Frequently-Asked Question FAQ #41

FAQ-41: Use of Calendar Years versus Actual Years for Inspection Intervals

Question: Does the requirement that an operator establish inspection intervals not to exceed a specified number of years mean calendar years (i.e., pipe assessed in 2004 must be re-assessed during 2011) or actual years?

Answer: Re-assessments must be conducted within the specified number of actual years. For example, a pipe segment assessed on March 23, 2004 must be re-assessed before March 23, 2011, using at least confirmatory direct assessment. This segment would need to be re-assessed using one of the methods specified in the rule before March 23, 2014, March 23, 2019 or March 23, 2024, depending on its operating stress (see192.939).