Section 170IAC5-3-3. Acquisition of pipe or components to determine cause of failure

   (a) Under IC 8-1-22.5, the division, acting through the commission, may acquire from an operator or person sections of pipe or pipeline components that have failed in operation or test, or of pipeline components similar to the failed component, for the purpose of examination in an effort to determine the cause of the failure.

  (b) Prior to the acquisition of the pipe or pipeline components, the specimens shall be positively identified as to:

(1) the item acquired;

(2) the date of the incident;

(3) the date of acquisition;

(4) the position of the component part in the pipeline system; and

(5) other pertinent data.

The operator or person from whom the pipe or pipeline components are acquired shall be given a receipt for the same by the division engineer receiving the parts.

  (c) Upon the acquisition of the pipe or pipeline components, the division shall pursue its examination and tests without delay. Upon the completion of the examinations and tests, the division shall return the components acquired to the operator or person from whom acquired, obtaining a receipt for the same.

  (d) As a result of the tests or other investigation, the commission may restrict or limit the use of similar pipeline components until the time that they have been proved to be safe for the specified service. (Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission; No. 32885: Minimum Safety Standards for Transportation of Gas and Related Pipeline Facilities Rule 3; filed May 12, 1972, 10:30 a.m.: Rules and Regs. 1973, p. 541; readopted filed Jul 11, 2001, 4:30 p.m.: 24 IR 4233; readopted filed Apr 24, 2007, 8:21 a.m.: 20070509-IR-170070147RFA; filed Feb 9, 2010, 9:24 a.m.: 20100310-IR-170090190FRA; filed May 27, 2016, 11:39 a.m.: 20160622-IR-170150424FRA)