# Florida Public Service Commission — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** PI-74-014
- **title:** Florida Public Service Commission — Pipeline Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 1974-03-07
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** PI-74-014 response to Florida Public Service Commission concerning 192.281.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-74-014.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-74-014.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-74-014
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1974/PI74014.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

March 7, 1974
Mr. Charles E. Batten
Director, Safety Department
Florida Public Service Commission
700 South Adams Street
Tallahassee, FL 32304
Dear Mr. Batten:
This responds to your letter of February 20, 1974, asking whether a particular riser assembly
manufactured by Robroy Industries complies with 49 CFR 192.123(b).
As you noted, in a letter to Mr. Thomas G. Giles, Marker Manager, Robroy Industries, we
indicated that the assembly casing is not a pipeline and, therefore, the requirements for corrosion
control are inapplicable to it. We added, however, that the casing's mechanical connection
between the enclosed plastic pipe and a steel fitting above the ground must comply with section
192.281(e).
All of the Federal safety standards applicable to plastic pipe, such as section 192.123(b), must be
met with respect to pipe enclosed in the casing. This does not mean that the riser assembly itself
is governed by the same standards. Since we do not know the quality of insulation provided by
the casing, if any, we cannot determine whether its use would enable enclosed plastic pipe to
comply with section 192.123(b) in relevant situations.
If we may be of further assistance, please let us know.
Sincerely,
/signed/ Cesar DeLeon
Joseph C. Caldwell
Director
Office of Pipeline Safety
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<<<PAGE 2>>>

February 20, 1974
Mr. Joseph C. Caldwell
Director
Office of Pipeline Safety
Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C. 20590
Dear Mr. Caldwell:
A copy of your letter to Mr. Thomas G. Giles, Market Manager of Robroy industries wherein you
responded to his letter of January 22, 1974 was provided to this office. Upon reviewing this letter
and the promotional material published by Robroy Industries, it appears that they are utilizing this
letter to show that the Office of Pipeline Safety has reviewed the product and found that it
complies with applicable requirements of the Minimum Federal Safety Standards. Not knowing
the terms of his letter, it is difficult to determine if this was your intent or whether you answered a
specific question relative to the cathodic protection requirements. At any rate, the promotional
material distinctly shows the plastic pipe to extend above ground and thus it is also obvious that
the product must also meet the provisions of Section 192.123(b). Without proof that the
temperature exposure to the plastic pipe does not exceed 100° F for the thermoplastic or 150° F
for reinforced thermosetting plastic pipe, no plastic pipe is allowed to be brought above ground
in the manner shown on the attached promotional material since it is still the carrier pipe.
I ask you to review this information at the earliest possible time and advise me as to the position
of the Office of Pipeline Safety relative to this product's compliance or noncompliance with
Section 192.123(b). If this product complies with this Section without further experimental data
to show compliance, then it would seem that plastic could [be, sic] brought out of ground to the
meter set assembly, so long as it was sleeved to prevent mechanical damage and without the need
for experimental data to prove that it does not exceed the temperature limitations. I am not
adverse to approval of this riser, but that which applies to one inch of plastic above ground must
also apply to all plastic above ground.
Sincerely,
dal\192\281\74-03-07
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<<<PAGE 3>>>

Charles H. Batten
Director
Safety Department
NOTE:ATTACHMENT
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<<<PAGE 4>>>

February 2, 1974
Mr. Thomas G. Giles
Market Manager
Robroy Industries
River Road
Verona, PA 15147
Dear Mr. Giles:
We have reviewed the request in your letter of January 22, 1974, for an interpretation as to
whether the coated flexible steel casing described in your letter requires cathodic protection.
We find that no cathodic protection is required for this protective flexible steel casing because the
casing is not considered part of a pipeline as that term is defined in Section 192.3 of the Federal
safety standards. However, the mechanical connection between the plastic service pipe and steel
fitting just above the ground level must comply with Section 192.281(e) of the Federal standards.
Thank you for your interest. We trust this answers your question satisfactorily.
Sincerely,
/signed/
Joseph C. Caldwell
Director
Office of Pipeline Safety
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<<<PAGE 5>>>

January 22, 1974
Mr. Joseph C. Caldwell
Director
Office of Pipeline Safety
400 Sixth Street SW
Room 107
Washington, D. C. 20590
Dear Mr. Caldwell:
Enclosed is information on the ROBROY RIZER-FLEX as manufactured by ROBROY
INDUSTRIES. We are requesting an interpretation of this product meeting the OPS regulations
as set forth in Part 192 Minimum Federal Safety Standards.
RIZER-FLEX is a PVC plastic coated flexible steel casing that incorporates a
compression service adapter to make the transition at ground level from the plastic service line to
the conventional outside meter setting. RIZER-FLEX is designed to give protection to the plastic
service line brought to the ground level. The riser eliminates the need for cathodic protection and
the use of an underground fitting near the foundation wall. The flexible steel casing permits
gradual bending of the plastic service pipe during installation and also compensates for ground
movement caused by settling or "heaving".
The casing or conduit approach to protecting the plastic service line is similar to that taken
by others. It is our understanding that you have recently reviewed and acknowledged this
concept. We look forward to receiving your interpretation.
Very truly yours,
ROBROY INDUSTRIES
GAS PRODUCTS/COATINGS DIVISION
Thomas G. Giles
Market Manager
NOTE: ATTACHMENTS
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