# OAK ALLEY APARTMENTS — Warning Letter

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 220130011W
- **title:** OAK ALLEY APARTMENTS — Warning Letter
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2013-05-01
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED warning letter citing 192.625(f), 192.721, 192.747.
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- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-220130011w
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/220130011W
**body:**

Warning Letter involving OAK ALLEY APARTMENTS. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulations as 192.625(f),  192.721,  192.747. The case was opened on 2013-05-01 and is reported as closed as of 2013-05-01. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

220130011W_warning letter_05012013.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/220130011W/220130011W_warning%20letter_05012013.pdf

220130011W_warning letter_05012013_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/220130011W/220130011W_warning%20letter_05012013_text.pdf

220130011W_warning letter_05012013_text.pdf

WARNING LETTER
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
May 1, 2013
Dr. Raafat Hanna
Owner/Operator
Three Angels Investment Co.
709 Villagrande Avenue South
Saint Petersburg, FL 33707-2067
CPF 2-2013-0011W
Dear Dr. Hanna:
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 Oak Alley Apartments master meter and
downstream piping and facilities at 610 W. Bay Drive, Largo, Florida.
As a result of the inspection, it appears that Oak Alley 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. §192.625 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.
Oak Alley 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
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concentration of odorant or by conducting periodic "sniff" tests at the extremities of the
system to confirm that the gas contains odorant.
2. §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) Outside business districts, at intervals not exceeding 7 1/2 months, but at least
twice each calendar year.
Oak Alley 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 in 2011 and 2012.
3. §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.
Oak Alley 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, Oak Alley 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
Oak Alley 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 2-2013-0011W. 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
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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
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