PHMSA Pipeline Safety Compliance8 Integrated Modules

PHMSA Compliance,
Built for Gas Utilities

GridGuard's PHMSA module covers the full 49 CFR Parts 191–195 compliance framework for natural gas distribution and transmission operators — from DIMP self-evaluations and OQ tracking to leak survey management and cross-regulatory AI overlap detection with NERC and CPUC obligations.

49 CFR Part 19149 CFR Part 19249 CFR Part 19349 CFR Part 19449 CFR Part 195API RP 1162AGA Leak Survey Guide
PHMSA modules are included in the Gas Distribution and Combination Utility plans
49 CFR
Parts 191–195 Covered
8
PHMSA Compliance Modules
7
DIMP Threat Categories Tracked
4
PAP Audience Groups Managed
Target Operators

Built for Combination Gas-and-Electric IOUs

PHMSA compliance runs parallel to electric regulatory obligations but is managed by a separate team. GridGuard is the only platform that unifies both on a single compliance intelligence layer.

SDG&E
Gas & Electric IOU
Southern California
PG&E
Gas & Electric IOU
Northern & Central California
SoCalGas
Gas Distribution Utility
Southern California
Avista
Gas & Electric IOU
Pacific Northwest
NW Natural
Gas Distribution Utility
Oregon & Washington
Southwest Gas
Gas Distribution Utility
Arizona, Nevada, California
8 Compliance Modules

Full 49 CFR Coverage, Module by Module

Each module maps directly to a specific CFR part or subpart — so your compliance team always knows exactly which regulatory obligation each feature satisfies.

DIMP Module

49 CFR 192 Subpart P

Structured threat register covering all 8 PHMSA threat categories with likelihood × consequence risk scoring. AI-assisted self-evaluation narrative generation maps directly to the PHMSA DIMP self-evaluation framework — replacing the manual Word document process most teams use today.

  • All 8 threat categories: corrosion, natural forces, excavation damage, other outside force, material/weld/equipment failure, incorrect operations, weather, and other
  • Likelihood × consequence risk matrix with auto-calculated risk tier
  • AI-generated self-evaluation narratives aligned to PHMSA guidance
  • Threat lifecycle: Open → Under Evaluation → Mitigated → Closed

Incident Report Manager

49 CFR 191.9 / 191.15

End-to-end management of mandatory PHMSA incident and annual reports. Tracks the 30-day filing deadline from incident date, manages draft-to-submitted lifecycle, and generates AI-assisted narratives for the PHMSA National Pipeline Mapping System portal submission.

  • 30-day filing deadline countdown with escalation alerts
  • Incident classification: gas distribution, transmission, gathering
  • AI-assisted narrative drafting for PHMSA portal submissions
  • Annual report tracking with submission status and confirmation numbers

Operator Qualification (OQ) Tracker

49 CFR 192.801 / 192.805

Centralized qualification records for every employee and contractor performing covered tasks on gas facilities. Tracks qualification method, evaluator, expiry date, and covered task list — with 90-day advance expiry alerts to prevent lapsed qualifications before PHMSA audits.

  • Employee and contractor qualification records with covered task mapping
  • 90-day expiry alerts with supervisor and contractor notification
  • Qualification methods: written test, oral exam, observation, third-party program
  • Contractor OQ program verification and documentation upload

Public Awareness Program (PAP) Tracker

49 CFR 192.616 / API RP 1162

Annual communications tracking for all four required audience groups under API RP 1162. Logs each communication activity, delivery method, audience segment, and completion date — generating the annual PAP effectiveness report required by PHMSA.

  • All 4 audience groups: excavators, emergency responders, municipalities, customers
  • Communication activity log with delivery method and reach metrics
  • Annual PAP effectiveness report generation
  • Baseline and supplemental program tracking

Emergency Response Planning (ERP)

49 CFR 192.615

Document lifecycle management for emergency response plans, with drill scheduling and response time benchmarking. Tracks annual review cycles, plan version history, and drill completion records — all in one place for PHMSA inspection readiness.

