ducts of the heating furnace shall be exposed; the air intake and exhaust openings shall be directly connected to the outdoors and equipped with measures to prevent blockage by birds, rodents, snakes, and other obstructions.

V. Safe Operation and Maintenance of Gas Facilities

　　Article 33: Gas operators shall bear primary responsibility for the safe operation and maintenance of rural gas facilities under their construction, management, and operation. During the period of operation, they shall establish safety production management systems for rural gas facilities, as well as operating, maintenance, and emergency repair procedures, and develop emergency response plans; they shall also publicize gas service telephone numbers and emergency rescue contact numbers.

　　Article 34: Gas operators shall conduct in‑home safety inspections of indoor gas facilities for rural gas users, and intensify public awareness campaigns on gas safety. Such inspections and outreach activities shall be carried out at least twice annually; in addition, in‑home inspections shall be performed prior to the first gas supply and before the start of each heating season.

　　Article 35: Gas operators shall, as needed, establish gas service stations within designated areas, with dedicated personnel responsible for ensuring the safe operation of gas systems in villages. Village committees are encouraged to appoint comprehensive gas safety coordinators, who shall undergo professional training provided by the gas operator, assist the operator in conducting routine inspections of village‑level gas facilities, disseminate information on gas safety, and promptly report any issues to the gas operator.

　　Article 36 No entity or individual may encroach upon, damage, arbitrarily dismantle, or relocate rural gas facilities; nor may they damage, cover, alter, arbitrarily dismantle, or relocate safety warning signs for gas facilities. It is strictly prohibited to tether livestock to overhead gas pipelines, pipe supports, or other such structures, or to hang or place objects on them.

　　Article 37 The operation and maintenance of gas pressure-regulating facilities shall comply with the following provisions:

　　(1) Unattended pressure-regulating facilities (such as pressure-regulating cabinets and stations) shall be inspected at least once daily.

　　(2) Conduct focused inspections of pressure regulators, meters, and vent pipes.
 
　　Article 38: When conducting in‑home inspections, gas operators shall give priority to the following items:

　　(1) Verify that the user’s gas facilities are in good working order and have not been subjected to any man-made collisions or damage.

　　(2) The piping has not been altered without authorization, is not used as a grounding conductor for other electrical equipment, shows no signs of corrosion, is not overloaded, and the flexible hoses are not excessively long;

　　(3) Gas pipelines and equipment are free of leaks, and their installation complies with relevant regulations.

　　(4) Whether the gas meter, alarm, valves, and the pressure fluctuation range upstream of the stove are within normal limits;

　　(5) Personnel conducting in‑house inspections shall also use instruments to test pipeline joints and address any issues promptly.