Chapter 15.08
GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Sections:
15.08.020 Compliance with federal and state standards.
15.08.030 Inspection of gas distribution systems.
15.08.050 Testing of piping on construction.
15.08.060 Location of service shutoffs.
15.08.080 Breaking through pavement.
15.08.090 Protection of property.
15.08.100 Preservation of monuments.
15.08.110 Damage to existing improvements.
15.08.120 Property lines and easements.
15.08.130 Care of excavated material.
15.08.140 Interference with other services.
15.08.150 Provision for watercourses.
15.08.010 Definitions.
Terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section.
A. “Distribution system” means any system of mains, pipes, service lines, regulators, meters, fixtures, connections and attachments used in the distribution of gas.
B. “Gas” means natural, manufactured or mixed gas suitable for domestic or industrial fuel.
C. “Permittee” means any person holding a franchise to distribute gas in the city.
D. “Person” means every person, firm, corporation or association.
E. “Public properties” means any street, alley, roadway, sidewalk, viaduct, highway, bridge, park drive or public ground open as a matter of right to public travel.
F. “Service line” means pipe, regulator and meter which conveys gas from a main or other distribution or transmission line to and on a consumer’s premises.
G. “Transmission system” means a system of pipelines installed to transmit gas from a source or sources of supply to one or more distribution centers or a pipe installed to interconnect sources of supply. (Ord. 233 § 1.1, 1967)
15.08.020 Compliance with federal and state standards.
A. Compliance with Federal Standards.
1. Gas distribution and transmission facilities shall be constructed and operated in compliance with the provisions of CFR 49, Part 192, “Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards” as developed and issued by the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS), Department of Transportation (DOT), under Public Law (PL) 90-481.
2. Construction methods and practices concerning safety and health shall be in compliance with the William-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act, CFR 29, Part 1910, as issued by the U. S. Department of Labor.
3. All subsequent additions, deletions, amendments or any future rules, regulations and standards made to or in lieu of the aforesaid rules, regulations and standards shall be complied with, when appropriately authorized, issued and made official by departments within the federal government having jurisdiction thereof.
B. Compliance with State Standards.
1. Gas distribution facilities and transmission facilities shall be constructed, operated and maintained in compliance with the provisions of state rules, regulations and standards developed and issued by the state and its authoritative departments thereof.
2. Construction methods and practices concerning safety and health shall be in compliance with state rules, regulations and standards developed and issued by the state and its authoritative departments thereof.
3. All subsequent additions, deletions, amendments or any future rules, regulations or standards made to or in lieu of the aforesaid rules, regulations and standards shall be complied with, when appropriately authorized, issued and made official by the state or departments within the state government having jurisdiction thereof.
4. Where there is any conflict between any provisions of the rules, regulations or standards as set forth by the federal government and state or local authorities, the provisions as set forth by the federal government shall govern. (Ord. 811 § 2, 2004; Ord. 274 § 1, 1973. Formerly 15.08.030.)
15.08.030 Inspection of gas distribution systems.
All construction of gas distribution or transmission systems shall be inspected by the gas inspector for the distribution company. (Ord. 811 § 2, 2004; Ord. 233 § 3.1, 1967. Formerly 15.08.040.)
15.08.040 Permit – Required.
Before any construction commences the permittee shall obtain from the city clerk a permit for construction. An application for permit shall be accompanied by a description of the proposed construction. The application for the initial construction shall be accompanied by a map delineating the location of all proposed gas mains. From time to time the city may request, and the permittee shall provide, updated maps showing the current location of gas mains. (Ord. 811 § 2, 2004; Ord. 233 § 3.2, 1967. Formerly 15.08.050)
15.08.050 Testing of piping on construction.
Before any newly constructed distribution or transmission system is placed in service it shall be tested by the permittee in conformity with the codes adopted by this chapter. (Ord. 811 § 2, 2004; Ord. 233 § 4.1, 1967. Formerly 15.08.070)
15.08.060 Location of service shutoffs.
Service shutoffs shall be installed on all new services, including replacements, at the curb or property line for each service, or at any easily accessible place on the outside of the building served. If the latter method is used, such service shall not enter a building directly without coming above ground. (Ord. 811 § 2, 2004; Ord. 233 § 4.2, 1967. Formerly 15.08.080)
