Abstract:
A method of installing an inspection port on a pipe having asbestos insulation extending therearound in which the method has the steps of positioning the inspection port within a glove bag, affixing an opening of the glove bag onto a surface of the pipe, removing a section of asbestos insulation from the pipe, installing the inspection port onto the pipe within an area of the removed section, and removing the glove bag from the surface of the pipe. An air flow through the bag removes heat from the interior of the glove bag. The interior of the glove bag is maintained at a pressure below ambient.

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/873,948, filed on Jun. 21, 2004, and entitled “Glove Bag Adapted for Use on High Temperature Piping and Method of Installing Inspection Port on Asbestos Insulated Pipe”, now abandoned. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable. 
   REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
   Not applicable. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to methods for asbestos removal. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for the installing of an inspection port onto insulated piping. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of installing inspection ports on asbestos-insulated piping in which glove bags are used for the containment of the removed asbestos material. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In the past, asbestos containing materials have been used to insulate pipes and valves in chemical processing plants, commercial and residential buildings, and in other installations requiring insulation and fire resistant coverings. It has now been documented that exposure to asbestos may lead to cancer. Cancer-related maladies linked to asbestos are generally classified into five different categories, including asbestosis, a type of pulmonary disease caused by inhalation of asbestos-containing dust; pleural disease, which relates to changes in the pleura (the membranes enveloping the lungs and pleural cavity) caused by inhalation of the asbestos fibers; lung cancer; mesothelioma, a form of cancer of the pleural and peritoneal cavities; and other cancers such as laryngeal cancer and cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. Since the discovery of the cancer-causing propensities of asbestos-containing materials, efforts have been made to eliminate sources of asbestos fiber pollution of ambient air. 
   Asbestos, a fibrous form of magnesium and calcium silicate ore, is a friable material which may release microscopic fibers into the air. This presents a health hazard to workers responsible for removing asbestos-containing insulation materials. Consequently, elaborate provisions and regulations have been enacted to control the removal of these materials to minimize risk to workers. 
   The use of protective bag assemblies for isolating asbestos-coated conduits and/or protective clothing, including face masks to prevent inhalation of air-borne fibers, have become mandatory accessories for workers involved in removing asbestos-containing insulation. 
   In order to comply with the established regulations, assemblies have been devised to prevent the propagation of these contaminants into the atmosphere. In this connection, numerous waste removal systems have been designed utilizing a glove bag concept. One such glove bag removal system includes a detachable bag which sealingly encompasses a section of a pipe to be cleaned. A pair of specially shaped flaps are secured to a longitudinal axis of the pipe to form a circumscribing sleeve portion about the pipe. The bag also includes an internal tool pouch and inwardly extending armholes to permit a user to strip the fibrous material from the pipe while remaining isolated from the asbestos-containing materials. A lower portion of the bag collects the removed contaminant material in a separate collection compartment, and the collection compartment is then sealed and removed from a reusable upper portion of the bag. 
   In order to prevent escape of particles from a glove bag, a more recent improved glove bag includes an inlet for a vacuum probe which is inserted into the bag to maintain the interior of the bag at a negative pressure during removal of the waste material. The negative pressure gradient ensures that the airborne contaminants are captured and removed by the vacuum probe. Such glove bags also typically include one or more openings for water spray lines or water nozzles as an extra safety precaution for making the material less friable by wetting it down. 
   There are various problems associated with the use of glove bags in association with high temperature asbestos-insulated piping. Most importantly, the glove bags cannot be effectively used on pipes that have a temperature in excess of 150° F. In certain circumstances, the outer asbestos insulation covering (lagging) of the high temperature piping will have hot spots thereon (caused by fractured insulation) which will tend to melt the glove bag and impair the integrity of the glove bag. In other circumstances, the temperature of the outer asbestos insulation covering (lagging) of the pipe will prevent the adhesives associated with the glove bag from effectively adhering to the surface of the high-temperature piping. In all circumstances, the high temperature (up to 1000° F. for steam lines) will melt the glove bag once the insulation is removed and the surface of the pipe is exposed for the installation of the inspection port. As such, a need has developed in which glove bags can be used in association with high temperature piping for the removal of asbestos therefrom. 
