Section 111.04 - Specifications for the Installation of Pipe under a Road(1)Construction Method. (Refer to Figure 1.) (a)Excavation. Excavate trench sides as nearly vertical as practical. Make trench width at least 12 inches, but not more than 24 inches wider than the diameter of the pipe (where practicable).(b)Bed Fill. Place, compact and shape the bed fill. Locate the bed so that the pipe will lie in the center of the trench.(c)Pipe. Lay pipe on bed.(d)Side Fill. Fill both sides of the pipe simultaneously in six-inch lifts. Compact each lift.(e)Top Fill. Place the top fill at the same time the last lift of side fill is placed. Do not compact top fill for first six inches over pipe.(f)Back Fill. Place in six-inch lifts and compact above six-inch layer.(2)Compaction.(a) The bed side and top fill must be compacted by any one of the following methods: 1. Three-inch lifts and two coverages with a hand tamper weighing from 15 to 25 pounds having an area of tamping face 50 to 90 inches.2. Four-inch lifts with two coverages of a pneumatic compactor or a jackhammer fitted with a plate six to eight inches in diameter.3. Six-inch lifts of fill with two coverages of a rubber-tired roller or the wheels of a rubber-tired earth-moving equipment.(b) The backfill must be placed in six-inch lifts with each lift being compacted by at least one coverage of a mechanical compactor or of construction equipment. That portion of the backfill within the subgrade and base of a road or railroad must be compacted to the standard specified for the particular base or subgrade.(3)Fill Materials. (a)Bed, Side and Top Fill. Use a natural granular soil (concrete sand, asphalt course base sand) having the following size characteristics: 1. 100% finer than 3/4 inches.2. 30% to 90% finer than No. 10 sieve.3. 10% to 40% finer than No. 40 sieve.4. Less than 10% finer than No. 200 sieve.(b)Backfill. Use a soil having: 1. No particles larger than 12 inches.2. No concentrated organic matter.(c)Backfill. Within the depth of road, subgrade and base must meet the specifications in force for the particular base or subgrade.(d) No person or municipality shall uncover, disturb, change or otherwise alter or interfere with the safety of any high-pressure gas main or portion thereof subject to the provisions of 220 CMR 111.00.(e) Any person or municipality laying out or intending to construct a street, way, or place over, across or along a high-pressure gas main subject to the provisions of 220 CMR 111.00 shall so notify in writing the Department and the owner of the high-pressure pipeline at least 30 days before undertaking such construction. The notice shall accurately describe the location of the street, place or way in sufficient detail as to width, length, grade and proposed date of construction. Upon request the gas company shall within seven days have a qualified representative inspect the location and describe to said person or municipality the work necessary to effect compliance with 220 CMR 111.00 and the gas company shall, upon request, provide an estimate of the cost of said construction within 30 days.(f) Any person, municipality or gas company may make written request to the Department for exception from or modification of any of the provisions of 220 CMR 111.00. FIGURE 1: INSTALLATION OF PIPE UNDER ROAD
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Amended by Mass Register Issue 1432, eff. 12/11/2020.