{"operation":"document","citation":"PHMSA Guidance, EFV FAQs","title":"EFV FAQs","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2022-06-02","effective_on":"2022-06-02","summary":"EFV FAQs Document EFV FAQs Guidance_0.pdf (276.84 KB) These updated FAQs provide guidance for operators in the installation of excess flow value safety devices. Issued Date: Thursday, June 2, 2022","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-efv-faqs-0-3f5db93c.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-efv-faqs-0-3f5db93c.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-efv-faqs-0-3f5db93c","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/technical-resources/pipeline/high-volume-excess-flow-valves/efv-faqs-0","body":"EFV FAQs\n\nDocument\n\n EFV FAQs Guidance_0.pdf (276.84 KB)\n\n        These updated FAQs provide guidance for operators in the installation of excess flow value safety devices.\n\n          Issued Date: Thursday, June 2, 2022\n\n<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nEFV Questions & Responses\nExcess Flow Valve Frequently Asked Questions\nMay 17, 2022\nPHMSA published the Pipeline Safety: Expanding the Use of Excess Flow Valves in Gas\nDistribution Systems to Applications Other Than Single-Family Residences final rule on October\n14, 2016, with an effective date of April 14, 2017 (81 FR 70987). PHMSA amended the\nregulations in 49 CFR Part 192 regarding the use of excess flow valves and manual-service-line\nshut-off valves on gas service lines after considering comments from industry, stakeholders, and\nmembers of the public. This Excess Flow Valve Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) guidance\ndocument provides additional information on excess flow valves. PHMSA provides FAQs to\nhelp the public understand how to comply with the existing requirements under the regulations.\nFAQs are not substantive rules, are not meant to bind the public in any way, and do not assign\nduties, create legally enforceable rights, or impose new obligations not otherwise contained in\nthe existing regulations. However, an operator who can demonstrate compliance with the FAQs\nis likely to be able to demonstrate compliance with the relevant regulations.\nGlossary\nTerm Acronym\nAmerican Gas Association AGA\nBritish Thermal Unit BTU\nCubic Feet per Hour CFH\nExcess Flow Valve EFV\nManual-service-line Shut-off Valve MSLV\nMulti-family Residence Operations and Maintenance MFR\nO&M\nPounds per Square Inch Gauge Standard Cubic Feet per Hour PSIG\nSCFH\nSingle-family Residence SFR\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nEFV Questions & Responses\n1. How can an operator recover the costs of installing EFVs on existing service lines?\nCustomer-requested EFVs on existing service lines are covered by 49 CFR 192.383(d). That\nprovision states that “[t]he operator’s rate-setter determines how and to whom the costs of the\nrequested EFVs are distributed.”\n2. Does PHMSA require operators to complete installations if a customer cannot or will\nnot pay for an EFV that the rate setter (e.g. a state regulatory authority) determined\nshould be the customer’s responsibility?\n49 CFR 192.383(d) states that “[t]he operator’s rate-setter determines how and to whom the\ncosts of the requested EFVs are distributed.” Operators should address questions related to\npayment to the pertinent rate-setting authority, which may, in some cases, be the state\nregulatory authority.\n3. Can an operator install an EFV closer to the riser if such an installation site is less\nexpensive than installing the EFV close to the main?\nNo. 49 CFR 192.381(d) requires each operator to install EFVs “as near as practical to the\nfitting connecting the service line to its source of gas supply.” Additionally, EFVs provide\nprotection only downstream from the location of their installation; therefore, installation at\nthe service riser would limit the utility, effectiveness, and safety benefits of installing an EFV\nin most cases.\n4. Can an operator install MSLVs on service lines to SFRs rather than EFVs? What about\nother smaller intake consumers such as MFRs and small, commercial customers?\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nEFV Questions & Responses\nNo. Pursuant to 49 CFR 192.383(b)(1)-(3), an operator does not have the option to install an\nMSLV in place of an EFV on service lines to SFRs or branched service lines.1 Similarly,\npursuant to 49 CFR 192.383(b)(4)-(5), an operator does not have the option to install an\nMSLV in place of an EFV on service lines for MFRs or single, small, commercial customers\nserved by a single service line, each with a known customer load at the time that the meter\nwas installed of no more than 1,000 SCFH.\n5. Will PHMSA require an operator to install an MSLV on a service line that qualifies for\nan exception pursuant to 49 CFR 192.383(c)?