National consensus standards on a variety of specific areas relative to pipeline safety are established by committees of engineers and technical experts. Sometimes referred to as "technical standards" they establish standard practices, methods or procedures that have been evaluated, tested, and proven by analysis and/or application. These standards are intended to assure the safe design, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of pipelines. They are constantly reviewed and upgraded by selected committees of engineers and other technical experts. National consensus standards can carry the equivalent weight of law. In fact, many of them are codified by incorporation of all or parts of them into regulations by reference.
In addition to the various federal and state regulations, the energy pipeline industry is governed by a number of national consensus standards that apply to all phases of pipeline safety, including for example:
- Tank operation and construction
- Underground storage caverns
- Manufacture of line pipe
- Cathodic protection against corrosion
- Welding
- Pipeline awareness
- Pipeline integrity
- Pipeline wall thickness
More information on national consensus standards affecting energy pipelines can be found at the following Web sites.