Chapter 15.04 REGULATIONS

The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards, provisions, and requirements for safe installation of gas pipes and gas appliances on consumers’ property and to regulate the sale, maintenance and repair of such appliances within the city system. (Ord. 616 § 1, 1957).

15.04.030 Scope.

All gas appliances or gas pipes hereafter sold, installed, maintained, or repaired within the corporate limits of the city or on any of the transmission or distribution lines served by the city outside its corporate limits shall conform to the requirements of this chapter. All gas appliances or gas pipes heretofore sold or installed shall conform to the requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 616 § 2, 1957).

15.04.040 Definitions.

The following definitions are provided for the sole purpose of proper interpretation and administration of this chapter:

(1) “Certificate of approval” means a document issued and attached to the material, piping or appliance inspected, completely filled out together with date, address of the premises or consumer, and signed by the inspector.

(2) “City engineer” means the city engineer or his duly authorized representative.

(3) “Consumer” means any person, persons, customer, firm, association, municipal corporation and/or corporation that uses gas, including residential, commercial and industrial users, with the primary liability for lien purposes resting on the property owner upon which such gas service is being rendered. This lien liability shall run with said owner’s land.

(4) “Gas” means natural, artificial, and/or mixed gas.

(5) “Gas appliance” means any appliance or device used for burning gas.

(6) “Gas fitter” means one who does any gas fitting work and installs, repairs, or remodels any piping or appliance which would be subject to supervision and inspection under the provisions of this chapter.

(7) “Gas service line” means the gas piping leading from the gas main to the property line, or to the point of delivery.

(8) “Inspector” means the administrative authority so designated by this chapter or his duly authorized representative.

(9) “Person” means any person, firm, association or corporation.

(10) “Point of delivery” means the junction of the utility’s meter with the consumer’s piping.

(11) “Premises” means the property, including structures, of the consumer.

(12) “System” means the transmission and distribution lines of the city both within its corporate limits and in the outlying districts served by the city.

(13) “Used gas appliance” means gas appliance which has been previously sold, installed, and used.

(14) “User(s)” means the property owner of the premises and/or structure being served.

(15) “Vent” means a pipe, flue or chimney designed and/or installed to carry the products of combustion from an appliance to the outside atmosphere. (Ord. 955 § 1, 1978; Ord. 954 § 1, 1978; Ord. 616 § 3, 1957).

15.04.050 Gas fitter’s license required.

(1) No person shall install, extend, alter or repair any gas appliance or piping pertaining to or in connection with gas service to any business or residence within the city’s gas distribution system, unless such person has first applied in writing for and procured a gas fitter’s license from the building inspector. The fee for such a license shall be determined by reference to BMC Title 16 and permit.

(2) Any person may install gas pipes or gas appliances, or make alterations and repairs on any gas pipes and gas appliance, or perform any other work contemplated by this chapter on his or her own property under the following terms and conditions:

(a) He or she shall apply for and secure a permit;

(b) He or she shall personally do the work in the manner required by this chapter, subject to the inspection and approval of the city building inspector; and

(c) The person performing the work must be the occupant of the premises upon which he or she is performing the work. (Ord. 47-97 § 1, 1997; Ord. 5-87 § 1, 1987; Ord. 26-86 § 4, 1986; Ord. 616 § 4, 1957).

15.04.060 Loaning license prohibited.

No person shall lend his gas fitter’s license to any other person, nor shall any such licensed person apply for a permit in his name for use of any other person, and any such licensed person so doing or refusing to comply with any other requirements of this chapter shall have his gas fitter’s license suspended or revoked by the city. (Ord. 616 § 5, 1957).