\nThe exceptions in 49 CFR 192.383 apply to EFVs, not MSLVs, which are covered by 49\nCFR 192.385. Please see 49 CFR 192.385 for determinations regarding MSLV installation.\n6. Do the requirements in 49 CFR 192.383(b)(2)-(5) allow an operator to install a single\nEFV on a branched service line that leads to multiple commercial services?\nThe requirements in 49 CFR 192.383(b)(2)-(3) apply only to SFRs, not commercial services.\nSimilarly, 49 CFR 192.383(b)(4) applies to MFRs, not commercial services. While 49 CFR\n192.383(b)(5) is applicable to commercial services, it does not allow a single EFV on a\nbranched line and requires an operator to install an EFV on each individual commercial\nservice line if the known customer load did not exceed 1,000 SCF at the time of meter\ninstallation.\n1 Per 192.385, “manual service line shut-off valve” means “a curb valve or other manually operated valve located\nnear the service line that is safely accessible to operator personnel or other personnel authorized by the operator to\nmanually shut off gas flow to the service line, if needed.”\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nEFV Questions & Responses\n7. Can an operator install an MSLV at the main of a branched, small, commercial service\nline for which the connected load exceeds 1,000 SCFH rather than installing an EFV on\neach service line?\nYes. Pursuant to 49 CFR 192.383(b)(5), operators must install an EFV on any new or\nreplaced single service line that serves a single, small, commercial customer and has a known\ncustomer load that, based on installed meter capacity, did not exceed 1,000 SCFH at the time\nof meter installation. However, pursuant to 49 CFR 192.385, an operator may choose instead\nto install an MSLV at the main of a branched, small, commercial service line where the\nconnected load exceeds 1,000 SCFH.\n8. How does meter capacity impact the installation requirements for EFVs on SFR service\nlines?\nOperators must install EFVs on service lines for SFRs and SFR branched services even if\ntheir known customer loads exceed 1,000 SCFH (49 CFR 192.383(b)(1)-(3)). PHMSA does\nnot expect the loads of SFRs or SFR branched service lines to regularly exceed 1,000 SCFH;\ntherefore, PHMSA did not include any capacity measures for EFV installation requirements\nfor SFRs and SFR branched service lines. PHMSA does not require operators to install\nEFVs if no commercially available EFVs meet the 49 CFR 192.381 performance standards\nfor that specific line (see 49 CFR 192.383(c)(4)). In such instances, operators should\ndocument the justification for any exception regarding the installation of an EFV. Note: On\nSFRs or SFR branched services, an operator does not have the option to install MSLVs\ninstead of EFVs (49 CFR 291.383(b)(1)-(3)).\n\n<<<PAGE 5>>>\n\nEFV Questions & Responses\n9. Do PHMSA regulations require an operator to install an MSLV on a service line that:\n1) either is attached to a single SFR or that is a branched service line that supplies gas\nto a residential customer; 2) had a known customer load at the time the meter was\ninstalled that exceeded 1,000 SCFH; and 3) on which the operator had already installed\nan EFV?\nNo. Pursuant to 49 CFR 192.385(b), an MSLV is not required if an operator has already\ninstalled an EFV on the line in question.\n10. Does PHMSA have a preference regarding whether an operator installs EFVs or\nMSLVs on service lines for which the known customer load at the time that the meter\nwas installed exceeded 1,000 SCFH?\nIn situations where 49 CFR 192.385 requires an operator to install either an EFV or an\nMSLV, the operator may install an EFV if the operator is able to obtain an EFV, if such an\ninstallation is possible and supported by an engineering analysis, and if the meter capacity\nexceeds 1,000 SCFH or if the known customer load in CFH at the time that the meter was\ninstalled exceeded 1,000 SCFH.\n11. What is the frequency with which 49 CFR 192.383(e) states that an operator must\nnotify customers of their right to request installation of EFVs?\nNotification frequency is not defined in the regulations. An operator must notify all\ncustomers that they have a right to request EFVs as required by 49 CFR 192.383(e).\nInitially, all operators were required to notify their customers of this right by April 14, 2017.\n\n<<<PAGE 6>>>\n\nEFV Questions & Responses\nAs customers may change over time, each operator is responsible for determining the\nnotifications needed to satisfy 49 CFR 192.383(e) to alert their evolving customer base.