20030812Notice of Proposed Rule.pdf

IDAPA 31-IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
31.11.01-SAFETY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING RULES
FOR UTILITIES REGULATED BY THE
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
DOCKET NO. 31-1101-0301
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE
AUTHORITY: In compliance with Section 67-5220(1), Idaho Code, notice is hereby given of the
Public Utilities Commission s proposed rulemaking. This action is authorized pursuant to Sections 61-
515, Idaho Code.
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE: A public hearing concerning this rulemaking will be scheduled
only ifrequested in writing by twenty-five (25) persons, a political subdivision, or an agency, not later
than October 15, 2003. The hearing site will be accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for
accommodations must be made no later than five (5) days prior to the hearing, to the Commission
address set out below.
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY: The following is a non-technical explanation of the substance and
purpose of the proposed rule:
The Commission s Safety and Accident Reporting Rules currently adopt by reference several national
safety codes. In Rule 202 , the Commission proposes to adopt the 2003 edition of the International
Fuel Gas Code (IFGC). The Commission proposes to replace the previously adopted 1999 edition of
the National Fuel Gas Code with the 2003 edition of the IFGc. The IFGC is intended to be consistent
and inclusive with the latest edition of the National Fuel Gas Code (2002). Idaho Code ~9 39-4109
and 39-4116 permit local governments to adopt various International Codes published by the
International Code Council. Most if not all communities that have adopted a fuel gas code have
adopted the IFGC.
In Rule 203 , the Commission proposes to adopt those portions of the 2003 International Mechanical
Code (IMC) that explicitly refer to gas or gas-burning appliances. The IMC is published by the
International Code Council. Portions of the IMC will replace the previously adopted 2000 edition of
the Uniform Mechanical Code. Nearly all communities that have adopted a mechanical code have
adopted the IMC.
FEE SUMMARY: There are no fees associated with this proposed rulemaking.
NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING: Pursuant to IDAPA 04.11.01.0811 , negotiated rulemaking was
not conducted because these proposed rules adopt national safety codes dealing with the provision of
natural gas services.
ASSISTANCE ON TECHNICAL QUESTIONS, SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN COMMENTS:
For assistance on technical questions concerning the proposed rules, contact Donald L. Howell, II
Deputy Attorney General, at [phone] or Michael Fuss, PUC Staff Engineer, at [phone].
Anyone may submit written comments regarding these proposed rules. All written comments
concerning the proposed rules must be delivered to the Commission Secretary at the address identified
below or must be postmarked on or before October 22, 2003. Persons desiring to comment are
encouraged to submit written comments at their earliest convenience rather than wait until the
comment deadline.
DATED at Boise, Idaho this I~ day of August 2003.
~~ll
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]
Street address for express delivery:
472 W Washington
Boise, ill 83702-5983
IDAPA31
TITLE
CHAPTER 01
31.11.01-SAFETY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING RULES FOR UTILITIES
REGULATED BY IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
202. INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE (NIFGA) (Rule 202).
01. Adoption By Reference. The Commission adopts by reference the NFPA 54 ANSI
Z223.1 NInternational Fuel Gas Code, -l-999 2003 Edition and the errata 99-l- dated April H-,
;moo 23,2003 The 1999 Edition of the National Fuel Gas Code is designated as "'\NSI Z223.
1999 by the J\morican National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI), and as l'WP".. 54 1999 by the
National Fire Protection "ssociation (NFp"The NInternational Fuel Gas Code is jointly
published by the .merican Gas "'\ssociation , Codes and Standards, 400 N. Capitol Streot, NW
Vashington, D.C. 20001 and the National Fire Protection "ssociation, 1 Battorymarch Park, PO
Box 9101 , Quincy, Massachusetts 02269 9101 , and International Code Council, 5203 Leesburg
Pike, Suite 600, Falls Church, VA 22041. The Code is available from them the Code Council
and may be ordered online at www.iccsafe.org. Telephone orders may be placed by calling toll-
free -1--800-344 3555 284-4406 (3 30 01)(
02. Utility Compliance.All gas corporations subject to the jurisdiction of this
Commission are required to abide by applicable provisions of the NInternational Fuel Gas Code
and to connect for service and light only those installations that:
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 NInternational Fuel Gas Code as a condition of receiving service or
continuing to receive service.(4 1 98)(
203. UNIFORM: INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE (YIMC) (Rule 203).
01. Adoption By Reference. The Commission adopts by reference those portions of the
2003 Uniform International Mechanical Code 2000 Edition and the undated first errata explicitly
referring to gas or gas-burning appliances; provided, howeyor, that unvented room heaters not
meeting the requirements of Section 807 (c) of the Uniform Mechanical Code may be connected
for service if they comply with Sections 6.24 and 7.2 of the National Fuel Gas Code. The
Uniform International Mechanical Code 2000 Edition is published by the International
f~ssociation of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials Code Council 20001 South \Valnut Dri'
Vlalnut, California 91789 2825 5203 Leesburg Pike, Suite 600, Falls Church, VA 22041 and
may be ordered by calling toll-free 800-284-4406 or online at www.iccsafe.org
(3 30 01)(
02. Utility Compliance. Gas Gforporations subject to the jurisdiction of this
Commission are required to abide by applicable provisions of the Uniform International
Mechanical Code and to connect for service and light only those installations that:
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 Uniform International Mechanical Code; pro';ided, hov/e'/er, that
unvented room heaters not meeting the requirements of Section 807( c) of the Uniform
Mechanical Code may be connected for service if they comply with Sections 6.24 and 7.2 of the
National Fuel Gas Code as a condition of receiving service or continuing to receive service.
(4 1 98)(