# Sprague Meter Company — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** PI-72-0118  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1972-12-22

PI-72-0118 response to Sprague Meter Company concerning 192.197.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

PI-72-0118
December 22, 1972
Mr. Howard W. Berghegger
Manager-Technical Services
Sprague Meter Company
35 South Avenue
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06601
Dear Mr. Berghegger:
This is in reply to your letter of November 17, 1972, concerning constant loaded regulators which you manufacture. You
ask for confirmation of your understanding that the inlet pressure line of such a regulator is not classed as a control line.
Section 192.197 (a) (6) of the federal regulations (49 CFR §192.197 (a) (6) states that where the maximum actual
operating pressure of a distribution system is under 60 p.s.i.g., no other pressure limiting device is required if the system
has a service regulator which, among other characteristics, is self-contained with no external static or control lines. You
question now, in effect, whether the inlet pressure line connecting the two valve bodies of your constant loaded
regulator would be acceptable under the regulation.
Your understanding is correct. Even though the inlet pressure line is a pilot supply line which may be necessary to the
operation of the regulator, it is not classed as an external static or control line for purposes of §192.197(a)(6).
If we may be of further assists in this matter, please call on us.
Sincerely,
SIGNED
Joseph C. Caldwell
Director
Office of Pipeline Safety

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Sprague Meter Company
35 South Avenue
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06601
November 17, 1972
Mr. Paul Cory
Office of Pipeline Safety
Department of Transportation
Washington, D. C. 20590
Dear Mr. Cory:
During the Appalachian Gas Measurement Short Course in Morgantown, West Virginia last August, you told Mr. George
Hughes that, in your opinion, D.O.T. did not consider the inlet pressure line connecting the two valve bodies of our CL
(constant loaded) regulator as a pilot operated regulator control line.
Due to the various utility companies’ interpretation of the code, many of our customers will not use the CL regulators, as
they feel the line is classed as a "control line."
Attached is literature describing the CL-34, CL-31, and CL-231 regulators. Will you please review and give us a letter
stating the function of the inlet pressure line is not classed as a pilot operated control line, if this is your decision.
Your cooperation and attention to this urgent matter will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Howard W. Berghegger
Manager – Technical Services

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1972/g72-12-22_Berghegger_192.197-nlmx.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `478b17576a21a6dcef051426d5bdba5fc85907a0d8ed2136e74a33d9cad06dd0`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T22:17:45.998Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-pi-72-0118`

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