HomeMy WebLinkAboutgasmeter_93.pdfGAS SERVICE RULES IDAPA 31.31.01
THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION--AGENCY 31
TITLE 31
CHAPTER 1
SERVICE RULES FOR GAS UTILITIES
IDAPA 31.31.01.000 ET SEQ.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RULES 0 THROUGH 100--INTRODUCTION
000. Legal Authority
001. Title and Scope
002. Written Interpretations or Guidelines
003. Administrative Appeals
004. Public Records Act Compliance
005. Definitions
006. Citation
007. Effective Date--History of Rules
008. -- 100. (RESERVED).
RULES 101 THROUGH 200--CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE OF FACILITIES FOR TRANSMISSION
AND DISTRIBUTION OF GAS
RULES 101 THROUGH 150--PRELIMINARIES FOR SERVICE
101. Maps of Facilities
01. Maps, Plans, and Records
02. Distribution Records in District Offices
03. Maps of Manufacturing, Mixing, Compressor, and Storage Facilities
04. Inspection of Facilities
102. Inspection of Customer’s Facilities
103. -- 150. (RESERVED).
-i-
GAS SERVICE RULES IDAPA 31.31.01
RULES 151 THROUGH 200--STANDARDS FOR SERVICE
151. Standard for Service
152. Periodic Tests of Customer Meters
01. Testing of Smaller Capacity Meters
02. Testing of Larger Capacity Meters
153. Meter Proving
01. Meter Provers
02. Additional Meter Proving Stations
03. Testing Apparatus for Large Capacity Meters
04. Accuracy of Meter Provers and Testers
154. Customer Meter Accuracy Requirements
01. Accuracy of Meters
02. Removal of Defective Meters from Service
155. Customer Meter Test Loads
01. Testing of Meters
02. Gas Flows During Testing
156. Customer Meter Test Records
01. Records of Meter Tests
02. Results of Meter Tests
157. Meter Tests Requested by Customers
158. -- 999. (RESERVED).
-ii-
GAS SERVICE RULES IDAPA 31.31.01
RULES 0 THROUGH 100--INTRODUCTION
000. LEGAL AUTHORITY (Rule 0).
These rules are adopted under the general legal authority of the Public Utilities Law, chapters 1
through 7, Title 61, Idaho Code, and the specific authority of sections 61-301, 61-302, 61-303,
61-315, 61-503, 61-507, 61-515, and 61-520, Idaho Code, with regard to safety and service.
(7-1-93)
001. TITLE AND SCOPE (Rule 1).
The name of this chapter is the Gas Service Rules. This chapter has the following scope: All gas
utilities are required to abide by these rules in their provision of gas service. (7-1-93)
002. WRITTEN INTERPRETATIONS OR GUIDELINES (Rule 2).
For rulemakings conducted before July 1, 1993, written interpretations to these rules in the form of
explanatory comments accompanying the order of proposed rulemaking and review of comments
submitted in the order adopting these rules are maintained in the files of the Secretary of the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission and are available from the office of the Commission Secretary. The
Commission Secretary may be contacted in writing at the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, PO
Box 83720, Boise, Idaho 83720-0074, or may be reached by telephone at (208) 334-0300. For
rulemakings conducted after July 1, 1993, written interpretations to these rules in the form of
explanatory comments accompanying the notice of proposed rulemaking that originally proposed the
rules and review of comments submitted in the rulemaking decision adopting these rules are
published in the issues of the Idaho Administrative Bulletin proposing or adopting the rules.
(7-1-93)
003. ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS (Rule 3).
There are no administrative appeals under these rules because they are not procedural rules. If an
issue should arise calling for a proceeding to apply these rules, that proceeding would be conducted
under the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq. (7-1-93)
004. PUBLIC RECORDS ACT COMPLIANCE (Rule 4).
All correspondence with regard to these rules is a public record subject to inspection, examination,
and copying. (7-1-93)
005. DEFINITIONS (Rule 5).
As used in these rules, gas utility or gas corporation means a "gas corporation" as defined by statute
in chapter 1, Title 61, Idaho Code, and orders of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission and
decisions of the Supreme Court of Idaho construing those statutes. (7-1-93)
