Compressor Stations: Emergency Shutdown [49 CFR 192.167]

(A)A. Except for unattended field compressor stations of 1,000 horsepower (746 kilowatts) or less, each compressor station must have an emergency shutdown system that meets the following. [49 CFR 192.167(a)]#

(1)1. It must be able to block gas out of the station and blow down the station piping. [49 CFR 192.167(a)(1)]#

(2)2. It must discharge gas from the blowdown piping at a location where the gas will not create a hazard. [49 CFR 192.167(a)(2)]#

(3)3. It must provide means for the shutdown of gas compressing equipment, gas fires, and electrical facilities in the vicinity of gas headers and in the compressor building, except, that: [49 CFR 192.167(a)(3)]#

(a)a. electrical circuits that supply emergency lighting required to assist station personnel in evacuating the compressor building and the area in the vicinity of the gas headers must remain energized; and [49 CFR 192.167(a)(3)(i)]#

(b)b. electrical circuits needed to protect equipment from damage may remain energized. [49 CFR 192.167(a)(3)(ii)]#

(4)4. It must be operable from at least two locations, each of which is: [49 CFR 192.167(a)(4)]#

(a)a. outside the gas area of the station; [49 CFR 192.167(a)(4)(i)]#

(b)b. near the exit gates, if the station is fenced, or near emergency exits, if not fenced; and [49 CFR 192.167(a)(4)(ii)]#

(c)c. not more than 500 feet (153 meters) from the limits of the station. [49 CFR 192.167(a)(4)(iii)]#

(B)B. If a compressor station supplies gas directly to a distribution system with no other adequate source of gas available, the emergency shut-down system must be designed so that it will not function at the wrong time and cause an unintended outage on the distribution system. [49 CFR 192.167(b)]#

(C)C. On a platform located offshore or in inland navigable waters, the emergency shutdown system must be designed and installed to actuate automatically by each of the following events: [49 CFR 192.167(c)]#

(1)1. in the case of an unattended compressor station: [49 CFR 192.167(c)(1)]#

(a)a. when the gas pressure equals the maximum allowable operating pressure plus 15 percent; or [49 CFR 192.167(c)(1)(i)]#

(b)b. when an uncontrolled fire occurs on the platform; and [49 CFR 192.167(c)(1)(ii)]#

(2)2. in the case of a compressor station in a building: [49 CFR 192.167(c)(2)]#

(a)a. when an uncontrolled fire occurs in the building; or [49 CFR 192.167(c)(2)(i)]#

(b)b. when the concentration of gas in air reaches 50 percent or more of the lower explosive limit in a building which has a source of ignition. [49 CFR 192.167(c)(2)(ii)]#

(D)D. For the purpose of Subparagraph C.2.b of this Section, an electrical facility which conforms to Class 1, Group D of the National Electrical Code is not a source of ignition. [49 CFR 192.167(c)(2)(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 9:224 (April 1983), amended LR 10:517 (July 1984), LR 27:1540 (September 2001), LR 30:1235 (June 2004).#