Section 192.313 - Bends and elbows(a) Each field bend in steel pipe, other than a wrinkle bend made in accordance with §192.315, must comply with the following: (1) A bend must not impair the serviceability of the pipe.(2) Each bend must have a smooth contour and be free from buckling, cracks, or any other mechanical damage.(3) On pipe containing a longitudinal weld, the longitudinal weld must be as near as practicable to the neutral axis of the bend unless: (i) The bend is made with an internal bending mandrel; or(ii) The pipe is 12 inches (305 millimeters) or less in outside diameter or has a diameter to wall thickness ratio less than 70.(b) Each circumferential weld of steel pipe which is located where the stress during bending causes a permanent deformation in the pipe must be nondestructively tested either before or after the bending process.(c) Wrought-steel welding elbows and transverse segments of these elbows may not be used for changes in direction on steel pipe that is 2 inches (51 millimeters) or more in diameter unless the arc length, as measured along the crotch, is at least 1 inch (25 millimeters).(d) An operator may not install plastic pipe with a bend radius that is less than the minimum bend radius specified by the manufacturer for the diameter of the pipe being installed.Amdt. No. 192-26, 41 FR 26018, 6/24/1976, as amended by Amdt. 192-29, 42 FR 42866, 8/25/1977; Amdt. 192-29, 42 FR 60148, 11/25/1977; Amdt. 192-49, 50 FR 13225, 4/3/1985; Amdt. 192-85, 63 FR 37503, 7/13/1998; 83 FR 58718, 1/22/2019