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Purging of Pipelines (16.13)

Criticality: High
Progress: Not Addressed
Score: 40
DOT Relevance: §192.629

Description of Key Area

Purging of pipelines is considered under Subpart L (Operations) of 49 CFR 192. This section discusses the purging of gas in such a way as to prevent “the formation of a hazardous mixture of gas and air.”

Discussion of Criticality

This area is critical because of the wider flammability range of hydrogen relative to natural gas. For crew safety and public safety, in terms of accidental ignition and asphyxiation, purging practices for hydrogen pipelines needs to be examined.

Discussion of Progress

No information found.

Recommendations

Confirm whether or not this topic will be addressed by ASME B31.12. Standards for safe and effective purging (by gas purge or flaring) of hydrogen pipelines, including inert purge gas procedures and tooling to be used, must be established and incorporated by reference into the federal code.