Connections.

§ 98.30–27 Connections. (a) Each person who makes a connection for a transfer operation must— (1) Use suitable material in joints and couplings to make a tight seal; (2) Use a bolt in at least every other hole and in no case less than four bolts in each temporary connection utilizing an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard flange coupling; (3) Use a bolt in each hole of couplings other than ANSI standard flange couplings; (4) Use a bolt in each hole of each permanently connected flange coupling; (5) Use bolts of the same size in each bolted coupling; and (6) Tighten each bolt and nut uniformly to distribute the load. (b) No person who makes a connection for a transfer operation may use any bolt that shows signs of strain or is elongated or deteriorated. (c) No person may use a connection for transfer operations unless it is— (1) A bolted or full threaded connection; or (2) A quick-connect coupling accepted by the Coast Guard. [CGD 73–172, 39 FR 22954, June 25, 1974, as amended by USCG–2011–0088, 78 FR 54787, Sept. 6, 2013]