What are the Gas Pipeline Patrolling Regulations?
Linc Energy Systems conducts patrolling of natural gas pipelines, mandated by DOT/PHMSA regulations. The rules require that underground pipes be maintained and make available appropriate documentation supporting it. This applies to all gas lines, whether transmission or distribution, and whether public or private. In an earlier post, I share the leak survey requirements. This article pertains to the regulations of patrolling transmission lines.
§192.705 Gas Pipeline Patrolling Regulations
A patrol program is a company policy, usually written and enforced to observe the surface conditions on and near a natural gas pipeline. The patrol technician needs to watch for factors that affect the safety and operation of the pipeline such as signs for leaks and construction activity.
Methods of patrolling include walking, driving, flying or other appropriate means to navigate the right-of-way along the pipeline.
The frequency of a patrol depends on many factors, including the weather, operating pressures, class location, and terrain. However, the interval between each patrol may not exceed the following:
| Class location of line | At highway and railroad crossings | At all other places |
| 1, 2 | 7 1/2 months; but at least twice each calendar year | 15 months; but at least once each calendar year. |
| 3 | 4 1/2 months; but at least four times each calendar year | 7 1/2 months; but at least twice each calendar year. |
| 4 | 4 1/2 months; but at least four times each calendar year | 4 1/2 months; but at least four times each calendar year. |
Class locations – 49 CFR § 192.5
Class 1 – Any location that has ten or fewer buildings intended for human occupancy.
Class 2 – Any location that has more than ten but fewer than 46 buildings intended for human occupancy.
Class 3 – Any location that has 46 or more buildings intended for human occupancy; or an area where the pipeline lies within 100 yards (91 meters) of either a building or a small, well-defined outside area that is occupied by 20 or more persons on at least five days a week for ten weeks in any 12-month period.
Class 4 – Any location where buildings with four or more stories above ground are prevalent.
Gas Pipeline Patrol Companies
Gas pipeline patrolling is part of the service offerings at Linc Energy Systems which helps many facilities keep in compliance. If you would like more information on how we can assist you with your patrol survey, call us at (303) 697-6701. Alternatively, request a quote now.
In our next post, we answer the question, What is Pipeline Patrolling?
Reference
- 49 CFR 192.705 – Transmission lines: Patrolling. | US Law … (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/192.705
- Gas Pipeline Leak Regulations Concerning Leak Surveys. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.lincenergysystems.com/blog/entry/gas-pipeline-leak-regula
