Standard regulations regarding pipe crossings under railways

Approved by the General Order of the Board No. 592, dated September 28, 1939

Sewer pipes

1. Sewers under railway tracks shall be constructed of hard brick laid in cement mortar, or standard glazed tile pipe, or such other material as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board. If standard glazed pipe is used, the joints must be properly fastened with cement mortar, and the pipe under every track and for a distance of four feet on the outer sides thereof must be imbedded in concrete four inches thick beneath and all around the said pipe. The top of the sewer (brick or pipe) shall, wherever possible, be below the frost line and not less than four feet below base of rail. Where this cannot be done without causing a sag in the sewer, precautions must be taken to strengthen and protect the sewer.

Water pipes

2. Every water pipe underneath a railway track shall be properly fastened at the joints; and the top of the pipe shall be below the frost line and not less than four feet below base of rail.

Pipes carrying natural or manufactured gas at pressure not exceeding 45 pounds per square inch

3. Every such pipe conveying natural or manufactured gas under a railway track shall be of standard gas pipe properly fastened at the joints, and shall be not less than four and one-half feet below base of rail.

The following regulations cover pipes carrying oil under pressure and pipes carrying natural or manufactured gas under pressure exceeding 45 pounds per square inch

4. The carrier pipe under the railway structure shall be of good construction (usually the same as on either side of the railway) of steel, wrought iron, cast iron, pure iron, or alloyed iron; and shall be either seamless or substantially welded pipe with welded, coupling, or other approved joints. The carrier pipe shall be of a tested strength of double the maximum working pressure, with a minimum test pressure of 300 pounds per square inch. Pipe to be laid with slack (no tension) in the line.
5. Carrier pipes under railway track shall be encased in a larger steel casing pipe or conduit of sufficient strength to withstand all stresses and strains resulting from its location under the railway structure.
6. Casing pipe will extend to a minimum distance of thirty feet from the centre line of the nearest track on both sides. Where the pipe line crosses through or under an embankment, the outside casing shall extend to a point at least six feet outside of the toe of the embankment on either side.
7. Where ends of casing pipe are below ground, they shall be suitably sealed to the outside of carrier pipe and properly vented above ground with vent pipes not less than two inches in diameter and extending not less than four feet above ground surface. Vent pipes shall be placed approximately one foot from the ends of the casing pipe. Vent pipe at low end of casing shall be connected with the side or bottom of the casing, and vent pipe at the high end shall be connected with the top of casing. Top of vent pipes shall be fitted with down-turn elbow properly screened.
8. Where the ends of casing are at or above ground surface and above highwater level, they may be left open provided drainage is afforded in such a manner that leakage will be conducted away from the railway tracks or structures. Where proper drainage is not provided, the ends of the casing shall be sealed.
9. The inside diameter of the casing pipe shall be sufficiently large to permit ready withdrawal of carrier pipe without disturbing the roadbed. Casing pipe shall slope to one end and be installed with an even bearing throughout its length.
10. Casing pipe shall be so constructed as to prevent leakage under the railway structure, except through vent pipes, or at the ends of casing pipe, if open.
11. The casing pipe shall be so installed as to prevent the formation of a waterway under the railway.
12. The depth from base of rail of the railway to the top of the casing pipe at its closest point shall be not less than four and one-half feet. Where it is impossible to secure the above depth special construction will be necessary and subject to the approval of the Chief Engineer of the Transport Commission.
13. Pipe lines shall be located to cross railway tracks as close as practicable to ninety degrees, but not at an angle of less than forty-five degrees. Pipe lines shall not be laid closer than thirty feet to any portion of any railway l)ridge, building, or other important structures which might be injured by leakage from or failure of the pipe line.
14. Pipe lines, casing pipe, and vent pipes shall be at least four feet vertically from aerial electric wires, and shall be suitably insulated from underground conduits carrying electric wires on railway right of way.
15. All work in connection with the laying, maintaining, renewing, and rei)airing of the said pipe and the continued supervision of the same shall be performed by, and all costs and expenses thereby incurred be borne and paid by. the applicant; but no work at any time shall be done in such a manner as to obstruct, delay, or in any way interfere with the operation of any of the trains or traffic of the railway company or other company using the said railway.
16. The applicant shall at all times maintain the said pipe in good working order and condition, and so that at no time shall any damage be caused to the property of the railway company, or any of its tracks be obstructed, or the usefulness or safety of the same for railway purposes be impaired, or the full use and enjoyment thereof as heretofore by the railway company or other company using the said railway, be in any way interfered with.
17. Before any work of laying, renewing, or repairing the said pipe is begun, the applicant shall give to the local superintendent of the railway company at least forty-eight hours' prior notice thereof in writing, so as to enable the railway company to appoint an inspector to see that the work is performed in such a manner as shall, in all respects, comply with these regulations. The wages of such inspector, which shall not exceed $11 per day, to be paid by the applicant, such payment to cover both wages and expenses, except in the case of a municipal corporation desiring to lay a pipe under the railway on a highway which is senior to the railway. In such case the railway company shall pay its own inspector.
18. The applicant shall at all times wholly indemnify the company owning, operating, or using the railway from and against all loss, damage, injury, and expense to which the railway company may be put by reason of any damage or injury to persons or property caused by any of the said applicant's pipes, or by any oil, gas, or water, or any other substance being carried in the said pipes, or any works herein provided for by the terms and provisions of these regulations, as well as against any damage or injury resulting from the imprudence, neglect, or want of skill of the employees or agents of the applicant in connection with the laying, maintenance, renewal, or repair of the said pipe or the use thereof, unless the cause of such loss, cost, damage, injury, or expense can be traced elsewhere.
19. If any dispute arise between the applicant and the railway company as to the terms and conditions of these regulations, or as to the manner in which the said pipe line is being laid, maintained, renewed, or repaired; or if unusual circumstances appear to justify a moderation of these rules, the matter shall be referred to the Chief Engineer of the Board, whose decision shall be final and binding on all parties.
20. Pipes, materials and methods of fabrication shall conform to the regulations of The Canadian Engineering Standards Association.

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