Testing of Natural Gas Piping Systems in School Facilities

TITLE 39: UTILITIES PART V: Testing of Natural Gas Piping Systems in School Facilities Chapter 01: Introduction The purpose of this section is to implement the requirements of Miss. Code Ann. §§ 77-11-401, et seq., relating to the testing of natural gas piping systems in school facilities. Chapter 02: Definitions When used in this chapter, the following terms and phrases shall have the following meaning: 100 “Natural Gas Supplier” means an individual or company that sells and delivers natural gas to a school facility. If more than one (1) individual or company sells and delivers natural gas to a school facility, each individual or company is a natural gas supplier for the purposes of this section. 101 “Commission” means the Mississippi Public Service Commission. 102 “School facility” means all piping, buildings and structures located downstream of a meter measuring gas service in a public, charter or private school in which students receive instruction or participate in school sponsored extracurricular activities, excluding maintenance or bus facilities, administrative offices, and similar facilities not regularly utilized by students. 103 “Person responsible for a school facility” means, in the case of a public school, the superintendent of the school district or the superintendent’s designee previously specified in writing to the natural gas supplier. In the case of a charter or private school, the principal of the school, or the principal’s designee previously specified in writing to the natural gas supplier. Chapter 03: Testing and Reporting 100 A natural gas piping pressure test performed under a municipal code satisfies the pressure testing requirements prescribed by this section. 101 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: 1. School facility pipe testing includes all gas piping from the outlet of the purchase meter to each inlet valve of each appliance. 2. The test procedure used must ensure discovery of all potentially hazardous leaks in the segment being tested. 3. 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 thirty (30) minutes. 4. 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 time interval shall be thirty (30) minutes. 5. 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. 102 The testing shall be conducted by a licensed plumber. 103 During the pressure test, each system supply inlet and outlet in the school facility must be closed. 104 The testing shall be completed annually, no later than July 1. 105 A person responsible for a school facility shall provide written notice to the natural gas supplier specifying the date and result of each pressure test or inspection no later than July 15, annually. The results of the annual pressure test in any school facility must also be reported to the State Department of Education within thirty (30) days of testing. 106 If the school facility operates on a year-round calendar, the results of the required pressure testing must be completed and reported to the facility’s natural gas supplier no later than July 1 of the year in which the pressure test is performed. 107 If any leaks are identified during the test, the firm or individual conducting the test shall immediately report such findings as follows: 1. For all school facilities, an identified natural gas leakage shall be reported to the natural gas supplier and the State Department of Education. 2. In a public school facility, an identified natural gas leakage shall also be reported to the person responsible for the school facility and to the board of trustees of the school district. 3. In a charter or private school facility, an identified natural gas leakage shall also be reported to the person responsible for the school facility. Chapter 04: Discontinuance of Service 100 A natural gas supplier shall discontinue service to a school facility if: 1. The natural gas supplier receives written notification, from the firm or individual conducting the test, that a hazardous natural gas leakage or condition has been detected in the facility piping system; or 2. The natural gas supplier does not receive written notification of the date and the results of the test as required by Miss. Code Ann. §§ 77-11-401, et seq. and Chapter 03 of this Rule. 101 If a natural gas supplier discontinues service pursuant to the provisions of this Rule, the person responsible for the school facility shall notify the Commission of such discontinuance, and the reasons therefore, within fourteen (14) days thereof. 102 A person responsible for a school facility shall provide written notice to the natural gas supplier confirming that any hazardous natural gas leakage has been repaired or no longer exists in order to resume natural gas service to the school facility. Chapter 05: Procedures 100 Natural gas suppliers shall develop procedures for: 1. Receiving and retaining written notice from a person responsible for a school facility specifying the date and result of each test as provided by Chapter 03 of this Rule. The natural gas supplier shall retain a copy of the notice for at least one (1) full year following receipt of the notice. 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 Chapter 03 of this Rule, including 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 Miss. Code Ann. §§ 77-11-401, et seq., and this Rule. 4. A natural gas supplier shall have no duty to inspect a school facility for compliance with Miss. Code Ann. §§ 77-11-401, et seq. 101 Procedures for Requesting and Receiving Assistance from the Commission: Should a school facility need additional assistance or guidance regarding the development of internal procedures for implementing these testing requirements, the Commission shall provide such assistance as follows: 1. The person responsible for a school facility shall submit a written request for assistance to the Commission on or before March 15 for any pressure test that must be performed prior to the start of the school in the same calendar year. 2. Written requests shall be submitted to the attention of the Division of Pipeline Safety. 3. The written request shall specify the particular ways in which the person responsible for a school facility needs assistance or guidance in implementing the testing requirements of Miss. Code Ann. §§ 77-11-401, et seq., and this Rule. 4. The Commission shall attempt to respond to timely written requests for assistance within three months of receiving the request. Such responses will be provided in writing and to the person responsible for a school facility. Chapter 06: Records 100 Each natural gas supplier shall maintain for at least two years a listing of the school facilities to which it sells and delivers natural gas. 101 Each natural gas supplier shall also maintain copies of the written notification regarding testing in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 03 of this Rule.