# Memo: Internal — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** PI-80-012  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1980-08-13

PI-80-012 response to Memo: Internal concerning 195.436.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

August 13, 1980
SUBJECT: Interpretation of Section 195.436
FROM:Associate Director for
Pipeline Safety Regulation, DMT-30
TO: Edward J. Ondak
Chief, Central Region, DMT-14
Your memorandum dated May 9, 1980, requested an
interpretation of the security requirements of Section
195.436.
Attached is the interpretation you requested.
/signed/
Melvin A. Judah
Attachment
DB
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1

<<<PAGE 2>>>

No. 80-10
Date: August 13, 1980
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION
MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION BUREAU
_________________________________________________________________
PIPELINE SAFETY REGULATORY INTERPRETATION
_________________________________________________________________No
te:A pipeline safety regulatory interpretation applies a particular
rule to a particular set of facts and circumstances, and, as such,
may be relied upon only by those persons to whom the interpretation
is specifically addressed.
SECTION: 195.436
SUBJECT: Interpretation of Section 195.436
FACTS: Your memorandum dated May 9, 1980, requested an
interpretation concerning section 195.436. You gave a
situation with a tank farm in a rural setting, with a
hard surface road paralleling the front side of the tank
farm, and with no surveillance or monitoring equipment
installed to detect unauthorized entry.
Question: (1) Will either of the following fences meet the
requirements of section 195.436?
(a) A four strand, barbed wire fence surrounding
the perimeter.
(b) A four strand, barbed wire fence on three
sides bounded by farm land with an eight-foot
chain link fence on the front side of the tank
farm.
(2) Will hourly inspections of the tank farm facilities
meet the requirements of ?195.436?
Interpretations: The intent of section 195.436 is to provide
security from vandalism and entry by
unauthorized persons. Although fencing is not
necessarily required, one of the ways to
comply with this regulation would be to
construct a fence adequate to protect the
facility from vandalism and unauthorized
DB
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2

<<<PAGE 3>>>

entry. A barbed wire fence is generally used
to control livestock, but would not deter
entry by unauthorized persons. Hence, neither
of the fencing options you listed would meet
the requirements of the regulation. Likewise,
hourly inspections will not deter unauthorized
entry or prevent vandalism and, therefore,
will not meet the requirements of ?195.436.
signed
Melvin A. Judah
Acting Associate Director for
Pipeline Safety Regulation
Materials Transportation Bureau
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3

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1980/PI80012.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `d78c6fd64cf0c60e2751d747563712ecac29561ddd8d3a20d81d6c39fc66f1cc`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T05:00:40.499Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-pi-80-012`

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