Components Fabricated by Welding [49 CFR 192.153]

(A)A. Except for branch connections and assemblies of standard pipe and fittings joined by circumferential welds, the design pressure of each component fabricated by welding, whose strength cannot be determined, must be established in accordance with Paragraph UG-101 of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) (Section VIII, Division 1) (incorporated by reference, see §507). [49 CFR 192.153(a)]#

(B)B. Each prefabricated unit that uses plate and longitudinal seams must be designed, constructed, and tested in accordance with the ASME BPVC (Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels as defined in either Section VIII, Division 1 or Section VIII, Division 2; incorporated by reference, see §507), except for the following: [49 CFR 192.153(b)]#

(1)1. regularly manufactured butt-welding fittings; [49 CFR 192.153(b)(1)]#

(2)2. pipe that has been produced and tested under a specification listed in §5103, Appendix B to this Subpart; [49 CFR 192.153(b)(2)]#

(3)3. partial assemblies such as split rings or collars; [49 CFR 192.153(b)(3)]#

(4)4. prefabricated units that the manufacturer certifies have been tested to at least twice the maximum pressure to which they will be subjected under the anticipated operating conditions. [49 CFR 192.153(b)(4)]#

(C)C. Orange-peel bull plugs and orange-peel swages may not be used on pipelines that are to operate at a hoop stress of 20 percent or more of the SMYS of the pipe. [49 CFR 192.153(c)]#

(D)D. Except for flat closures designed in accordance with the ASME BPVC Section VIII, Division 1 or 2, (both incorporated by reference, see §507), flat closures and fish tails may not be used on pipe that either operates at 100 psi (689 kPa) gage, or more, or is more than 3 inches (76 millimeters) nominal diameter. [49 CFR 192.153(d)]#

(E)E. The test requirements for a prefabricated unit or pressure vessel, defined for this Subsection as components with a design pressure established in accordance with Subsection A or Subsection B of this Section are as follows. [49 CFR 192.153(e)]#

(1)1. prefabricated unit or pressure vessel installed after July 14, 2004 is not subject to the strength testing requirements at §2305.B provided the component has been tested in accordance with Subsection A or Subsection B of this Section and with a test factor of at least 1.3 times MAOP. [49 CFR 192.153(e)(1)]#

(2)2. A prefabricated unit or pressure vessel must be tested for a duration specified as follows: [49 CFR 192.153(e)(2)]#

(a)a. A prefabricated unit or pressure vessel installed after July 14, 2004, but before October 1, 2021 is exempt from §§2305.C and D and 2307.C provided it has been tested for a duration consistent with the ASME BPVC requirements referenced in Subsection A or B of this Section. [49 CFR 192.153(e)(2)(i)]#

(b)b. A prefabricated unit or pressure vessel installed on or after October 1, 2021 must be tested for the duration specified in either §2305.C or D, 2307.C, or §2309.A, whichever is applicable for the pipeline in which the component is being installed. [49 CFR 192.153(e)(2)(ii)]#

(3)3. For any prefabricated unit or pressure vessel permanently or temporarily installed on a pipeline facility, an operator must either: [49 CFR 192.153(e)(3)]#

(a)a. Test the prefabricated unit or pressure vessel in accordance with this Section and Chapter 23 of this Subpart after it has been placed on its support structure at its final installation location. The test may be performed before or after it has been tied-in to the pipeline. Test records that meet §2317.A must be kept for the operational life of the prefabricated unit or pressure vessel; or [49 CFR 192.153(e)(3)(i)]#

