{"id":33493,"date":"2026-03-02T17:19:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T17:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trccompanies.com\/?post_type=news-and-insights&#038;p=33493"},"modified":"2026-03-02T17:19:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T17:19:16","slug":"how-phmsas-final-rule-affects-class-location-requirements","status":"publish","type":"news-and-insights","link":"https:\/\/www.trccompanies.com\/fr\/insights\/how-phmsas-final-rule-affects-class-location-requirements\/","title":{"rendered":"How PHMSA\u2019s Final Rule Affects Class Location Requirements for Gas Transmission Operators"},"content":{"rendered":"<!-- Start Block: acf\/wysiwyg -->\n\n<section class=\"wysiwyg section-padding bg-white\">\n    <div class=\"container-fluid\">\n        \n        <div class=\"row\">\n                            <div class=\"col-lg-8 columns js-animated-content animated-content\">\n                                        <p>PHMSA has issued a Final Rule updating how operators may respond to gas transmission pipeline class location changes under 49 CFR Part 192\u202f(Federal Register Document No. 2026-00566). The rule is especially significant for operators managing pipelines that transition into Class 3 locations\u202fdue to development and population growth.<\/p>\n<p>The update introduces a new compliance pathway that gives operators more flexibility but with added integrity management obligations. Here\u2019s what it means and what you should be doing now to maintain compliance.<\/p>\n<h2>A New Option for Class 3 Location Changes<\/h2>\n<p>Historically, when a pipeline segment changed to a Class 3 location, operators typically complied by reducing MAOP, pressure testing or replacing or upgrading pipe under \u00a7192.611.<\/p>\n<p>PHMSA\u2019s Final Rule adds a new, codified compliance option\u202fat \u00a7192.611(a)(4). Known as the Integrity Management (IM) Alternative, it allows eligible operators to confirm and maintain MAOP\u202ffor certain Class 3 change segments without immediately lowering pressure or replacing pipe, provided enhanced integrity management requirements are met.<\/p>\n<h3>How the IM Alternative Works<\/h3>\n<p>Under \u00a7192.611(a)(4), an operator may address a Class 3 location change by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Applying Subpart O (Integrity Management)\u202frequirements, and<\/li>\n<li>Implementing additional initial and recurring controls\u202fspecific to this rule<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>PHMSA has also clarified that any segment managed under this option is treated as a High Consequence Area (HCA)\u202ffor Integrity Management purposes, regardless of its prior classification.<\/p>\n<h3>Eligibility<\/h3>\n<p>To use the IM Alternative, a segment must qualify as an Eligible Class 3 segment, meaning it must be in a Class 3 location (or newly reclassified as Class 3) and capable of assessment using an instrumented in-line inspection (ILI) tool.<\/p>\n<p>PHMSA also defines the Eligible Class 3 inspection area, which includes not just the Class 3 segment itself but the full ILI-inspectable run between the nearest launcher and receiver.<\/p>\n<p>A segment is not eligible\u202fif it includes any of the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bare pipe<\/li>\n<li>Wrinkle bends<\/li>\n<li>Lap-weld seam pipe<\/li>\n<li>Pipe with a longitudinal joint factor less than 1.0<\/li>\n<li>Any history of an in-service leak or rupture due to cracking (pipe body, seam or girth weld) on the segment or on similar pipe within five miles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If any disqualifier is present, the IM Alternative cannot be used.<\/p>\n<h2>Important Clarification for Previously Addressed Segments<\/h2>\n<p>PHMSA\u2019s Rule clarifies that segments previously brought into compliance using traditional Class 3 methods, including MAOP reductio, may later be re-evaluated\u202ffor eligibility under \u00a7192.611(a)(4).<\/p>\n<p>If the segment qualifies and the operator completes all required initial program elements, MAOP may potentially be restored. This creates a new opportunity for operators to reassess past Class 3 changes.<\/p>\n<h3>The Tradeoff: Flexibility in Exchange for Enhanced Controls<\/h3>\n<p>The IM Alternative offers flexibility, but it is not a free pass.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What You Get<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The ability to confirm and maintain MAOP for an Eligible Class 3 segment<\/li>\n<li>Avoidance of immediate pressure reduction, pressure testing or pipe replacement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What PHMSA Expects in Return<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Operators electing \u00a7192.611(a)(4) must:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Treat the segment as an Integrity Management segment under Subpart O<\/li>\n<li>Complete initial program requirements by March 16, 2028\u202for within 24 months of the class location change, whichever is later<\/li>\n<li>Implement enhanced recurring requirements, including:\n<ul>\n<li>Monthly patrols (no more than 45 days apart)<\/li>\n<li>Leak surveys four times per year (no more than 4.5 months apart)<\/li>\n<li>Annual class location studies<\/li>\n<li>Prescriptive corrosion control and CIS requirements<\/li>\n<li>Enhanced marker, casing and crack NDE controls<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Maintain extensive records, including life-of-pipe retention\u202ffor compliance actions<\/li>\n<li>Notify PHMSA of election and implementation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In plain terms: maintaining MAOP is allowed, but only with significantly increased surveillance, integrity controls and documentation\u202fin higher-population areas.<\/p>\n<h2>Notification: When and What to Submit<\/h2>\n<p>If you address a Class 3 change using traditional methods under \u00a7192.611, no new notification requirement\u202fis created by this rule. Standard compliance records apply. If you elect the IM Alternative, notification to PHMSA is required.