# Pipeline Safety Interpretation PI-81-0114

**Citation:** PI-81-0114  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1981-09-04

PI-81-0114 concerning 192.323.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

PI-81-0114
September 4, 1981
Mr. Mike Anderson
Mechanical Engineer
Intermountain Gas Company
555 South Cole Road
P.O. Box 7698
Boise, Idaho 83767
Dear Mr. Anderson:
Thank you for your letter of August 20, 1981 asking whether a building may be constructed over a cased natural gas
main.
The Federal safety standards for natural gas pipelines in 49 CFR Part 192 do not prohibit the operation of a cased main
or other gas pipeline underneath a building. Therefore, as long as there is no State of local restriction, an operator of a
gas pipeline may construct a building over it, and since Part 192 does not apply to persons other than operators, such
persons may construct a building over a gas pipeline absent any State or local restriction.
The regulations you refer to would not apply to the situation of a building being constructed over a cased main. Section
192.323, “Casing,” is a construction requirement that applies when a transmission line or main is being installed with a
casing under an existing railroad or highway. Also, section 192.361 applies to service lines, not mains, and like section
192.323, it applies at the time the pipeline is under construction.
Of course, an operator who has a pipeline over which a building is being constructed must, as required by section
192.613, take appropriate action in response to any changes in class location, corrosion control measures, or other
unusual operating or maintenance conditions that the building would create.
Sincerely,
Original Sign By
Melvin A. Judah
Acting Associate Director for
Pipeline Safety Regulation
Materials Transportation Bureau

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Intermountain Gas Company
555 South Cole Road
P.O. Box 7608
Boise, Idaho 83707
August 20, 1981
Department of Transportation
400 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
RE: Desired Interpretation
Dear Sir:
We have presently a buried 4” steel coated and wrapped natural gas main that is cased in 6” steel and has a
MAOP of 60psig (not a transmission pipeline).
Can a building be constructed over this cased main?
Our finding from CFR 192.361 and 192.323 is that it would be permitted with proper venting and maintenance
procedures.
Your opinion on this matter would be appreciated.
Best Regards
Mike Anderson
Mechanical Engineer.

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1981/g81-09-04_Anderson_192.323-nlmx.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `45bb2b90f74a3ebe4f853cdbc521d9e1ac28e6251297281cb2886e84ab25478b`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T11:20:20.848Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-pi-81-0114`

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