# West Virginia Public Service Commission — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** PI-73-009
- **title:** West Virginia Public Service Commission — Pipeline Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 1973-02-13
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** PI-73-009 response to West Virginia Public Service Commission concerning 192.11.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-73-009.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-73-009.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-73-009
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1973/PI73009.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

Mar 22 1973
Mr. T. K. Spalding
Director, Gas Pipeline Safety Division
West Virginia Public Service Commission
Capitol Building
Charleston, West Virginia 25305
Dear Mr. Spalding:
This is in response to your letter of February 22, 1973, to Frank Fulton in which you asked if the
Federal Minimum Safety Standards permit the use of approved plastic pipe for mains and service
lines to distribute LPG from a central point in a mobile home park.
The Federal Minimum Safety Standards contained in 49 CFR, Part 192, Transportation of Natural
and Other Gas by Pipeline permit the use of plastic pipe in mains and services with certain
limitations. These limitations in general, relate to the operating temperature and pressure, and the
chemical compatibility of the pipe to the product to be carried.
The major concern over using plastic in a LPG system is that of condensation in the LPG vapor.
This condensation may result in a decrease of the physical and chemical properties of certain
plastic pipes. Therefore, if there is any possibility of condensation of the LPG vapor in the piping
system then the pipe selected must be capable of retaining its integrity with the liquid in the line.
It is the operator's responsibility to assure the integrity of the plastic pipe selected for use in the
piping system and this should be based on a favorable recommendation by the manufacturer.
Therefore, the Federal Minimum Safety Standards do permit the use of plastic in a properly
engineered underground system of LPG distribution conforming to the limitations of these
regulations.
I trust this information will clarify this matter for you. If we can be of any further assistance,
please advise.
Sincerely,
Joseph C. Caldwell
Director
Office of Pipeline Safety
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