# 2026-01321: Pipeline Safety Alert: Inventory Plastic Pipes After Deadly Blast 2026-01321, Pipeline Safety: Distribution Integrity Management Program Considerations for Plastic Piping and Components, is a Federal Register notice from Transportation Department, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration published 2026-01-23, effective 2026-01-21 (as of 2026-06-08). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01321 - As of: 2026-06-08 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-01321 - Title: Pipeline Safety: Distribution Integrity Management Program Considerations for Plastic Piping and Components - Type: Notice - Agencies: Transportation Department; Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration - Citation: 91 FR 2995 - Published: 2026-01-23 - Effective: 2026-01-21 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: no - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-06-08 ## In one line Pipeline Safety Alert: Inventory Plastic Pipes After Deadly Blast ## Summary PHMSA is reminding natural gas pipeline owners to check and manage plastic pipes and parts, especially those near heat, after a deadly 2023 gas explosion in Pennsylvania. Operators must do a one-time inventory of plastic assets in hot spots, keep an eye on them during work, and fix any risks to prevent damage. This heads-up helps keep communities safe and avoids costly accidents. ## Abstract PHMSA is issuing this advisory bulletin to remind owners and operators of natural gas distribution systems of requirements under the distribution integrity management program (DIMP) regulations regarding certain plastic piping and components. ## Effects PRIA read - One-time inventory of plastic assets: cost, medium. PHMSA advises owners and operators of natural gas distribution systems to complete a one-time inventory of all plastic pipe and components located in environments that experience or are at risk of elevated temperatures. This advisory follows the March 24, 2023 West Reading, PA incident and implemen… - Identify vintage plastic materials at risk: cost, medium. PHMSA lists specific plastic materials to consider vulnerable to elevated temperatures, including plastic pipe installed between 1960 and the early 1980s, low-ductile inner wall Aldyl A (pre-1973), PE 3306 polyethylene, Aldyl A tees with Delrin polyacetal inserts, Plexco Celcon (polyacetal) caps, a… - Evaluate, prioritize, and mitigate plastic risks: cost, high. PHMSA advises operators to evaluate and rank risks for plastic assets exposed to or potentially exposed to elevated temperatures, and to determine and implement measures such as effective leak management programs, replacement or remediation, opportunistic material verification during maintenance, a… - Maintain 10-year DIMP records: cost, low. PHMSA reminds operators to maintain records demonstrating compliance with part 192, subpart P for at least 10 years. Records may include pipe location and material type, documents supporting threat identification and risk analysis, and documentation of measures implemented to reduce risk. - Keep new plastic mains clear of heat: cost, medium. PHMSA reminds operators that Sec. 192.325(c) requires plastic mains installed as new or replacements to have sufficient clearance or insulation from heat sources to prevent heat from impairing pipe serviceability. The advisory specifically cites underground steam lines and electric lines as example… - Address Aldyl A tees with Delrin inserts: cost, high. PHMSA relays NTSB Safety Recommendation P-25-2 advising operators to address risks specifically associated with Aldyl A service tees that have Delrin polyacetal inserts, including replacing or remediating them. This follows the finding that an Aldyl A tee with a Delrin insert was the degraded compo… ## Related documents - [2026-13805](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13805): Pipeline Safety: Repair Criteria for Hazardous Liquid and Gas Transmission Pipelines, 2026-07-08 - [2026-10969](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-10969): Pipeline Safety: Breakout Tank Inspection Rule, 2026-06-02 - [2026-10782](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-10782): Pipeline Safety: Class Location Change Requirements; Correction, 2026-05-29 - [2026-08144](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08144): Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures, 2026-04-27 - [2026-08058](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08058): Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines: MAOP Reconfirmation, Expansion of Assessment Requirements, and Other Related Amendme…, 2026-04-24 - [2026-06323](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-06323): Pipeline Safety: Class Location Change Requirements; Response to Petition for Reconsideration, 2026-04-01 ## Sources - [2026-01321 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/23/2026-01321/pipeline-safety-distribution-integrity-management-program-considerations-for-plastic-piping-and) - [2026-01321 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-23/pdf/2026-01321.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-01320, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Notice of Closed Meeting](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01320) - [Next: 2026-01322, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Reques…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01322) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01321 (as of 2026-06-08).