American Public Gas Association Security and Integrity Foundation (APGA-SIF) Launch SHRIMP Online System

HOUSTON, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- APGA-SIF and Technical Toolboxes announce the launch of SHRIMP, the Simple, Handy, Risk-Assessment, Integrity, Management Plan, an online tool to help gas utility operators to create a written Distribution Integrity Management Plan required by new federal pipeline safety regulations. All utilities must have written plans in place by August 2, 2011.

SHRIMP is an on-line program that uses a question and answer process to collect information about the design, construction, operation and maintenance history of distribution systems.  Based on the answers provided by the user, SHRIMP assesses and ranks eight different threats to distribution integrity and records that information into the written plan that is created specifically for your system.   Threats are ranked using a risk ranking index model developed specifically for SHRIMP. SHRIMP offers menus of possible additional actions to reduce risks to the system as well as performance measures to monitor the effectiveness of the plans at reducing those risks. Also, where operators have existing programs addressing any threat, SHRIMP allows the user to incorporate these programs into the DIMP plan. The end result is a complete written plan that addresses all the requirements of the regulation.

SHRIMP: GUIDED BY INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT EXPERTS

SHRIMP was developed through a cooperative agreement with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and guided by an advisory group composed of industry, state and federal pipeline safety experts.

SHRIMP is free for systems with fewer than 1,000 meters and low priced for all operators. To date, over 250 systems have pre-registered to use SHRIMP to create their DIMP plans. Several large investor-owned utilities have also signed up to use SHRIMP as a way to get input from their field personnel into the corporate DIMP development process. To learn more about SHRIMP go to www.apgasif.org. 

Why use SHRIMP for your Distribution Integrity Management Plan?

• Creates complete DIMP
• Funded by DOT/PHMSA
• Low cost
• Can be customized with GIS and other proprietary data

About The American Public Gas Association (APGA) Security and Integrity Foundation (SIF)

The APGA Security and Integrity Foundation (APGA-SIF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. APGA created the SIF in 2004. APGA-SIF is dedicated to promoting the security and operational integrity and safety of small natural gas distribution and utilization facilities. It focuses its resources on enhancing the abilities of gas utility operators to prevent, mitigate and repair damage to the nation's small gas distribution infrastructure. For more information, please visit http://www.apgasif.org.

About Technical Toolboxes (TTI)

Technical Toolboxes Inc. (TTI) is a provider of integrated software products, consulting, and training for engineering and technical professionals in the pipeline and gas distribution industry. TTI was selected by APGA-SIF and DOT-PHMSA to develop the web-based SHRIMP Data Integrity Management Plan solution and to provide ongoing technical support, updates and enhancements for the system. For more information, please visit www.technicaltoolboxes.com

SOURCE Technical Toolboxes