Customer Buried Piping Notice
Hibbing Public Utilities will notify each customer that owns "customer buried natural gas piping"
of the following information:
1. Hibbing Public Utilities does not maintain the customer's buried piping.
2. If the customer's buried piping is not maintained, it may be subject to the potential hazards
of corrosion and leakage.
3. Customer buried piping should be inspected for leaks and if the piping is metallic, inspected
for corrosion. If an unsafe condition is discovered, it should be repaired.
4. When excavating near the customer's buried gas piping, the piping should be located in
advance and the excavation done by hand. Plumbing contractors and heating contractors
may be of assistance in locating, inspecting and repairing the customer's buried gas piping.
Hibbing Public Utilities will notify each pertaining customer no later than 90 days after the
customer first receives gas at a particular location, and no later than once in a three-year period
thereafter.
(a)
This section applies to each operator of a service line who does not maintain the customer's
buried piping up to entry of the first building downstream, or, if the customer's buried piping
does not enter a building, up to the principal gas utilization equipment or the first fence (or
wall) that surrounds that equipment. For the purpose of this section, "customer's buried
piping" does not include branch lines that serve yard lanterns, pool heaters, or other types
of secondary equipment. Also, "maintain" means monitor for corrosion according to
§192.465 if the customer's buried piping is metallic, survey for leaks according to§ 192.723,
and if an unsafe condition is found, shut off the flow of gas, advise the customer of the
need to repair the unsafe condition, or repair the unsafe condition.
(b)
Each operator shall notify each customer once in writing of the following information:
a.
The operator does not maintain the customer's buried piping.
b.
If the customer's buried piping is not maintained, it may be subject to the potential
hazard or corrosion and leakage.
c.
Buried gas piping should be:
i.
Periodically inspected for leaks;
ii. Periodically inspected for corrosion if the piping is metallic; and\
iii. Repaired if any unsafe condition is discovered
(c)
When excavating near buried gas piping, the piping should be located in advance, and the
excavation done by hand.
(d)
The Operator if applicable, plumbing contractors, and heating contractors can assist in
locating, inspecting, and repairing the customer's buried piping.
(e)
Each Operator shall notify each customer no later than August 14, 1996, or 90 days after
the customer first receives gas at a particular location, whichever is later. However,
operators of maters meter systems may continuously post a general notice in a prominent
location frequented by customers.
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