| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Butt Fusion | A method of joining plastic pipes by simultaneously heating the ends of two plastic pipes, or a pipe and a fitting component, until the contact surfaces melt, then pushing the molten surfaces together with a controlled force until they form a homogeneous joint as strong as plastic pipe itself. |
| CSEP | Connected System Exit Point A point on a network where a connection is made to transfer gas from one network into another. |
| CSCS | Construction Skills Certification Scheme |
| Electrofusion | A method of joining plastic pipes using special fittings that have built-in electric heating elements that are used to weld the joint together. |
| EMS | Environmental Management System |
| Equivalent Length | The equivalent length of a pipe fitting is the length of pipe that would give rise to the same pressure drop as the fitting itself. This is useful when calculating the pressure loss in a pipe, taking the various fittings into account |
| EU | European Union |
| EU Skills | Energy & Utility Skills is an employer-led membership organisation that helps to ensure the gas, power, waste management and water industries have the skills they need – now and in the future. |
| GASWorkS 10 | Network modelling software produced by Bradley B. Bean, used for modelling natural gas piping systems. |
| GDPR | General Data Protection Regulation A regulation introduced by the EU that came into effect on 25th May 2018. |
| GIRS | Gas Industry Registration Scheme GIRS-registered providers are able to project-manage, design and construct new gas network infrastructure, dependent on the scope of their accreditations. Lloyd’s Register EMEA operate the registration scheme on behalf of the UK Gas Transporters |
| HDPE | High-density Polyethylene, also known as PE100. |
| IGE/TD/4 | Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers / Technical Document / 4 The gas industry standard for PE and steel gas services and service pipework. It is one of a number of technical standards produced by the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers. |
| IGEM | Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers A chartered professional body, licensed by the Engineering Council, serving a wide range of professionals in the UK and the international gas industry through Membership, events and a comprehensive set of Technical Standards. |
| IGT | Independent Gas Transporter |
| IRQAO | International Register of Quality Assessed Organisations An easy-to-check online register of organisations that hold quality certifications. We hold ISO 9001 certificate number 313612019 and ISO 14001 certificate number 313622019. You can check these certificates from our Home page or our Certifications page. |
| ISO 9001 | International Standards Organisation standard number 9001 The international standard for Quality Management Systems (QMSs). |
| ISO 14001 | International Standards Organisation standard number 14001 The international standard that specifies the requirements for an effective Environmental Management System (EMS). |
| Lloyd’s Register Utility Schemes | Lloyd’s Register EMEA operate utility registration schemes on behalf of the UK Gas Transporters enabling them to project-manage, design and construct utility infrastructure. |
| MDPE | Medium-density Polyethylene, also known as PE80. |
| NVQ | National Vocational Qualification |
| Ofgem | The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, whose objective is to protect the interests of existing and future electricity and gas consumers. |
| PE Pipe | Polyethylene Pipe The yellow polyethylene pipe used in the construction of new gas networks. |
| QMS | Quality Management System |
| RIIO | Revenue = Incentives + Innovation + Outputs A model of network regulation. |
| RIIO-GD1 | Revenue = Incentives + Innovation + Outputs — Gas Distribution 1 The first gas distribution price control review to use the RIIO model of network regulation. This price control began on 1st April 2013 and runs for eight years to 2021. |
| SCO | Safe Control of Operations |
| SDR | Standard Dimension Ratio This describes the correlation between the pipe diameter and the thickness of the pipe wall. Common gas pipes are SDR11 and SDR17. Pipes with a lower SDR can withstand higher pressures. |
| SHEA | Safety, Health and Environment Awareness A qualification gained by the successful completion of a one-day course and assessment for utility workers required to access construction sites. The skills card bears the CSCS (Construction Scheme Certification Scheme) logo. |
| UIP | Utility Infrastructure Provider The commonly used name given to contractors who are registered under a utility scheme, such as GIRS. |