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PIPA Recommended Practice ND19

ND19 "Reduce Transmission Pipeline Risk through Design and Location of New Industrial Land Use Development"

Practice Statement New industrial land use development within a transmission pipeline planning area (see PIPA Recommended Practice BL06) should be designed and buildings located to reduce the consequences that could result from a transmission pipeline incident and reduce the potential of interference with transmission pipeline operations and maintenance.

Audience(s): Local Government, Property Developer and Owner

Practice Description

The risks from a transmission pipeline incident may be compounded and more complex if the storage of or processes involving flammable liquids or gases, toxic chemicals, explosives, or other hazardous substances are compromised as a result of the incident. Such materials are often found in industrial land uses such as manufacturing and storage, including freight, train, and marine terminals.

The design for industrial land use development in proximity to transmission pipelines should consider the need for more complex emergency response requirements and should include coordination with the transmission pipeline operators and emergency responders. For example, if flammable liquid or gas storage tanks are to be included in the development, they may need to be located farther from the transmission pipeline or otherwise designed to prevent the escalation of risks from a pipeline incident. The National Fire Protection Association standard NFPA 1, "Fire Code", provides standards on spacing of hazardous materials to minimize an escalation of a hazard, but does not specifically address transmission pipelines.

Onsite power plants, gas plants, water supplies, water treatment plants, and other critical infrastructure could also escalate the risks if compromised during a transmission pipeline incident. Specific site emergency response plans should also consider impacts to these infrastructures. The potential for hazardous liquid or heavier-than-air gas migration into water supplies, drainage channels, culverts, ditches, etc. should be evaluated. For additional precautions concerning water supplies and water treatment plants see PIPA Recommended Practice ND16.

Local government agencies and property developers should consider modeling of fire, explosion, or toxic release impacts that could occur during a transmission pipeline incident for the specific land use under consideration. Egress models should also be considered. If appropriate, land use and development design should take this modeling into account to minimize potential impacts. The model should be fit-for-purpose and the model user should have appropriate expertise.

It should be noted that transmission pipeline operators are required to provide emergency liaison and consultations by existing pipeline safety regulations. Gas and liquid transmission pipeline operators must maintain, modify as appropriate, and follow the plans, procedures and programs they are required to establish under Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 192 and 195, respectively.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has formed partnerships, funded research, development and training programs, and published supplementary documents to assist transmission pipeline operators, emergency response personnel, and others in developing emergency response plans. For more information, local governments and property developers/owners can contact the PHMSA Community Assistance and Technical Services representatives.

References