-1-
GAS SERVICE RULES IDAPA 31.31.01
006. CITATION (Rule 6).
The official citation of these rules is IDAPA 31.31.01.000 et seq. For example, this rule is cited as
IDAPA 31.31.01.006. In documents submitted to the Commission or issued by the Commission,
however, these rules may be cited by their short title of Gas Service Rules (GSR) and the
parenthetical rule number. For example, this rule may be cited as GSR 6. (7-1-93)
007. EFFECTIVE DATE--HISTORY OF RULES (Rule 7).
The Commission adopted predecessors to these rules in the 1960s. They were most recently
codified at IDAPA 31.C.21. They were readopted and reformatted by rulemaking decision in docket
number 16-3101-9301, effective July 1, 1993. The history of rulemaking proceedings preceding the
initiation of the publishing of the Idaho Administrative Bulletin and the Idaho Administrative Code
is available from the Commission Secretary. (7-1-93)
008. -- 100. (RESERVED).
RULES 101 THROUGH 200--CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE
OF FACILITIES FOR TRANSMISSION
AND DISTRIBUTION OF GAS
RULES 101 THROUGH 150--PRELIMINARIES FOR SERVICE
101. MAPS OF FACILITIES (Rule 101).
01. Maps, Plans, and Records. Gas corporations must maintain maps, plans, and records
as prescribed by this rule. A suitable map or maps shall be kept on file in the principal office of each
division or district. The maps shall at all times show the size, character, and location of each street
main, district regulator, street valve and drip, and when practicable, each service connection in the
corresponding territory served. In lieu of showing date of installation and service locations on maps,
a card record or other suitable means may be used. (7-1-93)
02. Distribution Records in District Offices. In each division or district office there shall
be available information about the distribution system that will enable the local representatives at all
times to furnish necessary information regarding rendering of service to existing and prospective
customers. (7-1-93)
03. Maps of Manufacturing, Mixing, Compressor, and Storage Facilities. Each gas
manufacturing or mixing plant and each compressor station and storage facility shall be provided
with an accurate ground plan drawn to a suitable scale, showing the entire layout of the plant or
station, the location, size, and character of plant, equipment, major pipelines, connections, valves,
and other facilities used for the production and delivery of gas, all properly identified. (7-1-93)
-2-
GAS SERVICE RULES IDAPA 31.31.01
04. Inspection of Facilities. In determining whether these rules are being complied with,
the Commission may inspect facilities and records as necessary, as provided in section 61-521,
Idaho Code. [Adopted, G.O. 177C.] (7-1-93)
Statutory Reference: I.C. § 61-521.
102. INSPECTION OF CUSTOMER’S FACILITIES (Rule 102). The gas corporation shall
inspect the customer’s installation before the connection of a meter to ascertain that the installation
conforms to the provisions contained in the National Fuel Gas Code and the Uniform Mechanical
Code, as adopted by the Commission. If the installation on the customer’s premises does not meet
these requirements, the Company shall refuse to connect the meter and shall advise the customer in
writing the reasons for such refusal. See Customer Relations Rule 3.03.a, IDAPA 31.21.01.303.a;
see Safety and Accident Reporting Rules 201 and 202, IDAPA 31.11.01.201 and 31.11.01.202.
[Adopted, G.O. 177C.] (7-1-93)
Cross Reference: 31.11.01201, -202; 31-21-01303.a
103. -- 150. (RESERVED).
RULES 151 THROUGH 200--STANDARDS FOR SERVICE
151. STANDARD FOR SERVICE (Rule 151).
Service to the customer shall assure the customer of adequate pressure, a definite heat content, and
accurate measurement of gas. [Adopted, G.O. 177C.] (7-1-93)
152. PERIODIC TESTS OF CUSTOMER METERS (RULE 152).
01. Testing of Smaller Capacity Meters. All meters with capacities up to and including
four hundred (400) cubic feet per hour (cfh) that have been in service ten (10) or more years as
established by last set date shall be tested within a prescribed sample size as determined in
accordance with military standard 105D. (7-1-93)
02. Testing of Larger Capacity Meters. All meters from four hundred one (401) to three
thousand (3,000) cfh that have been in service ten (10) years as established by last set date shall be
replaced or field tested. [Adopted, G.O. 177C.] (7-1-93)
