 

Memorandum to RCRA Docket No. EPA-HQ-RCRA-2010-0695

From:	Ross Elliott, U.S. EPA

Date:	May 2013

Re:	Examples Where ASME B31 Standards Are Incorporated by Reference by
Federal and State Regulatory Agencies

While ASME B31 standards are not by themselves regulatory requirements,
these standards have been incorporated by reference in various federal
and state regulatory programs, illustrating the high degree of
confidence and acceptance placed on these standards.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) PHMSA currently incorporates by
reference ASME pipeline standards B31 (formerly ANSI B31) and more than
60 other standards and specifications published by technical
organizations into federal pipeline regulations based on the directive
for 49 CFR Parts 192, 193, and 195. Many states have adopted by
reference all or parts of 49 CFR Parts 192, 193, and 195. For example:

Virginia State Corporation Commission Division of Utility and Railroad
Safety has adopted 49 CFR Parts 191, 192, 193, 195 and 199 to serve as
minimum pipeline safety standards (see   HYPERLINK
"http://www.scc.virginia.gov/urs/pipe/index.aspx" 
http://www.scc.virginia.gov/urs/pipe/index.aspx ).

Kansas Corporation Commission Office of Pipeline Safety, which regulates
pipelines transmitting carbon dioxide, has adopted 49 CFR Part 192 (with
some additions; §192.7/[K.A.R. 82-11-4(a)]); see   HYPERLINK
"http://www.kcc.state.ks.us/pipeline/pipeline_safety_regs_0711.pdf" 
http://www.kcc.state.ks.us/pipeline/pipeline_safety_regs_0711.pdf ).

The Texas Railroad Commission requires carbon dioxide pipelines to
comply with 49 CFR Part 195 (Title 16 Part 1 Chapter 8 Subchapter A Rule
§8.1(b); see   HYPERLINK
"http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=3&ti=1
6&pt=1" 
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=3&ti=16
&pt=1 ).  

 

Other states have incorporated the standards into their regulatory
programs. For example:

The State of California Division of Occupational Safety and Health
requires all pressure piping to meet the requirements of the applicable
ANSI B31 standard (see Subchapter 7, Group 2, Article 7, Section
3329(b)); see   HYPERLINK "http://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3329.html" 
http://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3329.html ).

Louisiana Office of Conservation Pipeline Division, which regulates
pipelines transmitting carbon dioxide, incorporates several standards by
reference, including ASTM standards and ANSI B31.4 (see Title 43, Part
XI, Subpart 4, Chapter 9, §907; see   HYPERLINK
"http://dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=62&pnid=
0&nid=37" 
http://dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=62&pnid=0
&nid=37 ).

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation specifies that on-site
flow lines must comply with ASME B31.4 and ASME B31.8 (See Oil and Other
Hazardous Substances Pollution Control regulations, at 18 AAC 75); see  
HYPERLINK "http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/csp/reg_rev.htm" 
http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/csp/reg_rev.htm ).   

