{"operation":"document","citation":"PHMSA Guidance, Pipeline Safety: Mechanical Fitting Failure Reports","title":"Pipeline Safety: Mechanical Fitting Failure Reports","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2012-06-11","effective_on":"2012-06-11","summary":"Pipeline Safety: Mechanical Fitting Failure Reports Document 2012-14089.pdf (195.43 KB) This notice provides clarification to owners and operators of gas distribution pipeline facilities when completing the Mechanical Fitting Failure Report Form, PHMSA F 7100.1– 2. Initial reviews of reports submitted for calendar year 2011 failures have identified a need for PHMSA to issue this notice to provide operators with addit","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-pipeline-safety-mechanical-fitting-failure-reports-ee4883e9.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-pipeline-safety-mechanical-fitting-failure-reports-ee4883e9.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-pipeline-safety-mechanical-fitting-failure-reports-ee4883e9","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulatory-compliance/phmsa-guidance/pipeline-safety-mechanical-fitting-failure-reports","body":"Pipeline Safety: Mechanical Fitting Failure Reports\n\nDocument\n\n 2012-14089.pdf (195.43 KB)\n\n        This notice provides clarification to owners and operators of gas distribution pipeline facilities when completing the Mechanical Fitting Failure Report Form, PHMSA F 7100.1– 2. Initial reviews of reports submitted for calendar year 2011 failures have identified a need for PHMSA to issue this notice to provide operators with additional guidance for reporting the apparent cause. PHMSA has also enhanced the online submittal process and plans to implement further improvements.\n\n          Issued Date: Monday, June 11, 2012\n\n<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nFederal Register / Vol. 77, No. 112 / Monday, June 11, 2012 / Notices\n34457\nEmergency Wetlands Resources Act\n[16 U.S.C. 3921, 3931]; Wetlands\nMitigation [23 U.S.C. 103(b)(6)(M)\nand 133 (b)(11)]; Flood Disaster\nProtection Act [42 U.S.C. 4001–\n4128].\n9. Executive Orders: E.O. 11990\nProtection of Wetlands; E.O. 11988\nFloodplain Management; E.O.\n12898 Federal Actions To Address\nEnvironmental Justice in Minority\nPopulations and Low Income\nPopulations; E.O. 11593 Protection\nand Enhancement of Cultural\nResources; E.O. 13007 Indian\nSacred Sites; E.O. 13175\nConsultation and Coordination with\nIndian Tribal Governments; E.O.\n11514 Protection and Enhancement\nof Environmental Quality; E.O.\n13112 Invasive Species. (Catalog of\nFederal Domestic Assistance\nProgram Number 20.205, Highway\nPlanning and Construction. The\nregulations implementing Executive\nOrder 12372 regarding\nintergovernmental consultation on\nFederal programs and activities\napply to this program.)\nAuthority: 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1)\nIssued On: June 5, 2012.\nMichelle Eraut,\nProgram Development Team Leader Salem,\nOregon.\n[FR Doc. 2012–14045 Filed 6–8–12; 8:45 am]\nBILLING CODE 4910–22–P\nsrobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES\npublished on April 27, 2012, in the ROD\napproved on June 5, 2012, and in other\ndocuments in the FHWA project\nrecords. This notice applies to all\nFederal agency decisions as of the\nissuance date of this notice and all laws\nunder which such actions were taken,\nincluding but not limited to:\n1. General: National Environmental\nPolicy Act (NEPA) [42 U.S.C 4321–\n4347]; Federal-Aid Highway Act\n[23 U.S.C. 109 and 23 U.S.C. 128];\nSection 6002 of the Safe,\nAccountable, Flexible, Efficient\nTransportation Equity Act: A\nLegacy for Users [SAFETEA–LU—\n23 U.S.C. 139].\n2. Air: Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401–\n7671(q)].\n3. Land: Section 4(f) of the Department\nof Transportation Act of 1966\n[23 U.S.C. 138 and 49 U.S.C. 303];\nLand and Water Conservation Fund\n(LWCF) [16 U.S.C. 4601–4604];\nLandscaping and Scenic\nEnhancement (Wildflowers)\n[23 U.S.C. 319].