{"operation":"document","citation":"PI-21-0009","title":"CH-IV — Pipeline Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2021-10-07","effective_on":null,"summary":"PI-21-0009 response to CH-IV concerning 193.2303.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-21-0009.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-21-0009.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-21-0009","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/pipeline/interpretations/75986/ch-iv-pi-21-0009-10-07-2021-part193-2303.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety Administration October 7, 2021\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nMr. Juan Carlos Rivadeneira\nEngineer\nCH-IV\n1221 McKinney, Suite 3333\nHouston, TX 77010\nDear Mr. Rivadeneira:\nIn a letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), dated\nAugust 19, 2021, you requested an interpretation of the minimum pipeline welding inspection\nand testing requirements for piping systems and components for flammable liquids and\nflammable gases with service temperatures above −20 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) (−29 °Centigrade\n(C)) to comply with 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 193.2303. Specifically, you sought\nconfirmation that for these piping systems and components to comply with § 193.2303, a\nminimum of 30 percent of each day’s circumferentially welded pipe joints must be\nnondestructively tested over the entire circumference.\nSection 193.2303 incorporates by reference the 2001 edition of National Fire Protection\nAssociation Standard 59A (NFPA 59A-2001), and Chapter 6 of NFPA 59A-2001 specifies\nrequirements for piping systems and components. While paragraph 6.1.1 of NFPA 59A-2001\nrequires that all piping systems comply with the 1996 Edition of ASME B31.3, it further states\nthat the additional provisions of Chapter 6 of NFPA 59A-2001 shall apply to piping systems and\ncomponents for flammable liquids and flammable gases with service temperatures below −20 °F\n(−29 °C). The provision found in paragraph 6.6.3.2 of NFPA 59A-2001, which requires that all\ncircumferential butt welds be examined fully by radiographic or ultrasonic inspection, contains\nan exception for pressure piping operating above −20 °F (−29 °C). Specifically, Exception No. 2\nto paragraph 6.6.3.2 states:\nPressure piping operating above −20 °F (−29 °C) shall have 30 percent of each day’s\ncircumferentially welded pipe joints nondestructively tested over the entire circumference\nin accordance with ASME B31.3.\nMoreover, paragraph 341.4.1(b)(1) of ASME B31.3 requires that not less than 5 percent of\ncircumferential butt and miter groove welds be examined fully by random radiography in\naccordance with paragraph 344.5 or by random ultrasonic examination in accordance with\nparagraph 344.6. However, performing a minimum of 5 percent of examination per ASME\nB31.3 does not meet the requirements in NFPA 59A-2001. Instead, an operator shall have 30\nThe Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety provides written clarifications of the Regulations (49 CFR\nParts 190-199) in the form 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\npercent testing for each day’s circumferentially welded pipe joints in accordance with NFPA\n59A-2001.\nTherefore, PHMSA agrees with your interpretation of the NFPA 59A-2001 requirements that for\nflammable liquids and flammable gases with service temperatures above −20 °F (−29 °C) to\ncomply with § 193.2303, a minimum of 30 percent of each day’s circumferentially welded pipe\njoints must be nondestructively tested over the entire circumference.\nIf we can be of further assistance, please contact Tewabe Asebe at 202-366-5523.\nSincerely,\nJohn A. Gale\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 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\nContact Name: Juan Carlos Rivadeneira Title: Engineer\nDirect Line: 713-964-6775\nDirect Email: jcrivadeneira@ch-iv.com\n1221 McKinney, Suite 3333\nHouston, TX 77010 USA\nwww.CH-IV.com\nAugust 19, 2021\nMr. John A. Gale\nDirector, Office of Standards and Rulemaking\nOffice of Pipeline Safety (PHP-30)\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\nU.S. Department of Transportation\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.