65- 407 C.M.R. ch. 421, § 4

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 407-421-4 - Jurisdictional System Installation and Maintenance Standards

A.Installation and Maintenance of Meters and Pressure Regulators

1.Protection of Meters, Tanks and Distribution System Facilities from Damage from Motorized Vehicles or Equipment

Gas meters, aboveground tanks, domes of underground tanks, and distribution system facilities located adjacent to a roadway, street, alley, driveway, easement or otherwise susceptible to damage from motor vehicles shall be provided protective barriers on each side exposed to vehicular traffic.

2.Accessibility and Location of Pressure Regulators at Meters or Service Piping

Pressure regulators installed at meters or on service piping locations shall conform to the following requirements:

a. Regulators shall be installed:

i. With the screened vent pointed down, or under a protective cover that will prevent blockage of the vent by rain, snow, ice or debris;

ii. At least 5 feet away from mechanical ventilation air intakes, openings into direct-vent (sealed combustion system) appliances, or any source of ignition, such as but not limited to electrical meters.

b. Regulators shall not be direct buried.

3.Hazardous Equipment Procedure

By July 1, 2012, LPG suppliers shall implement modified operation and maintenance procedures that include a "Red Tag" or hazardous equipment procedure for suspending service to a customer's system when a hazardous condition is noticed that makes continued delivery of LPG unsafe.

B.Installation and Maintenance of Mains and Service Lines

1.Installation of Plastic Pipe, Warning Tape, and Tracer Wire

a. Plastic pipe that is not encased in metallic piping must have an electrically conductive tracer wire or other approved means of locating the pipe. To facilitate location of buried plastic pipe, where plastic pipe is installed or replaced the following location methods shall be used.

i. A tracer wire shall be installed adjacent to the piping. Tracer wire may not be wrapped around the pipe and must not contact the pipe. Tracer wire or other metallic elements installed for pipe locating purposes must be resistant to corrosion damage, either by use of coated copper wire or by other means.

ii. Continuous gas pipeline warning tape shall be placed above piping installed by open trenching, and separated from the piping by a minimum of 6 inches.

C.Directional Boring Operations

Each LPG operator shall:

1. Develop written procedures for conducting directional boring activities for the installation of gas pipeline facilities prior to engaging in directional boring;

2. Train its operating personnel including locators in the specific requirements and hazards associated with directional bores.

D.Marking of Containers

1. All LPG operator-owned containers, aboveground or underground, installed at consumer locations shall be marked in a legible manner with the name and telephone number of the owner by decal, tag, stencil, or similar marking.

2. Containers gained through acquisition shall be marked as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days after acquisition.

65- 407 C.M.R. ch. 421, § 4