A. Precautions Listed: Gas fitting, appliance installation, or unscrewing of a cap, plug, or pipe which will open an outlet and permit the escape of gas should never be done without shutting the gas off, except in emergency cases where interruption of the service is impracticable, and unless the work can be done without danger to life and property with the gas on. Where pipes are filled with gas, work on outlets larger than three-eighths inch (3/8") size pressures in excess of thirty inches (30") of water shall not be handled except by a specialist. In any event, the following precautions shall be observed:
1. Determine the location of the meter cock or line cock by which the gas supply to the proposed opening is controlled and see that it is in working order.
2. Make sure that no fire, flame or spark emitting device of any kind is near enough to set fire to the gas which may escape.
3. Determine that even the slightest escape of gas expected will not be injurious to persons, especially invalids and small children.
4. Examine the threads to be used, to make sure the opening can be quickly and tightly closed.
5. Have at hand a plug, rubber or other suitable material to fit snugly into the opening.
6. Make sure that no lighted burners or pilot lights supplied from the line to be opened are turned so low that they may go out or flash back because of the sudden drop in pressure in the pipe when it is opened. After the work has been completed, all appliances shall be examined and any pilot lights and burners which may have been extinguished, shall be relighted or turned off.
B. Conditions Requiring Use Of Helper: In any one of the following conditions, there shall be more than one person present, one of whom should be in such location that he is not exposed to any possible asphyxiating influence from the escaping gas:
1. When necessary to make installations, repairs, or to do other work on piping filled with live gas.
2. When work is done in a gassy atmosphere.
3. When work is done in any confined space where gas may accumulate or in any space not readily accessible, e.g., when the gas fitter shall lie down or assume a cramped position.
C. Use Of Flame Restricted: No matches, candles or flames or other sources of ignition shall be used by a gas fitter or his helper when working on a meter, piping or appliances filled with gas, except for such work as necessarily involves the use of such flame. A flame shall never be used in searching for leaks; in no case should a flame be allowed to touch a meter, meter connection, or other piping. When an open flame light, as a match or candle, is used in a basement, it should, when practicable, be carried or set not more than three feet (3') above the floor level.
D. Smoking Prohibited: A gas fitter shall not smoke while working on piping which is filled with gas, or has been filled with gas, nor permit others to smoke while near such work.
E. Safety Lamp: Every gas fitter shall be provided with an approved electric flash lamp or safety lamp which is adequately protected to prevent explosion or fire if used in a gassy atmosphere. No other type of lamp shall be used in such atmosphere when searching for a leak or when working on piping filled with live gas.
F. Combustible Liquids; Torch Or Furnace:
1. Alcohol, gasoline, and other combustible liquids, including the liquid which is removed from meters or from drips in gas piping shall be handled with proper precautions, and shall not be left by the gas fitter on the premises of the customer.
2. The ordinary fitter's torch or furnace shall not be left within the premises from the end of one working day to the beginning of the next unless the torch or furnace is of an approved type or is placed in a fire resistive receptacle. (Ord. 15.28)