Pipeline Safety Division
In 1981, the California Legislature established the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act with the intent that the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) shall exercise exclusive safety regulatory and enforcement authority over intrastate hazardous liquid pipelines. The Office of the State Fire Marshal currently regulates the safety of approximately 6,500 miles of intrastate hazardous liquid transportation pipelines. The Pipeline Safety Division consists of engineers, analytical staff, and clerical support located in northern, central and southern California. Pipeline Safety staff inspect pipeline operators to ensure compliance with federal and state pipeline safety laws and regulations. The Division is also responsible for the investigation of pipeline ruptures, fires, or accidents for cause and determination of probable violations.
RULEMAKING ACTIVITIES
The May 19, 2015 pipeline incident at Refugio Beach in Santa Barbara County spilled over 100,000 gallons of crude oil and impacted over 25 miles of coastline and ocean water. The impacts from the spill were devastating, both environmentally and economically. As a result, Senate Bill 295, (Jackson, Chapter 607, Statute of 2015) mandates the Office of the State Fire Marshal to adopt regulations and conduct annual inspections of each intrastate hazardous liquid pipeline to reduce the potential pipeline accidents in California and protect the environment. The State Fire Marshal has provided notice to adopt proposed regulations related to the annual pipeline inspection of every intrastate hazardous liquid pipeline and operators of intrastate hazardous liquid pipelines. Click her for more information: Title 19 Regulations Development
The Office of the State Fire Marshal invites you to participate in a public workshop to discuss draft proposed regulations requiring the use of best available technology on new, replacement, or retrofit of pipelines near environmentally and ecologically sensitive areas in the coastal zone (Title 5, California Government Code § 51013.1). The workshop is open to the public and full participation by all parties is encouraged. Click here for more information on the workshop: Title 19 Regulations Development
On May 17 - 18, 2016, the Office of the State Fire Marshal hosted the 2016 Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Seminar featuring the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). This two day seminar included federal rulemaking updates, advisory bulletin updates, and a review of many sections of 49 CFR Part 195 regulations. The California State Fire Marshal’s Pipeline Safety Division staff also covered the Senate Bill 295, Assembly Bill 864, regulatory update, and out-of-service pipelines.
For speaker presentations, please visit:
2016 OSFM Pipeline Safety Seminar
On January 5, 2016, the Pipeline Safety Division held an informational meeting for the pipeline industry. This meeting was to inform Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Operators in California of two significant pipeline safety bills (SB 295 and AB 864) that were recently signed into law. Changes to out-of-service pipeline designation were also discussed. Click on the link below to view the presentation:
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Encroachments into or on Pipeline Easements: To view the Information Bulletin, click here. |
Kinder Morgan LS-16 Walnut Creek Accident - Final Report |
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