15.04.090 Liability insurance.

Before any license is granted to an applicant for a gas fitter’s license, the applicant shall file with the city administrator proof of insurance with policy limits of $300,000 per incident for personal injury and $300,000 per incident for property damage for all liability resulting from the negligence of the license holder, his principals, agents or employees, while repairing or installing any gas appliance, or servicing any gas utility line or in any manner working upon any portion of the city’s gas distribution system. The city shall be named as an additional insured upon such policy and the policy shall also provide for 30 days’ written notice to the city prior to cancellation or nonrenewal of the policy. (Ord. 1-87 § 1, 1987; Ord. 26-86 § 3, 1986; Ord. 618 § 1, 1958; Ord. 616 § 8, 1957).

15.04.100 Display of license.

Every licensed gas fitter shall display his current license certificate conspicuously at his principal place of business. (Ord. 616 § 9, 1957).

15.04.110 Revocation or suspension of license.

Any license granted under the provisions of this chapter may be suspended or revoked by the inspector whenever it appears to him that the person to whom the license is issued has violated any of the provisions of this chapter or upon conviction of such person of any offense involving moral turpitude. In the event the inspector suspends or revokes said license, he shall cause to be served upon the licensee a formal order of suspension or revocation of the license, which order shall recite the reasons therefor. The suspension or revocation of a license shall give the licensee no right to refund from any unearned portion of the fee paid.

Any order provided for in this chapter shall be served either by delivering a copy personally upon the licensee, or by leaving a copy with some person of suitable age and discretion at the place of business of the licensee, or by leaving such order in a conspicuous place on the premises and mailing a copy of the order to the licensee at his place of business as set forth in his application for a license. (Ord. 616 § 10, 1957).

15.04.120 Responsibility of licensee.

This chapter shall not be construed as relieving such persons owning, operating, installing, or inspecting any gas piping, appliances, or other gas apparatus from liability to anyone injured by any defect therein. Nor shall the city or any agent thereof be considered to have assumed any such liability by reason of the inspection authorized hereunder or by reason of the issuance of a certificate of inspection by the inspector. (Ord. 616 § 11, 1957).

15.04.140 Records.

The inspector shall keep a record of all gas installations inspected. He shall also keep a record of all licenses and permits issued under this chapter. (Ord. 616 § 14, 1957).

15.04.150 Piping diagram.

Jobs requiring in excess of 60 feet of pipe shall be accompanied by sketch or plan drawn up under the following specifications:

(1) Vertical piping should be shown parallel to the short side of the sheet;

(2) Piping through the length of the building should be shown parallel to the long side of the sheet;

(3) Piping across the width of the building should be shown diagonally on the sheet;

(4) The length and size of each section of piping should be shown. (A section designates the length of piping existing between outlets, fittings and points of change in piping sizes);

(5) On horizontal piping, the length under the lines, and the size over the lines, should be marked;

(6) On vertical piping, including drops, the length to the right of the line, and the size to the left of the line, should be marked;

(7) Each outlet X should be marked, and in case of a capped outlet, its size should be indicated. (Ord. 616 § 15, 1957).

15.04.160 Piping materials.

(1) Acceptable Piping Material. Gas piping in buildings shall be black wrought iron or black steel pipe. Threaded pipe fittings (except stop cocks or valves) shall be malleable iron or steel when used with wrought iron or steel pipe.

(2) Gas piping and fittings shall be clear and free from cutting burrs and defects in structure or threading and shall be thoroughly brushed and scale blown.

(3) Defects in pipe or fittings not be repaired. When defective pipe or fittings are located in a system, the defective pipe or fittings shall be replaced.

(4) Pipe Coating. When in contact with material exerting a corrosive action, piping and fittings shall be coated with a corrosion resisting material.

(5) Use of Old Pipe. Pipe fittings, valves, etc., removed from any existing installation shall not be used again.

(6) Joint Compounds. Joint compounds (pipe dope) shall be used sparingly and only on the male threads of the joints.

(7) Bushings. Bushings shall not be used in housepiping.

(8) Stops and Cocks. Stops and cocks on gas housepiping shall be ground key type with lever handle or flat head and approved for use with gas.

