Reporting Pipeline Damages
Updated: 8/10/09
The Railroad Commission of Texas (Commission) adopted the new Pipeline Damage Prevention Rules under Title 16 of the Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 18. The rule, which became effective September 1, 2007, applies to pipeline operators and persons engaged in or preparing to engage in excavation activities in the vicinity of a pipeline.
What's New!
Improved Online Texas Damage Reporting Form
New Features:
- Embedded Google Maps that will assist users in determining the correct address of the incident. If you are unfamiliar with using Google Maps, please visit Google's instruction page.
- Excavator addresses that are entered into the system can be used for future use
- Ability to establish an incident where multiple individuals can file reports on it
Online Reporting Forms
- Texas Damage Reporting Form for excavators, emergency response officials and the general public.
- Texas Damage Reporting Form for pipeline operators
Procedures
Statistics
Reporting No Damage Non-Compliance Activities
The following forms can be typed and then printed or the forms can be printed and hand-written. These forms cannot be submitted electronically at the present time. You must mail or fax the report as indicated on each form.
- No Damage Non-Compliance Reporting Form: This form can be completed by an Excavator or an Operator to report Non-Compliance of Chapter 18 where no damage has occurred.
- Excavator Second Notice Reporting Form: Pursuant to Chapter 18.11 this form is to be completed by an excavator for any of the following:
- No response by pipeline operator to excavator's locating request.
- If an excavator makes an additional call to the notification center, because the excavator did not receive a positive response from the pipeline operator.
- If the operator does not respond to the second notice.
- False Emergency Reporting Form: This form is to be completed by an Operator that wishes to report an Excavator that has called for emergency locates where no emergency criteria has been met.
Other Forms
- Excavator sample pages 1, 2 and 3 (PDF) Updated: 12/2/08
- Operator sample pages 1, 2 and 3 (PDF) Updated: 12/2/08
The PDF's listed above are sample pages of the Texas Damage Reporting Forms (TDRF). These forms can be printed and used as a guideline for gathering information prior to going online and completing the TDRF. These forms CANNOT be completed and submitted to the RRC.
- Third Party Damage Release Form (PDF) - Updated: 7/17/09
- EDI Document - Electronic Document Interchange (PDF) for use by pipeline operators for file layout-format and other general information - Updated: 7/1/08
- EDI Sample File (TXT)
- Title 16, Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Part 1 Chapter 18-Underground Pipeline Damage Prevention
- For damages caused to electric and telephone lines contact the Public Utilities Commission of Texas
- Exemptions under the Texas Utilities Code Chapter 251, are listed under section 251.003 (PDF)
- Exemptions under Title 16, Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Part 1 Rule 18.1(d) (PDF)
- Legal Holidays are defined by the Texas Government Code in Chapter 662
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
P-5 Pipeline Operators ONLY: Assign a Security Administrator for Filing Operations
To file forms electronically through the RRC Online System, you must first assign a Security Administrator for your organization by submitting a Security Administrator Designation for Electronic Filing form to the RRC. The Security Administrator can then assign user roles to others in your organization, enabling them to file forms electronically with the RRC. The Security Administrator may also file forms electronically, but must first assign himself/herself a user role with rights to file. For more information on the Security Administrator functions and responsibilities, please see the RRC Online System frequently asked questions, and the PDF instructions for user account creation/maintenance.
If you need to make changes to pipeline safety data information, please contact the Pipeline Safety Division.