\n4. Wildlife: Endangered Species Act\n[16 U.S.C. 1531, et seq.]; Magnuson-\nStevens Fishery Conservation and\nManagement Act [16 U.S.C. 1801, et\nseq.]; Fish and Wildlife\nCoordination Act [16 U.S.C. 661–\n667 (d)]; Migratory Bird Treaty Act\n[16 U.S.C. 703–712]; Bald and\nGolden Eagle Protection Act\n[16 U.S.C. 668–668(c)].\n5. Historic and Cultural Resources:\nSection 106 of the National Historic\nPreservation Act of 1966, as\namended [16 U.S.C. 470(f)];\nArcheological Resources Protection\nAct of 1977 [16 U.S.C. 470(aa)–\n470(ll)]; Archeological and Historic\nPreservation Act [16 U.S.C. 469–\n469(c)]; Native American Grave\nProtection and Repatriation Act\n(NAGPRA) [25 U.S.C. 3001–3013].\n6. Social and Economic: Title VI of the\nCivil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C.\n2000(d) et seq.]; American Indian\nReligious Freedom Act [42 U.S.C.\n1996]; Farmland Protection Policy\nAct (FPPA) [7 U.S.C. 4201–4209].\n7. Hazardous Materials and Waste:\nComprehensive Environmental\nResponse, Compensation, and\nLiability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C.\n9601–9675; Resource Conservation\nand Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C.\n6901–6992(k).\n8. Wetlands and Water Resources: Clean\nWater Act [33 U.S.C. 1251–1377];\nSafe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)\n[42 U.S.C. 300(f)–300(j)(6)]; Rivers\nand Harbors Act of 1899 [33 U.S.C.\n401–406]; Wild and Scenic Rivers\nAct [16 U.S.C. 1271–1287];\nSUMMARY: This notice provides\nclarification to owners and operators of\ngas distribution pipeline facilities when\ncompleting the Mechanical Fitting\nFailure Report Form, PHMSA F 7100.1–\n2. Initial reviews of reports submitted\nfor calendar year 2011 failures have\nidentified a need for PHMSA to issue\nthis notice to provide operators with\nadditional guidance for reporting the\napparent cause. PHMSA has also\nenhanced the online submittal process\nand plans to implement further\nimprovements.\nVerDate Mar<15>2010 20:21 Jun 08, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00121 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\\FR\\FM\\11JNN1.SGM 11JNN1\nDEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials\nSafety Administration\n[Docket No. PHMSA–2012–0079]\nPipeline Safety: Mechanical Fitting\nFailure Reports\nAGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety Administration\n(PHMSA), DOT.\nACTION: Notice; Issuance of Advisory\nBulletin.\nADDRESSES: This document can be\nviewed on the PHMSA home page at:\nhttp://www.phmsa.dot.gov and in\ndocket number PHMSA–2012–0079 at\nhttp://www.regulations.gov.\nFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:\nChris McLaren, Distribution Integrity\nManagement Program Coordinator at\n281–216–4455, or by email at\nchris.mclaren@dot.gov.\nSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:\nI. Background\nSection 192.1009 of the pipeline\nsafety regulations (49 CFR parts 190–\n199) requires each owner or operator of\na gas distribution pipeline facility to file\na written report for any mechanical\nfitting failure that results in a hazardous\nleak. A hazardous leak is defined in\n§ 192.1001 as a leak that represents an\nexisting or probable hazard to persons\nor property and requires immediate\nrepair or continuous action until the\nconditions are no longer hazardous.\nEach report must be filed by March 15\nof the following year on a Mechanical\nFitting Failure Report Form (PHMSA F\n7100.1–2).\nA report is required for all failures\nregardless of the material composition,\ntype, manufacturer, or size of the fitting.\nThe reporting requirements apply to all\nfailures that result in a hazardous leak\ndue to the use of a fitting and may\ninclude failures in the body of the\nmechanical fitting, failures in the joints\nbetween the fitting and the pipe,\nindications of leakage from the seals\nassociated with the fitting, and partial or\ncomplete separation of the pipe from the\nfitting. Operators are to report all\nmechanical fitting failures regardless of\nthe cause. It is important to note that\nPHMSA does not seek information\nrelated to failures of cast iron bell and\nspigot joints unless the leak resulted\nfrom a failure of a mechanical fitting\nused to repair or reinforce a joint.