Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 515 - RULES OF GEORGIA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Chapter 515-9 - SAFE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS › Subject 515-9-1 - SAFE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS › Rule 515-9-1-.05 - Leak Standards

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
Natural gas leaks shall be classified at three levels as
				  described in Exhibits "A","B", and "C" attached hereto.**
* Form GC-1 appears on page 78.02
** Exhibits A, B and C start on page 78.02-1
GEORGIA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
FORM GC-1
REPORT OF SPECIFICATIONS OF PROPOSED
				  CONSTRUCTION
Operator: Date:____________________
				  Date:_____________________
Mailing
				  Address:______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Authorized
				  Representative:____________________________________
Title:________________________________________________________
Construction
				  Route:___________________________________________
From Street/Mile Post #:_______________
				  County:_______________
To Street/Mile Post #:________________
				  County:________________
New Construction:______________
				  Reconstruction:_______________
Estimated Dates: Start of
				  Construction:_______________________
Completion of Construction:_________________________
Length of Pipeline(s):_____________________
Size of Pipeline(s):_______________________
Type and/or Grade of
				  Pipeline(s):_____________________________
Operating
				  Pressure:___________________________________________
Sent To: Georgia Public Service Commission
Gas Safety Office
244 Washington Street, S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30334
EXHIBIT "A"
GRADE
DEFINITION
ACTION CRITERIA
EXAMPLES
1
A leak that represents an existing or probable
								hazard to persons or property, and requires immediate repair or continuous
								action until the conditions are no longer hazardous.
Requires prompt action
* to protect life and property, and continuous
								action until the conditions are no longer hazardous.
* The prompt action in some instances may require
								one or more of the following:
a. Implementation of company emergency plan
								(192.615)
b. Evacuating premises.
c. Blocking off an area.
d. Rerouting traffic.
e. Eliminating sources of ignition.
f. Venting the area.
g. Stopping the flow of gas by closing valves or
								other means.
h. Notifying police and fire departments.
1. Any leak which, in the judgement of operating
								personnel at the scene, is regarded as an immediate hazard.
2. Escaping gas that has ignited.
3. Any indication of gas which has migrated into
								or under a building, or into a tunnel.
4. Any reading at the outside wall of a building,
								or where gas would likely migrate to an outside wall of a building.
5. Any reading of 80% LEL, or greater, in a
								confined space.
6. Any reading of 80% LEL, or greater in small
								substructures (other than gas associated substructures) from which gas would
								likely migrate to the outside wall of a building.
7. Any leak that can be seen, heard or felt, and
								which is in a location that may endanger the general public or property.
EXHIBIT "B"
GRADE
DEFINITION
ACTION CRITERIA
EXAMPLES
2
Leak that is recognized as being non-hazardous at
								the time of detection, but justifies scheduled repair based on probable future
								hazard.
Leaks should be repaired or cleared within one
								calendar year, but no later than 15 months from the date the leak was reported.
								In determining the repair priority, criteria such as the following should be
								considered.
a. Amount of migration of gas.
b. Proximity of gas to buildings and subsurface
								structures.
c. Extent of pavement.
d. Soil types, and soil conditions (such as frost
								cap, moisture and natural venting).
Grade 2 leaks should be reevaluated at least once
								every six months until cleared. The frequency of reevaluation should be
								determined by the location and magnitude of the leakage contition.
Grade 2 leaks may vary greatly in degree of
								potential hazard. Some Grade 2 leaks, when evaluated by the above criteria, may
								justify scheduled repair within the next 5 working days. Others will justify
								repair within 30 days. During the working day on which the leak is discovered,
								these situations should be brought to the attention of the individual
								responsible for scheduling leak repair.
On the other hand, many Grade 2 leaks, because of
								their location and magnitude, can be scheduled for repair on a normal routine
								basis with periodic reinspection as necessary.
A. Leaks Requiring Action Ahead of Ground Freezing
								or Other Adverse Changes in Venting Conditions. Any leak which, under frozen or
								other adverse soil conditions, would likely migrate to the outside wall of a
								building.
B. Leaks Requiring Action Within Six
								Months.
1. Any reading of 40% LEL, or greater under a
								sidewalk in a wall-to-wall paved area that does not qualify as a Grade 1
								leak.
2. Any reading of 100% LEL, or greater, under a
								street in a wall-to-wall paved area that has significant gas migration and does
								not qualify as a Grade 1 leak.
3. Any reading less than 80% LEL in small
								substructures (other than gas associated substructures) from which gas would
								likely migrate creating a probable future hazard.
4. Any reading between 20% LEL and 80% LEL in a
								confined space.
5. Any reading on a pipeline operating at 30%
								SMYS, or greater, in a class 3 or 4 location, which does not qualify as a Grade
								1 leak.
6. Any reading of 80% LEL, or greater, in gas
								associated substructures.
7. Any leak which, in the judgement of operating
								personnel at the scene, is of sufficient magnitude to justify scheduled repair.
EXHIBIT ''C''
GRADE
DEFINITION
ACTION CRITERIA
EXAMPLES
3
A leak that is non- hazardous at the time of
								detection and can be reasonably expected to remain non-hazardous.
These leaks should be reevaluated during the next
								scheduled survey, or within 15 months of the date reported, whichever occurs
								first, until the leak is regraded or no longer results in a reading.
A. Leaks Requiring Reevaluation at Periodic
								Intervals
1. Any reading of less than 80% LEL in small gas
								associated substructures.
2. Any reading under a street in areas without
								wall-to-wall paving where it is unlikley the gas could migrate to the outside
								wall of a building.
3. Any reading of less than 20% LEL in a confined
								space.
Ga. L. 1878-79, p. 125
				  as amended; Ga. L. 1956, pp. 104-110; 1967, pp. 650-651; 1975, Sec. 2, p. 406;
				  1989, p. 692