# Memo: Internal — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** PI-80-016
- **title:** Memo: Internal — Pipeline Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 1980-09-17
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** PI-80-016 response to Memo: Internal concerning 195.404.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-80-016.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-80-016.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-80-016
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1980/PI80016.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

September 17, 1980
Interpretation of 195.404(b)
Melvin A. Judah
Acting Associate Director for
Pipeline Safety Regulation, DMT-30
Edward J. Onadak
Chief, Central Region, DMT-14
Your memo dated May 21, 1980, requested an interpretation of
section 195.404(b) concerning the required frequency of recording
pipeline pressures.
The attached interpretation gives the information you requested.
Attachment
DB
C:\WP51\INTERPRT\195\404\80-09-17
1

<<<PAGE 2>>>

No. 80-14
Date: September 17, 1980
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION
MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION BUREAU
_________________________________________________________________
PIPELINE SAFETY REGULATORY INTERPRETATION
_________________________________________________________________No
te:A pipeline safety regulatory interpretation applies a particular
rule to a particular set of facts and circumstances, and, as such,
may be relied upon only by those persons to whom the interpretation
is specifically addressed.
SECTION: 195.404(b)
SUBJECT: Frequency of recorded pressures prescribed by
?195.404(b)
FACTS: As given by memo dated May 21, 1980, from Chief,
Central Region, DMT-14, to Associate Director for
Pipeline Safety Regulation (DMT-30):
". . .an operator utilizes a system by which the
pump station pressures are automatically logged on
a printout every 30 minutes. . ."
Questions:(1) Does this system meet the requirements of
?195.404(b)?
(2) Is continuous recording of discharge pressures
required by ?195.404(b)?
Interpretation: The intent of the rule is to record pipeline
pressures in sufficient detail to reveal the operating conditions
at the time the records were made. Since pipeline pressures
usually do not change rapidly, 30-minute intervals to record the
pressures are adequate to meet the intent of the rule.
Continuous pressure recording is not required nor is it possible in
most cases. Most equipment which monitors pressures
"continuously," in fact gives intermittent electrical pulses which
actuate the pressure indicator. As a result, the records are not
DB
C:\WP51\INTERPRT\195\404\80-09-17
2

<<<PAGE 3>>>

truly continuous nor would there be any apparent advantage in
having continuous pressure records.
Melvin A. Judah
Acting Associate Director for
Pipeline Safety Regulation
Materials Transportation Bureau
DB
C:\WP51\INTERPRT\195\404\80-09-17
3
- **truncated:** false
- **body characters:** 2377