# McDowell Owens Engineering, Inc. — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** PI-95-047  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1995-10-09

PI-95-047 response to McDowell Owens Engineering, Inc. concerning 192.317.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

SR-95-114
U.S. Department 400 Seventh Street, SW
of Transportation Washington, DC 20590
Research and
Special Programs
Administration
October 9, 1995
Mr. Beryl Gamse
Consulting Engineer
McDowell Owens Engineering, Inc.
Suite 100
1075 Kingwood Drive
Kingwood, TX 77339
Dear Mr. Gamse:
I am responding to your letter of September 1, 1995, concerning application of the gas pipeline safety
regulation in 49 CFR 192.317(b) to a liquid petroleum gas transmission line in a rural area. You asked
what criteria can be used to determine if the pipeline is a “ safe distance from the traffic” under
§192.317(b).
I must first point out that pipelines carrying liquid petroleum gas in a liquid state are not subject to the
regulations in 49 CFR Part 192. These regulations apply only to the pipeline transportation of certain
hazardous materials in a gaseous state. Pipelines carrying liquid petroleum gas in a liquid state are
subject to the safety regulations in 49 CFR Part 195.
As to §192.317(b), we have not adopted criteria to judge the safety of distances separating aboveground
gas pipeline facilities from vehicular traffic. So a safe distance would be whatever a reasonable and
prudent pipeline operator would conclude is safe under the circumstances, considering relevant factors
such as the speed limit, the direction of traffic, the terrain, and any natural barriers.
Sincerely,
Richard D. Huriaux, P.E.
Director for Technology and Regulation
Office of Pipeline Safety
95-10-09.doc 192.317

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1995/PI95047.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `600761b1d1b3bed636c4cc7701b391d42a242ef654d25ff21da5d1ba2d9b7963`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T23:07:48.196Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-pi-95-047`

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