(9) Unions. Where necessary, unions may be installed in exposed piping. Where used, unions shall be of the ground joint type. No unions may be buried or concealed in partitions or located in inaccessible places. (Ord. 26-86 § 6, 1986; Ord. 616 § 16, 1957).

15.04.170 Piping dimensions.

(1) All gas outlets shall extend through the floor or base board not less than two and one-half inches.

(2) All outlets shall not be less than one-half inch pipe.

(3) Greatest length allowed for housepiping shall be as follows:


1/2 inch	20 feet
3/4 inch	60 feet
1 inch	80 feet
1-1/4 inches	100 feet
1-1/2 inches	150 feet
2 inches	200 feet

(4) The size of housepiping not otherwise provided for in this section shall be approved by the inspector.

(5) Where gas meters are installed above ground at the house, each consumer’s service line shall be provided by the gas department with a suitable stop cock located in an accessible place and at the inlet of the meter.

(6) Where more than one meter is supplied through one service line, a stop cock shall be installed at each meter inlet in addition to the service line stop.

(7) Any gas line entering a building underground shall be sealed gas tight at the building line, in a manner approved by the inspector.

(8) No person shall install a gas service line on consumer’s premises in the same ditch as the water service line or sewer line without written permission of the superintendent of the water department. (Ord. 616 § 17, 1957).

15.04.180 Meter location.

A meter location shall be provided by the consumer for the building or premises to be served, and the location shall be such that the meter connections are easily accessible in order that the meter may be read or changed. No gas meter shall be hereafter installed under a stoop, stairway, show window, or porch, or in any unventilated or confined space, and shall be a safe distance from a furnace, boiler, or other heating appliance. No meter shall be placed in any location where it will be subjected to excessive corrosion. (Ord. 616 § 18, 1957).

15.04.190 Piping inspection.

(1) When any work done under a permit issued by the building inspector is completed and ready for inspection, the person to whom the permit has been issued shall, within 24 hours after completion of such work, notify the inspector in writing that the same has been completed and is ready for inspection, and the inspector shall cause such work to be inspected within a reasonable time thereafter.

(2) Rough piping inspection shall be made by the building inspector after all piping authorized by such permit has been installed, and before any such piping has been covered or concealed or any fixtures or gas appliances have been attached thereto.

(3) Test of final inspection shall be made by the building inspector after all piping authorized by the permit has been installed and before any portions thereof which are to be concealed, by plastering or otherwise, have been so concealed, and before any fixtures or gas appliances have been attached thereto. This inspection shall be governed by BMC Title 16, except that there shall be added to the requirements of BMC Title 16 a pressure test, at which time the piping shall stand an air pressure equal to not less than 25 psi, and the piping shall hold this air pressure for a period of at least 30 minutes without any perceptible drop in pressure. A U-gauge mercury column shall be used for the test.

(4) Tools, apparatus and labor for the test shall be furnished by the permittee.

(5) A new permit and inspection certificate shall be required for a consumer’s premises which already has been piped for gas, but in which no gas has been used for a period of 12 consecutive months or more. (Ord. 47-97 § 3, 1997; Ord. 26-86 § 7, 1986; Ord. 616 § 19, 1957).

15.04.200 Certificate of approval.

The inspector shall issue a certificate of approval at the completion of the work for which a specific permit has been issued if, after inspection, it is found that such work has complied with the provisions of this chapter and all other requirements of law or ordinance applicable thereto. A duplicate of each certificate of approval shall be delivered to the gas department and used as its authority to grant gas service. (Ord. 616 § 20, 1957).

15.04.210 Defective work or materials.

If the inspection shows that defective materials have been used or defective workmanship has been performed in the installation, alteration, repair, or extension of any gas pipe, fixture, or appliance in or on any consumer’s premises, such defective materials or work shall be replaced by the permit holder within three days and the inspection repeated. (Ord. 616 § 21, 1957).

