23.Possible new policy for pressure testing

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STAFF REPORT PRESSURE TESTING OF NATURAL GAS LINES Background Prior to 2001, Texas had no statewide standards for any residential or commercial buildings constructed within a city. Each city chose what, if any, building code(s) to adopt for construction in the city limits, and each city amended its code to meet local concerns. The most common codes adopted by cities were the Uniform Building Codes and the Southern Standard Building Code. In 2001, the Texas Legislature adopted S.B. 365 (now codified in the Texas Local Government Code 214.211 et seq.). S.B. 365 adopted the International Residential Code (IRC) and the National Electrical Code (NEC) as the standard building codes for residential construction in Texas cities effective 1-1-2002. Under the statute, cities were authorized to make amendments to these codes to meet local concerns. In 2005, the Texas Legislature adopted the International Building Code for most commercial and multi-family construction. Again, local amendments could be made to the code. As of October 31, 2008, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation requires cities to follow the 2006 versions of International Building Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Residential Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Existing Building Code, and the 2008 version of the National Electric Code. Issue in Question OBJECTION HAS BEEN RAISED TO THE CITY OF PARIS' REQUIREMENT TO HAVE A PLUMBER CHECK THE GAS PIPING SYSTEM OF ANY STURCTURE WHERE THE GAS HAS BEEN OFF FOR 30 DAYS OR LONGER. The National Fuel Gas Code states in section 8.2.3 under the heading Leak Check the following: "Immediately after the gas is turned on into a new system or into a system that has been initially restored after an interruption of service, the piping system shall be checked for leakage. Where leakage is indicated, the gas supply shall be shut off until the necessary repairs have been made." This would indicate that anytime, no matter how brief a time, that gas service is cut off it is required that the piping system must be checked for leaks. The International Fuel Gas Code states in sections 406.4.1 and 406.4.2 the following: Test Pressure. The test pressure to be used shall be no less than 1.5 times the proposed maximum working pressure, but not less than 3 psig irrespective of design pressure. Where the test pressure exceeds 125 psig, the test pressure shall not exceed a value that produces a hoop stress in the piping greater than 50 percent of the specified minimum yield strength of the pipe. Test Duration. Test duration shall not be less than'/2 hour for each 500 cubic feet of pipe 166