{"operation":"document","citation":"PI-94-027","title":"Central Plastics Company — Pipeline Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"1994-08-04","effective_on":null,"summary":"PI-94-027 response to Central Plastics Company concerning 192.273.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-94-027.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-94-027.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-94-027","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1994/PI94027.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nAugust 4, 1994\nJim Inhofe\nDirector of Engineering\nCentral Plastics Company\nP.O. Box 3129\nShawnee, OK 74801\nDear Mr. Inhofe:\nThank you for your letter of July 28, 1994, regarding the specimen joint that an individual must\nmake in qualifying to join plastic pipe. Under 49 CFR 192.285(b)(1), the specimen joint must be\n“ visually examined during and after assembly or joining and found to have the same appearance as\na joint or photographs of a joint that is acceptable under the procedure.” You asked whether this\nrequirement can be met on electrofusion joints that do not have a “ pop-up” or other device to\nindicate a proper joint.\nAfter passing visual inspection, electrofusion specimen joints are physically tested for integrity (49\nCFR 192.285(b)(2)). So the preliminary visual inspection merely serves to screen out visibly\nunacceptable joints from further examination. A device to indicate a proper joint is unnecessary\nfor this purpose. Screening can be accomplished by inspecting the joint for any visible\nirregularities, including incorrect insertion depth and misalignment. Moreover, such a device is\nunnecessary for safety under 49 CFR 192.285(b), because even if an unacceptable joint passes\nvisual inspection, it will be rejected by the physical test.\nAdditionally, a device to indicate a proper joint is unnecessary for adequate inspection of joints\nunder 49 CFR 192.273(c). Under this standard, each electrofusion joint in a pipeline must be\ninspected for compliance with applicable requirements of 49 CFR Part 192, Subpart F. An\nadequate inspection is provided by looking for visible joint irregularities, by observing control\ninstruments during the joining process, and by confirming that proper joining procedures are\nfollowed.\nPlease let me know if you have any further concerns about the Department’ s plastic pipe\nregulations. We will distribute this interpretation to all regional and state offices.\nSincerely,\nCesar De Leon\nDeputy Associate Administrator\nfor Pipeline Safety\ndal/192.273 94-8-4","truncated":false,"body_characters":2030}