15.04.220 Disconnection of defective piping or appliances.

(1) The inspector may cause to be disconnected any gas piping, fixture, or appliance which has been connected before a certificate of approval has been issued, or which, upon inspection, is found defective or in such condition as to endanger life or property. In all cases in which such a disconnection is made, a notice shall be affixed thereto and shall state that the same has been disconnected by the inspector, together with the reason or reasons therefor. It is unlawful for any person to remove said notice or to reconnect said gas piping, fixture, or appliance until authorized by the inspector to do so.

(2) The inspector shall have the duty, responsibility, and right of access to inspect all gas appliances in public buildings, commercial buildings, and industrial plants in connection with the enforcements of fire regulations. (Ord. 616 § 22, 1957).

15.04.230 Discontinuance or refusal of service.

(1) The gas department may discontinue or refuse to supply gas for any gas piping, fixture, or gas appliance which it may find to be defective or leaking, or in such condition as to endanger life or property; provided, however, that the gas department shall immediately give written notice of discontinuance or refusal of service to the inspector and the occupant of the consumer’s building or premises where such gas supply is discontinued or refused. The inspector shall immediately make an investigation of the conditions reported by the gas department, and it is unlawful for any person to reconnect any gas piping, fixture, or appliance, until authorized by the inspector.

(2) In all cases in which the supplying of gas has been discontinued for safety reasons, the supplying of gas shall not be resumed until authorized by the inspector; provided, however, that if the gas has been turned off by a gas fitter or an employee of the gas department while doing work on the premises, such gas fitter or employee is entitled to turn on the gas again when he has finished the work, without authorization from the inspector. (Ord. 616 § 23, 1957).

15.04.240 Gas appliance and accessory requirements.

(1) All gas appliances and accessories installed for domestic or commercial use shall comply with, and be of a design and construction of, applicable American Standard Association approval, listing, and installation requirements for gas appliances and accessories covering safe operation, substantial and durable construction, acceptable performance, and installation of the American Gas Association, Inc., and adopted by the American Standards Associations, Inc.; provided, however, that industrial and other specialized appliances and equipment not included in the above requirements of the American Gas Association, Inc., and adopted by the American Standards Associations, Inc., may be sold and installed upon approval of the inspector. Each appliance approved by the American Gas Association, Inc., shall be so marked or labeled with a distinctive trademark or name as a means of identification and shall bear information showing the rated heat input in BTU per hour. Each new gas appliance approved by the American Gas Association, Inc., shall be considered an approved appliance and shall also be so marked and labeled. All new hot water heaters and heating appliances shall also be equipped with an American Gas Association approved complete shutoff type automatic pilot.

(2) All used gas appliances hereafter sold or offered for sale or installed shall be approved by the inspector for safety, and shall be identified accordingly. Used gas appliances shall be connected to gas outlets for use at the time of inspection. In the event the appliance has been used with butane, propane, or other liquid petroleum gases, it shall be subject to approval by the inspector as having been properly converted for use with natural gas or any admixture thereof. All existing yard pipe lines and those hereafter installed shall conform to this chapter. (Ord. 616 § 24, 1957).

15.04.250 Conversion from liquefied petroleum gas to natural gas.

Before a natural gas supply is furnished by the gas department to a consumer who has been previously using butane, propane, or other liquefied petroleum gases, the consumer shall secure a permit from the inspector showing compliance with this chapter after an inspection has been made by the inspector of the piping and appliances on the consumer’s premises. (Ord. 616 § 25, 1957).

15.04.260 Conversion from nongas fuel to natural gas.

Furnaces, boilers, or other types of heating equipment designed to burn fuel other than gas shall not be converted to burn gas until such equipment has been approved for conversion by the inspector. All heating appliances which are converted to gas shall be vacuum cleaned and brushed down. (Ord. 616 § 26, 1957).

