Memo: Internal — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

Page 1SUBJECT: Old Fittings Used In New Pipelines FROM: Richard E. Sanders Manager, Pipeline Safety Division, DMA-607 TO: Pipeline Safety Specialists, DMA-607 I was contacted by Mr. Tom McMasters with KNN Energy concerning a 90 degree "L" that was put in service in the 1940's or 1950's. Mr. McMasters indicated that the 90 degree "L" was being removed from an old section of line and it was anticipated that it would be used in an upcoming new line. The 90 degree "L" has an ASTM stamp with numbers, but the numbers do not or possible do not meet current standards. The question is, "Can this piece of hardware be used in an upcoming pipeline project?" I held a discussion with Frank Fulton, who proceeded to procure the necessary information to answer the question. I was contacted by Frank Fulton on February 28, 1990, and informed that the old fitting must meet requirements of present regulations or the fitting cannot be used in a new pipeline. This brings up considerable questions concerning rehab shops/reconditioning shops, etc. Discussion continued and it was finally surmised that the problems probably would only exist when transmission facilities are involved. Most distribution facilities (fittings, etc.) do not have to go through extended testing other than possible the fittings have to meet a certain material requirement. This situation might come up in seminars and if need be, we as TSI instructors may wish to continue evaluating old fittings versus new pipelines to see what type of situations and circumstances develop. DB C:\WP51\INTERPRT\192\143\90-03-06 1#