\nOne way that an operator could notify their customers is by creating a webpage or posting to\na social-media site that is accessible to all applicable customers and that includes sufficient\ninformation to help customers make informed decisions regarding whether they would like to\nrequest EFVs. Each operator should adhere to 49 CFR 192.383(e)(1)-(4) to ensure that their\nwebpage satisfies all notification requirements. An operator could ensure that they reach all\napplicable customers by using other methods in combination with the webpage, including\nincorporating information into new-customer packets, providing inserts in customers’ bills,\nand adding statements on billing materials. An operator could employ electronic methods of\ncommunication—such as websites and social media—as long as the methods allow the\noperator to reach all customers who have the right to request EFVs.\n12. Can an operator employ a website notification as the sole method they use to notify\ncustomers of their right to request installation of EFVs?\nOperators who rely solely on a website or social media to educate customers regarding their\nright to request EFVs should also provide all customers—including customers who receive\nonly paper bills—with information that details how to access the website or social media\npage(s). This is consistent with 49 CFR 192.383(e)(1), which states that operators must\nprovide written or electronic notification to customers regarding their right to request\ninstallation of an EFV.\n\n<<<PAGE 7>>>\n\nEFV Questions & Responses\n13. What are the maintenance requirements for maintenance-free ball valves used as\nMSLVs?\nAn operator who uses maintenance-free ball valves as MSLVs must comply with the\nrequirements in 49 CFR 192.385(c). Specifically, the operator should consult their\nOperations and Maintenance (O&M) manuals and the manufacturer’s instructions, as both\ncould contain additional maintenance requirements. MSLVs installed pursuant to 49 CFR\n192.385 are subject to regular scheduled maintenance, as documented by the operator and as\nspecified by the valve manufacturer. Operators should incorporate procedures into their\nmaintenance plans that include detailed requirements for regularly scheduled maintenance.\n14. What is the meaning of the phrase “regular scheduled maintenance” in 49 CFR\n192.385?\nThe meaning of “regular scheduled maintenance” should be documented in the operator’s\nO&M plans and procedures and should consider and incorporate the valve manufacturer’s\nspecifications for proper maintenance. Maintenance and inspection interval procedures\nshould also be documented in each operator’s O&M procedures. Note that 49 CFR\n192.385(c) states that “[m]anual service shut-off valves installed under this section are\nsubject to regular scheduled maintenance, as documented by the operator and consistent with\nthe valve manufacturer’s specification.” Therefore, all MSLVs must be regularly inspected\nand maintained.\nOperator personnel can satisfy the requirements of 49 CFR 192.385(c) by ensuring that their\nvalves are accessible and free of debris that could inhibit operation, as well as by confirming\n\n<<<PAGE 8>>>\n\nEFV Questions & Responses\nthat the valves can turn and operate (see 81 FR at 70993). Operators must take all necessary\nactions to ensure that their valves are accessible during an emergency.\n15. Do the exemptions for EFV installation apply to MSLV installation? Should an\noperator install an MSLV on a service line that had a known customer load at the time\nthat the meter was installed of more than 1,000 SCFH if that service line also operates\nat less than 10 PSIG or meets another of the 49 CFR 192.383(c) exception criteria?\nThe exceptions in 49 CFR 192.383(c) only apply to EFVs that are covered by the\nrequirements in 49 CFR 192.383(b). The exceptions do not apply to MSLVs, which are\nregulated under 49 CFR 192.385. Even in a situation where there are exceptions regarding\nthe use of an EFV, an operator must install an MSLV if 49 CFR 192.385 requires an MSLV.\nPlease see the following table for additional information:\nSingle-Family\nResidences^ Multifamily Residences Commercial Customers Served\nby a Single Service Line\nAny Meter\nCapacity\nInstalled\nMeter\nCapacity ≤\n1,000 SCFH\nInstalled\nMeter\nCapacity >\n1,000 SCFH\nInstalled Meter\nCapacity ≤\n1,000 SCFH\nInstalled Meter\nCapacity >\n1,000 SCFH\nOperating\nPressure\n< 10 PSIG\nNothing\nRequired\nNothing\nRequired Install MSLV Required Nothing\nInstall MSLV\nOperating\nPressure\n≥ 10 PSIG\nInstall EFV* Install EFV* Install EFV or\nMSLV Install EFV* Install EFV or\nMSLV\n* Subject to exceptions listed in 49 CFR 192.383(c)\n^ Includes both single service lines and branched service lines for SFRs\n16. Can an operator locate MSLVs on their property lines, or must the operator locate\nthese valves closer to the main?\n\n<<<PAGE 9>>>\n\nEFV Questions & Responses\nIt depends. Operators must install MSLVs in locations that will allow personnel to safely\naccess the valves to manually shut off gas flow to the service line, if necessary (see 49 CFR\n192.385(a)). Additionally, each owner and operator must ensure that any MSLVs they install\non new or replaced service lines are accessible during emergencies (see 49 CFR 192.385(c)).