Interpretation Response #PI-72-0108

Interpretation Response Details

June 8 1972

Mr. Hassan Shalchian
Minister of Roads & Communications
Teheran, Iran

Dear Sir:

Your Letter of May 9, 1972, concerning the specifications for laying gas pipelines under roadbed crossings has been referred to this office for reply.

We are enclosing for your reference a complete set of the regulations covering Transportation of Natural Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards, Part 192, and Transportation of Liquids by Pipeline, Part 195. These are the only regulations issued by the Department of Transportation relative to pipelines. These regulations do not require that a pipeline be encased under roadbeds. However, they do require a lower design factor for the pipe where a crossing is made of a public road without casing. This is indicated in the regulations Section 192.111 design factor (F) for steel pipe, paragraphs (b) and (c).

When an operator chooses to install casing or is required to install it by the regulations of a State or local government agency or as a condition for obtaining a right-of–way such as from a railroad company, then there are specific requirements for the casing installation as specified in Section 192.323.

The requirements for cover of pipelines are given in Section 192.327 cover.

The Federal highway Administration of the Department of Transportation does not have specific regulations concerning pipelines on Federal highways. However, many of the state and local highway authorities have established regulations for pipeline facilities on their rights-of-way. This department does not have copies of such regulations; however, I am enclosing a pamphlet entitled "A Guide for Accommodating Utilities on Highway Rights-of-way" which does provide some guidelines for pipeline crossings.

Some additional technical information relative to the forces acting on a pipeline in a road crossing may be obtained from the American Society of Civil Engineers, 345 East 47th Street, New York, New York 10017. This society has published a Summary Report on "Experimental Evaluation of Simulated Uncased Pipeline Crossings of Railroads and Highways," prepared by Battelle Memorial Institute and the Association of American Railroad Research Center. This publication is available from them at a price of $3.00.

I trust that we have been helpful in providing the information you desire. If I can be of any further help, please advise.

Sincerely,
Original signed by
Frank E. Fulton
Joseph C. Caldwell
Director
Office of Pipeline Safety

Ministry of Roads
Teheran, Iran

May 9, 1972

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Washington, D.C. 20591, U.S.A.

Dear Sirs,

It will be highly appreciated if you will kindly send to us the specifications for laying of gas pipelines tinier roadbed (crossings) in the U.S.A. which also make provisions for the protection of roadbed construction and traffic safety.

The recommended depth for lying of gas pipelines under roadbed, with due regard for the permissible heavy truck axle loadings in Iran (13 tons for single axle and 20 tons for tandem axle) is also requested.

Sincerely yours,
Hassan Shalchian
Minister of Roads
& Communications

PI-72-0108

Ministry of Roads
Teheran

July 4th, 1972

Mr. Joseph C. Caldwell
Director
Office of Pipeline Safety
Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590, U.S.A.

Dear Sir,

We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated June 8, 1972 and wish to thank you for the set of regulations covering Transportation of Natural Gas by pipeline.

Your comments on the subject and the information you have been kind enough to supply are very highly appreciated.

Yours sincerely,
Hassan Shalchian
Minister of Roads
& Communications

Regulation Sections