153. METER PROVING (Rule 153).
01. Meter Provers. Each gas corporation shall own at least one meter prover of a type
approved by the Commission and shall maintain such equipment in proper adjustment and so
calibrated that the error of indication shall not exceed one-half (½) percent. No meter prover shall
be so placed as to subject it to excessive temperature variation and each meter prover shall be
equipped with suitable thermometers and other necessary accessories. (7-1-93)
-3-
GAS SERVICE RULES IDAPA 31.31.01
02. Additional Meter Proving Stations. Additional meter proving stations shall be
installed when and where found necessary by the Commission. (7-1-93)
03. Testing Apparatus for Large Capacity Meters. Each gas utility using orifice meters,
high pressure meters, proportional meters, or other large capacity meters shall own and maintain
testing apparatus of a type approved by the Commission. (7-1-93)
04. Accuracy of Meter Provers and Testers. The accuracy of all provers and methods of
operation may be established from time to time by a representative of the Commission. Any
alterations, accidents, or repairs that might affect the accuracy of any meter prover, or the method of
operating it, shall be promptly reported in writing to the Commission. [Adopted, G.O. 177C.] (7-1-93)
154. CUSTOMER METER ACCURACY REQUIREMENTS (Rule 154).
01. Accuracy of Meters. A new gas meter installed for the use of any customer shall not
be more than two (2) percent slow and not more than one (1) percent fast. Every meter removed
from service when opened for repairs shall be adjusted to be not more than two (2) percent slow and
not more than one (1) percent fast before being reset; and if not opened for repairs may be reset
without adjustment if found to be not more than two (2) percent in error fast or slow, when passing
as in both instances at the test rates provided for in Rule 155 (Customer Meter Test Loads). (7-1-93)
02. Removal of Defective Meters from Service. No meter that is mechanically defective
shall be placed in service or allowed to remain in service after the defect has been discovered. When
any gas meter is not connected in service, the inlet and outlet shall be capped to prevent the drying
out of the diaphragms. [Adopted, G.O. 177C.] (7-1-93)
Cross Reference: 155.
155. CUSTOMER METER TEST LOADS (Rule 155).
01. Testing of Meters. All tests to determine the accuracy of registrations of gas service
meters shall be made with a suitable meter prover or testing equipment. Unless exempted by order
of the Commission, at least two test runs shall be made on each bellows type displacement meter, the
results of which shall agree with each other within one-half of one percent. (7-1-93)
02. Gas Flows During Testing. The rate of flow to be used in testing meters having
capacities up to and including three thousand (3,000) cubic feet per hour shall be twenty (20) percent
and one hundred (100) percent of the rated capacity. The one hundred (100) percent capacity or
open run test shall not be taken into consideration in arriving at the accuracy of these meters. Meters
having capacities of above three thousand (3,000) cubic feet per hour, except orifice meters, shall be
tested both at twenty (20) percent and one hundred (100) percent of their capacity. For the purpose
of determining the accuracy of these meters, the average of twenty (20) percent and one hundred
(100) percent tests shall be used. [Adopted, G.O. 177C.] (7-1-93)
-4-
GAS SERVICE RULES IDAPA 31.31.01
156. CUSTOMER METER TEST RECORDS (Rule 156).
01. Records of Meter Tests. Each gas corporation shall keep records of tests of the
accuracy of each of its meters, until superseded by a later test, but not less than two years. These
records shall give: (7-1-93)
a. sufficient information to identify the meter, (7-1-93)
b. the reason for the test, (7-1-93)
c. the date of the test and reading of the meter, (7-1-93)
d. the name of the person making the test, and (7-1-93)
e. the accuracy as found and as left, together with enough of the data taken at the time
of the test to permit the convenient checking of the methods employed and the calculations. (7-1-93)
02. Results of Meter Tests. Each gas utility shall annually make tabulations of the
results of all meter accuracy tests required by these rules. [Adopted, G.O. 177C.] (7-1-93)
157. METER TESTS REQUESTED BY CUSTOMERS (Rule 157).
Section 61-522, Idaho Code, states: (7-1-93)
Consumer may have commodity or appliance tested. Any consumer or user of any product,
commodity, or service of a public utility may have any appliance used in the measurement thereof
tested upon paying the fees fixed by the commission. The commission shall establish and fix
reasonable fees to be paid for testing such appliances on the request of the consumer or user, the fee
to be paid by the consumer or user at the time of his request, but to be paid by the public utility and
repaid to the consumer or user if the appliance is found defective or incorrect to the disadvantage of
the consumer or user under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the commission.
[Adopted, G.O. 177C.] (7-1-93)
Statutory Reference: I.C. § 61-522.
158. -- 999. (RESERVED).
-5-