scope:

NEN 3655 describes the functional requirements for a safety management system (SMS) for pipeline systems for the transport of hazardous substances.

This standard is not limited to steel pipeline systems, but also applies for pipeline systems of plastic, concrete and cast iron.

The purpose of the SMS is to manage and where possible reduce the safety risks of the transport of hazardous substances and/or substances under high pressure for people and the environment (including urban, natural or industrial environment). The SMS has the further purpose by means of technical and organizational measures to prevent unusual incidents and to limit the consequences of the release of hazardous substances and/or substances under high pressure. Adequate implementation of the SMS promotes the life and reliability of the pipeline system.

The SMS covers the whole life cycle of the pipeline system. An important part of the SMS is the "Pipeline Integrity Management System" (PIMS) that is aimed at managing the integrity of the pipeline system in the operational phase and in the phase in which the pipeline system (or parts of it) are decommissioned, permanently or otherwise.

NEN 3655 applies to:

a) onshore Group 1 pipeline systems (according to NEN 3650-1);

b) pipelines specifically indicated in the Regulation on external safety of pipelines (Regeling externe veiligheid buisleidingen - Revb).