{"operation":"document","citation":"PI-17-0012","title":"Northern Arizona University — Pipeline Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2017-12-11","effective_on":null,"summary":"PI-17-0012 response to Northern Arizona University concerning 191.3.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-17-0012.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-17-0012.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-17-0012","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/pipeline/interpretations/56626/northern-arizona-university-pi-17-0012-11-07-2017-part-1913.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nofTransportation\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials\nSafety Administration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue SE\nWashington DC 20590\nN OV 0 6 2017\nMr. Jonathan Heitzinger\nAssociate Director: Utility Services\nNorthern Arizona University\nPO Box 6016\nFlagstaff, AZ 86011-6016\nDear Mr. Heitzinger:\nIn a July 20, 2017 email to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\n(PHMSA), you requested an interpretation of 49 CFR Part 191. Specifically, you requested an\ninterpretation on the requirements of§ 191.3 as it relates to a master meter system.\nYou described your pipeline system as follows:\nNorthern Arizona University currently operates as a Master Meter System. We purchase\nnatural gas from Unisource Energy Services through four master meters and distribute\nnatural gas through our internally owned and operated distribution system to buildings\nwithin our property line. Currently the piping systems total 42,467 feet in length, at\npressures ranging from 10 to 54 psi, serving 112 risers with 5 pressure reducing stations\nand are not interconnected. The buildings are owned and operated by NAU, owned by\nNAU with portions rented to external entities, or have land leased to external\norganizations where they own and operate the buildings to support the primary mission of\nthe university. The external organizations include retail, food service, laboratories,\noffices, and student housing and are charged for natural gas consumption through meters\nor rent.\nUpon review of interpretations PI-03-0101 and PI-73-030 it seems that a college or\nuniversity is classified as a master meter system ifthere is underground piping and there\nare instances where the college or university is not the ultimate consumer. Additionally,\nthere did not appear to be a limit to the size of systems, number of systems, or varying\ntypes of concessionaires or tenants. Based on the interpretations and regulations it seems\nthat the Master Meter System definition does apply to NAU, and that our system is\nsubject to the distribution regulations from 192-199 with the exceptions identified for a\nMaster Meter System.\nYou asked whether the Northern Arizona University (NAU) falls under the Master Meter System\ndefinition of 49 CFR 191.3 and could operate the pipeline system under the exceptions for a\nmaster meter system. Specifically, you asked for clarification of whether the definition of a\nMaster Meter System is limited by size or by the number of types of services.\nThe Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety provides written clarifications of the Regulations ( 49 CFR\nParts 190-199) in the fonn of interpretation letters. These letters reflect the agency's current application of the regulations to the specific facts\npresented by the person requesting the clarification. Interpretations do not create legally-enforceable rights or obligations and are provided to\nhelp the public understand how to comply with the regulations.