N.J. Admin. Code § 14:7-1.14

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 14:7-1.14 - Pressure testing

(a) Testing of all natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines shall be performed in accordance with 49 CFR 192, Subpart J, 192.501 through 192.517, 192.719 and 192.725.

(b) The Board shall be notified at least three business days prior to pressure testing of any gas transmission pipeline, through an e-mail or telephone call to the Board's Bureau of Pipeline Safety. Officials of municipalities wherein a line is to be tested shall also be notified in order that proper and adequate police protection may be provided.

(c) When water is used for the testing of a gas transmission or distribution pipeline, suitable provisions shall be made for disposal of the water on completion of the test. Suitable precautions shall also be taken to avoid contamination of local streams or water supplies in the event of a line failure during the testing.

(d) Test pressure for any gas transmission pipeline shall be maintained wherever possible for a period of 24 hours but in no event for a period of less than 12 hours. If an operator cannot perform a 24-hour test, the operator shall submit a written request to the Board for approval of a shorter test period, including an explanation of why a 24-hour test is not possible. Board staff in the Bureau of Pipeline Safety will review the request and will determine whether to approve a test period of less than 24 hours.

(e) Before a transmission pipeline is placed in operation, the operator shall pressure test the pipeline to ensure that the pipeline meets the applicable requirements of 49 CFR 192, Subpart J, 192.501 through 192.517 and this chapter.

(f) Within one month after the completion date of the pressure test required in (e) above, the pipeline operator shall submit a report to the Board's Bureau of Pipeline Safety in accordance with 14:7-1.2 6, certifying that the pipeline meets the applicable requirements of 49 CFR 192, Subpart J, 192.501 through 192.517 and this chapter. The report shall also include:

1. Test records, recording charts and calibration reports confirming the pressure tests;

2. The computation of maximum allowable operating pressures in conformity with the provisions of the Federal Code; and

3. The results of leakage or tightness tests made on the line.

N.J. Admin. Code § 14:7-1.14

Recodified from N.J.A.C. 14:7-1.17 and amended by R.2009 d.69, effective 3/2/2009.
See: 40 N.J.R. 4915(a), 41 N.J.R. 1083(a).
Section was "Testing". In (a), substituted "49 CFR 192, Subpart J, 192.501 through 192.517, 192.719 and 192.725" for "the provisions of the Federal Code"; in (b), substituted "three business" for "two working" and inserted ", through an e-mail or telephone call to the Board's Bureau of Pipeline Safety"; in (c), inserted "or distribution" and "during the testing"; in (d), substituted "for any gas transmission pipeline" for ", in accordance with (b) and (c) above," and inserted the last two sentences; and added (e). Former N.J.A.C. 14:7-1.14, Minimum cover of mains, recodified to N.J.A.C. 14:7-1.12.
Amended by R.2009 d.291, effective 10/5/2009.
See: 41 N.J.R. 997(a), 41 N.J.R. 3844(b).
Rewrote (e); and added (f).