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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20090713_2632.pdfDECISION MEMORANDUM TO:COMMISSIONER KEMPTON CO MMISSI 0 NER SMITH COMMISSIONER REDFORD COMMISSION SECRETARY COMMISSION STAFF FROM:DON HOWELL DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL DATE:JUL Y 9, 2009 SUBJECT:UPDATING THE COMMISSION'S SAFETY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING RULES, DOCKET NO. 31-1101-0901. The Commission s Safety and Accident Reporting Rules (IDAPA 31.11.01) adopt by reference two national safety codes and federal pipeline safety regulations. Rule 201 adopts the 2007 federal safety regulations for natural gas pipelines promulgated by the u.s. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) within the u.S. Department of Transportation. In addition, Rules 202 and 203 adopt by incorporation the International Fuel Gas Code and the International Mechanical Code, respectively. Rules 202 and 203 currently adopt the 2006 Editions to these International Safety Codes. Staff recommends that the Commission adopt the 2009 updates to the federal safety regulations and the 2009 editions to the International Safety Codes, and make other changes as outlined in greater detail below. PROPOSED CHANGES 1. Pipeline Safety Staff recommends that the Commission adopt the 2009 provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) dealing with pipeline safety regulations. Safety Rule 201 adopts several federal regulations pertaining to the transportation of natural gas including 18 C.R. ~ 260.9 and 49 c.F.R. Parts 191-193, 195, and 199. Existing Rule 201 adopts the 2007 CFRs. Updates to 49 C.R. Part 192 after 2007 include: requirements for operating certain gas transmission pipelines at pressures based upon higher operating stress levels, 73 Fed.Reg. 62148 (Oct. 2008); and design factors and pressure limits for natural gas pipelines made from new Polyamide-II thermoplastic pipe, 72 Fed.Reg. 79002 (Dec. 24, 2008). The 2009 provisions also include amendments to the CFRs so that they conform to the DECISION MEMORANDUM administrative procedures encompassed in the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety (PIPES) Act of2006 , 73 Fed.Reg. 16526 (March 2008). 2. Fuel Gas Code Changes . In 2009, the International Code Council issued updated editions of the International Fuel Gas Code and the International Mechanical Code. The new 2009 edition updates several provisions of the 2006 Fuel Gas Code including: Section 303. (gas-fired appliances installed outdoors must be designed for outdoor use); Section 306 (access to gas appliances); Section 310 (electrical bonding for corrugated stainless steel tubing); Table 402.4(13) (sizing for corrugated stainless steel tubing); Section 404 (prohibited locations for gas piping); Section 409.5 (appliance shut-off valves); Section 411.13 (maximum length, minimum size and prohibited locations of appliance connectors); Section 503.8 (venting requirements); Section 614.6 (clothes dryer exhaust ducts); and Sections 623.7 and 627 (clearances for gas-fired cook tops and air conditioners). 3. Mechanical Code Changes. The new 2009 edition updates several provisions of the 2006 edition of the International Mechanical Code including: Sections 303.5 and 304.4 (restrictions on gas appliance locations); Section 306 (access to gas appliances); Section 403 and Table 403.3 (mechanical ventilation rates); Section 501 (exhaust systems); and Section 504 (gas clothes dryer exhaust requirement). 4. Other Recommendations. Staff also recommends that the Commission consider a change to its Accident Reporting Rules 301 and 302. Currently, these rules only require utilities to submit accident reports (telephonic and subsequent written reports) for fatalities or in-patient hospitalization as a result of contact with or in proximity to utility operating property. Rule 301.01. The Staff recommends that the Commission consider requiring that utilities also provide a written report when an accident results in damage to utility property or to non-utility property in excess of $200 000 as a result of contact with or in proximity to utility operating property. Property damage" would not include damage as a result of motor vehicle accidents pursuant to Rule 301.02. Staff is also recommending several housekeeping amendments to the rules such as: correcting web address, street address, citations to other authorities, and clarifications to improve readability. All the proposed changes are attached for your review. DECISION MEMORANDUM COMMISSION DECISION: 1. Does the Commission wish to update its Safety Rule 201 , 202 and 203 by adoption of the 2009 International Mechanical Code, the International Fuel Gas Code and the 2009 CFRs pertaining to pipeline safety? 2. Does the Commission wish to make the change to its accident reporting rule to require the reporting of damage to utility plant and non-utility private property in excess of $200 000? 3. Does the Commission also wish to make the housekeeping changes to Rules 0, 4 301 and 302? 