<\/p>\n<p>At a minimum, the notification should include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Identification of the affected pipeline segment (system or line name, endpoints and mileposts or stationing)<\/li>\n<li>Confirmation that the segment experienced a Class 3 location change<\/li>\n<li>A statement electing compliance under \u00a7192.611(a)(4)<\/li>\n<li>The basis for eligibility (ILI-capable with no disqualifying conditions)<\/li>\n<li>The planned schedule for completing initial program requirements<\/li>\n<li>A point of contact for follow-up<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What Operators Should Do Now<\/h2>\n<p>This Final Rule creates new flexibility, but it also raises the bar for integrity management. Early evaluation and planning will be critical to making informed, defensible compliance decisions. Operators should:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Inventory recent and anticipated Class 3 location changes<\/li>\n<li>Screen segments for eligibility and disqualifiers<\/li>\n<li>Evaluate whether maintaining MAOP justifies the added IM obligations<\/li>\n<li>Review prior Class 3 change segments\u202ffor potential re-evaluation<\/li>\n<li>Align ILI, IM and compliance programs\u202fwith the new requirements<\/li>\n<li>Prepare notification and documentation processes\u202fif electing the IM Alternative<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"col-lg-4 columns js-animated-content animated-content\">\n                                        <div class=\"wysiwyg__links js-animated-content animated-content\">\n                        <div class=\"wysiwyg__links__top \">\n                                                        <h4>Related Services<\/h4>\n                                                                                    <ul class=\"js-animated-content animated-content\">\n                                                                <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trccompanies.com\/markets\/power-and-utilities\/gas-utilities\/\" target=\"_self\">Gas Consulting Services<\/a><\/li>\n                                                                <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trccompanies.com\/services\/pipeline-solutions\/pipeline-integrity\/medium-and-small-pipeline-operators\/\" target=\"_self\">Medium and Small Pipeline Operators<\/a><\/li>\n                                                                <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trccompanies.com\/services\/regulatory-compliance\/pipeline-regulatory-consulting\/\" target=\"_self\">PHMSA Regulatory Consulting<\/a><\/li>\n                                                                <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trccompanies.com\/services\/pipeline-solutions\/\" target=\"_self\">Pipeline Solutions<\/a><\/li>\n                                                            <\/ul>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                                                                            <div class=\"wysiwyg__links__bottom\">\n                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trccompanies.com\/services\" target=\"_self\">View All Services<\/a>\n                                <\/div>\n                                                                                                <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<!-- End Block: acf\/wysiwyg -->\n\n<!-- Start Block: acf\/wysiwyg -->\n\n<section class=\"wysiwyg section-padding bg-light-gradient\">\n    <div class=\"container-fluid\">\n                    <div class=\"wysiwyg__wrapper\">\n        \n        <div class=\"row\">\n                        <div class=\"col-lg-12\">\n                                                                                \n                                                <\/div>\n\n                            <div class=\"col-lg-12 js-animated-content animated-content\">\n                    <h2>Next Steps: TRC Can Help<\/h2>\n<p>Pipeline safety compliance is one of our top priorities. By improving safety and reliability through the implementation and monitoring of PHMSA regulations, TRC helps prevent the failure of critical infrastructure at vital junctions. Our unmatched expertise has been curated through decades of on-the-job experience. As we evaluate your pipeline operations, we will go above and beyond to ensure it meets all applicable regulations, whether they are local suggestions or federal mandates. Furthermore, we learn your in-house guidelines and verify your operations are running exactly as planned. <br \/>\nLearn more about how TRC can empower your operations with comprehensive compliance solutions.\u202f<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/trccompanies.com\/contact-us\/\">Contact Us<\/a><\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<!-- End Block: acf\/wysiwyg -->\n\n<!-- Start Block: acf\/innerpage-cta-bar -->\n<section class=\"global-cta innerpage-cta default\">\n    <div class=\"container-fluid\">\n        <div class=\"global-cta-wrapper  \">\n                                            <h2>S&rsquo;adapter au <br>changement<\/h2>\n                                <div class=\"global-cta-image\">\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" width=\"316.566\" height=\"369\" viewBox=\"0 0 316.566 369\">\n                        <defs>\n                            <pattern id=\"pattern\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" viewBox=\"117.006 0 316.566 369\">\n                                <image preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid slice\" width=\"655.35\" height=\"369\" href=\"https:\/\/www.trccompanies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Oil-gas-processing-plant-178403736.jpg\"><\/image>\n                            <\/pattern>\n                        <\/defs>\n                        <path id=\"Union_8\" data-name=\"Union 8\" d=\"M72.087,369,206.869,190.294h109.7L182.891,369ZM0,195.818H68.4l28.66,44.507L68.4,286.43Zm0-10.747L68.4,94.466l28.66,46.1L68.4,185.071Zm205.769-6.365L72.087,0h109.7L316.566,178.706Z\" fill=\"url(#pattern)\"\/>\n                    <\/svg>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"global-cta-content\">\n                    <p>Collaborez avec les praticiens test\u00e9s de TRC<\/p>\n                    <p>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/trccompanies.com\/contact-us\/\" title=\"Contact Us\" class=\"btn btn-primary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Contact Us<\/a>                    <\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                        \n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<!-- End Block: acf\/innerpage-cta-bar -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PHMSA\u2019s Final Rule updates Class 3 requirements under 49 CFR 192. Learn how the IM Alternative impacts MAOP, eligibility, compliance and integrity management.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":33494,"template":"","tags":[1055,1071],"news-and-insights-category":[360],"services-category":[997],"custom_category":[1010],"class_list":["post-33493","news-and-insights","type-news-and-insights","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-gas-utility","tag-pipelines","news-and-insights-category-regulatory-updates","services-category-pipeline","custom_category-power-utilities-markets"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How PHMSA\u2019s Final Rule Affects Class Location Requirements for Gas Transmission Operators<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"PHMSA updated Class 3 requirements under 49 CFR 192. 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