  • ERP document lifecycle: Draft → Under Review → Approved → Active
  • Annual drill scheduling with completion confirmation and after-action notes
  • Response time benchmarking against PHMSA-expected targets
  • Multi-district plan management with version control

Leak Survey & Patrol

49 CFR 192.706 / 192.723

Cadence-based leak survey tracking for distribution mains and services, with Grade 1/2/3 leak classification aligned to PHMSA and AGA guidance. Flags overdue surveys by patrol area and automatically creates nonconformance records for Grade 1 and Grade 2 findings.

  • Grade 1 (immediate), Grade 2 (scheduled), Grade 3 (monitor) leak classification
  • Patrol area cadence tracking: annual, biennial, or risk-based intervals
  • Overdue survey flagging with circuit and district-level rollup
  • Auto-generated findings for Grade 1/2 leaks requiring corrective action

Control Room Management (CRM)

49 CFR 192 Subpart M

Structured compliance management for gas transmission control room operators. Tracks fatigue management plans, alarm management reviews, controller training records, and the annual CRM plan review cycle — purpose-built for combined-function control centers managing both gas and electric operations.

  • Fatigue management plan documentation and shift schedule tracking
  • Alarm management: rationalization, prioritization, and review records
  • Controller qualification and training records with annual recertification
  • Annual CRM plan review with version control and approval workflow

PHMSA Inspection Readiness Score

All 49 CFR 191–195

Aggregated readiness score across all 7 PHMSA modules, calibrated against PHMSA's National Pipeline Inspection Standards. Surfaces top open risks, upcoming deadlines, and cross-regulatory overlaps between PHMSA findings and NERC or CPUC obligations — giving compliance leadership a single-screen pre-inspection posture view.

  • Aggregated readiness score with per-module breakdown
  • Top open risks and upcoming filing deadlines
  • PHMSA × NERC × CPUC cross-regulatory overlap detection
  • Pre-inspection checklist with status indicators
AI-Powered Differentiator

Cross-Regulatory Overlap Detection: PHMSA × NERC × CPUC

For combination gas-and-electric IOUs, a single asset or incident can simultaneously trigger obligations under PHMSA, NERC, and CPUC. GridGuard's AI layer automatically surfaces these overlaps when a PHMSA finding is logged — eliminating the manual cross-referencing that most utility compliance teams currently do in spreadsheets.

No competitor currently offers this capability. It is the most meaningful differentiator GridGuard provides for combination utility compliance programs.

PHMSANERC FAC-001 / FAC-002

DIMP threat on gas transmission segment co-located with electric transmission

A threat assessment on a shared corridor may trigger facility rating and assessment obligations under NERC FAC standards.

PHMSACPUC GO 112-F

Grade 1 or Grade 2 leak finding on distribution main

Leak findings on distribution mains may simultaneously trigger CPUC corrective action reporting under General Order 112-F.

PHMSANERC EOP-008

ERP drill records for combined gas/electric control center

Emergency response drill documentation for combined-function control centers may satisfy or overlap with NERC EOP-008 documentation requirements.

PHMSANERC PRC-001 / TOP-001

CRM fatigue management plan for gas transmission controllers

Controller fatigue management documentation for combined-function operators may overlap with NERC reliability coordinator and transmission operator obligations.

Measured Outcomes

PHMSA Compliance Outcomes

Quantified improvements across gas distribution and transmission compliance programs using GridGuard.

0%

Faster DIMP Self-Evaluation Cycles

AI-generated threat assessment narratives replace multi-week Word-document drafting

0%

Reduction in Audit Prep Time

Centralized PHMSA evidence repository and pre-built audit packages cut preparation time

0%

Fewer Missed OQ Expiry Deadlines

Automated 90-day advance alerts for operator qualification renewals and covered task changes

0

PHMSA Regulatory Parts Covered

Parts 192, 193, 195, and 199 — full lifecycle from distribution to transmission

Metrics based on program-level outcomes observed across GridGuard deployments at large investor-owned utilities and transmission operators.

Ready to Modernize Your PHMSA Compliance Program?

Replace your DIMP Word documents, OQ spreadsheets, and SharePoint-based ERP workflows with a purpose-built PHMSA compliance platform — included in the Ultra and Enterprise plans.