\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n2\nSection 191.3 defines a master meter system as:\n[A] pipeline system for distributing gas within, but not limited to, a definable area, such\nas a mobile home park, housing project, or apartment complex, where the operator\npurchases metered gas from an outside source for resale through a gas distribution\npipeline system. The gas distribution pipeline system supplies the ultimate consumer who\neither purchases the gas directly through a meter or by other means, such as by rents.\nIn PI-73-030, PHMSA stated that \"If the college owned gas system provides gas to consumers\nsuch as concessionaires, tenants, or others, it is engaged in the distribution of gas, and the\npersons to whom it is providing gas would be considered the customers even though they may\nnot be individually metered. In this situation the pipelines downstream of the master meter used\nto distribute the gas to these ultimate consumers would be considered mains and service lines\nsubject to the Federal pipeline safety standards.\" (Collins Interpretation, PI-73-030, issued Oct.\n24, 1973).\nIn PI-03-0101, PHMSA explained that a college would not meet the definition of Master Meter\nSystem if it were only \"using the gas delivered through its pipeline system to provide heat and\nhot water to campus buildings.\" In that instance \"the college would be the consumer of the gas.\"\nIt continued to explain, however, that ifthe college \"gas system provides gas to consumers, such\nas concessionaires, tenants, or others, it is engaged in the distribution of gas, and the persons to\nwhom it is providing gas would be considered the customers even though they may not be\nindividually metered. In this situation, the pipelines downstream of the master meter used to\ndistribute the gas to these ultimate consumers would be considered mains and service lines\nsubject to the Federal pipeline safety regulations.\" In conclusion, the college would be\nconsidered a master meter system subject to the pipeline safety regulations if it provides gas to\ncustomers in addition to providing heat and hot water to campus buildings. (Bryant College\nInterpretation, PI03-0101, issued Feb. 14, 2003).\nThe Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety provides written clarifications of the Regulations\n(49 CFR Parts 190-199) in the form of interpretation letters. These letters reflect the agency's current application of the regulations to the\nspecific facts presented by the person requesting the clarification. Interpretations do not create legally-enforceable rights or obligations and\nare provided to help the public understand how to comply with the regulations.\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\n3\nYou have indicated that NAU's system is within the university's property line and distributes gas\nto buildings that are \"owned and operated by NAU, owned by NAU with portions rented to\nexternal entities, or have land leased to external organizations where they own and operate the\nbuildings to support the primary mission of the university. The external organizations include\nretail, food service, laboratories, offices, and student housing and are charged for natural gas\nconsumption through meters or rent.\" NAU's gas distribution pipeline system therefore\n\"supplies the ultimate consumer who either purchases the gas directly through a meter or by\nother means, such as by rents.\" Consequently, it meets the definition of a master meter system\nand NAU operates the pipeline system as a master meter system operator.\nIfwe can be of further assistance, please contaCt Tewabe Asebe at 202-366-5523.