15.08.070 Location of pipes.
Unless authorized by the city, mains shall have a lateral clearance not less than five feet from water mains and 12 inches from any other subsurface structure, and a vertical clearance of 12 inches when crossing another pipe. Mains except as otherwise provided herein shall be laid with a cover not less than 30 inches, except under unusual circumstances less coverage may be used. No person shall install a gas service line on the consumer’s premises, in the same ditch as the water service line without written approval by the city. (Ord. 811 § 2, 2004; Ord. 233 § 4.3, 1967. Formerly 15.08.090)
15.08.080 Breaking through pavement.
Whenever it is necessary to disturb existing pavements for the purpose of repair or constructing gas service facilities, repair of pavement surface shall be pursuant to Chapter 12.04 DPMC. (Ord. 811 § 2, 2004; Ord. 233 § 4.7, 1967. Formerly 15.08.130)
15.08.090 Protection of property.
A. The permittee shall, at its own expense, protect all buildings, walls, fences or other property which reasonably could be affected during the progress of the construction of the distribution system work and shall be responsible for all damage to public or private property caused by the permittee or its agent. Wherever it may be necessary for the permittee to trench through any lawn area, the sod shall be carefully cut and rolled and replaced after ditches have been backfilled, and the area restored as nearly as possible to its original condition.
B. The permittee shall not remove, even temporarily, any trees or shrubs which exist in parking strip areas or easements across private property without first having notified the property owner, or in the case of public parks, the city gas inspector. (Ord. 811 § 2, 2004; Ord. 233 § 4.10, 1967. Formerly 15.08.160)
15.08.100 Preservation of monuments.
The permittee shall not disturb any surface monuments or hubs found on the line of the improvements unless authorized by the city. (Ord. 811 § 2, 2004; Ord. 233 § 4.11, 1967. Formerly 15.08.170)
15.08.110 Damage to existing improvements.
All damage done to existing improvements during the progress of construction or maintenance work shall be repaired by the permittee. Materials for such repair shall conform to the requirements of applicable ordinances. If, upon being ordered, the permittee fails to furnish the necessary labor and materials for such repairs, the city may cause such necessary labor and materials to be furnished by other parties and the cost thereof charged against the permittee. (Ord. 811 § 2, 2004; Ord. 233 § 4.12, 1967. Formerly 15.08.180)
15.08.120 Property lines and easements.
Property lines and limits of easements shall be indicated on the plans and it shall be the permittee’s responsibility to confine its construction activities within these limits. Any damage resulting from trespassing beyond these limits shall be the sole responsibility of the permittee. (Ord. 811 § 2, 2004; Ord. 233 § 4.13, 1967. Formerly 15.08.190)
15.08.130 Care of excavated material.
All material excavated from trenches and piles adjacent to the trench, or in highways, shall be piled and maintained in such a manner that the toe of the slope of the excavated material is at least 18 inches from the edge of the trench. When the confines of the area through which the gas pipes are to be laid are too narrow to permit the piling of excavated material beside the trench, the permittee may be required to haul excavated material to a storage site and then rehaul it to the trench site at the time of backfilling. It shall be the permittee’s responsibility to secure the necessary permission and make all necessary arrangements for all storage and disposal sites required. (Ord. 811 § 2, 2004; Ord. 233 § 4.14, 1967. Formerly 15.08.200)
15.08.140 Interference with other services.
The work shall be conducted so as not to interfere with access to fire stations or fire hydrants. Material or obstruction shall not be placed within 15 feet of fire hydrants. Passageways leading to fire escapes or fire-fighting equipment shall be kept free of material piles or other obstructions. (Ord. 811 § 2, 2004; Ord. 233 § 4.15, 1967. Formerly 15.08.210)
15.08.150 Provision for watercourses.
The permittee shall provide for the flow of all watercourses, sewers or drains intercepted during the progress of the work, and shall replace the same in a good condition as it found them or shall make final provisions for them as the city may direct. The permittee shall not obstruct the gutter of any street, but shall use all proper measures to provide for the free passage of surface water. The permittee shall make provisions to take care of all surplus water, mud, silt or other runoff pumped from excavations or resulting from sluicing or other operations, and shall be responsible for any damage resulting from its failure to so provide. (Ord. 811 § 2, 2004; Ord. 233 § 4.16, 1967. Formerly 15.08.220)
15.08.160 Insurance.
The permittee shall have and maintain in force adequate public liability and property damage insurance, which insurance may contain a self-insured deductible amount as shall be approved by the city council. (Ord. 811 § 2, 2004; Ord. 233 § 5.1, 1967. Formerly 15.08.240)