4. Does the Commission wish to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking suitable for inclusion in the next Administrative Bulletin? Don Howell Deputy Attorney General blslN:31-IIOI-O901 Decision Memo DECISION MEMORANDUM IDAPA 31 TITLE CHAPTER 01 31.11.01 - SAFETY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING RULES FOR UTILITIES REGULA TED BY IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION 000.LEGAL AUTHORITY (RULE 0). These rules adopting by reference national safety codes and requiring~ the reporting of certain accidents are adopted under the general authority of the Public Utilities Law, Chapters 1 through , Title 61 , Idaho Code, and under the specific authority of Sections 61-515 and 61-517, Idaho Code. (1 1 98)L-J (BREAK IN CONTINUITY OF SECTIONS) 004.PUBLIC RECORDS ACT COMPLIANCE (RULE 4). Notes of telephone reports required by Rule 301 and written reports required by Rule 302 are public records subject to inspection, examination and copying. Further investigative reports by the Commission or the Commission Staff are investigatory records exempt from disclosure. See Sections 337(4Q) and 9-340B, Idaho Code. Reports required by these rules and the results of further investigations by the Commission are by statute prohibited from admission into evidence in any action for damages based on or arising out of the loss of life or injury to the person or property. See Section 61-517, Idaho Code.(1 5 OO)L-J 005.DEFINITIONS (RULE 5). 01. Utilities. The terms "electrical corporation " " gas corporation " " pipeline corporation " " telephone corporation " and "water corporation" have the meanings given to them by statute in Chapter 1 , Title 61 , Idaho Code,~ orders of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission,~ and decisions ofthe Idaho Supreme Court ofldaho construing these statutes. (1 2 08)L-J 02. Serious Damage. Damage to natural gas facilities caused by a natural disaster or terrorism that results in a loss of or reduction in pipeline throughput or storage deliverability. (4-08) 03. Serious Interruption of Service. Interruptions of natural gas pipeline service to communities, major governmental installations, and large industrial plants outside of communities or any other interruption that is significant in the judgment of the natural gas pipeline. Interruptions of less than three (3) hours or planned maintenance outages need not be reported.(4-08) (BREAK IN CONTINUITY OF SECTIONS) 201.FEDERAL NATURAL GAS SAFETY REGULATIONS (RULE 201). The Commission incorporates by reference Part 260., Title 18 (April 1 , 200+2) and Parts 191 192, 193 , 195 , and 199, Title 49, the Code of Federal Regulations (October 1 , 200+2), except that federal accident reporting requirements contained in the rules adopted by reference in Rule 201 are replaced for state reporting purposes by orders of the Commission or rules of the Commission. These regulations are found in the Code of Federal Regulations, available from the S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, Attn: New Orders, PO Box 371954, Pittsburgh, P A 15250-7954. The incorporated CFR Parts are also available in electronic format at www.gpoaccess.gov/nara. All gas and pipeline corporations subject to the Commission s jurisdiction are required to abide by applicable provisions of these federal regulations adopted by reference.(1 2 08)L-J 202.INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE (IFGA) (RULE 202). 01. Incorporation by Reference. The Commission incorporates by reference the International Fuel Gas Code, 20062 Edition except for Part 2 of Chapter 1 . The International Fuel Gas Code is published by the International Code Council, ';200 New Jersey Avenue , NW 6th Floor, Washington D.C. 20001-2070. The Code is available from the Code Council and may be ordered online at www.iccsafe.org.Telephone orders may be placed by calling toll-free 800- 786-4452. (1 2 08)L-) 02. Utility Compliance. All gas corporations subject to the jurisdiction of this Commission are required to abide by applicable provisions of the International Fuel Gas Code and to connect for service and light only those installations that: (3-20-04)a. Have been inspected and approved by authorized agencies; or (4-98) b. When inspecting agencies do not exist, to require their customers to abide by applicable provisions of the International Fuel Gas Code as a condition of receiving service or continuing to receive service.(3-20-04) 203.INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE (IMC) (RULE 203). 01. Incorporation by Reference. The Commission incorporates by reference those portions of the 20062 International Mechanical Code explicitly referring to gas or gas-burning appliances except Part 2 of Chapter 1 . The International Mechanical Code is published by the International Code Council, ';200 New Jersey Avenue , NW, 6th Floor, Washington D.C. 20001- 2070 and may be ordered by calling toll-free 800-786-4452 or online at www.iccsafe.org (1 2 08)L-) 02. Utility Compliance. Gas corporations subject to the jurisdiction of this Commission are required to abide by applicable provisions of the International Mechanical Code and to connect for service and light only those installations that: (3-20-04)a. Have been inspected and approved by authorized agencies; or (4-98) When inspecting agencies do not exist, to require their customers to abide by applicable provisions of the International Mechanical Code as a condition of receiving service or continuing to receive service.(3-20-04) (BREAK IN CONTINUITY OF SECTIONS) 301. IMMEDIA TE REPORTING OF FATALITIES AND CERTAIN ACCIDENTS AND MAJOR NATURAL GAS INTERRUPTIONS (RULE 301). 