(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 from the outside residential wall, in accordance with state law.
(B) (1) All house piping shall be of rigid construction. The pipe from the outlet of the meter shall be of black iron pipe of not less than one inch diameter and shall enter the house wall by means of suitable metal strap or clamp at a point not more than 18 inches from the outlet connection of the meter, or if extended along the outside wall, shall be fastened to the wall at intervals sufficient to make the piping rigid throughout.
(2) In instances where piping from meter enters the wall, the interior end shall be securely fastened so that 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 city. Customer connections between the meter and the outside residential wall are prohibited.
(C) The city adopts as its rules and regulations the safety practices set forth by the National Fire Protection Association, in the latest revision of NFPA 54, as though those provisions were fully repeated and set forth in this chapter.
(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 and distributed appurtenances shall conform to the latest revisions of NFPA 54 and the minimum federal safety standards 49 C.F.R. part 192 as though fully set forth in this chapter. 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 except in a specified vented casing.
(F) No ground wire of any type may be or remain attached to any natural gas piping whether it be privately or municipally owned. The prohibition includes interior piping in buildings.
(G) No meter, regulator, or any part of a meter setting may be painted or otherwise coated by a customer without written approval of the city on a case-by-case basis. Special coatings are required to prevent shorting of insulators.
(H) The city shall not approve customer piping, which as used in this chapter 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.
(I) No additional additions shall be made with any private line or customer-owned line. Private service lines or customer-owned extensions of service are prohibited.
(J) The city shall have the right and option to demand changes, removal, or replacement of any pipe, fixture, or apparatus which is considered to be faulty, inadequate, or hazardous; provided, however, that these provisions shall not obligate the city in any way or manner. The cost of the above work shall be fully borne by the property owner. The city shall have the right to refuse or to discontinue gas service without notice to a customer if the city finds any installed apparatus or appliances which would be detrimental to the efficient operation of the existing facilities under the latest revision of NFPA 54.
(K) Any customer-owned lines which are required to be operated and maintained by the city shall be subject to a monthly charge covering such operation and maintenance. Said charge shall be an additional monthly amount equal to the facility charge in effect at the time of billing.
(L) Any customer piping outside the building wall shall be protected from atmospheric corrosion by the customer. It shall be painted at regular intervals after cleaning. Good quality paint suitable for the purpose shall be used.
(1978 Code, § 13.12.160) (Ord. 588, passed - -1984; Ord. 93-2, passed - -1993; Ord. 93-7, passed - -1993)