# Which pipelines must I protect against atmospheric corrosion and what coating material may I use?

**Citation:** 49 CFR 195.581  
**Type / status:** regulation / current  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** 2026-08-18  
**Published:** Not stated

(a) You must clean and coat each pipeline or portion of pipeline that is exposed to the atmosphere, except pipelines under paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) Coating material must be suitable for the prevention of atmospheric corrosion.

(c) Except portions of pipelines in offshore splash zones or 

## Document text

(a) You must clean and coat each pipeline or portion of pipeline that is exposed to the atmosphere, except pipelines under paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) Coating material must be suitable for the prevention of atmospheric corrosion.

(c) Except portions of pipelines in offshore splash zones or soil-to-air interfaces, you need not protect against atmospheric corrosion any pipeline for which you demonstrate by test, investigation, or experience appropriate to the environment of the pipeline that corrosion will—

(1) Only be a light surface oxide; or

(2) Not affect the safe operation of the pipeline before the next scheduled inspection.

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/on/2026-08-18/title-49/section-195.581>
- Source ID: `ecfr`
- SHA-256: `24514a38317adf470645f3342e294e4b751f347015abfa4c736138b627706f35`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T05:54:41.219Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T16:44:08.065Z
- Document slug: `49-cfr-195-581`

### Source metadata

```json
{
  "cfrTitle": 49,
  "part": "195",
  "section": "195.581",
  "subpart": "Subpart H—Corrosion Control",
  "corpusVersion": "2026-08-18",
  "jurisdiction": "US"
}
```