It's Official!
After the open comment period for new rule making the Texas Railroad Commission adopted the new language below relating to distribution facilities replacements. The new rule was published in March 11, 2011 issue of the Texas Register with an effective date of March 14, 2011.
Greg Goble, Senior Engineer Manager at Lyall offered new language that was ultimately adopted by the commission. This new ruling will give operators the variety of fittings and tools needed to replace old gas line services with PE pipe in Texas and maintain current federal safety requirements.
Railroad Commission of Texas
16 TAC Chapter 8-Pipeline Safety Regulations
§8.209. Distribution Facilities Replacements.
(b) Each operator must make joints on below-ground piping that meets the following
requirements:
(1) Joints on steel pipe must be welded or designed and installed to resist longitudinal pullout or thrust forces per 49 CFR §192.273.
(2) Joints on plastic pipe must be fused or designed and installed to resist longitudinal pullout or thrust forces per ASTM D2513-Category 1