# Heath Consultants Incorporated — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** PI-71-044  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1971-03-29

PI-71-044 response to Heath Consultants Incorporated concerning 192.723.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

March 29, 1971
Mr. Paul M. Heim
Assistant Vice President
Heath Consultants Incorporated
Zero Laurel Avenue
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02181
Dear Paul:
First, I would like to apologize for the delay in your not receiving a timely reply to your letters.
Both letters were put together for reply and for some unknown reason the package was
misplaced.
In reply to your letter of January 25, 1971, question 1, portable flame-ionization equipment does
qualify as suitable equipment for performing a gas detector survey required by Section 192.723(b)
of the gas pipeline safety regulations.
In response to questions 2 and 3 our interpretation is that it is not necessary to have a probe
inserted into manholes or into cracks in pavements or sidewalks. It is necessary that your flame-
ionization equipment pass over all such areas in such manner that the presence of gas leaking
through cracks or the accumulation of gas within manholes would be detected.
I trust this information answers your questions, and if I can be of further assistance, please let me
know. We'll try harder to be more responsive.
Sincerely,
/signed/
Joseph C. Caldwell
Acting Director
Office of Pipeline Safety
DB
C:\WP51\INTERPRT\192\723\71-03-29
1

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1971/PI71044.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `4cc04187dbad26bf9c30529a1bd2fd21239d9a82266e11e37eaba2920b69f291`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T11:51:45.388Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-pi-71-044`

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```