ADB 75-11 — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

Page 1OPSO Advisory Bulletin No. 75-11 November, 1975 _________________________________________________________________ Relates to 49 CFR, §192.503: QUESTION: Does Section 192.503(d) refer to pressure testing only of welds? OPSO INTERPRETATION: ....."Section 192.503(d) provides that the leak and strength test requirements for pipelines under Subpart J do not apply to welds used to tie-in a segment of pipeline being tested." Relates to 49CFR, §192.619 and §192.719: QUESTION: Does a pressure test made on replacement pipe before it is installed, as permitted by Section 192.719(a)(2), satisfy the requirement of Section 1192.619(a)(2)(ii) that in establishing a maximum allowable operating pressure for certain pipe, a pressure test be made "after construction?" OPSO INTERPRETATION: ..... "Because the requirements of Sections 192.619(a)(2)(ii) and 192.719(a)(2) apply in conjunction, a pressure test permitted by Section 192.719(a)(2) to be made before installation must necessarily qualify as the test required by Section 192.619(a)(2)(ii). At the same, Section 192.719(a)(2) provides that any field girth butt weld which is not strength tested in the pre-installation testing process must be nondestructively tested after installation in accordance with Section 192.243." Relates to 49 CFR, §192.613 and §192.703: QUESTION: Regarding construction of a public road over an existing gas pipeline, what criteria should be used in determining whether the pipeline should remain in place or be relocated? OPSO INTERPRETATION: ..... "Under the circumstances of a pending road construction, the Federal gas pipeline safety standards in 49 CFR 192.613 and 192.703(b) require that the pipeline be evaluated for safety and appropriate remedial or protective measures taken, if necessary, in accord with those sections. In determining what measures may be necessary, you should consider the types and magnitudes of all anticipated external forces which may be applied to the pipeline during and after the road construction. Various causes of external forces, which you should consider include: unstable soils, floods, traffic, movement by heavy construction or maintenance equipment, and direct damage by construction equipment. DB C:\WP51\INTERPRT\192\613\75-11-01 1#

Page 2"If it is decided that a portion of the pipeline should be replaced, relocated, or otherwise changed to protect it against likely external forces, that replacement, relocation, or change must comply with the requirements in 49 CFR Part 192 applicable to design, installation and testing of pipelines. Cesar DeLeon Acting Director Office of Pipeline Safety Operations DB C:\WP51\INTERPRT\192\613\75-11-01 2#