{"operation":"document","citation":"PI-79-043","title":"House of Representatives — Pipeline Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"1979-12-14","effective_on":null,"summary":"PI-79-043 response to House of Representatives concerning 192.327.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-79-043.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-79-043.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-79-043","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1979/PI79043.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nDecember 14, 1979\nHonorable Don Young\nHouse of Representatives\nWashington, D.C. 20515\nDear Mr. Young:\nWe are responding to your communication to the Department, dated November 13, 1979,\nconcerning an inquiry by your constituent, Herbert Werre.\nMr. Werre asks whether it is permissible for a gas company to install a pipeline along the center of\na road and, if so, to what depth the line must be buried.\nThe Federal safety standards governing the transportation of gas by pipeline are set forth in 49\nCFR Part 192. These safety standards do not prohibit a gas company from installing a pipeline\nunder a road, running along its center or elsewhere.\nFor buried onshore pipelines installed after March 12, 1971, or relocated or replaced after\nNovember 12, 1970, the required burial depth is set forth in Section 192.327 for transmission\nlines and mains, and in Section 192.361(a) for service lines. Earlier buried onshore pipelines are\nnot subject to the burial standards of Part 192.\nSince the pipeline Mr. Werre is concerned about is a distribution line, the appropriate burial depth\n(assuming the line is subject to the burial standards) would depend on whether the line is a \"main\"\nor \"service line.\" Under the Federal standards a \"main\" is a line that serves as a source of gas\nsupply for more than one service line, and a \"service line\" is a line between a main and the\ncustomer's piping or customer's meter, whichever is farther downstream. The required burial\ndepth for buried mains as prescribed by Section 192.327(b), (c), and (d) is as follows:\n\"(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) and (d) of this section, each buried main must\nbe installed with at least 24 inches of cover.\n\"(c) Where an underground structure prevents the installation of a transmission line or\nmain with the minimum cover, the transmission line or main may be installed with\nless cover if it is provided with additional protection to withstand anticipated\nexternal loads.\ndal\\192\\327\\79-12-14\n1\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n\"(d) A main may be installed with less than 24 inches of cover if the law of the State or\nmunicipality--\n(1) Establishes a minimum cover of less than 24 inches;\n(2) Requires that mains be installed in a common trench with other utility lines;\nand\n(3) Provides adequately for prevention of damage to the pipe by external\nforces.\nThe required depth for buried service lines as prescribed by Section 192.361(a) is as follows:\n\"(a) Depth. Each buried service line must be installed with at least 12 inches of cover\nin private property and at least 18 inches of cover in streets and roads. However,\nwhere an underground structure prevents installation at those depths, the service\nline must be able to withstand any anticipated external load.\nWe trust this adequately responds to your inquiry.\nSincerely,\n\\signed\\\nHoward Dugoff\nAdministrator\ndal\\192\\327\\79-12-14\n2","truncated":false,"body_characters":2864}