standards called for sections not shorter than five feet in length. PG&E was in fact apparently aware of the requirement when it ordered pipe from Consolidated Western, as its purchase order included the same specification. The use of pipe sections less than five feet in length was considered an unacceptable practice according to industry safety standards in effect at the time Segment 180 was constructed. PG&E witnesses Dr. Caligiuri and Harrison assert that properly made and installed short lengths of pipe can be safe. However, PG&E has not persuaded us that these opinions should supersede or outweigh both industry safety standards that preclude the use of such short lengths and PG&E’s own 1956 purchasing specifications. By installing sections in Segment 180 that were less than five feet in length, contrary to API 5LX Section VI, PG&E created an unsafe system in violation of Section 451. This violation occurred in 1956 when Segment 180 was installed. Required Yield Strength The pipe for Segment 180 was intended to meet API 5LX Grade X42 or X52 yield strengths, which indicate minimum yield strengths of 42,000 psi and 52,000 psi. Testing revealed the ruptured pups on Segment 180 had yield strengths below 42,000 psi. Pup 1, the failed pup on which the facture initiated, was found to have a yield strength of only 36,600 psi, and Pup 2 had the lowest yield strength of 32,000 psi. Section 805.54 of ASME B31.1.8-1955 provides that minimum “specified yield strength is the minimum yield strength prescribed by the specification under which pipe is purchased from the manufacturer (psi).” CPSD contends that the Segment 180 pups were far below required yield strengths. CPSD
standards called for sections not shorter than five feet in length. PG&E was in fact apparently aware of the requirement when it ordered pipe from Consolidated Western, as its purchase order included the same specification. The use of pipe sections less than five feet in length was considered an unacceptable practice according to industry safety standards in effect at the time Segment 180 was constructed. PG&E witnesses Dr. Caligiuri and Harrison assert that properly made and installed short lengths of pipe can be safe. However, PG&E has not persuaded us that these opinions should supersede or outweigh both industry safety standards that preclude the use of such short lengths and PG&E’s own 1956 purchasing specifications. By installing sections in Segment 180 that were less than five feet in length, contrary to API 5LX Section VI, PG&E created an unsafe system in violation of Section 451. This violation occurred in 1956 when Segment 180 was installed. Required Yield Strength The pipe for Segment 180 was intended to meet API 5LX Grade X42 or X52 yield strengths, which indicate minimum yield strengths of 42,000 psi and 52,000 psi. Testing revealed the ruptured pups on Segment 180 had yield strengths below 42,000 psi. Pup 1, the failed pup on which the facture initiated, was found to have a yield strength of only 36,600 psi, and Pup 2 had the lowest yield strength of 32,000 psi. Section 805.54 of ASME B31.1.8-1955 provides that “specified minimum yield strength is the minimum yield strength prescribed by the specification under which pipe is purchased from the manufacturer (psi).” CPSD contends that the Segment 180 pups were far below required yield strengths. CPSD
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