State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

Page 1Mr. Walter T. Kelly Director, Office of Pipeline Safety State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety 175 Aurora Avenue St. Paul, MN 55013-2356 Dear Mr. Kelly: This responds to your letter of August 25, requesting our opinion whether .049 square inches of exposed polyethylene pipe are acceptable under 49 CFR §192.375(a). You said the ,049 square inches of exposed polyethylene pipe are exposed to ultraviolet rays through a vent hole on a service riser. Section 192.375(a) requires that all plastic service lines transporting gas above ground, outside a building, be protected against deterioration and external damage. Ultraviolet rays are known to deteriorate polyethylene pipe; so no exposure of polyethylene pipe to ultraviolet rays is permitted under §192.375(a). We trust this adequately responds to your inquiry. Sincerely, Cesar DeLeon Director for Pipeline Safety Regulatory Programs DB C:\WP51]INTERPRT\192\375\91-12-24 1#