Project Description
The project consisted of replacing the entire natural gas distribution system throughout the Shasta College Campus.  The original gas distribution system was constructed using PVC piping in 1965.  Growing concerns of pipeline integrity and valves being able to operate prompted Shasta College to replace the nearly 9,000 feet of various sized piping and emergency valves that make up the gas distribution system.The project consisted of replacing the entire natural gas distribution system throughout the Shasta College Campus. The original gas distribution system was constructed using PVC piping in 1965. Growing concerns of pipeline integrity and valves being able to operate prompted Shasta College to replace the nearly 9,000 feet of various sized piping and emergency valves that make up the gas distribution system.

GTS Involvement
After meeting with school officials, GTS completed a system wide assessment of current building demands, future expansion load demands, and campus accessibility to design a new gas distribution system. GTS created design drawings, project specifications for construction, an engineer’s cost estimate for construction, created a Cathodic protection system for existing steel services that were previously unprotected, and reviewed all project submittals for compliance for the college. With this being a community college, GTS had to work with and receive plan approval from the Department of State Architecture prior to the construction of the new gas distribution system.

With decreasing state funding, an economical approach had to be used in order to make this project feasible. GTS used a combination of open trenching and HDD’s to keep construction costs to a minimum. GTS also worked with the college and contractor to come up with several “value” engineering solutions to decrease costs.