API RP 5L1-2009 (R2015)

1.1 General

The recommendations provided herein apply to the transportation on railcars of API 5L steel line pipe in sizes 2 3/8 and larger in lengths longer than single random. These recommendations cover coated or uncoated pipe, but they do not encompass loading practices designed to protect pipe coating from damage.

1.2 Basic Rules and Requirements

Certain minimum mandatory rules governing the loading practices are prescribed by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) as referenced in the next section.

The recommendations given herein are supplementary to the AAR loading practices. If any recommendations are in conflict with AAR loading practices, those of AAR shall govern.

NOTE If the AAR loading rules are not applicable to the railroad transportation of line pipe in the country of origin, the basic loading practice shall be as prescribed in the applicable nationally recognized loading rules and requirements for the type of railroad cars used in the country of origin and that document becomes the reference to which these supplementary recommendations apply.

These supplementary recommendations to AAR rules are for the convenience of purchasers and manufacturers in the loading and shipping of pipe and are not intended to inhibit purchasers and manufacturers from using other supplementary loading and shipping practices by mutual agreement.