WASHINGTON HEIGHTS APARTMENTS — Warning Letter

220140012W_warning letter_08112014_text.pdf, page 1Official PDFWARNING LETTER CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED August 11, 2014 Ms. Sonya Gentry Property Manager Washington Heights Apartments 4229 Moncrief Road W Jacksonville, FL 32209 CPF 2-2014-0012W Dear Ms. Gentry: On June 18, 2014, 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 Washington Heights Apartments master meter and downstream piping and facilities. As a result of the inspection, it appears that Washington Heights 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. §192.481 Atmospheric corrosion control: Monitoring. (a) Each operator must inspect each pipeline or portion of pipeline that is exposed to the atmosphere for evidence of atmospheric corrosion, as follows: 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 If the pipeline is located: Onshore Offshore ... (c) If atmospheric corrosion is found during an inspection, the operator must provide protection against the corrosion as required by Sec. 192.479. Washington Heights Apartments did not present records to demonstrate that it had inspected 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.#

220140012W_warning letter_08112014_text.pdf, page 22. §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. Washington Heights Apartments did not present 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. 3. §192.721 Distribution systems: Patrolling. … (b) Mains in places or on structures where anticipated physical movement or external loading could cause failure or leakage must be patrolled - … (2) Outside business districts, at intervals not exceeding 7 1/2 months, but at least twice each calendar year. Washington Heights Apartments did not present records to show it had patrolled its distribution system in the residential area at intervals not exceeding 7½ months, but at least twice each calendar year. 4. §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. Washington Heights Apartments did not present 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. 5. §192.1015 What must a master meter or small liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) operator do to implement this subpart? (a) General. No later than August 2, 2011 the operator of a master meter system or a small LPG operator must develop and implement an IM program that includes a written IM plan as specified in paragraph (b) of this section. The IM program for these pipelines should reflect the relative simplicity of these types of pipelines. Washington Heights Apartments did not present records to demonstrate that it had developed and implemented an IM program. 2#

220140012W_warning letter_08112014_text.pdf, page 3Under 49 United States Code, § 60122, Washington Heights 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 Washington Heights 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 2-2014-0012W. 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#