# School Piping Testing

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 16 TAC § 8.230
- **title:** School Piping Testing
- **source type:** regulation
- **agency:** Railroad Commission of Texas
- **status:** current
- **official:** true
- **published on:** Not available
- **effective on:** 2020-01-06
- **summary:** (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
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- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/tx-tac-16-8-230.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/tx-tac-16-8-230
- **source url:** https://texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com/rules-and-meetings?chapter=8&interface=VIEW_TAC&part=1&title=16
**body:**

(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.
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