New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 16 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE › Chapter III - GAS UTILITIES › Subchapter C - Safety › Part 255 - Transmission And Distribution Of Gas › Accidents and Leaks › Section 255.805 - Leaks: general

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
(a) Any
					 notification of a gas leak or gas odor, or any notification of damage to
					 facilities by contractors or other outside sources shall constitute the need
					 for prompt action.
(b) Each
					 operator shall be responsible for the leak investigation, classification, and
					 repair of each leak found on its below-grade system and shall establish a means
					 by which it determines the appropriate surveillance interval at leak locations
					 under frost conditions.
(c) Leaks
					 found to be on exposed piping or facilities need not be classified; however,
					 each operator shall establish procedures for immediate elimination of potential
					 hazards resulting therefrom.
(d)
					 The purpose of the leak classification system is to determine the degree or
					 extent of the potential hazard which results from gas leakage and to prescribe
					 remedial actions therefor.
(e)
					 Classifications shall be made only by individuals who possess training,
					 experience, and knowledge in the field of leak classification and
					 investigation, including extensive association with actual leakage work. The
					 judgment of the aforementioned individuals, based upon all pertinent
					 information and a complete leakage investigation at the scene, will form the
					 basis for the classification.
(f)
					 Percentages of gas-in-air included hereafter are based on natural gas. Where
					 liquefied petroleum, manufactured or other gases are involved, appropriate
					 adjustment shall be made as may be required, consistent with the lower
					 explosive limit (LEL) of such gas or mixture of gases.
(g) Prior to downgrading a leak without any
					 repair, at least one additional surveillance at the normal interval is required
					 to verify that a lower class of hazard exists. Except for leaks downgraded to
					 type 3 classification, which do not require a time limit for repair, if a leak
					 is reclassified to a lower hazard level, the original date of discovery
					 determines the time period for repair. In no case shall the time limit for
					 required repair of any leak exceed one year from the date of discovery. This
					 requirement does not apply to leaks classified as type 2 or 2A based on
					 consideration of frost conditions nor to leaks, at the time of discovery,
					 classified at a higher level pending a further, more complete investigation of
					 the leak hazard area.
(h) When a
					 leak is upgraded to a higher hazard level, the time period for repair is the
					 remaining time based on its original classification or the time allowed for its
					 new classification, whichever is less. This does not apply to leaks classified
					 at a higher hazard level based on consideration of frost conditions nor to
					 leaks, at the time of discovery, classified at a lower level pending a further,
					 more complete investigation of the leak hazard area.