\nQuestion 15, ‘‘Apparent Cause of\nLeak’’, under Part C of PHMSA F\n7100.1–2 specifies various apparent\ncauses of leaks. These causes include\n‘‘Corrosion,’’ ‘‘Natural Forces,’’\n‘‘Excavation Damage,’’ ‘‘Other Outside\nForce Damage,’’ ‘‘Material or Welds/\nFusions,’’ ‘‘Equipment,’’ ‘‘Incorrect\nOperation,’’ and ‘‘Other.’’ These\napparent cause options contain two\npotential options for a failure that\napparently results from incorrect\ninstallation of the mechanical fitting.\nOne option is ‘‘Material or Welds/\nFusions’’ with a subcategory of\n‘‘Construction/Installation Defect.’’ The\nother option is ‘‘Incorrect Operation.’’\nPHMSA prefers that failures resulting\nfrom an installation defect be reported\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nsrobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES\n34458 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 112 / Monday, June 11, 2012 / Notices\nusing ‘‘Incorrect Operation’’ as the\napparent cause. It is PHMSA’s intent to\ncapture failure data under the ‘‘Material\nor Welds/Fusions’’ leak cause category\nthat is specific to manufacture,\nfabrication, material, and design defects.\nIn addition, operators have contacted\nPHMSA with a suggestion to expedite\nthe finalization and electronic\nsubmission of reports. Many operators\nhave developed unique identifiers for\ntheir mechanical fitting failures. These\noperators have suggested that the form\nbe revised to allow the addition of this\nunique identifier to each report. This\nwill allow for ease of identification and\nprevention of duplicate filing. PHMSA\nhas revised the form to collect this\ninformation.\nOver eight thousand Mechanical\nFitting Failure Reports were received\nduring calendar year 2011. Several\noperators have requested the ability to\nsubmit multiple reports simultaneously.\nPHMSA has begun work on a function\nwithin the online system to allow the\nsimultaneous submission of multiple\nreports.\nII. Advisory Bulletin (ADB–2012–07)\nTo: All Gas Distribution Operators.\nSubject: Completion of Mechanical\nFitting Failure Report Form, Leak\nCauses.\nAdvisory: As specified in § 192.1009,\noperators of all gas distribution pipeline\nfacilities are required to report the\nfailure of any mechanical fitting that\nresults in a hazardous leak on a\nMechanical Fitting Failure Report Form\n(PHMSA F 7100.1–2). The report is\nrequired for all failures regardless of the\nmaterial composition, type,\nmanufacturer, or size of the fitting.\nOperators are to report all mechanical\nfitting failures regardless of the cause.\nReporting requirements also apply to\nfailures resulting from the use of a\nfitting and may include failures in the\nbody of mechanical fitting, failures in\nthe joints between the fitting and the\npipe, indications of leakage from the\nseals associated with the fitting, and\npartial or complete separation of the\npipe away from the fitting. However,\nPHMSA does not seek information\nrelated to failures of cast iron bell and\nspigot joints unless the leak resulted\nfrom a failure of a mechanical fitting\nused to repair or reinforce a joint.\nThe apparent cause options under\nPart C, Question 15 (Apparent Cause of\nLeak) on PHMSA F 7100.1–2 contain\ntwo potential options for a failure that\napparently results from incorrect\ninstallation of the mechanical fitting.\nOne option is ‘‘Material or Welds/\nFusions’’ with a subcategory of\n‘‘Construction/Installation Defect.’’ The\nother option is ‘‘Incorrect Operation.’’\nPHMSA prefers that failures resulting\nfrom an installation defect be reported\nusing ‘‘Incorrect Operation’’ as the\napparent cause. It is PHMSA’s intent to\ncapture failure data under the ‘‘Material\nor Welds/Fusions’’ leak cause category\nthat is specific to manufacture,\nfabrication, material, and design defects.\nWhen creating a report in PHMSA’s\nonline system, operators may now\ninclude a unique identifier for each\nreport to help operators distinguish\nreports.