Hawaii Public Utilities Commission — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

Page 1PI-71-0113 June 18, 1971 Mr. LeRoy Yuen Utilities Administrator Hawaii Public Utilities Commission P. O. Box S41 Honolulu, Hawaii 56809 Dear Mr. Yuen: This is in reply to your letter of May 17 1971, concerning qualification of welders who weld on pipe being operated at stress levels of less than 20% of SMYS. We agree with your interpretations that a, welder who welds on pipe being operated At less than 20% of SMYS need only fulfill the requirements Of 49 CFR, Section 192.227(c). However, we cannot agree with the statement in the third paragraph of Mr. Anderson's letter where he states they “Consider the basic test to be all inclusive." Section 192.227(c) requires that welders who' make welded service line connections to mains qualify under Section II of Appendix C in addition to the basic test of Section I. If we can be of further assistance, please let us know. Sincerely, Original signed by: Joseph C. Caldwell Acting Director Office of Pipeline Safety#

Page 2State of Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Department of Regulatory Agencies P.O. Box 541 Honolulu, Hawaii 96809 May 17, 1971 Office of Pipeline Safety Department of Transportation 400 Sixth Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20590 Attention: Mr. Joseph Caldwell, Acting Director Gentlemen: The Honolulu Gas Company, Ltd., has requested verification of their interpretation of paragraph 192.227 (a) of 49 USC Part 192 as shown in the accompanying Honolulu Gas Company letter dated April 22, 1971. The Honolulu Gas Company system was designed for a maximum operating pressure of 125 psi but operates at a maximum of 60 psi. The calculated hoop stresses at these pressures for the maximum sized pipes are 16 and 7.66 percent, respectively, of the specified minimum yield strength. Since these hoop stresses are below 20 percent of the specified minimum yield strength, we are in agreement with their interpretation but would appreciate your opinion. Very truly yours, LeRoy Yuen Utilities Administrator#

Page 3Honolulu Gas 1050 Bishop Street P.O. Box 3379 Honolulu, Hawaii 96301 April 22, 1 971 The Honorable Chairman and Members of the Public Utilities Commission Honolulu Hawaii Attention: Mr. Vernon Nunokawa Executive Director Gentlemen: We would like verification of our interpretation of paragraph 192.227 (a) of 49 USC Part 192, and the paragraphs referenced therein. Since the Honolulu Gas Company's distribution system is operated at a pressure that produces a hoop stress of less than 20 percent of the specified minimum yield stress, we feel that we qualify for the exception (c) as noted in paragraph 192.227 (a). We specifically refer to the referenced Section I Basic Test of "Appendix C, Qualification for Welders of Low Stress Level Pipe". We further consider the basic test to be all inclusive for the minimum requirements for qualification for welders of low stress level pipe. Your consideration of this matter and verification of our interpretation that we qualify for the exception and that the test is all inclusive will be appreciated. Very truly yours, E.F. Anderson, Jr. Director Material & Distribution#