{"operation":"document","citation":"PI-98-009","title":"West Virginia Public Service Commission — Pipeline Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"1998-11-10","effective_on":null,"summary":"PI-98-009 response to West Virginia Public Service Commission concerning 192.467.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-98-009.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-98-009.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-98-009","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1998/PI98009.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\n11/10/98\nMr. David A. Hippchen\nGas Pipeline Safety Section\nWest Virginia Public Service Commission\nPO Box 812\nCharleston, WV 25323\nDear Mr. Hippchen:\nThis responds to your letter of July 13, 1998, regarding the gas pipeline safety standard on\nelectrical isolation in 49 CFR 192.467(f). Our answers to your inquiries are set out below.\nSection 192.467(f) reads as follows: “Where a pipeline is located in close proximity to electrical\ntransmission tower footings, ground cables or counterpoise, or in other areas where fault currents\nor unusual risk of lightning may be anticipated, it must be provided with protection against\ndamage due to fault currents or lightning, and protective measures must also be taken at insulating\ndevices.”\nQuestion 1. Is close proximity an absolute distance or some minimum distance at which\ninterference with the pipeline corrosion control system or damage to the pipeline coating\ncan be measured or calculated?\nAnswer. Considering the purpose of § 192.467(f), “ close proximity” means near enough to the\nlisted structures to reasonably expect that a lightning strike or fault current involving the structure\nmight harm the pipeline’ s corrosion control system. Close proximity is not an absolute or\nminimum distance, and it could vary depending on site conditions. Under § 192.453, the distance\nmust be determined by a person qualified in pipeline corrosion control methods who has\nknowledge of the circumstances. Thus, we have not determined whether the distances you listed\nin situation #2 are within a close proximity of the structures.\nQuestion 2. Can an operator adopt an absolute distance standard to define close\nproximity?\nAnswer. Please refer to the answer to Question 1.\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n2\nQuestion 3. What threshold voltage measurement/calculation is reasonable to determine if\nprotective measures must be taken?\nAnswer. Section 192.467(f) does not specify a threshold voltage in connection with protective\nmeasures. This voltage would be determined by a person qualified in pipeline corrosion control\nmethods.\nQuestion 4. What constitutes an electrical transmission line (and thus, tower) for which\nthis section applies?\nAnswer. Under § 192.467(f), the term “ electrical transmission tower” is used in its ordinary\nsense to refer to tall aboveground steel structures that support cables used to transmit electricity\nover long distances. The term does not include poles that support cables used to distribute\nelectricity throughout a community.\nQuestion 5. Can this section be read to include protecting the pipeline from induced\ncurrents?\nAnswer. No, protection is required only against fault currents and lightning.\nI trust you find this information helpful. If we can be of any further assistance, please call me at\n(202)366-4565.\nSincerely,\nRichard D. Huriaux, P.E.\nManager, Regulations\nOffice of Pipeline Safety\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nLMFurrow:jmd:64046:9-17-98\ncc: DPS-1,2,10,Regions,TSI,StateMail\n3","truncated":false,"body_characters":2952}