USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Interpretation Response #PI-94-019 ([Public Utilities Commission of Ohio] [Edward M. Steele])

Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.

Interpretation Response Details

Response Publish Date:

Company Name: Public Utilities Commission of Ohio

Individual Name: Edward M. Steele

Location State: OH Country: US

View the Interpretation Document

Response text:

May 2, 1994

Mr. Edward M. Steele

Chief, Gas Pipeline Safety Section

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio

180 E. Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43266-0573

Dear Mr. Steele:

I am responding to your letter of March 23, 1994, concerning the maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) of pipeline in two distribution systems. Answers to your questions regarding each system follow.

The first system has an MAOP of 125 psig based on a maximum safe pressure (§§ 192.619(b)(6) and 192.621(a)(5)), but the system was operated at 145 psig during the 5-year period prior to July 1, 1970. Section 192.619(c) would allow a new MAOP of 145 psig if the system is now in "satisfactory condition," and the limitations on MAOP under § 192.611 (class location change) and § 192.621 (high-pressure distribution systems) are met. However, any increase in MAOP above 125 psig must comply with the uprating requirements of Subpart K of Part 192 (§ 192.551). Subpart K would still have to be met even if the system has been tested after construction to at least 218 psig (1.5 time 145 psig).

The second system has an MAOP of 5 psig based on a maximum safe pressure, but the system was operated at 10 psig during the 5-year period prior to July 1, 1970. Although the system has been checked for corrosion and rid of leaks, the operator may not raise the MAOP to 10 psig merely by certifying that 10 psig should have been the original MAOP. As with the first system, the operator must uprate the system under Subpart K.

Sincerely,

Cesar De Leon

Director for Pipeline Safety

Regulatory Programs

Regulation Sections

Section Subject
192.551 Scope