\nOperators should ensure that each valve is installed in a location that will allow the operator\nto access the valve to turn it off during an emergency.\n17. What is the meaning of the phrase “known customer load” in 49 CFR 192.383(b)(4)-\n(5)?\nA known customer load is based on the load of any natural gas equipment installed at a\ncustomer’s site at the time the operator installs a gas meter. The operator then uses the\nknown customer load at the time the meter was installed to determine the capacity of the gas\nmeter. An operator can obtain a known customer load in CFH by dividing the input of each\ngas appliance’s average heating value—as expressed in BTUs—by the average BTUs per\ncubic foot of gas. For example: each gas appliance in a house has an input BTU value. If the\nhouse’s total BTU load was 250,000 BTUs and the average number of BTUs per cubic foot\nwas 1,000, the total CFH load would be 250 CFH. An operator could provide additional\nconsiderations for the customer’s meter pressure, gas type, pipe size, and flow range.\n18. PHMSA uses both “known customer load” and “meter capacity” in 49 CFR\n192.383(b)(4)-(5). How should operators apply these concepts in selection of safety\ndevices (as between EFVs and MSLVs)?\n\n<<<PAGE 10>>>\n\nEFV Questions & Responses\nThe operator should consider the best available information at the time that the meter was\ninstalled. In a properly designed system, the known customer load will be reflected in the\nselected meter capacity; operators use that meter capacity to identify and install the\nappropriate safety equipment. However, if the meter capacity is significantly oversized for\nthe customer load (i.e., situations where there is a large gap between the known customer\nload and the meter capacity), operators should base their decisions on the customer load.\nThis approach would allow operators to select the safety device that is most appropriate and\neffective for a specific operating environment.\n19. Does PHMSA intend to exempt service lines that are longer than the manufacturer’s\nrecommendation for the size of a service line?\nOperators do not need to install an EFV on a particular service line if there are no EFVs that\nare commercially available for the line and that meet the performance standards required (see\n49 CFR 192.383(c)(4)). For example, operators do not need to install an EFV if one is not\navailable to meet the necessary performance standards for the length of a service line.\nFurther, PHMSA does not intend for EFVs to impede necessary O&M activities, and there\nmay be situations in which the installation of an EFV could constitute such an impediment\nand serve as a basis for an exception (see 49 CFR 192.383(c)(3)).\nIf an operator believes that an EFV exemption is appropriate in a given situation, the operator\nshould assess the situation based on the operator’s historical knowledge, justify the\ndetermination, and document the situation and the operator’s decision.\n\n<<<PAGE 11>>>\n\nEFV Questions & Responses\n20. What is the meaning of the phrase “located near the service line” in 49 CFR 192.385?\nMuch like the purpose of the EFV installation requirements in 49 CFR 192.381 and 192.383,\nthe intent of 49 CFR 192.385 is to protect the service line by adding MSLVs or, if possible,\nEFVs. MSLVs should be accessible at all times and should also be installed in a location that\nwill protect as much of the service line as possible; this generally means that they should be\ninstalled between the main and locations of accessibility such as the curb or sidewalk,\ndepending on the location of the main. Operators should ensure that each valve is installed in\na location that will allow the operator to access the valve to turn it off during an emergency.\n21. If an operator replaces the majority of a service line, is it acceptable for the operator to\ninstall an EFV as close as possible to a main (the source of the gas) that the operator\ncould not replace because the service line was buried under a street?\nYes. If an operator installs an EFV, they should place the EFV as close to the source of gas\nas they can to ensure that the EFV protects as much of the service line as possible (see 49\nCFR 192.381(d)). Operators should install EFVs in accordance with the regulation if the\noperator replaces either a service line that travels from the main to the customer’s house or a\nsegment of a service line near the fitting that connects the main to the service line. However,\noperators are not required to install an EFV if the operator only replaces a short segment of a\nservice line that is far away from the main or the gas source, as EFVs in such locations may\nnot provide protection against pipeline failure.","truncated":false,"body_characters":18310}