(A) The responsibility of the city for maintenance and safety of natural gas piping terminates at the outlet of the meter except for residential customers where the meter is located more than three feet (3') from the outside residential wall in accordance with Illinois law. (Ord. 94-1188, 1-3-1994)
(B) All house piping shall be of rigid construction. The pipes from the outlet of the meter shall be black iron of not less than one inch (1") inside diameter, three-quarter inch (3/4") diameter pipe is allowed for runs of thirty feet (30') or less to the heating plant or first major appliance. The pipe shall enter the house wall by means of suitable metal strap or clamp at a point not more than eighteen inches (18") from the outlet wall, shall be fastened to the wall at intervals sufficient to make the piping rigid throughout. In instances where piping from meter enters the wall, the interior end shall be securely fastened so that the pipe will not turn when fittings at the meter are put on. The final tie in of the gas line to the meter shall be made by the customer only after air testing by the customer or his agent. Gas will not be turned on to any customer manifold that has not been first air tested for leakage by the applicant or his agent and subsequently checked by the city. Testing must be done as a completed system. (Ord. 00-1587, 4-3-2000)
(C) The city does herewith adopt as its rules and regulations the safety practices set forth by the national fire protection association, in the latest revision of the national fuel gas code, NFPA 54, as though those provisions were fully repeated and set forth herein so far as they are not inconsistent with this chapter. In the event of conflict, the more restrictive language shall apply. NFPA 54 is the national fuel gas code. Any person, firm or corporation installing fuel gas piping or appliances within the gas service area of the city shall avail themselves of said code prior to the undertaking of any such installation and shall follow it.
(D) No surface may be constructed or placed over a gas service line or main which may produce a seal to a building wall or foundation.
(E) All buried natural gas piping facilities owned or served by the city and distribution appurtenances shall conform to the latest revision of NFPA 54 and the minimum federal safety standards part 192 CFR 49 as though fully set forth herein. The minimum standards shall apply equally to private buried facilities and distribution appurtenances. No natural gas piping may be placed or remain beneath any building or sealed surface except in a specified vented casing. (Ord. 92-1142, 12-21-1992)
(F) No meter, regulator or any part of a meter setting may be painted or otherwise coated by a customer without written approval of the director of public works on a case by case basis. Special coatings are required to prevent shorting of insulators. (Ord. 00-1587, 4-3-2000)
(G) The city shall not "approve" customer piping, which as used herein means piping beyond the outlet of the meter. The city may refuse connection or discontinue service upon discovering any conditions which may be in violation of this chapter or which may create any type of safety hazard, including venting. (Ord. 92-1142, 12-21-1992)
(H) Heating plants and water heaters shall be connected to gas piping with black iron pipe or AGA listed flexible connectors. The black iron pipe must extend to within one foot (1') of the appliance and the pipe supported securely. AGA approved appliance connectors may also be used on ranges, clothes dryers or built in ovens. Sweat fittings shall not be used anywhere in the gas piping. (Ord. 00-1587, 4-3-2000)
(I) All gas conversion burners to be installed shall be AGA listed and approved. All designed heating plants shall be AGA listed and approved and the manufacturer's recommendations for the installation shall be followed.
No conversion burner shall be installed in any old or ineffective furnace or a boiler which is in poor repair. Test for leakage shall be conducted by the installed in an approved manner before placing a conversion burner in a warm air heating plant. (Ord. 92-1142, 12-21-1992)
(J) No alteration, repair, adjustment, customer relighting, any appliance work or piping work shall be done by the city forces beyond the outlet of the meter except to the extent that it may be required for the purposes of safety only or in the event the city forces interrupt service.
(K) Unvented gas appliances may be installed or operated within the city in accordance with NFPA 54 and the manufacturer's installation and operation instructions. The restrictions for location of such appliances should be strictly adhered to. The installer must ensure there is adequate ventilation from the room in accordance with NFPA 54 and the manufacturer's instructions.
Safety shutoff devices to protect either supply gas or any failure shall be installed and subsequently tested for proper operation by the installer. Written documentation of the test may be requested. These devices shall be used when approved for or furnished with new heating equipment.
(L) Decorative or supplementary appliances shall be properly vented when required by the NFPA 54 and the manufacturer's installation instructions. These include, but are not limited to, gas logs and gas log lighters. At any time such units are installed in wood burning fireplaces, special action must be taken for permanent modification of the flue damper. Positive assurance must be provided that the damper cannot be fully closed. A permanent hole must be cut or a positive stop attached even if the unit has a safety pilot. The size of the opening shall be in accordance with the table in NFPA 54 titled "Free Opening Area of Chimney Damper for Venting Flue Gases From Unlisted Decorative Appliances for Installation in Vented Fireplaces". All other provisions for safety must be observed. (Ord. 00-1587, 4-3-2000)
(M) The city shall be notified of any changes or alterations, remodeling, or reconstruction, affecting gas piping in any building, house or grounds. This shall be done using a new "Application for Gas Service" or by amending an existing application. (Ord. 92-1142, 12-21-1992)