TOWN ARMS APARTMENTS — Warning Letter

220130010W_warning letter_05012013_text.pdf, page 1Official PDFWARNING LETTER CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED May 1, 2013 Mr. Jason Langley Treasurer Town Arm Apartments 911 Washington Ave Largo, FL 33770 CPF 2-2013-0010W Dear Mr. Langley: On March 20, 2013, representatives of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Southern Region, Office of Pipeline Safety, pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code, inspected the Town Arm Apartments master meter and downstream piping and facilities at 911 Washington Avenue, Largo, Florida. As a result of the inspection, it appears that Town Arm Apartments has committed probable violations of the Pipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. The items inspected and the probable violations are as follows: 1. §192.455 External corrosion control: Buried or submerged pipelines installed after July 31, 1971. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), and (f) of this section, each buried or submerged pipeline installed after July 31, 1971, must be protected against external corrosion, including the following: ... (2) It must have a cathodic protection system designed to protect the pipeline in accordance with this subpart, installed and placed in operation within 1 year after completion of construction. Town Arm Apartments did not install, and place in operation within one year after completion of construction, a cathodic protection system designed to protect a buried pipeline against external corrosion. Town Arm Apartments had approximately 461 feet of buried 2-inch BIW coated pipe, which was not being cathodically protected. 2. §192.481 Atmospheric corrosion control: Monitoring. (a) Each operator must inspect each pipeline or portion of pipeline that is exposed to#

220130010W_warning letter_05012013_text.pdf, page 2the atmosphere for evidence of atmospheric corrosion, as follows: If the pipeline is located: Onshore Offshore Then the frequency of inspection is: At least once every 3 calendar years, but with intervals not exceeding 39 months At least once each calendar year, but with intervals not exceeding 15 months ... (c) If atmospheric corrosion is found during an inspection, the operator must provide protection against the corrosion as required by Sec. 192.479. Town Arm Apartments did not inspect its onshore pipeline exposed to the atmosphere for evidence of atmospheric corrosion at least once every 3 calendar years, but with intervals not exceeding 39 months. Moreover, Town Arm Apartments did not provide protection against atmospheric corrosion in accordance with §192.479, which requires pipelines to be properly cleaned and coated to prevent atmospheric corrosion. The PHMSA inspector observed and photographed piping at a shorted insulator site just downstream of the master meter that showed signs of atmospheric corrosion. This portion of pipeline had not been properly cleaned and coated to prevent atmospheric corrosion. 3. §192.625 Odorization of gas. ... (f) To assure the proper concentration of odorant in accordance with this section, each operator must conduct periodic sampling of combustible gases using an instrument capable of determining the percentage of gas in air at which the odor becomes readily detectable. Operators of master meter systems may comply with this requirement by- (1) Receiving written verification from their gas source that the gas has the proper concentration of odorant; and (2) Conducting periodic "sniff" tests at the extremities of the system to confirm that the gas contains odorant. Town Arm Apartments did not present to the PHMSA inspector any records to demonstrate that it had assured the proper concentration of odorant in its pipeline system by receiving written verification from its gas source that the gas has the proper concentration of odorant or by conducting periodic "sniff" tests at the extremities of the system to confirm that the gas contains odorant. 4. §192.721 Distribution systems: Patrolling. (a) The frequency of patrolling mains must be determined by the severity of the conditions which could cause failure or leakage, and the consequent hazards to public safety. (b) Mains in places or on structures where anticipated physical movement or external loading could cause failure or leakage must be patrolled - (1) In business districts, at intervals not exceeding 4 1/2 months, but at least four times each calendar year; and 2#

220130010W_warning letter_05012013_text.pdf, page 3(2) Outside business districts, at intervals not exceeding 7 1/2 months, but at least twice each calendar year. Town Arm Apartments did not present to the PHMSA inspector any records to show it patrolled its distribution system in the residential area at intervals not exceeding 7½ months, but at least twice each calendar year. 5. §192.747 Valve maintenance: Distribution systems. (a) Each valve, the use of which may be necessary for the safe operation of a distribution system, must be checked and serviced at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. (b) Each operator must take prompt remedial action to correct any valve found inoperable, unless the operator designates an alternative valve. Town Arm Apartments did not present to the PHMSA inspector any records to demonstrate that it had checked and serviced its shut off (or key valve) which may be necessary for the safe operation of its distribution system at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. Under 49 United States Code, § 60122, Town Arm Apartments is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $ 200,000 per violation per day the violation persists up to a maximum of $2,000,000 for a related series of violations. For violations occurring prior to January 4, 2012, the maximum penalty may not exceed $100,000 per violation per day, with a maximum penalty not to exceed $1,000,000 for a related series of violations. We have reviewed the circumstances and supporting documents involved in this case and have decided not to conduct additional enforcement action or penalty assessment proceedings at this time. We advise you to correct the items identified in this letter. Failure to do so will result in the Town Arm Apartments being subject to additional enforcement action. No reply to this letter is required. If you choose to reply, in your correspondence please refer to CPF 2-2013-0010W. Be advised that all material you submit in response to this enforcement action is subject to being made publicly available. If you believe that any portion of your responsive material qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b), along with the complete original document you must provide a second copy of the document with the portions you believe qualify for confidential treatment redacted and an explanation of why you believe the redacted information qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b). Sincerely, Wayne T. Lemoi Director, Office of Pipeline Safety PHMSA Southern Region 3#