---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 C.F.R. § 192.619"
title: "49"
number: "192.619"
heading: "Maximum allowable operating pressure: Steel or plastic pipelines."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/49/192.619"
---

# §192.619. Maximum allowable operating pressure: Steel or plastic pipelines.

- (a) No person may operate a segment of steel or plastic pipeline at a pressure that exceeds a maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) determined under paragraph [(c)](#c), [(d)](#d), or [(e)](#e) of this section, or the lowest of the following:
  - (1) The design pressure of the weakest element in the segment, determined in accordance with subparts [C](/cfr/49/subpartC.md) and [D](/cfr/49/subpartD.md) of this part. However, for steel pipe in pipelines being converted under [§ 192.14](/cfr/49/192.14.md) or uprated under [subpart K](/cfr/49/subpartK.md) of this part, if any variable necessary to determine the design pressure under the design formula ([§ 192.105](/cfr/49/192.105.md)) is unknown, one of the following pressures is to be used as design pressure:
    - (i) Eighty percent of the first test pressure that produces yield undersection N5 of Appendix N of ASME B31.8 (incorporated by reference, see [§ 192.7](/cfr/49/192.7.md)), reduced by the appropriate factor in [paragraph (a)(2)(ii)](#a-2-ii) of this section; or
    - (ii) If the pipe is 12 3/4 inches (324 mm) or less in outside diameter and is not tested to yield under this paragraph, 200 p.s.i. (1379 kPa).
  - (2) The pressure obtained by dividing the pressure to which the pipeline segment was tested after construction as follows:
    - (i) For plastic pipe in all locations, the test pressure is divided by a factor of 1.5.
    - (ii) For steel pipe operated at 100 psi (689 kPa) gage or more, the test pressure is divided by a factor determined in accordance with the Table 1 to [paragraph (a)(2)(ii)](#a-2-ii):
  - (3) The highest actual operating pressure to which the segment was subjected during the 5 years preceding the applicable date in the second column. This pressure restriction applies unless the segment was tested according to the requirements in [paragraph (a)(2)](#a-2) of this section after the applicable date in the third column or the segment was uprated according to the requirements in [subpart K](/cfr/49/subpartK.md) of this part:
  - (4) The pressure determined by the operator to be the maximum safe pressure after considering and accounting for records of material properties, including material properties verified in accordance with [§ 192.607](/cfr/49/192.607.md), if applicable, and the history of the pipeline segment, including known corrosion and actual operating pressure.
- (b) No person may operate a segment to which [paragraph (a)(4)](#a-4) of this section is applicable, unless over-pressure protective devices are installed on the segment in a manner that will prevent the maximum allowable operating pressure from being exceeded, in accordance with [§ 192.195](/cfr/49/192.195.md).
- (c) **The requirements on pressure restrictions in this section do not apply in the following instances—**
  - (1) An operator may operate a segment of pipeline found to be in satisfactory condition, considering its operating and maintenance history, at the highest actual operating pressure to which the segment was subjected during the 5 years preceding the applicable date in the second column of the table in [paragraph (a)(3)](#a-3) of this section. An operator must still comply with [§ 192.611](/cfr/49/192.611.md).
  - (2) For any Type C gas gathering pipeline under [§ 192.9](/cfr/49/192.9.md) existing on or before May 16, 2022, that was not previously subject to this part and the operator cannot determine the actual operating pressure of the pipeline for the 5 years preceding May 16, 2023, the operator may establish MAOP using other criteria based on a combination of operating conditions, other tests, and design with approval from PHMSA. The operator must notify PHMSA in accordance with [§ 192.18](/cfr/49/192.18.md). The notification must include the following information:
    - (i) The proposed MAOP of the pipeline;
    - (ii) Description of pipeline segment for which alternate methods are used to establish MAOP, including diameter, wall thickness, pipe grade, seam type, location, endpoints, other pertinent material properties, and age;
    - (iii) Pipeline operating data, including operating history and maintenance history;
    - (iv) Description of methods being used to establish MAOP;
    - (v) Technical justification for use of the methods chosen to establish MAOP; and
    - (vi) **Evidence of review and acceptance of the justification by a qualified technical subject matter expert.**
- (d) The operator of a pipeline segment of steel pipeline meeting the conditions prescribed in [§ 192.620(b)](/cfr/49/192.620.md?p=b) may elect to operate the segment at a maximum allowable operating pressure determined under [§ 192.620(a)](/cfr/49/192.620.md?p=a).
- (e) Notwithstanding the requirements in [paragraphs (a) through (d)](#a..d) of this section, operators of onshore steel transmission pipelines that meet the criteria specified in [§ 192.624(a)](/cfr/49/192.624.md?p=a) must establish and document the maximum allowable operating pressure in accordance with [§ 192.624](/cfr/49/192.624.md).
- (f) Operators of onshore steel transmission pipelines must make and retain records necessary to establish and document the MAOP of each pipeline segment in accordance with [paragraphs (a) through (e)](#a..e) of this section as follows:
  - (1) Operators of pipelines in operation as of July 1, 2020 must retain any existing records establishing MAOP for the life of the pipeline;
  - (2) Operators of pipelines in operation as of July 1, 2020 that do not have records establishing MAOP and are required to reconfirm MAOP in accordance with [§ 192.624](/cfr/49/192.624.md), must retain the records reconfirming MAOP for the life of the pipeline; and
  - (3) Operators of pipelines placed in operation after July 1, 2020 must make and retain records establishing MAOP for the life of the pipeline.

## Notes

### Amendments

[35 FR 13257, Aug. 19, 1970]

### 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]