   Additionally, in the past, asbestos removal from piping has involved the entire removal of the asbestos from the surface of the pipe. In these circumstances, the removal of asbestos is a very expensive and time consuming procedure. In certain circumstances, the process associated with such piping must be shut down during the asbestos removal. Often, these complete asbestos removal projects are carried out even though only small inspection ports are required to satisfy the needs of regulators. The entire removal insulation of asbestos from the surface of a pipe is time consuming, expensive and requires a great deal of personnel. 
   It is often desirable to install inspection ports on insulated piping. In many process industries, a large variety of pipes extend throughout the interior of the industry. Ultimately, the material associated with each of the pipes needs to be identified, monitored and maintained. In other circumstances, ultrasonic sensors must be installed in certain areas along the pipe so as to monitor the condition of the piping and possibly monitor the flow of materials within the piping. Still, in other circumstances, positive material identification is required for the various pipes which run throughout a particular process industry. Whenever positive material identification is required, a portion of the insulation of the piping must be removed so as to allow access to the actual material of the piping. The piping should be inspected for the quality of the material used for the pipe and also the condition of the material. Under past regulations, it is necessary to remove all of the asbestos insulation from around the piping in order to carry out positive material identification. Since the procedure is extremely expensive, various delays have occurred in complying with environmental regulations associated with such positive material identifications and associated with such asbestos removal. As such, a need has developed for the ability to install inspection ports without the need for shutting the process or without the need for removing the entirety of the asbestos insulation extending around the piping. 
   In the past, various patents have issued relating to glove bags and asbestos removing activities. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,242, issued on Sep. 15, 1992 to R. E. Lowe, Jr., shows a hazardous waste removal that has a generally rectangular flexible bag having a front panel and a back panel joined at a lower portion of the bag to form a collection chamber. The bag is sealed such that it is impermeable to dust and other particulate matter. The assembly also includes at least one glove sleeve fashioned through the front panel of the bag to permit an operator to remove asbestos from a segment of the enclosed conduit while maintaining subatmospheric air pressure within the bag. A replacement air intake inlet valve is positioned on the front or back panel to permit the ingress of ambient air into the bag while concomitantly preventing egress of air or particulate contents out of the bag. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,846, issued on May 27, 1997 to K. D. Ross, teaches a method of producing safety glove bags. Each of these bags has a sheet of flexible material having a centrally located opening and a lower debris collection and disposal bag that depends from the upper work section about the opening. Upon wrapping and securing the upper work section about a pipe with opposite ends thereof drawn upwardly thereto aside the opening, the work section is configured into a shape of a funnel for funneling debris worked from the pipe down into the collection and disposal bag. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,333, issued on Jun. 2, 1998 to J. D. Ross, shows another variation of U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,846 in which an elongated upper work section has a plurality of in-line lower debris collection and disposal bags depending therefrom. The upper work section has a bottom formed with a plurality of in-line chutes that extend between adjacent bags. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,396, issued on Jul. 28, 1998 to H. C. Israel, shows a glove bag for use in removing hazardous material from pipes. This glove bag includes a double-piece spreadable bag with a center portion that fits around the structure which is covered by asbestos. Flaps, glue and tape are used to seal the bag around the structure. Provision is made for the introduction of a wand for spraying the material with water. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,781, issued on Apr. 6, 1999 to M. Ryder, teaches a glove box which has a rigid frame. The frame has a first hollow face defining a drum-receiving portion that is tubular in shape and a second face that defines an outlet which is also tubular in shape. The remaining four faces of the frame are open and a flexible glove bag is shaped to fit over the frame covering the open faces and to be sealingly attached to the frame. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,252, issued on Nov. 21, 2000 to T. D. Browning, describes a glove box for cutting a hole in a ceiling. The glove box is a transparent container having a central aperture in the bottom. The aperture includes an inwardly extending ring having an outwardly extending flange for attaching a glove. The glove box is held by the user during use or may be supported on top of a telescoping pole. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,122, issued on Aug. 6, 2002 to Henry et al., describes a portable containment system that has a glovebox apparatus. The glovebox apparatus includes a first module for releasably covering a first sidewall opening. The glovebox also has a second modules for releasably covering a second sidewall opening. 
