(A) The responsibility of the city for maintenance and safety of natural gas piping terminates at the outside wall of residential premises, unless the gas meter is located within three feet of the structure, in which case the city's responsibility terminates at the outlet of the meter, as in the case of all other meter settings.
(B) All inside building piping shall be black iron pipe. The pipe from the outlet of the meter shall be of black iron pipe of not less than one inch inside diameter, shall enter the building wall by means of suitable metal strap or clamp at a point not more than 18 inches from the outlet wall, and shall be fastened to the wall at intervals sufficient to make the piping rigid throughout. In instances where piping from the 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 customer only after air testing by the customer or his or her 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 or her agent and subsequently checked by the city. Testing must be done as a completed system. No partial or temporary service is permitted.
(C) The city does herewith adopt as its rules and regulations and safety practices the rules, regulations and safety practices set forth by the National Fire Protection Association in the latest revision of the National Fuel Gas Code, NFPA 54 and Gas Industry Guidelines, as though those rules, regulations and practices were fully repeated and set forth herein so far as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this code. In the event of conflict, the more restrictive language shall apply. Any person, firm or corporation installing fuel gas piping or appliances within the gas service area of the city shall follow said rules, regulations and practices.
(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 49 CFR Part 192 and Gas Industry Guidelines as though fully set forth herein. The minimum standards shall apply equally to provide 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.
(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 Public Works Director on a case-by-case basis. Special coatings are required to prevent shorting of insulators.
(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 code or which may create any type of safety hazard, including venting.
(H) Heating plants and water heaters shall be connected to gas piping with rigid pipe, excepting where an AGA-listed flexible connector is furnished by the manufacturer as part of its installation design. AGA-approved appliance connectors may be used only on ranges, clothes dryers or built-in ovens. Sweat fittings shall not be used anywhere in the gas piping.
(I) (1) 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.
(2) No conversion burner shall be installed in an old or ineffective furnace or a boiler which is in poor repair. Test for leakage shall be conducted by the installer in an approved manner before placing a conversion burner in a warm-air heating plant.
(J) No alteration, repair, adjustment, customer relighting, any appliance work or piping work shall be done by city forces beyond the outlet of the meter, except to the extent that it may be required for purposes of safety only. This prohibition shall apply to LP conversions.
(K) (1) No unvented gas appliances, with the exception of kitchen ranges, clothes dryers and ventless gas fireplaces installed in accordance with NFPA 54 and Gas Industry Guidelines, may be installed or operated within the city.
(2) Safety shut-off devices to protect either supply gas or venting 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 in accordance with NFPA 54 and Gas Industry Guidelines. 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 modifications 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.
(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.
(N) The latest revision of the American National Standard National Fuel Gas Code, identified as the National Fire Protection Association No. 54 and Gas Industry Guidelines, is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof as if and to the extent that it is not in conflict with regulations specifically set out herein. The more restrictive language shall apply.
(O) 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 this purpose shall be used.
(P) Gas connections compliance testing. There shall be no charge for the first compliance testing of a new gas connection service. Should the first test reveal that the service is not properly installed and ready for connection, all subsequent testing required shall be billed at $35 for each test during business hours and $50 for each test during non-business hours. Compliance testing shall be in conformance with NFPA 54 and Gas Industry Guidelines.
(1993 Code, § 38-2-17) (Ord. 726, passed 2-3-1986; Am. Ord. 845, passed 9-3-1991; Am. Ord. 879, passed 1-4-1993; Am. Ord. 909, passed 2-7-1994; Am. Ord. 1247, passed 12-23-2002; Am. Ord. 1394, passed 11-27-2006; Am. Ord. 1837, passed 2-7-2022)