Part 255 Transmission and Distribution of Gas

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (c) of this section, no person may operate a segment of steel or plastic pipeline at a pressure that exceeds the lowest of the following: (1) the design pressure of the weakest element in the segment, determined in accordance with this Part; …

(a) No person may operate a segment of a high-pressure distribution system at a pressure that exceeds the lowest of the following pressures, as applicable: (1) the design pressure of the weakest element in the segment, determined in accordance with this Part; (2) 60 psig (414 kPa…

(a) No person may operate a low-pressure distribution system at a pressure high enough to make unsafe the operation of any connected and properly adjusted low-pressure gas burning equipment. (b) No person may operate a low-pressure distribution system at a pressure lower than the…

(a) All gas transported in transmission lines, and distribution mains operating at 125 psig (862 kPa) or more, except gas in route to storage fields via a transmission pipeline that transported gas without an odorant from that line before May 5, 1975, is to be adequately odorized…

Each tap made on a pipeline under pressure must be performed by a crew qualified to make hot taps.

All purging shall be carried out in accordance with Purging Principles and Practice (as described in section 10.3 of this Title), published by the American Gas Association, Inc.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (d) of this section, each valve, fitting, length of pipe, and other component must be marked as prescribed in the specification or standard to which it was manufactured. (b) Surfaces of pipe and components that are subject to stress from inte…

(1) This section applies to each operator of a pipeline facility with a controller working in a control room who monitors and controls all or part of a pipeline facility through a SCADA system. Each operator must have and follow written control room management procedures that imp…

(a) In a pipeline to be operated at a hoop stress of 20 percent or more of SMYS, an operator may not install pipe having an outer diameter to wall thickness ratio of 70 to 1, or more, that is transported by railroad unless the transportation is performed in accordance with API RP…

Each operator must have and follow written procedures for the storage and handling of plastic pipe and associated components that meet the applicable listed specifications.

(a) Any documents or parts thereof incorporated by reference in this Part are a part of this regulation as though set out in full herein. (b) All incorporated documents are available for inspection at the department. In addition, the documents are available at the addresses provi…

Sections 255.703 through 255.757 of this Part prescribe minimum requirements for maintenance of pipeline facilities.

(a) No person may operate a segment of pipeline, unless it is maintained in accordance with this Part. (b) Each segment of pipeline that becomes unsafe must be replaced, repaired or removed from service. (c) The provisions of: sections 255.705, 255.706, 255.709, 255.711, 255.713,…

(a) Each operator shall have a patrol program to observe surface conditions on and adjacent to transmission line rights-of-way, and distribution line rights-of-way where the distribution line operates at 125 psig (862 kPa) or more in a Class 3 or 4 location, for indications of le…

(a) A leakage survey of each transmission line, and distribution main operating at 125 psig (862 kPa) or more in a Class 3 or 4 location, must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. (b) Leaks located shall be investigated promptly…

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b) of this section, a line marker must be placed and maintained as close as practical over each buried main and transmission line: (1) at each crossing of a public road, railroad and navigable waterway; and (2) wherever else necessary to ide…

Each operator shall keep records covering each leak discovered, repair made, and line break for as long as the segment of transmission line, or distribution main operating at 125 psig (862 kPa) or more in a Class 3 or 4 location, involved remains in service. (See section 255.17 o…

Each operator must take immediate temporary measures to protect the public whenever: (1) a leak, imperfection or damage that impairs its serviceability is found in a segment of steel transmission line, or distribution main operating at 125 psig (862 kPa) or more in a Class 3 or 4…

(a) Each imperfection or damage that impairs the serviceability of a segment of steel transmission line, or distribution main operating at 125 psig (860 kPa) or more in a Class 3 or 4 location, must be repaired according to the following requirements: (1) If it is feasible to tak…

(a) If it is feasible to take the segment of transmission line, or distribution main operating at 125 psig (862 kPa) or more in a Class 3 or 4 location, out of service, the weld must be repaired in accordance with the applicable requirements of section 255.245 of this Part. (b) A…

Each permanent field repair of a leak on a transmission line, or distribution main operating at 125 psig (862 kPa) or more in a Class 3 or 4 location, must be made according to the following requirements: (a) If feasible, the segment must be taken out of service and repaired by c…

(a) If a segment of transmission line, or distribution main operating at 125 psig (862 kPa) or more in a Class 3 or 4 location, is repaired by cutting out the damaged portion of the pipe as a cylinder, the replacement pipe must be tested to the pressure required for a new line in…

Mechanical leak repair clamps installed after January 22, 2019 may not be used as a permanent repair method for plastic pipe.

(a) The frequency of patrolling mains must be determined by the severity of the conditions which could cause failure or leakage, and the consequent hazards to public safety. (b) Mains in places or on structures where anticipated physical movement or external loading could cause f…

(a) Each operator of a distribution system shall provide for periodic leakage surveys in its operating and maintenance plan. Leaks located by these surveys shall be investigated promptly and necessary action shall be taken in accordance with sections 255.805 and 255.807 of this P…

After April 1, 2021, when an operator has access to a customer’s premises for, among other things, responding to an odor complaint or conducting inspections required under section 255.481 or 255.723 of this Part, where the service line is installed below grade through the outer f…

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (e) of this section, each disconnected service line must be tested in accordance with this section before being reinstated; however, if provisions are made to maintain continuous service, such as by installation of a bypass, any part of the o…

(a) All inactive service lines, including stubs, must be inspected, leakage surveyed and maintained according to the applicable provisions of this Part. (b) Inactive steel service lines not under cathodic protection, including stubs, may remain under the conditions established by…

(a) Each operator shall provide in its operating and maintenance plan for abandonment or deactivation of pipelines, including provisions for meeting each of the requirements of this section. (b) Each pipeline abandoned in place must be disconnected from all sources and supplies o…

Each operator shall establish starting, operating, and shutdown procedures for gas compressor units.

(a) Except for rupture discs, each pressure relieving device in a compressor station must be inspected and tested in accordance with sections 255.739 and 255.743 of this Part, and must be operated periodically to determine that it opens at the correct set pressure. (b) Any defect…

(a) All stations shall be inspected for excessive vibration in control piping. All suspect configurations shall be corrected promptly. (b) All automatic combustible gas alarm and automatic shut-off valve systems in compressor stations shall be inspected weekly.

Each operator shall establish procedures for maintaining compressor stations, including provisions for isolating units or sections of pipe and for purging before returning to service.

(a) Flammable or combustible materials in quantities beyond those required for everyday use, or other than those normally used in compressor buildings, must be stored a safe distance from the compressor building. (b) Aboveground oil or gasoline storage tanks must be protected in …

(a) Each compressor building in a compressor station must have a fixed gas detection and alarm system, unless the building is: (1) constructed so that at least 50 percent of its upright side area is permanently open; or (2) located in an unattended field compressor station of 1,0…

Whenever a pipe-type or bottle-type gas holder is found, it shall be removed or abandoned unless specific approval is granted for its continued use.

(a) Each pressure-limiting station, relief device (except rupture discs), and pressure-regulating station and its equipment must be subjected, at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year, to inspections and tests to determine that: (1) it is in good…