[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 3]
[Revised as of October1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR192.16]

[Page 34]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
 CHAPTER I--RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                       TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED)
 
PART 192--TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL AND OTHER GAS BY PIPELINE: MINIMUM FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
                           Subpart A--General
 
Sec. 192.16  Customer notification.

    (a) This section applies to each operator of a service line who does 
not maintain the customer's buried piping up to entry of the first 
building downstream, or, if the customer's buried piping does not enter 
a building, up to the principal gas utilization equipment or the first 
fence (or wall) that surrounds that equipment. For the purpose of this 
section, ``customer's buried piping'' does not include branch lines that 
serve yard lanterns, pool heaters, or other types of secondary 
equipment. Also, ``maintain'' means monitor for corrosion according to 
Sec. 192.465 if the customer's buried piping is metallic, survey for 
leaks according to Sec. 192.723, and if an unsafe condition is found, 
shut off the flow of gas, advise the customer of the need to repair the 
unsafe condition, or repair the unsafe condition.
    (b) Each operator shall notify each customer once in writing of the 
following information:
    (1) The operator does not maintain the customer's buried piping.
    (2) If the customer's buried piping is not maintained, it may be 
subject to the potential hazards of corrosion and leakage.
    (3) Buried gas piping should be--
    (i) Periodically inspected for leaks;
    (ii) Periodically inspected for corrosion if the piping is metallic; 
and
    (iii) Repaired if any unsafe condition is discovered.
    (4) When excavating near buried gas piping, the piping should be 
located in advance, and the excavation done by hand.
    (5) The operator (if applicable), plumbing contractors, and heating 
contractors can assist in locating, inspecting, and repairing the 
customer's buried piping.
    (c) Each operator shall notify each customer not later than August 
14, 1996, or 90 days after the customer first receives gas at a 
particular location, whichever is later. However, operators of master 
meter systems may continuously post a general notice in a prominent 
location frequented by customers.
    (d) Each operator must make the following records available for 
inspection by the Administrator or a State agency participating under 49 
U.S.C. 60105 or 60106:
    (1) A copy of the notice currently in use; and
    (2) Evidence that notices have been sent to customers within the 
previous 3 years.

[Amdt. 192-74, 60 FR 41828, Aug. 14, 1995, as amended by Amdt. 192-74A, 
60 FR 63451, Dec. 11, 1995; Amdt. 192-83, 63 FR 7723, Feb. 17, 1998]