   U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0090174, published on May 15, 2003 to M. Ryder, describes a material transfer apparatus in which a tubular sleeve extends within a covering for accessing the material on the interior of the enclosure. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a method which allows a glove bag to be applied to high-temperature piping. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a method which avoids the release of asbestos during the installation of inspection ports. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a method which facilitates the ability to carry out positive material identification and ultrasonic inspection of pipe. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for installing a re-enterable inspection port which allows for the installation with rope access and/or without scaffolding. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for installing an inspection port which requires only a minimum of personnel. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for installing an inspection, port which minimizes the requirements for the removal of asbestos from around the piping. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method for installing an inspection port which avoids shut down of the plant and process during the installation proceedings. 
   These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a method of installing an inspection port on a pipe having asbestos insulation extending therearound. The method of the present invention comprising the steps of: (1) positioning the inspection port within a glove bag; (2) affixing an opening of the glove bag onto a surface of the pipe; (3) removing a section of asbestos insulation from the pipe; (4) installing the inspection port onto the pipe within an area of the removed section; and (5) and removing the glove bag from the surface of the pipe. 
   In the method of present invention, the step of removing the section of asbestos material occurs entirely within the interior of the glove bag. The removed section of the asbestos insulation is placed within the interior of the glove bag. The interior of the glove bag is maintained at a pressure below ambient pressure. 
   In the present invention, radiant heat removal is accomplished by flowing air through an interior of the glove bag so as to lower a temperature within the glove bag. 
   The step of flowing air includes the steps of: (1) forming an air inlet port on the glove bag so as to communicate with the interior of the glove bag; (2) connecting a HEPA filter vacuum pump to the glove bag so as to communicate with the interior of the glove bag; and (3) operating the vacuum pump so as to draw air through the air inlet port. The air inlet port has a HEPA filter affixed thereto. 
   In the present invention, a water wash port can be formed on the glove bag. A water line can be connected into the interior of the glove bag through this water wash port. Water can be selectively passed from the water line into the interior of the glove bag. 
   At least one tool is positioned within the glove bag. The tool is manipulated within the glove bag so as to cut through the insulation covering and into the asbestos insulation. The glove bag has at least one glove extending thereinto. Subsequent to the removal of the section of asbestos insulation, the tool is stowed into the glove, the glove is then closed around the tool, and the glove and the tool are removed from the glove bag. The glove bag also has a collection bag therein. The removed section of heated asbestos insulation is stowed into this collection bag. 
   In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sheet of heat-resistant material is wrapped around at least a portion of the pipe. The step of affixing includes affixing the opening of the glove bag to a side of the sheet opposite the pipe. An inspection port hole is formed in the sheet with the perimeter edges sealed to the insulation outer covering. The inspection hole is positioned in a desired location on the pipe. The opening of the glove bag extends entirely around the inspection port hole. 
   The step of positioning the inspection port includes placing the inspection port within a closed bag, locating the closed bag in the glove bag, and then opening the closed bag after the section of asbestos insulation is removed. A lagging can be placed over the inspection port such that an opening of the lagging resides over the inspection port. The periphery of this lagging can then be banded around the pipe. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention prior to the removal of asbestos from the pipe. 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view showing the inspection port as installed onto the pipe subsequent to the method of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view showing the location of the inspection port relative to the pipe. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view showing the inspection port as installed within the pipe insulation and a plate that is to be used to cover the inspection port. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an intermediate step associated with the method of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a later step in the method of removing the glove bag. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the piping system  1  associated with the method of the present invention. The piping system  1  includes a tubular interior pipe  2  that is surrounded by an asbestos insulation material  4 . A lagging  6  surrounds the periphery of the insulation material so as to retain the insulation material  4  in direct proximity against an outer wall of the pipe  2 . The pipe  2  is of a type that is used in process industries through which a fluid flows directly therethrough. 
   As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , a heat-resistant wrap  10  is placed around the outer surface of the insulation lagging  6 . A sealing tape  40  is used to secure the wrap  10  around the lagging  6 . As can be seen, the sealing tape  40  extends around the top edge and the bottom edge of the wrap  10 . A section of tape  40  also extends vertically along a seam of the wrap  10 . 
   In normal circumstances, it may not be necessary to use the heat-resistant wrap  10 . It is preferred to use the heat resistant wrap  10  in those circumstances where hot spots develop upon the lagging  6 . These hot spots can often occur by deterioration of the asbestos insulation  4  such that heat transferred from the pipe  2  will flow through the asbestos insulation  4  and into the metal lagging  6 . If there are such “hot spots” which develop on the metal lagging  6 , then it may be difficult to directly apply the glove bag  14  directly to the lagging  6 . As such, the heat-resistant wrap  10  is initially applied around the periphery of the lagging  6 . The wrap  10  can provide a surface onto which the glove bag  14  can be properly secured. The heat-resistant wrap  10  includes an opening  42  which will be located in a desired location for the installation of the inspection port. 
