# Farm Service Company — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** PI-74-0109
- **title:** Farm Service Company — Pipeline Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 1974-04-22
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** PI-74-0109 response to Farm Service Company concerning 192.703.
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- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-74-0109
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1974/g74-04-22_Hartman_192.703-msfx.pdf
**body:**

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PI-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 2>>>

March 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
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