20190820Staff Track Changes Recommendations Gas Service Rules.pdf

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IDAPA 31
TITLE 31
CHAPTER 01
31.31.01 – GAS SERVICE RULES

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 [phone].
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)

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)

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CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF
FACILITIES FOR TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION OF GAS
RULES 101 THROUGH 200

PRELIMINARIES FOR SERVICE
RULES 101 THROUGH 150

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 and 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 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 02. 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)

04 03. 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. (7-1-93)

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 301, IDAPA 31.21.01.301; see Safety and Accident Reporting Rules 201, IDAPA
31.11.01.201. (7-1-93)

103. -- 150. (RESERVED)

STANDARDS FOR SERVICE
RULES 151 THROUGH 200

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. (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

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tested within a prescribed sample size as determined in accordance with military standard 105D ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 and
Z1.9. (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.
(7-1-93)

153. METER PROVING (RULE 153).

01. Meter Provers. Each gas corporation shall own at least one (1) 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 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. Additional meter
proving station shall be installed when and where found necessary by the Commission.
(7-1-93)

02. Additional Meter Proving Stations. Additional meter proving stations shall be installed when and
where found necessary by the Commission. (7-1-93)

03 02. 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 03. 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. (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 percent (2%) slow and not more than one percent (1%) fast. Every meter removed from service when opened for
repairs shall be adjusted to be not more than two percent (2%) slow and not more than one percent (1%) fast before
being reset; and if not opened for repairs may be reset without adjustment if found to be not more than two percent
(2%) 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 diagrams. (7-1-93)

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
(2) 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 (.5%). (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 percent (20%) and one hundred percent
(100%) of the rated capacity. The one hundred percent (100%) 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 percent (20%) and one hundred percent (100%)
of their capacity. For the purpose of determining the accuracy of these meters, the average of twenty percent (20%)
and one hundred percent (100%) tests shall be used. (7-1-93)

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156. CUSTOMER METER TEST RECORDS (RULE 156).

01. Records of Meter Tests. Annually each gas utility will make tabulations of the results of all meter
accuracy tests required by these rules, Each gas corporation shall and keep records of tests of the accuracy of each of
its meters, until superseded by a later test, but not less than two (2) 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. (7-1-93)

157. METER TESTS REQUESTED BY CUSTOMERS (RULE 157).
Section 61-522, Idaho Code, states:

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.
(7-1-93)

1587. -- 999. (RESERVED)