---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 C.F.R. § 192.503"
title: "49"
number: "192.503"
heading: "General requirements."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/49/192.503"
---

# §192.503. General requirements.

- (a) No person may operate a new segment of pipeline, or return to service a segment of pipeline that has been relocated or replaced, until—
  - (1) It has been tested in accordance with this subpart and [§ 192.619](/cfr/49/192.619.md) to substantiate the maximum allowable operating pressure; and
  - (2) **Each potentially hazardous leak has been located and eliminated.**
- (b) The test medium must be liquid, air, natural gas, or inert gas that is—
  - (1) Compatible with the material of which the pipeline is constructed;
  - (2) Relatively free of sedimentary materials; and
  - (3) **Except for natural gas, nonflammable.**
- (c) Except as provided in [§ 192.505(a)](/cfr/49/192.505.md?p=a), if air, natural gas, or inert gas is used as the test medium, the following maximum hoop stress limitations apply:
- (d) Each joint used to tie in a test segment of pipeline is excepted from the specific test requirements of this subpart, but each non-welded joint must be leak tested at not less than its operating pressure.
- (e) If a component other than pipe is the only item being replaced or added to a pipeline, a strength test after installation is not required, if the manufacturer of the component certifies that:
  - (1) The component was tested to at least the pressure required for the pipeline to which it is being added;
  - (2) The component was manufactured under a quality control system that ensures that each item manufactured is at least equal in strength to a prototype and that the prototype was tested to at least the pressure required for the pipeline to which it is being added; or
  - (3) The component carries a pressure rating established through applicable ASME/ANSI, Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings Industry, Inc. (MSS) specifications, or by unit strength calculations as described in [§ 192.143](/cfr/49/192.143.md).

## Notes

### Amendments

[35 FR 13257, Aug. 19, 1970, as amended by Amdt. 192-58, 53 FR 1635, Jan. 21, 1988; Amdt. 192-60, 53 FR 36029, Sept. 16, 1988; Amdt. 192-60A, 54 FR 5485, Feb. 3, 1989; Amdt. 192-120, 80 FR 12779, Mar. 11, 2015]

### Authority

Authority: 30 U.S.C. 185(w)(3), 49 U.S.C. 5103, 60101 et. seq., and 49 CFR 1.97.

### Source

Source: 35 FR 13257, Aug. 19, 1970, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[35 FR 13257, Aug. 19, 1970, as amended by Amdt. 192-58, 53 FR 1635, Jan. 21, 1988; Amdt. 192-60, 53 FR 36029, Sept. 16, 1988; Amdt. 192-60A, 54 FR 5485, Feb. 3, 1989; Amdt. 192-120, 80 FR 12779, Mar. 11, 2015]