01. Fatality and A.eeident Damae:e Reporting. Whenever any employee of an electrical corporation, gas corporation, pipeline corporation, telephone corporation, or water corporation or any member of the public dies or requires in-patient hospitalization as a result of contact with or proximity to utility operating property, the utility must notify the Commission by telephone of the fatality or hospitalization no later than the first business day following discovery of the fatality or reporting of the hospitalization, except as provided in Subsection 31.11.01.301.02. Reports should be made to the Commission Secretary at (208) 334-0338. (1 2 08)L-) 02. Propertv Accident Reportine:. Whenever an electrical corporation, gas corporation, pipeline corporation, telephone corporation, or water corporation or any member of the public suffers property damage in excess of $200,000 as a result of contact with or proximity to utility operating property, the utility shall file a written report with the Commission, except as provided in Subsection 31.11.01.301.03. Reports shall be made to the Commission Secretary at (208) 334-0338. o~~. Operating Property -- Automobile Motor Vehicle Accident Exception. As used in this rule, operating property means electric plant as defined in Section 61-118 , Idaho Code gas plant as defined in Section 61-116, Idaho Code, pipelines as defined in Section 61-114 , Idaho Code, telephone line as defined in Section 61-120, Idaho Code, or water systems as defined in Section 61-124, Idaho Code. This reporting rule does not apply to fatalities, hospitalization, and property damage arising out of automobile motor vehicle accidents, even if the automobile later comes into contact with utility plant. Office buildings or portions of office buildings not associated with the physical delivery of utility services or commodities are not considered operating property.(1 1 98)L-) o~~. Major Service Interruptions or Damage to Natural Gas Pipelines. The Commission incorporates by reference Section 260., Title 18, the Code of Federal Regulations (April 1 , 2007). Every natural gas corporation must report serious damage to natural gas facilities and serious interruptions of service to the Commission. Natural gas corporations should also report other serious damage not caused by natural disaster or terrorism if such damages create the potential for serious delivery problems on its own system or the pipeline grid. (1 2 08)L-) 302. WRITTEN REPORTING INTERRUPTIONS (RULE 302). 01. Reporting Required. In addition to any telephone reporting required under Rule 301 , a written report shall be submitted for: (4-08) ACCIDENTS AND NATURAL GAS Every accident involving an employee of the utility or member of the public that results in a fatality or in-patient hospitalization; Any other accident the utility finds significant; or (4-08) (4-08) Property damage to utility plant or non-utility property in excess of $200,000: e!!. Serious damage or service interruption of natural gas pipelines. L-) (1 2 08)L-) 02. Submitting the Written Report. All written reports ftHfSt shall be submitted to the Commission within twenty-one (21) days after the fatality" or injury hospitalization or damage discovered. Reports regarding serious damage or service interruption shall be submitted at the earliest feasible time. Reports should be mailed to:(1 2 08)L-) COMMISSION SECRETARY IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION PO BOX 83720 BOISE ID 83720-0074 Street Address for Express Mail: 472 W WASHINGTON ST BOISE ID 83702-5983 Copies of such reports may also be provided by facsimile at (208) 334-3762 or by electronic mail to secretary~puc.state.id.us secretary~puc.idaho.gov (5 3 03)L-J 03. Contents of Written Accident Report. There is no standard form for written reports prescribed by this rule. Gas companies may file copies of reports submitted to federal regulators under 49 C.F .R. Part 191. All reports submitted ftHfSt shall contain the following information: (1 2 08)L-)a. Name ofperson(s) involved in the accident; (7-93) b. Status of persons involved in the accident (e., employees, children, contractors etc.(7-93)c. Time of day, day of the week and month, and location of the accident or discoveryof the accident; (4-08) d. Description of the accident, the extent of property damage,and events leading up to the accident; and (1 2 08)L-J !:.: The scope of service interruption (if any) and the duration of service interruption: and L-J ef. The company name, contact person, e-mail address and direct telephone number-2f the reporting official. (1 2 08)L-) 04. Contents of Written Report Involving Damage or Interruption to Natural Gas Facilities. All written reports shall provide the following information: (4-08) The location and cause of the service interruption or damage to natural gas pipeline or storage facilities; The nature of the serious damage to pipeline or storage facility; The specific identification and location of any facilities damaged; The time the service interruption or damage to facilities occurred; (4-08) (4-08) (4-08) (4-08) The customers affected by the interruption of service or damage to facilities; A brief description of emergency actions taken to maintain service; (4-08) (4-08) An estimate of the time (if available) when pipeline throughput or storage deliverables are expected to be restored; and (4-08) h. The company name, contact person, e-mail address and direct telephone number-2f the reporting official. (1 2 08)L-J