   The glove bag  14  has an opening  15  at one end thereof. The body  17  of the glove bag  14  will drape downwardly from the opening  15 . The opening  15  has a periphery  19  which is secured by the use of sealing tape  40  to the surface of the wrap  10  (or directly onto the surface of the lagging  6 ). In particular, the opening  15  will extend around the opening  42  formed in the wrap  10 . As a result, the opening  15  will be in a desired location for receiving removed insulation material from the area within the opening  42 . The opening  42  has a perimeter  41  that is secured by sealing tape  40  to the wrap  10 . 
   The glove bag  14  is configured so as to have a collection bag  12  secured thereto in an area directly below the opening  42 . As a result, any material removed from the interior of the opening  42  can drop into the collection bag  12 . The collection bag  12  has a portion that extends within the body  17  of the glove bag  14 . Another portion of the collection bag  12  can be adhered to the wrap  10  directly below the opening  42 . 
   In  FIG. 1 , it can be seen that the glove bag  14  has a pair of gloves  36  that have respective openings  37  opening to the exterior of the glove bag  14 . As a result, when the user inserts his or her hands through the openings  37 , they will reside within the glove  36  on the interior of the glove bag  14 . The user can then manipulate his or her hands through the use of the gloves  36  so as to remove asbestos insulation  4  through the opening  42  and deposit the asbestos insulation  4  into the collection bag  12 . 
   In the present invention, it can be seen that there is an air inlet port  16  mounted on a surface of the glove bag  14 . A vacuum port  22  is also formed on a surface of the glove bag  14 . Vacuum  28  has a hose  24  that extends therefrom and through the vacuum port  22  into the interior of the glove bag  14 . The vacuum  28  has a gauge  34  mounted thereon and includes valves  30  and  32  which adjust the amount of vacuum produced by the vacuum  28  and the air flow through the interior of the glove bag  14 . The gauge  34  will monitor the vacuum in the interior of glove bag  14 . It should be noted that the air inlet port  16  has a HEPA filter mounted thereon so as to avoid the release of any asbestos particles in the event that the vacuum on the interior of the glove bag  14  is, in any way, compromised. 
   In the present invention, the vacuum  28  is configured so as to maintain the interior of the glove bag  14  in a generally negative pressure environment. More particularly, the pressure on the interior of the glove bag  14  should be below ambient pressure. As a result, particles will not flow outwardly of the glove bag  14  if the containment of the glove bag  14  is, in any way, damaged or impaired. Importantly, the flow of air through the air intake port  16  and outwardly through the hose  24  of vacuum  28  will create an effective temperature-reducing air flow through the interior of the glove bag  14 . When the glove bag  14  is applied to high-temperature pipe  2 , it may be necessary to dissipate the heat from the interior of the glove bag  14  during the removal of asbestos through the opening  42 . This accomplished by drawing air through the bag, at a desired flow rate, so as to remove radiant heat from the interior of the bag. As a result, unlike prior art glove bags, the present invention can be effectively used in association with high-temperature piping. Additionally, the use of such air flows will tend to prevent any unintended melting of the material of the glove bag  14  or any potential injury to the person carrying out the asbestos removal by dissipating heat from the area of the glove bag  14 . This is accomplished without any possibility of release of airborne asbestos from the glove bag  14 . 
   In  FIG. 1 , it can be seen that the inspection port is received within the sealed bag  38  located in the body  17  of glove bag  14 . A band  39  extends around the top of the bag  38  so as to effectively contain the inspection port therein. This is important since asbestos will be falling throughout the entirety of the body  17  during the asbestos removal process. So as to avoid contamination to the inspection port (to be installed in opening  42 ), the bag  38  is effectively sealed until such time as the asbestos is removed and the interior of the bag is suitably washed down. As a result, the present invention prevents contamination to the inspection port within the bag  38 . 
   A plurality of tools  72  are also located in the body  17  of the glove bag  14 . These tools  72  will be in a desired location that can be accessed by the user through the use of gloves  36 . Tools  72  should be of a suitable type so as to allow for the removal of the asbestos  4  through the opening  42  by cutting, digging, or otherwise forming. The tools  72  should be also appropriate so as to facilitate the installation of the inspection port into the opening  42 . 
