# Indiana Public Service Commission — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** PI-71-0111
- **title:** Indiana Public Service Commission — Pipeline Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 1971-06-09
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** PI-71-0111 response to Indiana Public Service Commission concerning 192.327.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-71-0111.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-71-0111.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-71-0111
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1971/g71-06-09_Hendrickson_192.327-nlmx.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

PI-71-0111
June 9, 1971
Mr. D. J. Hendrickson
Chief, Pipeline Safety Division
Indiana Public Service Commission
901 State Office Building
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Dear Mr. Hendrickson:
This is in reply to your letter of May 19, 1971, concerning the distinction between the use of the phrase "external loads"
in 49 CPR, Section 192.361(a) and Section 192.327(c) and the use of the phrase "external forces" in Section
192.327(d)(3).
The distinction is meaningful and was purposely used. Sections 192.361(a) and 192.327(c) refer to transmission line
construction and installation of service lines respectively and are concerned with Static loads or traffic impact. Section
192.327(d) (3) is an exception for a situation where less than the required cover may be used. The intent here was to
require adequate protection against third party induced damage caused by construction or excavation
etc.
,
We hope this answers your question.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Joseph C. Caldwell
Acting Director
Office of Pipeline Safety

<<<PAGE 2>>>

State of Indiana
Public Service Commission
901 State Office Building
Indianapolis, 46204
May 19, 1971
Mr. Walter Kurylo
States Program Director
Office of Pipeline Safety
Department of Transportation
Washington, D. C. 20590
Dear Mr. Kurylo:
Here is one in semantics to which it might be well to give some thought:
Section 192.361-(a) states: "--- where an underground structure prevents installation at those depths, the service line
must be able to withstand any anticipated external load".
Section 192.327-(c) states: "--- main may be installed with less cover if it is provided with addition protection to
withstand anticipated external load".
In both of these cases the words "external load" implies superimposed loads, such as traffic, which I believe was the
intent. However, in Section 192.327-(d)-(3) it states: 'Provides adequately for prevention of damage to the pipe by
external forces". By "external forces" one implies any and all external forces such as excavating by others and not just
superimposed loads.
Should not Section 192.327-(d)-(3) read "external loads" also?
Very truly yours,
D. J. Hendrickson
Chief, Pipeline Safety Division
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