(b)b. For a prefabricated unit or pressure vessel that is pressure tested prior to installation or where a manufacturer's pressure test is used in accordance with Subsection E of this Section, inspect the prefabricated unit or pressure vessel after it has been placed on its support structure at its final installation location and confirm that the prefabricated unit or pressure vessel was not damaged during any prior operation, transportation, or installation into the pipeline. The inspection procedure and documented inspection must include visual inspection for vessel damage, including, at a minimum, inlets, outlets, and lifting locations. Injurious defects that are an integrity threat may include dents, gouges, bending, corrosion, and cracking. This inspection must be performed prior to operation but may be performed either before or after it has been tied-in to the pipeline. If injurious defects that are an integrity threat are found, the prefabricated unit or pressure vessel must be either non-destructively tested, re-pressure tested, or remediated in accordance with applicable Subpart 3(Part 192) requirements for a fabricated unit or with the applicable ASME BPVC requirements referenced in Subsections A or B of this Section. Test, inspection, and repair records for the fabricated unit or pressure vessel must be kept for the operational life of the component. Test records must meet the requirements in §2317.A. [49 CFR 192.153(e)(3)(ii)]#

(4)4. An initial pressure test from the prefabricated unit or pressure vessel manufacturer may be used to meet the requirements of this Section with the following conditions: [49 CFR 192.153(e)(4)]#

(a)a. The prefabricated unit or pressure vessel is newly-manufactured and installed on or after October 1, 2021, except as provided in Subparagraph E.4.b of this Section. [49 CFR 192.153(e)(4)(i)]#

(b)b. An initial pressure test from the fabricated unit or pressure vessel manufacturer or other prior test of a new or existing prefabricated unit or pressure vessel may be used for a component that is temporarily installed in a pipeline facility in order to complete a testing, integrity assessment, repair, odorization, or emergency response-related task, including noise or pollution abatement. The temporary component must be promptly removed after that task is completed. If operational and environmental constraints require leaving a temporary prefabricated unit or pressure vessel under this Subsection in place for longer than 30 days, the operator must notify PHMSA and State or local pipeline safety authorities, as applicable, in accordance with § 518. [49 CFR 192.153(e)(4)(ii)]#

(c)c. The manufacturer's pressure test must meet the minimum requirements of this Subpart; and [49 CFR 192.153(e)(4)(iii)]#

(d)d. The operator inspects and remediates the prefabricated unit or pressure vessel after installation in accordance with Subparagraph E.3.b of this Section. [49 CFR 192.153(e)(4)(iv)]#

(5)5. An existing prefabricated unit or pressure vessel that is temporarily removed from a pipeline facility to complete a testing, integrity assessment, repair, odorization, or emergency response-related task, including noise or pollution abatement, and then re-installed at the same location must be inspected in accordance with Subparagraph E.3.b of this Section; however, a new pressure test is not required provided no damage or threats to the operational integrity of the prefabricated unit or pressure vessel were identified during the inspection and the MAOP of the pipeline is not increased. [49 CFR 192.153(e)(5)]#

(6)6. Except as provided in Subparagraphs E.4.b and Paragraph E.5 of this Section, on or after October 1, 2021, an existing prefabricated unit or pressure vessel relocated and operated at a different location must meet the requirements of this Subpart and the following: [49 CFR 192.153(e)(6)]#

(a)a. The prefabricated unit or pressure vessel must be designed and constructed in accordance with the requirements of this Subpart at the time the vessel is returned to operational service at the new location; and [49 CFR 192.153(e)(6)(i)]#

(b)b. The prefabricated unit or pressure vessel must be pressure tested by the operator in accordance with the testing and inspection requirements of this Subpart applicable to newly installed prefabricated units and pressure vessels. [49 CFR 192.153(e)(6)(ii)]#

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:501 et seq.#

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation, LR 9:223 (April 1983), amended LR 10:516 (July 1984), LR 20:444 (April 1994), LR 27:1539 (September 2001), LR 30:1234 (June 2004), LR 44:1037 (June 2018), LR 47:1142 (August 2021) repromulgated LR 47:1331 (September 2021), LR 49:1103 (June 2023), amended by the Department of Conservation and Energy, Office of Enforcement, LR 51:1832 (November 2025).#