| (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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| 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 |