15.04.270 Proper installation.

(1) Every gas appliance hereafter installed shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. Every gas appliance hereafter installed shall be so located that it can be readily adjusted and shall be properly adjusted by the person making the installation to ensure safe operation of the burners and proper combustion of the gas.

(2) In no case shall an appliance be fired or adjusted to pass a greater amount of gas than the rated capacity. (Ord. 616 § 27, 1957).

15.04.280 Gas consumption reduction devices.

No person, without the approval of the inspector, shall display, sell, barter, replace, offer for sale, lease, deal in, supply, rent, donate, connect, install, or use within the city system any device purporting to reduce gas consumption when such device is intended to be an adjunct, or addition to, a gas appliance, or to be suspended above, or wholly or partially to enclose, any burner of a gas appliance in such manner as to reduce the effectiveness of ignition of the gas issuing from the burner or impair combustion of said burner. (Ord. 616 § 28, 1957).

15.04.290 Venting required.

All domestic appliances must be vented to the extent required by this chapter. No person shall install or use any gas-fired hot water or room heater without a vent, except for laboratory apparatus. (Ord. 616 § 29(1), 1957).

15.04.300 Vent, pipe and appliance maintenance.

All gas piping, vents, vent connections, and appliances shall be maintained in good condition; provided, however, that no gas piping, vent, vent connection, fixture, or appliance not conforming to the requirements of this chapter shall be used or maintained, except in case they were installed prior to November 26, 1957, and have been approved by the inspector. (Ord. 616 § 29(2), 1957).

15.04.310 Enclosed space ventilation.

No gas-fired equipment shall be installed in a basement, bathroom, or under buildings or within any other enclosed space unless adequate provision has been made to admit to the space sufficient fresh air to support combustion.

The minimum cross sectional area of ventilation required shall be 50 square inches of free area equal one square inch for every 1,000 BTU of the total input, whichever is greater, for appliances with 200,000 BTU maximum input per hour. Openings for fresh air supply to appliances with an input of more than 200,000 BTU per hour shall be subject to the approval of the inspector. (Ord. 622 § 1, 1958; Ord. 616 § 29(3), 1957).

15.04.320 Ventilating fan installation requirements.

No installer or individual shall install or cause to be installed, in the same room with a vented appliance, a ventilating fan in a residence, apartment, hotel, or commercial cooking establishment until the following provisions are complied with: There shall be a permanently opened ventilator or opening or series of openings at least equal in area to the total square inches in the exhaust opening of the fan or fans. (Ord. 616 § 29(4), 1957).

15.04.330 Chimney requirements.

No unlined chimney shall be used as a gas vent unless the following conditions are complied with:

(1) The chimney shall be constructed of sound and fireproof material and kept in good repair;

(2) The chimney shall deliver the products of combustion to the outer atmosphere;

(3) When at all practical, the chimney shall have a clean-out door at or near the bottom of flue opening;

(4) Breaching or vent pipe shall enter the chimney at a distance of 12 inches or more above the bottom of flue opening or clean-out door at or near the bottom of flue opening, whichever is higher;

(5) If the chimney is used for venting other types of fuels, at least one of these vents shall enter the chimney at a level below the gas vent. Inspector shall at all times have the authority to refuse the use of a chimney for venting gas appliances if, in his opinion, it is unsafe. (Ord. 622 § 2, 1958; Ord. 616 § 29(5), 1957).

15.04.340 Venting appliance by existing flue.

No existing flue shall be used to vent gas appliances unless it will deliver the products of gas combustion to the outer atmosphere in accordance with this chapter. (Ord. 616 § 29(6), 1957).

15.04.350 Black flue pipe installation.

No person shall install any black flue pipe for the purpose of venting products of combustion from a gas-fired appliance. (Ord. 616 § 29(7), 1957).

