Apparatus and method for controlled access to pressurized fluid lines and to exhausted lines

A method comprising:

• providing a venting and purging system comprising:
• a manifold having an isolation valve, a pressure gauge, a purge gas valve and a helium valve;
• and
• a purge gas tank connected to said purge valve and a helium tank connected to said helium valve;
• providing an access device comprising:
• a rod body having a longitudinal bore;
• a packing fitting attached to a first end of said rod body and a valve attached to an opposite second end of said rod body;
• a transverse arm between said first and second ends of said rod body, said transverse arm having a longitudinal bore communicating with said longitudinal bore of said rod body;
• an additional transverse arm between said first and second ends of said rod body, said additional transverse arm having an additional longitudinal bore communicating with said longitudinal bore of said rod body;
• and
• a slideable rod in said longitudinal bore of said rod body, said rod having a first end and an opposite second end, in a first position of said rod said first end extends through said packing fitting to outside of said rod body and said second end is contained within said rod body, in a second position of said rod said first end extends through said packing fitting to outside of said rod body and said second end of said rod extends through and past said valve when said valve is connected to said second end of said rod body;
• sliding said rod to said first position and connecting said second end of said rod body to said valve, said ball valve previously connected to an exhaust line;
• connecting said traverse arm of said access device to said isolation valve;
• connecting said additional traverse arm to a vent valve connected to a maintenance exhaust line;
• opening said valve and sliding said rod to said second position;
• venting said exhaust line by opening and then closing said vent valve;
• and
• purging said system by opening and then closing said purge valve.