\nSincerely,\nDirector, Office of Standards\nand Rulemaking\nThe Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety provides written clarifications of the Regulations\n(49 CFR Parts 190-199) in the form of interpretation letters. These letters reflect the agency's current applipation of the regulations to the\nspecific facts presented by the person requesting the clarification. Interpretations do not create legally-enforceable rights or obligations and\nare provided to help the public understand how to comply with the regulations.\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nNORTHERN\nARIZONA rm1\nFacility Services\nPO Box 6016\nFlagstaff, AZ 86011-6016\nhttp://www. nau .edu/facility-services\n928-523-6895\n928-523-9481 fax\nJon. Heitzinger@nau.edu\nU NI VE RS I T Y~\nU.S Department of Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\nEast Building, 2 nd Floor\nMail Stop: E24-455\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Mail Stop: E24-455\nWashington, DC 20590\nDear Sir/ Madam,\nI am writing you to determine if Northern Arizona University (NAU) falls under the Master Meter System\ndefinition from Title 49 CFR 191.3 and should operate our distribution system under the exceptions for a\nmaster meter system under CFR 191-199. Specifically, I am seeking clarification of whether the\ndefinition of a Master Meter System is limited by size or by the number of types of services.\nNorthern Arizona University currently operates as a Master Meter System. We purchase natural gas\nfrom Unisource Energy Services through four master meters and distribute natural gas through our\ninternally owned and operated distribution system to buildings within our property line. Currently the\npiping systems total 42,467 feet in length, at pressures ranging from 10 to 54 psi, serving 112 risers with\n5 pressure reducing stations and are not interconnected. The buildings are owned and operated by NAU,\nowned by NAU with portions rented to external entities, or have land leased to external organizations\nwhere they own and operate the buildings to support the primary mission of the university. The external\norganizations include retail, food service, laboratories, offices, and student housing and are charged for\nnatural gas consumption through meters or rent.\nUpon review of interpretations Pl-03-0101 and Pl-73-030 it seems that a college or university is classified\nas a master meter system if there is underground piping and there are instances where the college or\nuniversity is not the ultimate consumer. Additionally, there did not appear to be a limit to the size of\nsystems, number of systems, or varying types of concessionaires or tenants. Based on the\ninterpretations and regulations it seems that the Master Meter System definition does apply to NAU,\nand that our system is subject to the distribution regulations from 192-199 with the exceptions\nidentified for a Master M eter System. Do you agree?\nSincerely,\nJon Heitzinger\nAssociate Director of Utility Services\nNorthern Arizona University\n\n<<<PAGE 5>>>\n\nW\nKAIBAB\nLN\nW M\nE\nTZ\nWALK\n7\nS\nP\nL\nA\nZ\nA\nWAY\nST.\nGLOBE\nS.\nW.DUPONT\nAVE.\nW.CHATEAU DR.\nE.\nMCCRACKEN\nST.\nS.BLACKBIRD\nROOST\nW.ROUTE\n66\nWALK\nMETZ\nW.\nNorth Plant\nS.MILTON RD.\nRegulator Station\nW.\nRIORDAN RD.\n92\nW\n. RI\nO\nRDAN RD.\nS.\nPL\nA\nZ\nA\nWAY\nST.\nRANCH\nRIORDAN\nS.\n4\n27A\n8\n11\nNorth East Master\n55\nMeter Zone\n34 PSI\nMOUN\nT AIN VIEW DR\nS. MILTON RD.\n14\nS. RIORDAN RANCH ST.\nCHAMBERS\nDR.\nW.UNIVERSITY\nAVE.\n15\nS. MILTON RD.\nS. SAN FRANCISCO ST.\nGAS\n18\n59\n59\n19\nE.\nS. MILTON RD.\nFOREST\nST.\nW.\nMEADOWS\nS. MILTON RD.\nMCC O\nDR.