255.383 Excess flow valve customer installation.

As used in this section:#

(1)Branched service line means a gas service line that begins at the existing service line or is installed concurrently with the primary service line but serves a separate residence.#

(2)Replaced service line means a gas service line where the fitting that connects the service line to the main is replaced or the piping connected to this fitting is replaced.#

(3)Service line serving single-family residence means a gas service line that begins at the fitting that connects the service line to the main and serves only one single-family residence (SFR).#

An excess flow valve (EFV) installation must comply with the performance standards in section 255.381 of this Part. After April 14, 2017, each operator must install an EFV on any new or replaced service line serving the following types of services before the line is activated:#

(1)A single service line to one SFR;#

(2)A branched service line to a SFR installed concurrently with the primary SFR service line (i.e., a single EFV may be installed to protect both service lines);#

(3)A branched service line to a SFR installed off a previously installed SFR service line that does not contain an EFV;#

(4)Multifamily residences with known customer loads not exceeding 1,000 SCFH per service, at time of service installation based on installed meter capacity; and#

(5)A single, small commercial customer served by a single service line with a known customer load not exceeding 1,000 SCFH, at the time of meter installation, based on installed meter capacity.#

An operator need not install an excess flow valve if one or more of the following conditions is present:#

(1)the service line does not operate at a pressure of 10 psig (69 kPa) or greater throughout the year;#

(2)the operator has prior experience with contaminants in the gas stream that could interfere with the EFV operation or cause loss of service to a residence;#

(3)an EFV could interfere with necessary operation or maintenance activities, such as blowing liquids from the line; or#

(4)an EFV meeting performance standards in section 255.381 of this Part is not commercially available to the operator.#

Existing service line customers who desire an EFV on service lines not exceeding 1,000 SCFH and who do not qualify for one of the exceptions in subdivision (c) of this section may request an EFV to be installed on their service lines. If an eligible service line customer requests an EFV installation, an operator must install the EFV at a mutually agreeable date.#

Operators must notify customers of their right to request an EFV in the following manner:#

(1)Except as specified in subdivision (c) of this section and paragraph (5) of this subdivision, each operator must provide written or electronic notification to customers of their right to request the installation of an EFV. Electronic notification can include emails, website postings, and e-billing notices.#

(2)The notification must include an explanation for the service line customer of the potential safety benefits that may be derived from installing an EFV. The explanation must include information that an EFV is designed to shut off the flow of natural gas automatically if the service line breaks.#

(3)The notification must include a description of EFV installation and replacement costs. The notice must alert the customer that costs for maintaining and replacing an EFV may later be incurred, and what those costs will be to the extent known.#

(4)The notification must indicate that if a service line customer requests installation of an EFV and the load does not exceed 1,000 SCFH and the conditions of subdivision (c) of this section are not present, the operator must install an EFV at a mutually agreeable date.#

(5)Operators of master-meter systems and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) operators with fewer than 100 customers may continuously post a general notification in a prominent location frequented by customers.#

An operator must make available to the department a copy of the notice or notices currently in use.#

Each operator must report the EFV measures detailed in the annual report required by 49 CFR 191.11.#