\nSeveral operators have requested the\nability to submit multiple reports\nsimultaneously. PHMSA has begun\nwork on a function within the online\nsystem to allow the simultaneous\nsubmission of multiple reports.\nIssued in Washington, DC on June 4, 2012.\nJeffrey D. Wiese,\nAssociate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.\n[FR Doc. 2012–14089 Filed 6–8–12; 8:45 am]\nBILLING CODE 4910–60–P\nDEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials\nSafety Administration\n[Docket No. PHMSA–2012–0112]\nPipeline Safety: Requests for Special\nPermit\nAGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety Administration\n(PHMSA); DOT.\nACTION: Notice.\nSUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal\npipeline safety laws, PHMSA is\npublishing this notice of special permit\nrequests we have received from\nNorgasco, Inc., and BreitBurn Energy\nCompany LP, two natural gas pipeline\noperators, seeking relief from\ncompliance with certain requirements\nin the Federal pipeline safety\nregulations. This notice seeks public\ncomments on the requests, including\ncomments on any safety or\nenvironmental impacts. At the\nconclusion of the 30-day comment\nperiod, PHMSA will evaluate the\nrequests and determine whether to grant\nor deny a special permit.\nDATES: Submit any comments regarding\nthese special permit requests by July 11,\n2012.\nADDRESSES: Comments should reference\nthe docket numbers for the specific\nspecial permit request and may be\nsubmitted in the following ways:\n• E-Gov Web Site: http://\nwww.Regulations.gov. This site allows\nthe public to enter comments on any\nFederal Register notice issued by any\nagency.\n• Fax: 1–202–493–2251.\n• Mail: Docket Management System:\nU.S. Department of Transportation,\nDocket Operations, M–30, West\nBuilding Ground Floor, Room W12–140,\n1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,\nWashington, DC 20590.\n• Hand Delivery: DOT Docket\nManagement System: U.S. Department\nof Transportation, Docket Operations,\nM–30, West Building Ground Floor,\nRoom W12–140, 1200 New Jersey\nAvenue SE., Washington, DC 20590,\nbetween 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.,\nMonday through Friday, except Federal\nholidays.\nInstructions: You should identify the\ndocket number for the special permit\nrequest you are commenting on at the\nbeginning of your comments. If you\nsubmit your comments by mail, please\nsubmit two copies. To receive\nconfirmation that PHMSA has received\nyour comments, please include a self-\naddressed stamped postcard. Internet\nusers may submit comments at http://\nwww.Regulations.gov.\nNote: Comments are posted without\nchanges or edits to http://\nwww.Regulations.gov, including any personal\ninformation provided. There is a privacy\nstatement published on http://\nwww.Regulations.gov.\nFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:\nGeneral: Kay McIver by telephone at\n(202) 366–0113; or, email at\nkay.mciver@dot.gov.\nTechnical: Jeffery Gilliam by\ntelephone at (202) 366–0568; or, email\nat Jeffery.Gilliam@dot.gov.\nSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PHMSA\nhas received requests for special permits\nfrom two natural gas pipeline operators,\nNorgasco, Inc., (‘‘NI’’), and BreitBurn\nEnergy Company LP (‘‘BreitBurn’’)\nseeking relief from compliance with\ncertain pipeline safety regulations.1 The\nrequests include a technical analysis\nprovided by the operators. The requests\nare filed in the Federal Docket\nManagement System (FDMS) and have\nbeen assigned docket numbers,\n(Norgasco—PHMSA–2011–0344 and\nBreitBurn—PHMSA–2011–0343) in the\nFDMS. We invite interested persons to\nparticipate by reviewing these special\npermit requests at http://\nwww.Regulations.gov, and by\nsubmitting written comments, data or\nother views. Please include any\ncomments on potential environmental\n1 Effective December 31, 2011, BreitBurn Energy\nCompany LP, changed its name to Pacific Coast\nEnergy Company, LP.\nVerDate Mar<15>2010 20:21 Jun 08, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00122 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\\FR\\FM\\11JNN1.SGM 11JNN1","truncated":false,"body_characters":14246}