PREFACE

System Design was the sixth book published in 1990 as part of the original Gas Engineering and Operating Practices (GEOP) series. The series comprises six volumes, each consisting of from one to three books in the operational areas of Supply, Transmission, Distribution, Measurement, Utilization, and Technical Services.

System Design, along with Mains and Services - Operating Considerations, make up the GEOP Distribution volume. Its purpose is to provide a current, concise-but complete-overview of the materials, equipment, and design practices for gas distribution systems. Whether a new hire or a CEO, you will be pleased with the way that GEOP authors and editors have simplified complicated subjects and gratified to find so much experience and knowledge at your fingertips.

As comprehensive as it is, System Design does not pretend to offer specific answers to every question that might arise in practice. The references it provides to other gas technology literature expands its usefulness beyond its contents. Readers owe a special debt of gratitude to Manuela Erickson of Safety and Compliance Evaluation, Inc. who indexed the book.

The contributions of the late Samuel I. Hyman touch many areas in the book. Not only did Sam, a prolific communicator with exceptional knowledge of a broad range of gas industry technology, write extensively for System Design, he was also reviewing manuscripts of other writers up to the very end of his life. The result owes much to his contributions, both direct and through his input to and stimulation of others.