\nWashington, D.C. 20590-0001\nTitle 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations Interpretation of Part 193, Section 193.2303\nDear Mr. Gale,\nThis letter is a formal request for written interpretation of the referenced section of Title 49 of the Code of\nFederal Regulations Part 193. This interpretation is requested to clarify the minimum inspection and testing\nrequirements for piping systems and components for flammable liquids and flammable gases with service\ntemperatures above −20°F (−29°C) to comply with §193.2303.\n§193.2303 states:\n“No person may place in service any component until it passes all applicable inspections and tests\nprescribed by this subpart and NFPA-59A-2001 (incorporated by reference, see §193.2013).”\nNFPA-59A-2001 Chapter 6 provides requirements for inspection and testing for piping systems used in\nLNG facilities. In particular, NFPA-59A-2001 Section 6.1.1 states:\n“All piping systems shall be in accordance with ASME B31.3, Process Piping. The additional provisions of\nthis chapter shall apply to piping systems and components for flammable liquids and flammable gases with\nservice temperatures below −20°F (−29°C).\nException: Fuel gas systems covered by NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code.”\nFrom NFPA-59A-2001 Section 6.1.1, it is understood that all piping systems in the LNG facility have to\nmeet the requirements of ASME B31.3, regardless of their operating conditions and service. NFPA-59A-\n2001 Section 6.1.1 specifically notes that the additional provisions in Chapter 6 apply to piping systems and\ncomponents for flammable liquids and flammable gases with service temperatures below −20°F (−29°C).\nTherefore, it is implied that Section 6.1.1 does not apply to piping systems and components for flammable\nliquids and flammable gases with service temperatures above −20°F (−29°C) and these shall meet the\nrequirements of ASME B31.3 only.\n1 of 2\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nNFPA-59A-2001 Section 6.6.3.2 provides requirements for nondestructive examination of applicable piping\nsystems covered by Chapter 6. NFPA-59A-2001 Section 6.6.3.2 states:\n“All circumferential butt welds shall be examined fully by radiographic or ultrasonic inspection.\nException No. 1: Liquid drain and vapor vent piping with an operating pressure that produces a hoop stress\nof less than 20 percent specified minimum yield stress shall not be required to be nondestructively tested\nif it has been inspected visually in accordance with ASME B 31.3, Process Piping, Section 344.2.\nException No. 2: Pressure piping operating above −20°F (−29°C) shall have 30 percent of each day’s\ncircumferentially welded pipe joints nondestructively tested over the entire circumference in accordance\nwith ASME B 31.3.”\nNote that Exception No. 2 in NFPA-59A-2001 Section 6.6.3.2 specifies that piping systems operating above\n−20°F (−29°C) shall have 30 percent of each day’s circumferentially welded pipe joints nondestructively\ntested over the entire circumference in accordance with ASME B31.3. Therefore, it is understood that\nNFPA-59A-2001 Section 6.6.3.2 Exception No. 2 modifies the requirements of Section 6.1.1. This is\nsupported by the fact that ASME B31.3 Section 341.4.1(b)(1) states:\n“Not less than 5% of circumferential butt and miter groove welds shall be examined fully by random\nradiography in accordance with para. 344.5 or by random ultrasonic examination in accordance with para.\n344.6...”.\nThus, it is understood that for piping systems and components for flammable liquids and flammable gases\nwith service temperatures above −20°F (−29°C) to comply with §193.2303, a minimum of 30 percent of\neach day’s circumferentially welded pipe joints shall be nondestructively tested over the entire\ncircumference and that performing the minimum of 5 percent examination per ASME B31.3 Section\n341.4.1(b)(1) does not meet the requirements of §193.2303.\nWe would like to confirm that for piping systems and components for flammable liquids and flammable\ngases with service temperatures above −20°F (−29°C) to comply with §193.2303, a minimum of 30 percent\nof each day’s circumferentially welded pipe joints shall be nondestructively tested over the entire\ncircumference.\nLooking forward to your feedback, I am available for future discussions as needed. Thank you for handling\nthis matter and I look forward to hearing from you soon.\nSincerely,\nJUAN CARLOS RIVADENEIRA\nEngineer\n2 of 2","truncated":false,"body_characters":8859}