Tennessee Public Service Commission< — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

Page 1Jun 9 1975 Mr. John Searcy, Director Engineering Division Tennessee Public Service Commission Cordell Hull Building Nashville, Tennessee 37219 Dear Mr. Searcy: This responds to your letter of March 19, 1975, which references a proposed marking procedure for use in compliance with 49 CFR 192.63. You ask whether pipeline components marked as outlined in the proposed procedure would meet the marking requirements of Section 192.63, or what changes in the procedure, if any, will be necessary to effect compliance. Section 192.63 requires that, except for certain items manufactured before November 12, 1970, each component used in a pipeline to which that Section applies must be marked as prescribed in the specification or standard to which it was manufactured or MSS Standard Practice, SP-25. We note that the proposed procedure primarily relates to color coding. This method of marking does not comply with Section 192.63 because it does not meet the requirements of applicable specifications or standards to which components are manufactured or MSS Standard Practice SP- 25. The procedure should be revised in accordance with applicable marking requirements to effect compliance with Section 192.63. Of course, in addition to the required markings, an operator may voluntarily use color coding to mark components for any purpose other than compliance with Section 192.63. We are also concerned that the proposed procedure would permit the use of unmarked pipe and nipples and other unmarked fittings. Components which are not marked in accordance with Section 192.63 may not be used in a pipeline to which that Section applies. Your further ask whether fittings, the manufacturer of which cannot be identified, may be used in any portion of a gas system subject to Section 192.63. Fittings whose manufacturer cannot be identified may not be used in a pipeline to which Section 192.63 applies because the name of the manufacturer is part of the required marking. Identification dal\192.1-b\63\75-06-09 1#

Page 2of the manufacturer is also essential to application of the exception from marking under Section 192.63(d). Thank you for your continued efforts in pipeline safety. Sincerely, Joseph C. Caldwell Director Office of Pipeline Safety dal\192.1-b\63\75-06-09 2#