# City of Alexandria Gas Department — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** PI-72-056
- **title:** City of Alexandria Gas Department — Pipeline Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 1972-12-26
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** PI-72-056 response to City of Alexandria Gas Department concerning 192.727.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-72-056.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-72-056.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-72-056
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1972/PI72056.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

Mr. John E. Sanchez
Superintendent, Gas Department
City of Alexandria
Alexandria, Louisiana 71301
Dear Mr. Sanchez:
This is in response to your letter of November 7, 1972, in which you ask whether the use of either
a service line valve located in a curb-box or a lock on the valve at the meter set would be an
acceptable practice when disconnecting a customer.
A recently enacted amendment to Section 192.727 of the Federal natural gas pipeline safety
regulations (49 CFR Part 192), a copy of which amendment is enclosed, now allows inactivation
of pipelines by use of a valve that is equipped with a locking device or other means designed to
prevent its unauthorized opening.
The use of a lock on the meter set valve, as you have described that method, would meet the
requirements of Section 192.727(d)(1) and is, therefore, acceptable. However, the cutting off of
gas by a valve in a curb-box, as the sole means for disconnecting a customer, is not satisfactory.
You might note also that the same standards apply to new service line not places in service upon
completion of installation under the provisions of new §192.379(a).
If we may be of further assistance in this matter, please advise.
Sincerely,
Joseph C. Caldwell
Director
Office of Pipeline Safety
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