{"operation":"document","citation":"PI-80-021","title":"Memo: Internal — Pipeline Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"1980-12-17","effective_on":null,"summary":"PI-80-021 response to Memo: Internal concerning 192.327.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-80-021.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-80-021.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-80-021","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1980/PI80021.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nACTION: Interpretation of 49 CFR, 192.327(a)\nM.A. Judah\nActing Associate Director for\nPipeline Safety Regulation, DMT-30\nDMT-50\nIn response to your memorandum of September 5. 1980, and the attached request from Al Kuhn\nof Northwest Alaskan Pipeline Company for an interpretation of 49 CFR 192.327(a) concerning\ndepth of cover and specifically the point from where the depth of cover should be measured, we\nsubmit the attached interpretation.\nWe do not concur with Northwest Alaskan's interpretation in their letter of August 28, 1980, for\nsection 192.327. They stated: \"The word' cover' shall mean 'the minimum depth or thickness of\nbackfill around the pipe measured from any point on the circumference of the pipe.'\" This does\nnot conform to the intent of the regulation which is for a pipe buried in an excavated ditch and\nwith thickness of cover measured as a vertical distance from the top of the pipe.\nAttachment\nDB\nC:\\WP51\\INTERPRT\\192\\327\\80-12-17\n1\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nNo. 80-17\nDate: December 17, 1980\nDEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION\nRESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION\nMATERIALS TRANSPORTATION BUREAU\nPIPELINE\n_________________________________________________________________\nSAFETY REGULATORY INTERPRETATION\nNOTE:\n_________________________________________________________________\nA pipeline safety regulatory interpretation applies a particular\nrule to a particular set of facts and circumstances, and, as such, may\nbe relied upon only by those persons to whom the interpretation is\nspecifically addressed.\nSECTION: 192.327(a)\nSUBJECT: Cover over buried pipelines\nFACTS: None\nQUESTION:: What is the meaning of \"cover\" and the reference point for measurement?\nINTERPRETATION: The \"cover\" required for buried transmission lines refers to the depth of\nbackfill that is placed on top of a pipeline that has been installed in a ditch. It is that minimum\nvertical distance measured between the topmost part of the pipe after installation in the ditch and\nthe restored grade level directly over the pipe after burial is completed.\nThis interpretation applies only to the buried mode of gas pipeline where there is cover over a\npipeline which has been installed in an excavated ditch. Where there is a different mode such as a\npipe partially buried below grade or with the bottom of the pipe resting on grade, the\nrequirements of this section would not apply. Other sections including 192.103 (Subpart C),\n192.161 (Subpart D), 192.317, 192.319, and 192.327(c) (Subpart G), among others, would apply\nas appropriate, for a pipeline partially buried below grade or resting on natural grade.\nMelvin A. Judah\nActing Associate Director\nFor Pipeline Safety Regulation\nMaterials Transportation Bureau\nDB\nC:\\WP51\\INTERPRT\\192\\327\\80-12-17\n2","truncated":false,"body_characters":2749}