StationManager™

StationManager™ is a database application for tracking regulator and relief valve station information. It provides predefined fields for general, hydraulic, compliance, operation, and inspection information. Its integral calculation engine allows quick determination of compliance values. Support is provided for a variety of multi-stage, multi-run station configurations. Data is presented in an easy-to-use spreadsheet, data form, and schematic formats. A robust set of import and export routines includes support for GASCalc™, GasValve™, Excel™, and Access™ data files.

In the works for several years, the product represents a collaboration between B3PE and several operating utilities. It is intended to provide database and analytical tools to support both information management and compliance calculation needs of organizations who must comply with US Department of Transportation requirements.

The Database - StationManager provides a predefined database that includes over 150 data fields and over 100 analytical results fields. The data fields include general, hydraulic, compliance, operational settings, inspection, and equipment items. The data fields allow tracking of station location, description, identification, status, dates, hydraulic configuration, MAOPs, installed equipment specifications, inspection results, pressure settings, and digital images of the station. The results fields include detailed pressure, pressure drop, capacity, and velocity values, for each component of the station.

The StationManager data scheme looks at a “station” as a set of stages and runs. A station can consist of up to two runs, with up to two stages per run. Each stage can consist of an upstream piping section, an upstream device (regulator), a complex intermediate piping section, a downstream device (regulator or relief valve), a downstream piping section, and a stack piping section. The stages can be configured as regulator only, relief valve only, regulator-relief valve, regulator-regulator (upstream monitor, downstream monitor, or upstream working monitor), dual regulator-single relief, and single regulator-dual relief valve. Any combination of manufacturer make and model can be included in the stage configurations. Each run can consist of any combination of supported stage configurations. The piping sections can contain a combination of both pipe segments and fittings.

The station data is complimented by a set of lookup tables that contain information on pipe, fitting, regulator, and relief valve properties. The standard tables include a substantial list of makes, models, and sizes which can be modified or enhanced by the User.

The Data Interface - The primary access to the StationManager database is through a spreadsheet-style report interface. Station records are added, deleted, moved, and manipulated using the report interface. However, data values can be entered or revised using either the row and column format report, a “fill-in-the-blank” data form, or a “point-and-click” graphical schematic.

Data entry is enhanced by numerous drop-down and pop-up selection lists and screens. Pop-up tooltips assist the User with the required data entry. The tab delimited report and data screens group the data into functional classifications. The report screen provides a toolbar of useful record and manipulation functions.

Using the report screen, data can be sorted or selected for viewing. Selection sets can be created based on User-defined criteria. For example, only the stations associated with a particular operating district or only stations containing a particular regulator or relief valve type could be selected and displayed.

The dimensional units, the number format, and the fields that are displayed can all be User specified.

An “audit” screen is provided to allow view-only access to select data. This feature is intended to allow a non-User to view station compliance values while denying the ability to change the data.

Data can be printed in a spreadsheet-style report or a document-style data sheet. A printable inspection form assists field data collection.

The Calculation Engine - The StationManager calculation engine was derived from our popular GASCalc software. The StationManager engine has been enhanced to provide a more compliance-oriented set of calculations compared to the more design-oriented methods of GASCalc. The station configuration is defined by the hydraulic data entered in the database. The database allows for a very detailed station definition; however, the actual definition can be as detailed or as general as the User desires. Individual pipe sections, fittings, and valves can be included in the configuration - or the entire section can be generalized as a single pipe segment. Once the configuration is defined, the detailed pressure and flows at both normal and failed conditions can be calculated. The calculation routine will flag conditions that are out of code compliance or outside User-defined limits.

StationManager supports nearly twenty industry-standard pipe flow equations and ten regulator/relief valve equations. This combination of equation and configuration support allows StationManager to support nearly every conceivable station configuration found in the distribution, transmission, or gathering sectors of the industry.

Utilities - StationManager provides a number of utility functions for manipulating data values, sharing data, and importing and exporting data to other software applications. A mass update routine is provided, which allows the User to change data for records meeting certain search criteria. A routine is provided for creating a “sub” database from a selected set of records. Data entry is enhanced by a set of User-defined default data. A full set of file-handling routines are provided for copying, appending, merging, and “zipping” data files.

Import & Export Routines - A very robust set of import and export routines are provided for sharing data with other applications. Routines are provided for reading data from GasValve, GASCalc, dBase, Access, and Excel data files. Routines are also provided for writing data in several of these formats. This allows not only two-way sharing of the data but also allows the User to take advantage of the more general reporting, analytical, and manipulation features of these outside applications.

Pricing & Licensing - Pricing is based on allowed model size - starting at $245 USD for a 25 station version. 

Maintenance & Updates - An annual maintenance fee may be applied for custom installations or in cases where a non-standard license agreement is used; otherwise, no annual maintenance fee is required. Updates to the software are available for download at no additional charge from our website. Technical support on the use of the software is provided by way of telephone or email communication at no additional fee.