Service Lines: Excess Flow Valve Performance Standards [49 CFR 192.381]

(A)A. Excess flow valves (EFVs) to be used on service lines that operate continuously throughout the year at a pressure not less than 10 psi (69 kPa) gage must be manufactured and tested by the manufacturer according to an industry specification, or the manufacturer's written specification, to ensure that each valve will: [49 CFR 192.381(a)]#

(1)1. function properly up to the maximum operating pressure at which the valve is rated; [49 CFR 192.381(a)(1)]#

(2)2. function properly at all temperatures reasonably expected in the operating environment of the service line; [49 CFR 192.381(a)(2)]#

(3)3. at 10 psi (69 kPa) gage: [49 CFR 192.381(a)(3)]#

(a)a. close at, or not more than 50 percent above, the rated closure flow rate specified by the manufacturer; and [49 CFR 192.381(a)(3)(i)]#

(b)b. upon closure, reduce gas flow: [49 CFR 192.381(a)(3)(ii)#

(i)i. for an excess flow valve designed to allow pressure to equalize across the valve, to no more than 5 percent of the manufacturer's specified closure flow rate, up to a maximum of 20 cubic feet per hour (0.57 cubic meters per hour); or [49 CFR 192.381(a)(3)(ii)(A)]#

(ii)ii. for an excess flow valve designed to prevent equalization of pressure across the valve, to no more than 0.4 cubic feet per hour (0.01 cubic meters per hour); and [49 CFR 192.381(a)(3)(ii)(B)]#

(4)4. not close when the pressure is less than the manufacturer's minimum specified operating pressure and the flow rate is below the manufacturer's minimum specified closure flow rate. [49 CFR 192.381(a)(4)]#

(B)B. An excess flow valve must meet the applicable requirements of Chapters 7 and 11 of this Subpart. [49 CFR 192.381(b)]#

(C)C. An operator must mark or otherwise identify the presence of an excess flow valve on the service line. [49 CFR 192.381(c)]#

(D)D. An operator shall locate an excess flow valve as near as practical to the fitting connecting the service line to its source of gas supply. [49 CFR 192.381(d)]#

(E)E. An operator should not install an excess flow valve on a service line where the operator has prior experience with contaminants in the gas stream, where these contaminants could be expected to cause the excess flow valve to malfunction or where the excess flow valve would interfere with necessary operation and maintenance activities on the service, such as blowing liquids from the line. [49 CFR 192.381(e)]#

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:501 et seq.#

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation, LR 24:1311 (July 1998), amended LR 27:1543 (September 2001), LR 30:1250 (June 2004), LR 44:1039 (June 2018).#