Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

Page 1May 17, 1989 Mr. Williams E. Smeigh, Jr., Supervisor Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission P.O. Box 3265 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Dear Mr. Smeigh: Your May 9, 1989, letter requests guidance as to the meaning of "feasible" under 49 CFR 192.365(b), which reads: (b) Outside valves. Each service line must have a shut-off location that, if feasible, is outside of the building. Under Part 192, ordinary words, such as "feasible," that are not defined in §192.3 and do not have a special pipeline meaning are used as they are commonly understood by English speaking people in the U.S. In this sense, the word "feasible" means capable of being done or accomplished. Given this understanding, we believe a situation would seldom occur in which it is not feasible to install a service line shut-off valve outside a building in a readily accessible location. Certainly, none of the excuses put forth in your letter allows an operator to avoid outside installation under §192.365(b). Outside installations by the other operators under your jurisdiction in similar situations should readily support this position. valve in a readily accessible Sincerely, Richard L. Beam Director Office of Pipeline Safety dal\192\365\89-05-17 1#