[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34457-34458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14089]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
[Docket No. PHMSA-2012-0079]
Pipeline Safety: Mechanical Fitting Failure Reports
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
DOT.
ACTION: Notice; Issuance of Advisory Bulletin.
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SUMMARY: This notice provides clarification to owners and operators of
gas distribution pipeline facilities when completing the Mechanical
Fitting Failure Report Form, PHMSA F 7100.1-2. Initial reviews of
reports submitted for calendar year 2011 failures have identified a
need for PHMSA to issue this notice to provide operators with
additional guidance for reporting the apparent cause. PHMSA has also
enhanced the online submittal process and plans to implement further
improvements.
ADDRESSES: This document can be viewed on the PHMSA home page at:
http://www.phmsa.dot.gov and in docket number PHMSA-2012-0079 at http://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris McLaren, Distribution Integrity
Management Program Coordinator at 281-216-4455, or by email at
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 192.1009 of the pipeline safety regulations (49 CFR parts
190-199) requires each owner or operator of a gas distribution pipeline
facility to file a written report for any mechanical fitting failure
that results in a hazardous leak. A hazardous leak is defined in Sec.
192.1001 as a leak that represents an existing or probable hazard to
persons or property and requires immediate repair or continuous action
until the conditions are no longer hazardous. Each report must be filed
by March 15 of the following year on a Mechanical Fitting Failure
Report Form (PHMSA F 7100.1-2).
A report is required for all failures regardless of the material
composition, type, manufacturer, or size of the fitting. The reporting
requirements apply to all failures that result in a hazardous leak due
to the use of a fitting and may include failures in the body of the
mechanical fitting, failures in the joints between the fitting and the
pipe, indications of leakage from the seals associated with the
fitting, and partial or complete separation of the pipe from the
fitting. Operators are to report all mechanical fitting failures
regardless of the cause. It is important to note that PHMSA does not
seek information related to failures of cast iron bell and spigot
joints unless the leak resulted from a failure of a mechanical fitting
used to repair or reinforce a joint.
Question 15, ``Apparent Cause of Leak'', under Part C of PHMSA F
7100.1-2 specifies various apparent causes of leaks. These causes
include ``Corrosion,'' ``Natural Forces,'' ``Excavation Damage,''
``Other Outside Force Damage,'' ``Material or Welds/Fusions,''
``Equipment,'' ``Incorrect Operation,'' and ``Other.'' These apparent
cause options contain two potential options for a failure that
apparently results from incorrect installation of the mechanical
fitting. One option is ``Material or Welds/Fusions'' with a subcategory
of ``Construction/Installation Defect.'' The other option is
``Incorrect Operation.'' PHMSA prefers that failures resulting from an
installation defect be reported
[[Page 34458]]
using ``Incorrect Operation'' as the apparent cause. It is PHMSA's
intent to capture failure data under the ``Material or Welds/Fusions''
leak cause category that is specific to manufacture, fabrication,
material, and design defects.
In addition, operators have contacted PHMSA with a suggestion to
expedite the finalization and electronic submission of reports. Many
operators have developed unique identifiers for their mechanical
fitting failures. These operators have suggested that the form be
revised to allow the addition of this unique identifier to each report.
This will allow for ease of identification and prevention of duplicate
filing. PHMSA has revised the form to collect this information.
Over eight thousand Mechanical Fitting Failure Reports were
received during calendar year 2011. Several operators have requested
the ability to submit multiple reports simultaneously. PHMSA has begun
work on a function within the online system to allow the simultaneous
submission of multiple reports.
II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2012-07)
To: All Gas Distribution Operators.
Subject: Completion of Mechanical Fitting Failure Report Form, Leak
Causes.
Advisory: As specified in Sec. 192.1009, operators of all gas
distribution pipeline facilities are required to report the failure of
any mechanical fitting that results in a hazardous leak on a Mechanical
Fitting Failure Report Form (PHMSA F 7100.1-2). The report is required
for all failures regardless of the material composition, type,
manufacturer, or size of the fitting. Operators are to report all
mechanical fitting failures regardless of the cause. Reporting
requirements also apply to failures resulting from the use of a fitting
and may include failures in the body of mechanical fitting, failures in
the joints between the fitting and the pipe, indications of leakage
from the seals associated with the fitting, and partial or complete
separation of the pipe away from the fitting. However, PHMSA does not
seek information related to failures of cast iron bell and spigot
joints unless the leak resulted from a failure of a mechanical fitting
used to repair or reinforce a joint.
The apparent cause options under Part C, Question 15 (Apparent
Cause of Leak) on PHMSA F 7100.1-2 contain two potential options for a
failure that apparently results from incorrect installation of the
mechanical fitting. One option is ``Material or Welds/Fusions'' with a
subcategory of ``Construction/Installation Defect.'' The other option
is ``Incorrect Operation.'' PHMSA prefers that failures resulting from
an installation defect be reported using ``Incorrect Operation'' as the
apparent cause. It is PHMSA's intent to capture failure data under the
``Material or Welds/Fusions'' leak cause category that is specific to
manufacture, fabrication, material, and design defects.
When creating a report in PHMSA's online system, operators may now
include a unique identifier for each report to help operators
distinguish reports.
Several operators have requested the ability to submit multiple
reports simultaneously. PHMSA has begun work on a function within the
online system to allow the simultaneous submission of multiple reports.
Issued in Washington, DC on June 4, 2012.
Jeffrey D. Wiese,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2012-14089 Filed 6-8-12; 8:45 am]
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