School Piping Testing

(a)Purpose. The purpose of this section is to implement the requirements of Texas Utilities Code, §§121.5005 - 121.507, relating to the testing of natural gas piping systems in school facilities.#

(b)Procedures. Natural gas suppliers shall develop procedures for:#

(1)receiving written notice from a person responsible for a school facility specifying the date and result of each test as provided by subsection (c) of this section.#

(2)terminating natural gas service to a school facility in the event that:#

(A)the natural gas supplier receives notification of a hazardous natural gas leak in the school facility piping system pursuant to this rule; or#

(B)the natural gas supplier does not receive written notification specifying the date that testing has been completed on a school facility as provided by subsection (c) of this section, and the results of such testing.#

(3)A natural gas supplier may rely on a written notification complying with this rule as proof that a school facility is in compliance with Texas Utilities Code, §§121.5005 - 121.507, and this rule.#

(4)A natural gas supplier shall have no duty to inspect a school facility for compliance with Texas Utilities Code, §§121.5005 - 121.507.#

(c)Testing.#

(1)A natural gas piping pressure test performed under a municipal code in compliance with paragraphs (4) and (5) of this subsection shall satisfy the testing requirements.#

(2)A pressure test to determine if the natural gas piping in each school facility will hold at least normal operating pressure shall be performed as follows:#

(A)School facility pipe testing includes all gas piping from the outlet of the purchase meter to each inlet valve of each appliance.#

(B)For systems on which the normal operating pressure is less than 0.5 psig, the test pressure shall be 5 psig and the time interval shall be 30 minutes.#

(C)For systems on which the normal operating pressure is 0.5 psig or more, the test pressure shall be 1.5 times the normal operating pressure or 5 psig, whichever is greater, and the time interval shall be 30 minutes.#

(D)A pressure test using normal operating pressure shall be utilized only on systems operating at 5 psig or greater, and the time interval shall be one hour.#

(3)The testing shall be conducted by:#

(A)a licensed plumber;#

(B)a qualified employee or agent of the school who is regularly employed as or acting as a maintenance person or maintenance engineer; or#

(C)a person exempt from the plumbing license law as provided in Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1301.#

(4)The testing of public school facilities shall occur as follows:#

(A)for school facilities tested prior to the beginning of the 1997-1998 school year, at least once every two years thereafter before the beginning of the school year;#

(B)for school facilities not tested prior to the beginning of the 1997-1998 school year, as soon as practicable thereafter but prior to the beginning of the 1998-1999 school year and at least once every two years thereafter before the beginning of the school year;#

(C)for school facilities operated on a year-round calendar and tested prior to July 1, 1997, at least once every two years thereafter; and#

(D)for school facilities operated on a year-round calendar and not tested prior to July 1, 1997, once prior to July 1, 1998, and at least once every two years thereafter.#

(5)The testing of charter and private school facilities shall occur at least once every two years and shall be performed before the beginning of the school year, except for school facilities operated on a year-round calendar, which shall be tested not later than July 1 of the year in which the test is performed. The initial test of charter and private school facilities shall occur prior to the beginning of the 2003-2004 school year or by August 31, 2003, whichever is earlier.#

(6)The firm or individual conducting the test shall immediately report any hazardous natural gas leak as follows:#

(A)in a public school facility, to the board of trustees of the school district and the natural gas supplier; and#

(B)in a charter or private school facility, to the person responsible for such school facility and the natural gas supplier.#

(7)The school pipe testing shall be recorded on Railroad Commission Form PS-86.#

(d)Records. Natural gas suppliers shall maintain for at least two years a listing of the school facilities to which it sells and delivers natural gas as well as copies of the written notification regarding testing, Form PS-86, and hazardous leaks received pursuant to Texas Utilities Code, §§121.5005 - 121.507, and this rule.#

Source Note: The provisions of this §8.230 adopted to be effective November 24, 2004, 29 TexReg 10733; amended to be effective February 4, 2009, 34 TexReg 582; amended to be effective January 6, 2020, 45 TexReg 121#