15.04.360 Approved vent cap or top.

The installation of an approved vent cap or top must be installed on all vents that the inspector does not approve for use without a cap. An approved vent cap or top shall be so constructed that it cannot slip down and block the vent opening and so constructed that it will prevent birds from entering the vent. Such an approved vent cap or top should be positioned so that:

(1) For roof slopes less than a 12/12 (45 degrees) pitch, a 12-inch clearance is maintained between the roof or other obstructions and the lower portion of the vent cap or top; and

(2) For roof slopes greater than a 12/12 pitch, a four-foot horizontal clearance is maintained between the roof or other obstructions and the lower portion of the vent cap or top. A vent cap or top installed on the vent at its terminus shall have a free open area equal to the cross sectional area of the vent pipe on which it is installed. (Ord. 622 § 3, 1958; Ord. 616 § 29(8), 1957).

15.04.370 Appliance venting.

(1) When more than one gas burning appliance is connected with the same flue, the area of such flue must be at least equal to the combined area of the vent outlets of such appliances. No more than three appliances shall be connected to the same flue.

(2) All appliances except gas refrigerators shall be provided with vents and flue connections having a diameter at least as large as the vent connection on the appliance and shall be vented to the atmosphere. Gas ranges and counter appliances shall have a draft hood vented to the atmosphere.

(3) Every appliance listed for vented use except incinerators, dual oven-type combination ranges, units designed for power burners or forced venting shall have a draft hood.

(4) Type A flues or vents shall be employed for venting the following types of appliances:

(a) All incinerators;

(b) All appliances which may be converted readily to the use of solid or liquid fuels;

(5) Type B gas flues or vents shall be used only with approved gas appliances which produce flue gas temperatures not in excess of 550 degrees Fahrenheit at the outlet of the draft hood when burning gas at the manufacturer’s normal input rating. Type B gas flues and vents shall be installed with clearances to combustible construction in accordance with their listing.

(6) Type BW gas vents may be used for venting only approved vented recessed heaters. Such vents shall be installed in accordance with their listing.

(7) For the purpose of this provision, listed appliances with the exception of incinerators and conversion burners may be accepted as producing flue gas temperature not in excess of 550 degrees Fahrenheit at the outlet of the draft hood.

(8) Type C gas flues or vents shall be used for runs directly from the space in which the appliance is located through the roof or exterior wall to the outer air. Such flues and vents shall not pass through any attic or concealed space, nor through any floor.

(9) All vents to gas-burning appliances shall be installed in the manner required by the National Board of Fire Underwriters. (Ord. 26-86 § 8, 1986; Ord. 616 § 29(9), 1957).

15.04.380 Gas regulator.

Central heating plants and automatic gas steam radiators must be provided with a gas regulator set ahead of meter to regulate the flow of gas to the appliances. Central heating boilers must have an automatic temperature or pressure control on the boiler itself, connecting to a quick acting or snap acting gas valve in the supply line to the boiler. A gas pressure regulator or governor requiring access to the atmosphere for successful operation should be vented to the outer air, or into a combustion chamber adjacent to a constantly burning pilot. (Ord. 616 § 29(9), 1957).

15.04.390 Water heaters.

Water heaters shall be equipped with a temperature and pressure relief valve, installed and adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions accompanying them. Water heaters shall not be installed in bathrooms and bedrooms. (Ord. 616 § 29(9), 1957).

15.04.400 Appliance installation.

Gas appliances shall be installed in the location in which the facilities for ventilation permit satisfactory combustion of gas and proper venting, under normal conditions of use. Adequate combustion shall be provided for in all cases. (Ord. 616 § 29(9), 1957).

15.04.410 Unlawful restoration of gas and bypassing of meter.

It is unlawful for any person, by any means, to restore the flow of gas through pipes which have been shut off by the gas department or the inspector, or to cause gas supplied by the city to bypass the meter by which the amount of gas supplied by the city is measured, and such acts shall be prosecuted according to the terms contained in this code. (Ord. 616 § 30, 1957).