Interpretation Response #PI-72-0105

Interpretation Response Details

The Maryland
Post Office Box 1226
Baltimore, Maryland 21203

March 7, 1972

Office of Pipe Line Safety
U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590

Cross – Country Ammonia Pipe Lines

Gentlemen:

As a casualty insurance company we maintain a department that provides loss control service by field representatives headquartered throughout our department that includes "Reference Sheets". I am working on a reference sheet pertaining to the Cross-country Ammonia Pipe Lines that have been installed, to my knowledge, in the mid-continent of the United States.

I would like to know if there are any federal rules and regulations pertaining to the installation and operation of these pipe lines. If there are, would you please let me know what they are and how I can obtain copies of them.

Also, if there is any "Public Information" about the existence, operating experience, design criteria, future plans, etc. pertaining to these pipe lines, I would appreciate receiving this information.

Yours truly,
T.R. Kaye
Supervisor
Loss Control Department

PI-72-0105

March 27, 1972

Mr. T. R. Kaye, Supervisor
Loss Control Department
The Maryland Casualty Company
P.O. Box 1228
Baltimore, Maryland 21203

This will acknowledge receipt of your letter dated March 7, 1972, regarding Cross-Country Ammonia Pipe Lines.

The Federal Railroad Administration has safety responsibility for the pipeline transportation of liquid hazardous materials and petroleum products in interstate and foreign commerce. The Office of Pipeline Safety provides technical consultation to the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration in administering the regulations.

Part 195 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations pertain to safety regulations for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of pipelines carrying hazardous materials and petroleum products in liquid form. Liquid ammonia is one of the materials subject to these regulations. We are enclosing a copy of these regulations for your assistance in this matter. We invite your attention to Section 195.6 requiring notification of the transporting of liquid ammonia to the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration.

Gulf Central Pipeline Company, 1200 Thompson Building, 5th and Boston, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 and Mid-American Pipeline Company, 1437 South Boulder Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119 are transporting liquid ammonia in interstate commerce subject to the regulations Part 195, 49 CFR. These companies may be able to assist you regarding some of the information that you are seeking. We have information in our file submitted by these two companies regarding the notice required under Section 195.6. These files are very lengthy and are open for review to the public. These reports are available for 50 cents per page payable in check, draft, or money order to the Treasurer of the United States.

We are also including copies of our liquid accident reports for the years 1968, 1969, and 1970. These reports should also provide you some information regarding this subject.

We trust that we have been able to provide you with information regarding Cross Country Ammonia Pipe Lines. If we can be of further assistance, please let us know.

Sincerely,
Original signed by:
Joseph C. Caldwell
Acting Director
Office of Pipeline Safety

Regulation Sections