Continental Industries, Inc. — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

Page 1July 21, 1993 Mr. Eldon Morain Vice President Continental Industries, Inc. 4102 South 74th East Avenue P.O. Box 994 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101 Dear Mr. Morain: This is in response to your letter of June 24, 1993, concerning the pipeline safety standard in 49 CFR 192.281(e)(2). You asked if a nonmetallic stiffener may be used to comply with this standard. Section 192.281(e)(2) provides that for each compression type mechanical joint on plastic pipe, a rigid internal tubular stiffener, other than a split tubular stiffener, must be used in conjunction with the coupling. This standard does not regulate the type of material to use as long as the resulting stiffener is rigid. Also, since the stiffener will be in contact with gas, the stiffener must meet other applicable material requirements in Subpart B of Part 192. Sincerely, Cesar De Leon Director, Regulatory Programs Office of Pipeline Safety dal\192.281\93-07-21#