# Pipeline Safety Interpretation PI-78-0107

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** PI-78-0107
- **title:** Pipeline Safety Interpretation PI-78-0107
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 1978-11-08
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** PI-78-0107 concerning 192.59.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-78-0107.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-78-0107.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-78-0107
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1978/g78-11-08_Garabrant_192.59-nlmx.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

PI-78-0107
November 08, 1978
H.R. Garabrant P.E.
Gas Utilities Safety Engineer
Utilities Division
Southern Arizona O
ffice 415 W. Congress Street
Tucson, Arizona 85701
Dear Mr. Garabrant:
This refers to your letter of August 7, 1978, to Mr. Frank Fulton suggesting that Section 192.321(d) be changed to
eliminate the Implication that thermoplastic pipe of 0.090 inch wall thickness is acceptable for use under Part 192
regardless of pipe diameter.
We have reviewed Section 192.321(d) in light of your suggestion, and do find that the Section may have the implication
you suggest.
The purpose of Section 192.321(d) is to prescribe the minimum wall thickness of thermoplastic pipe that may be used
without encasement. It is not intended to override, and in our opinion does not conflict with the allowable wall
thickness for thermoplastic pipe set forth in ASTM D2513, which is incorporated by reference in Section 192.59.
Section 192.321(d) could be stated in a better manner to make its purpose clearer. The Section will be a subject for
review during the course of our regulatory reform process, and it may be restated or otherwise changed as a result of
that process. Meanwhile, we plan to publish in the Advisory Bulletin a clarifying interpretation of Section 192.321(d).
Sincerely,
Cesar De Leon
Associate Director for
Pipeline Safety Regulation
Materials Transportation Bureau

<<<PAGE 2>>>

United States Government
Department of Transportation
Research and Special Programs Administration
Date: August 16, 1978
SUBJECT: Interpretation of Section 192.321(d)
FROM: Associate Director for Operations and Enforcement, DMT-10
TO: Associate Director for Pipeline Safety Regulation, DMT-30
By letter of August 7, 1978 (copy attached), the Arizona Corporation Commission indicates the existence of a variance
between Section 192.321 and ASTM D2513 and requests a correction of Section 192.321.
Thank you for a prompt interpretation of this regulation to facilitate a timely response to the Arizona Corporation
Commission.
Robert Paullin

<<<PAGE 3>>>

Arizona Corporation Commission
2222 West Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, Arizona 85009
August 7, 1978
Mr. Frank Fulton
State Programs
Office of Pipeline Safety Operations
Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear Frank:
I have just noticed, after all these years, what I believe is a very serious and misleading flaw in Part 192.
Please refer to 192.321 (d), this paragraph would lead one to believe that, except for pipe with an outside
diameter of 0.875", which can have a minimum wall thickness of .062", that any size of plastic pipe could be used, as
long as it had a minimum wall thickness of 0.090" and met the MAOP requirements.
This, of course, is not true if you refer to ASTM D2513-75b, Paragraph 6,2,1,2 and Table 4, you will find that
0.090" minimum wall thickness is only acceptable in sizes up to 1 ½ inches. Pipe in sizes greater than that have
progressively greater minimum wall thickness.
I have just finished the investigation of a fatal accident, in which 2" ABS pipe with .090 walls was involved and
one contributing factor I attribute to the high SDR ratio, although other factors were the primary cause, in my
estimation.
Although this pipe was selected before Part 192 was in effect, I believe that paragraph 92.321 (d) should be
deleted or changed to reference ASTM 2513. to prevent someone in the thinking that .090 is ok for all sizes.
Please confirm that my thinking in this matter is correct and turn this request over to the standards group for
correction of Part 192,
Sincerely,
Arizona Corporation Commission
H. R. Garabrant, P.E.
Gas Utilities Safety Engineer
Utilities Division
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