{"id":886157,"date":"2026-01-28T07:00:04","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T12:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecompliancecenter.com\/ca\/?p=886157"},"modified":"2026-01-28T14:48:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T19:48:09","slug":"phmsa-issues-safety-advisory-on-heat-risks-in-older-plastic-gas-pipelines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thecompliancecenter.com\/ca\/help-center\/articles\/phmsa-issues-safety-advisory-on-heat-risks-in-older-plastic-gas-pipelines\/","title":{"rendered":"PHMSA Issues Safety Advisory on Heat Risks in Older Plastic Gas Pipelines"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"PHMSA Issues Safety Advisory on Heat Risks in Older Plastic Gas Pipelines<\/h2>\n

On January 23, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a Safety Advisory to natural gas distribution pipeline operators that highlights risks associated with older plastic pipeline materials when exposed to elevated temperatures. The advisory responds to findings from a fatal 2023 natural gas pipeline explosion in Pennsylvania that claimed multiple lives and caused significant community impact.<\/p>\n

Federal Register Publication and Advisory Scope<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The advisory has been published in the Federal Register<\/a>,<\/strong>\u00a0and provides guidance to operators on assessing and mitigating heat-related degradation risks, particularly for plastic piping components, such as those made from Aldyl A polyethylene.<\/p>\n

Background of the West Reading Explosion:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

On March 24, 2023, a natural gas-fueled explosion and fire occurred at the R.M. Palmer Company chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania. The incident resulted in the deaths of seven people, injuries to ten others, and destroyed part of the facility. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation determined that the explosion was caused by a leak from a retired Aldyl A polyethylene service tee that had degraded over time, allowing natural gas to accumulate and subsequently ignite. The degradation was accelerated by elevated ground temperatures caused by a nearby steam pipe leak.<\/p>\n

NTSB Investigation and Findings<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Additional details on the incident and the\u00a0 National Transportation Safety Board\u2019s findings are available through the agency\u2019s public investigation docket for the UGI Corporation natural gas\u2013fueled explosion and fire in West Reading, Pennsylvania<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

PHMSA Response and DIMP Obligations<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In response to the NTSB\u2019s recommendations, PHMSA issued a safety advisory bulletin reminding pipeline operators of their existing Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP) obligations under 49 CFR Part 192, Subpart P, and encouraging proactive risk management of plastic pipeline assets in elevated temperature environments.<\/p>\n

Key Safety Advisory Takeaways<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Key points from the advisory include:<\/p>\n