Pipe lines are generally buried 18 in. deep. This depends upon the depth to which freezing will affect the ground.
Cost of Building Pipe cost of pipe lines in 1921 may be indicated roughly: 4 in.-86,500 per mile 6 in.— 9,000 per mile 8 in.-12,000 per mile 10 in.-15,000 per mile Pipe-line Construction.—Pipe-line construction may be sub divided into three phases: 1. Selection of line. Engineering surveys.
2. Securing right-of-way for pipe lines, telephones and telegraph lines.
3. Building line: (a) Right-of-way men.
(b) Stringing gang.
(c) Laying gang.
(d) Ditching gang.
(e) Covering-up gang.
The selection of a line depends upon a number of factors which must be weighed by the men in charge of the work. The engi neers desire to avoid rivers and rough country as far as possible, and water supply for the pumping stations must be taken into consideration. It is also important that the line be accessible from railroad points.
Careful surveys are made and maps showing all grades pre pared. Men are then sent out to obtain rights of way for the line, and these are generally purchased outright. This applies' not only to the rights of way for the pipe line itself, but also to those for telephone and telegraph lines.
The "right-of-way gang" goes ahead along the right of way and clears the line of all obstructions. Trees are cut down,
stumps pulled and the line made ready for ditching.
The "stringing gang" then brings the pipe and lays it along the right of way. The pipe is hauled by wagon or truck and dropped where wanted.
The "laying gang" is next in order. This gang consists of "stabbers," whose duty it is to see that the joints of pipe are in line for "screwing up;" the "tong men" who put on the "back up" tongs, which are put on the pipe into which a new joint is being screwed; the "rope men," who hold the joint of pipe, while the stabber centers it; the "barmen" who move the pipe, and the "jack men" who screw up the pipe. Such crews consist of 40 men, and where pipe machines are used, 28 men form a crew.
As much as 8700 ft. of 8-in. pipe has been laid in 9 hr. With ordinary gangs, the average performance is from 2500 to 4000 ft. per day.
The ditching gang follows the pipe or laying gang. This gang digs the ditch, by hand or by machine where possible. Plowing is necessary and where hard rock is encountered blasting is employed. When the ditch is completed, the pipe is laid in it and covered.
Where the pipe must be laid in alkaline soil, the line is laid on the surface, and is coated with asphaltum and tar paper.