   In the present invention, a water pump  26  is connected by water line  20  through a port  18  into the interior of the glove bag  14 . The water pump  26  is configured so as to deliver water into the interior of the glove bag  14 . The use of water can further wash particulate asbestos from the interior of the bag  14  and to clean desired surfaces within the bag  14 . 
     FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the piping system  1  with the inspection port  58  installed on the piping system  1 . In  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that the pipe  2  is located at the interior of the insulation  4 . The lagging  6  extends around the insulation  4  on a side opposite the pipe  2 . The inspection port  58  is installed so as to have a surface resting against the outer surface of the pipe  2  and side walls residing against the sides of the asbestos insulation  4 . The exterior of the inspection port  58  will be flush with the outer surface of the lagging  6 . In normal use, the sides and the perimeter of the inspection port  58  are suitably sealed to the lagging  6  or the insulation  4  so as to prevent any inadvertent release of asbestos from the area between the inspection port  58  and the asbestos  4 . An opening  60  is located through the inspection port  58  so as to provide access to the outer diameter of the pipe  2 . The opening  60  provides an area whereby ultrasonic inspection tools and/or positive material identification activities can take place. 
   In  FIG. 3 , it can be seen that the opening  42  is formed through the lagging  6  and the asbestos insulation  4 . The inspection port  58  is configured so as to fit within the area created by the removal of the asbestos. As can be seen, the sides of the inspection port  58  are suitably tapered inwardly. The opening  60  opens through the outer surface of the inspection port  58 . The inspection port  58  is formed of a non-asbestos material. 
   In  FIG. 4 , it can be seen that the inspection port  58  has been suitably installed within the area of the removed asbestos. Once the inspection port has been installed and sealed around the periphery thereof, another lagging  8  can be wrapped around the existing lagging  6  so as to have an opening  9  that extends around the opening  60  of the inspection port  58 . Bands  68  are placed around the sheet  8  so as to secure the sheet  8  in a desired position around the lagging  6 . A cover plate  70  can be affixed by suitable screws  71  to the inspection port  58 . As a result, the cover plate  70  can be removed, as required, so as to gain access to the opening  60  and the surface of the pipe  2 . It should be noted that the cover plate  70  can also be formed of a clear material so that visual inspection of the opening  60  can easily occur. The use of the sheet  8 , along with the band  68 , further assures a secure asbestos containment area around the inspection port  58 . 
     FIG. 5  shows how the inspection port  58  has been installed within the opening  42 . Subsequent to this installation, the tools  72  are placed in glove  56 . Bands  48  are then wrapped around the exterior of the glove  56  so as to effectively seal the tool  72  within the glove  56 . The glove  56  can then be cut in the area between the bands  48  so as to separate the glove-covered tool  72  from the glove bag  14 . 
   In  FIG. 5 , it can be seen that the detached collection bag  52  is received within the body at the lower end  50  of the glove bag  14 . Water  54 , along with entrapped asbestos, also resides at the bottom  50  of the glove bag  14 . Bands  48  wrap around the exterior of the lower end  50  of glove bag  14 . The asbestos, the lagging detached collection bag section  52  and the water  54  can be separated from the remainder of the glove bag  14  by simply cutting across the area between the bands  48 . 
   Prior to the removal of the glove bag  14 , tape is placed over the air intake port  44  and over the water port  46 . As a result, any accidental release of asbestos through these ports is effectively prevented. The vacuum  28  will continue to run so as to draw the remaining air outwardly from the interior of the glove bag  14  and further to collapse the glove bag  14  against the surface of the wrap  10 . 
     FIG. 6  shows how the tool  72  has been removed from the remainder of the glove  56 . Additionally, it can be seen that the wrap  10  is being rolled up from around the lagging  6 . The vacuum hose  28  has been removed and the port  22  has been effectively closed by the use of tape  62 . The rolled edge  66  is rolled in a particular manner so as to wrap below the opening of the glove bag  14 . As a result, all asbestos contaminates will be securely retained and sealed within the interior of the glove bag  14 . Subsequent to removal of the wrap  10 , the inspection port  58  will be in desired location for installation of the sheet  8  and the bands  68 . 
   The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated configuration can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.