Abandonment or Deactivation of Facilities (17.7)

Criticality: High
Progress: Not Addressed
Score: 40
DOT Relevance: 192.727

Description of Key Area

Abandonment or deactivation of facilities is considered under Subpart M (Maintenance) of 49 CFR 192. It defines the rules for abandoning pipelines.

Discussion of Criticality

Abandonment methods for hydrogen pipelines must be established to ensure public safety.

Discussion of Progress

This topic will be covered in ASME B31.12.

Recommendations

Standards for abandonment or deactivation of hydrogen facilities must be established and incorporated by reference into the federal code. These standards should include methods of purging, purging gases, gas detection and abandonment procedures. Material and fitting specifications should be considered. Determinations should be made as to what materials and fittings are acceptable for use in the procedures and how acceptable fittings should be tested.