255.317 - Protection from hazards

 

(a) When pipelines must be installed where they will be subjected to natural hazards, such as washouts, floods, unstable soil, landslides, or other conditions which may cause serious movement of, or abnormal loads, on the pipeline, reasonable precaution shall be taken to protect the pipeline, such as increasing the wall thickness, constructing revetments, preventing erosion, installing anchors, etc.

(b) Where pipelines cross areas which are normally under water or subject to flooding (i.e., lakes, bays, swamps), sufficient weight or anchorage shall be applied to the line to prevent flotation.

(c) Because submarine river crossings may be subject to washouts due to the natural hazards of stream bed changes, high water velocities, deepening of the channel, or changing of the channel location in the stream bed, design attention shall be given to protect the pipeline at such crossings. The crossing shall be located in stable bank and bed locations. The depth of the line, location of the bends in the banks, wall thickness of the pipe, weighting of the line shall be selected based on the characteristics of the river.

(d) Where pipelines are exposed, such as at spans, trestles, and bridge crossings, the pipelines and mains shall be reasonably protected by distance or barricades from accidental damage by vehicular traffic or other causes.