N.J. Admin. Code § 14:7-1.24

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 11, June 3, 2024

Section 14:7-1.24 - Oversight of construction, operations, and maintenance activities

(a) A pipeline operator shall provide for the inspection of all pipes during their installation, and prior to backfilling, in order to assure that the pipe installed is free of nicks, gouges or other forms of damage which would tend to reduce the strength of the pipe below the minimum required under the Federal Code and this chapter. This inspection shall be performed by the operator or by a qualified inspection contractor.

(b) A pipeline operator shall ensure that each operator crew performing construction and contractor crew performing construction on behalf of the operator is inspected by the operator's inspectors at least once each work day; or as often as the operator deems necessary to ensure the quality and safety of the construction being performed.

(c) A pipeline operator shall employ only inspectors that are qualified, by knowledge and experience, in all areas of work that will be inspected, and who meet all requirements of the operator's program for qualification of pipeline personnel, established under 49 CFR 192, Subpart N, 192.801 through 192.809.

(d) Each pipeline operator shall perform quality assurance/quality control audits of construction of natural gas pipelines and shall maintain the audit records for construction performed by both operator employees and contractors. At a minimum, each audit shall document the following for each crew:

1. Verify whether construction personnel meet all requirements of the operator's program for qualification of pipeline personnel for the work being performed;

2. Assess whether all applicable operator standards and procedures are followed correctly;

3. Document inspector recommendations for addressing any deficiencies found during the inspection;

4. Check Fuser and/or Welder qualification cards or records;

5. Check the condition of all heating plates used for plastic fusion;

6. Check the temperature of all heating plates used for plastic fusion;

7. Check the date of manufacture stamped on all plastic pipe in use to ensure compliance with American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) D-2513;

8. Check the depth of the pipe installation;

9. Check the distance of the pipeline from other structures;

10. Check the condition of all job-site fire extinguishers;

11. Check pressure gauges;

12. Check the storage, handling, and condition of pipe and coating; and

13. Check for evidence of mark-outs related to the Board's One-Call rules at the project site.

(e) A pipeline operator shall ensure the periodic inspection and calibration of all equipment, including, but not limited to, equipment used for cathodic protection, pipe jeeping, leak detection, plastic fusion, and pressure testing, which is used in construction, operations, and maintenance activities, in accordance with the frequencies defined in the manufacturers' procedures and specifications. Inspection stickers shall be attached to all such equipment, indicating the date of the most recent inspection and/or calibration. The operator shall maintain records of all periodic inspections and calibrations.

(f) A pipeline operator shall provide for the inspection of all joint-trench pipe installations, and for inspectors to witness 100 percent of trench backfilling operations associated with joint-trench installations.

(g) Each pipeline operator shall ensure that only individuals who meet the operator's qualification program requirements may perform an activity that is a covered task.

N.J. Admin. Code § 14:7-1.24

Amended by R.1998 d.146, effective 3/16/1998.
See: 29 N.J.R. 5184(a), 30 N.J.R. 1050(a).
Repeal and New Rule, R.2009 d.69, effective 3/2/2009.
See: 40 N.J.R. 4915(a), 41 N.J.R. 1083(a).
Section was "Compressor stations: electric installations".
Amended by R.2009 d.291, effective 10/5/2009.
See: 41 N.J.R. 997(a), 41 N.J.R. 3844(b).
In (b), inserted "; or as often as the operator deems necessary to ensure the quality and safety of the work being performed"; in (c), deleted ", and approved by the Board's Bureau of Pipeline Safety in accordance with N.J.A.C. 14:7-1.23" from the end; rewrote the introductory paragraph of (d); and in (d)1, deleted "Bureau of Pipeline Safety-approved" preceding "program".

Amended by 55 N.J.R. 1201(a), effective 6/5/2023