Farm Service Company — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

Page 1PI-74-0109 April 22, 1974 Mr. Monroe Hartman Farm Service Company P.O. Box 77 Chickasha, OK 73018 Dear Mr. Hartman: Your letter of March 22, 1974, to the National Transportation Safety Board, asking several questions about the Federal gas pipeline safety standards, has been referred to this office for reply. The standards are contained in Part 192 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (copy enclosed). We have no requirements which specify the location of a pipeline right-of-way, since the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 expressly precludes such requirements. However, many of the safety measures prescribed by the standards vary in nature according to pipeline locations. Requirements concerning the depth of cover over buried pipelines, applicable to pipelines readied for service after March 12, 1971, or replaced or relocated after November 12, 1970, are set forth in Subparts G and H of the standards. The requirements vary according to whether the pipeline is a transmission line, main, or service line and certain other factors of construction. Although cover material is normally compacted during construction, the Federal standards do not require compaction. Many of the standards concern leaks. Under Subpart J, pipelines readied for service after March 12, 1971, and pipelines replaced or relocated after November 12, 1970, must be pressure tested after installation. Leakage surveys are required by section 192.723. In general, the Federal standards do not prohibit leaks, but hazardous leaks must be repaired promptly and many leaks could lead to a pipeline having to be replaced, repaired, or removed from service (section 192.703). We trust this information is helpful to you. Sincerely, Joseph C. Caldwell Director Office of Pipeline Safety#

Page 2March 22, 1974 Farm Service Company P.O. Box 77 210 Chickasha Avenue Chickasha, Oklahoma 73018 March 2, 1974 Director National Transportation Safety Board Department of Transportation 800 Independence Street SW Washington, D. C. 20591 Dear Sir: Please send me safety requirements for natural gas pipe lines. I am primarily concerned with natural gas pipe lines in rural and urban areas. What are the requirements for distance between improvements such as homes, commercial establishments and warehouses and the pipe line right of way? Also, what are the requirements for depth of the pipe line and are there any requirements for tamping the material that covers the pipe line? I am interested in pipe lines that vary from 6 inches to 30 inches in diameter and used to transport natural gas. Are there any requirements concerning leaks? Thanks for any information you can give me. Sincerely, Monroe Hartman#