\nTO\nNN\nE\nL L\nI-17SB\n29 I-40 EBTOI-17 NB\nINTERS T ATE 17\nI-17\nTO\nSB\nI-40WB\n36\nW. SAUNDERS DR.\n24\nDR.\nW.\nMCCONNELL\nDR.\nTO\nELL\nNB\nN\nI-17\nON\nMCC\nSouth Plant\nMaster Meter\n96\nE. PINE KNOLL DR\nW.\nS.FLORENCE\nTOMBSTONE AVE.\nW.CLAY AVE.\nLN.\nS\nAI\nP\nL\nA\nM\nS.\nS.PARK ST.\nS.MIKES PIKE\nROUTE 66\nW.\nW. CLAY AVE.\nW.\nS.KENDRICK ST.\nBUTLER AVE.\n1\nS.MILTON RD.\n2\n2\nS. KNOLES DR.\nGAS\n3A\n58A\n58\nW DUPONT AVE\n58\nS.HUMPHREYS\nST.\n57\n3\n5\n1\nMCMULLEN\n4\nCIR.\n6\nGAS\n88\n12\n1 1\nGAS\n10\n8\nTORMEY\n9\n17\n13A 13\nGAS\nDR. (ONE-WAY)\n19\n20\n15\n5\n16\n16A\nY\n)\n27\nGAS\nA\nW\n36\nE\n-\nABANDONED\n21\n18\nY\n)\nNL\nO\nN\nO\nGAS\nR\n. (\n_\n21B\nD\nES\n18A\nS\n14\n26\nOSBORNE\nGAS\n23A\n24\n23\nIT-WAY (BU\nS\nN\n22\nA\nT TR\nMCCREARY DR. (ONE-WAY)\nGAS\nE\nTRE\n86\nGAS\nS\n28\nS. KNOLES DR.\nW. RIO R D\n37\nA\nN\nR\nD.\n37A\nGAS APPLIANCES\nGAS\n96A\n12\n54\n90\n54\n54B\n56\nGAS\nVER\nA\n31\nBE\n30\n32\n30C\nGAS\nS.HUMPHREYS\nST.\nW.BENTON AVE.\nST. (ONE-WAY)\n3\nBEAVER\nS.\nW.BUTLER AVE.\nST.\n91\nBEAVER\nS.\nE. DUPONT AVE.\n7A\nW.\n93\nELLERY\n6\nAVE.\nE. FRANKLIN\nAVE.\nGAS\n.\nT\nS\nO\nGAS\nC\nI\nA\nF\nR\nN C\nS\nN\nS. S\nA\n10\n25\n9\nGAS\nGAS\n33A\n33\n30B\n30A\n30D\nY)\nGAS\nONL\nGAS\nS\nGAS\nE\n35\nUS\nB\n40\n39\n38\nTRANSIT-WAY (\nGAS\n60\n96B\nTREET\nGAS\nS. KNOLES DR.\nGAS\nS\nR\nE\n13\n29\nGAS\nAV\nE\nB\n42\n44\nNorth Master\n43\nMeter Zone\nGAS\n22 PSI\n46\n45\n17\nGAS\nUNIVERSITY DR.\n50\n50B\n50\n50\nGAS\n48\n16\nGAS\nS. KNOLES DR.\n50\nGAS\nGAS\n47\n50\n50B\n50B\n50B\n47A\n50\n50A\nGAS\n50B\n49\n50B\nGAS\nRUNKE\nDR.\n52\nGAS\nGAS\n20\nS. KNOLES DR.\n51\n53\n53\nGAS\n21\nE. MCCONNELL DR. (ONE-WAY)\n95\n75\nDR. (ONE-WAY)\n75\n65 30\nE.\nMCC\nO\nN\nN\nE\nL\nL\n81\n69\n74\n82\n82B\nE.\nPINE\nKN\nOL L\nDR.\n75\n61\n75\n26\n64\n63\n66\n67\nGAS\n72 South Plant Master\n95\nMeter Zone\n95\n18 PSI\nGAS\n95\n27\n95\n62\nGAS\nE. PINE KNOLL DR\n67\nE. PINE KNOLL DR\n68\n31\nGAS\nE.\nPHOENIX\nAVE.\nW. COTTAGE\nAVE.\nST.\n.\nT\nU\nX\nS\nO\nR\nLE\nS.\nE. COTTAGE\nAGASSIZ\nS.\nAVE.\nST. (ONE-WAY)\nE.BENTON AVE.\nFRANCISCO\nAGASSIZ ST.\nS.SAN\nS.\nE.BRANNEN AVE.\nE.\nBUTLER\nAVE.\nNorth Plant Master\nST.\nMeter Zone\nFRANCISCO\n47 PSI\nS.AGASSIZ ST.\nS.SAN\nE.DUPONT AVE.\nNorth Plant\nMaster Meter\nE.\nASHURST\nAVE.\nST.\nST.\nAGASSIZ\nVERDE\nS.\nS.\nE. FRANKLIN\nAVE.\nST.\nO'LEARY\nS.\nS.\nO'LEARY\nST.\n55\n96C\nST.\nFOUNTAINE\nS.\nE.\nFRANKLIN\nAVE.\nS.FOUNTAINE ST.\nS.\nO'LEARY\nST.\n89\nW. HOSKINS AVE.\nGreenhouse\nRegulator Station\n7\" WC\nI-17 NB\nTO\nI-40\nWB\n37\nS. H U\nF F\nE RLN.\n38 85\n43 I-40WB TO I-17SB\nI-40\nWB TO\nI-17\nNB\nGAS\n71\n71\n71\n44 I40 WB TO I17\n71\n71\nGAS\n71\n59\n59\n59\n59\n59\n59\nW.UNIVERSITY DR.\n22\n.\nT\nS. S A N FRA\nCIS C O\nN\nS\n73\n23\nS. LONE TREE RD.\nRD.\nTREE\nS.LONE\nS.\nBR\nA N\nCIR.\nN\nE N\nW\nO\nO\nD\nLAN\nD\nDR.\nS PI\nN\nEG\nR\nO\nV\nE RD\nS PASE\nO\nDEL FL\nA\nG\nE.\nPINE\nKNOLL\nDR.\n25\n70\n98A\n98B\nS. LONE TREE RD.\n32\n79\nGAS\n76\n78\n84\n97\n39 45\n28\nE.PINE\nKNOLL DR.\nGAS\n98F\n98C\n98D\n33\n80\n80\n77\n83\nGAS\n77A\n80B\nGAS\nGAS\n80\nGAS\n77A\n77A\n80A\nSouth Master\nMeter Zone\n34 PSI\nS. LONE TREE RD.\n40\n46\nNorth East\nMaster Meter\nMcConnell\nRegulator Station\nSouth\nMaster Meter\n34 41 47\nG A S L I N E Z O N E\nM A P & G I S G R I D\n2 0 1 5\nGas Line Legend\nGAS, North Master Meter\nGAS APPLIANCES, North Master Meter\nGAS, NE Master Meter\nGAS APPLIANCES, NE Master Meter\nGAS, South Master Meter\nGAS APPLIANCES, South Plant Master Meter\nGAS, South Plant Master Meter\nGAS\nABANDONED, North Master Meter\n_\nNAU\nGIS\nGrid\n60\n20ac\n_\n_\n_\n_\n1 inch = 843 feet\n35\n42\n48","truncated":false,"body_characters":13172}