255.553 General requirements.

(a)The pressure must be increased gradually, at a rate that can be controlled.#

(b)Prior to the first pressure increase and at the end of each incremental increase, the pressure must be held constant while the entire segment of the pipeline that is affected is leakage surveyed.#

(c)Each hazardous leak detected must be repaired before a further pressure increase is made. All leaks must be repaired as soon as possible following completion of the upgrading.#

(d)Each operator who upgrades a segment of pipeline shall retain for the life of the segment a record of each investigation required by this Part, of all work performed, and of each pressure test conducted, in connection with the upgrading.#

(e)Each operator who upgrades a segment of pipeline shall establish a written procedure that will ensure compliance with each applicable requirement of this Part.#

(f)Except as provided in section 255.555(c) of this Part, the new maximum allowable operating pressure may not exceed the maximum that would be allowed under sections 255.619 and 255.621 of this Part for a new segment of pipeline constructed of the same materials in the same location. However, when uprating a steel pipeline, if any variable necessary to determine the design pressure under the design formula (section 255.105 of this Part) is unknown, the MAOP may be increased as provided in section 255.619(a)(1) of this Part.#