PHMSA Issues Final Rule Addressing Plastic Pipe

On November 20, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final rule amending the pipeline safety regulations applicable to the use of plastic pipe in the transportation of gas.  The amended regulations apply to new, repaired, and replaced plastic pipe and will become effective January 22, 2019.   Below is an overview of the amendments to the regulations. 

• Traceability and tracking provisions delayed:  PHMSA delayed adopting proposed definitions of “traceability information” and “tracking information” and the proposed requirements that operators implement the tracking and traceability provisions of industry standard ASTM F2897-11a and retain tracking and traceability records for the life of the pipeline.  PHMSA explained that the incorporation of the 2012 editions of material standards for polyethylene (PE) pipe and PA-12 pipe, which require that operators mark plastic pipe with the 16 character ASTM F2897-11a markings, will promote standardization of how component attributes are marked and captured in asset management systems.  PHMSA will, however, require that markings be legible until the time of installation. 
• Increased design factor of PE pipe:  The final rule increases the allowable design factor for new and replaced PE pipe from 0.32 to 0.40, subject to limiting the minimum wall thickness for 0.40 design factor pipe to 0.090 inches.  The higher design factor also will apply to pipe sizes less than one-inch Iron Pipe Size and Copper Tubing Size. 
• Expanded use of Polyamide-11 (PA-11) pipe:  The design factor for new and replaced PA-11 pipe is increased to 0.40.  In addition, the maximum operating pressure is increased from 200 psig to 250 psig  and the maximum pipe diameter is increased to 6-inches.  Similar to PE pipe, the increased design factor for PA-11 pipe also applies to smaller diameter pipe.  PHMSA is incorporating by reference ASTM F2945-12a, an industry standard for PA-11 pipe, and other modern industry standards for PA-11 and PA-12.
• Permitted use of Polyamide-12 (PA-12) pipe:  Operators are permitted to install PA-12 pipe for the first time and to use a design factor of 0.40.  PA-12 pipe may be used at pressures up to 250 psig and for pipe up to 6 inches in diameter.  PHMSA is incorporating by reference ASTM F2785-12 which defines material properties, manufacturing tolerances, test methods and requirements, marking requirements, and minimum quality control program requirements for PA-12 pipe, and ASTM F2767-12 which sets forth specifications for electrofusion fittings on PA-12 systems.
• Design and construction of risers:  The final rule adds new requirements for the design and construction of plastic risers, and incorporates by reference ASTM F1973, an industry standard for plastic pipe risers.  PHMSA retained the requirement that risers be rigid, but removed the requirement for a 3-foot horizontal base leg.  PHMSA also clarified that operators may install field-assembled anodeless risers.  
• Fittings:  PHMSA is incorporating a requirement to use “Category One” joints, as defined by a listed specification.  A Category One joint provides resistance to lateral forces so that a large force on the connection would cause the pipe to yield before the joint.  PHMSA also adopted revised cathodic protection requirements for newly installed electrically isolated metal fittings. 
• Plastic pipe installation:  The final rule adopts new requirements for a number of installation processes, including: installation via trenchless excavation, pipe joining, qualifying joining procedures, qualifying individuals to perform joints, procedures for bends and elbows, service line connections to mains, and pipe joining equipment maintenance.  PHMSA did not adopt proposed repair criteria and plans to revisit this issue in a future rulemaking.  PHMSA also will prohibit mechanical leak repair clamps as a permanent repair.
• Other Amendments:  The final rule permits the use of PVC pipe, adopts a variety of modern industry standards, and revises regulations related to storage and handling, component design, valve design, standard fittings, and pipe testing.  PHMSA clarified that Type B regulated onshore gathering lines constructed with plastic pipe must comply with the regulations for plastic pipe.  The final rule does not adopt proposed repair criteria and enhanced backfill requirements. 

PHMSA Seeks Comments on FAQ Guidance for Obtaining Extensions of 7-Year Integrity Management Reassessment Interval

On November 15, PHMSA issued a Request for Comments on draft Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that PHMSA developed to provide guidance on what constitutes sufficient justification for obtaining a 6-month extension of the 7-year interval for performing reassessments under the gas transmission integrity management regulations.  The guidance will implement authority granted by Congress in Section 5(e) of the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011.  Comments are due December 17.

PHMSA Rulemakings Update.  The tables below summarize the status of the PHMSA’s pending pipeline safety rulemaking initiatives as reflected in the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) November Significant Rulemaking Report and the Office of Management & Budget’s (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) Fall 2018 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions.  The Unified Regulatory Agenda appears in two principal parts, Current Agenda Agency Regulatory Entries for Active Actions and Current Long Term Actions.  In addition, PHMSA has recently updated its Chart of PHMSA Regulations, required by the 2016 Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act.