Title 20 — Subtitle 56. Liquefied Petroleum Gas Systems

“Accident” has the meaning stated in Public Utility Companies Article, §5-304, Annotated Code of Maryland.

“Accuracy” means the degree of conformity of a measure to a standard or true value.

“Associated metering device” means an instrument used to adjust the quantity of gas measured by a meter, based on the measurement of the:

“Check flow” means a flow of gas at 20—50 percent of the rated capacity of a meter.

“Commission” means the Public Service Commission of Maryland.

“Full rated flow” means a flow of gas at approximately 100 percent of the rated capacity of a meter.

“Gas” means LPG in the vapor state.

“LPG” means liquified petroleum gas which includes propane, or butane, or other combustible gases, or mixtures thereof.

“LPG system” means an LPG service installation located in Maryland that provides service to:

“Meter” means a device used by an owner to measure a quantity of gas.

“Owner” means the person, as defined in Public Utilities Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland, owning the LPG system.

The location of each LPG system;

The number of customers or dwelling units provided service by each LPG system; and

The name, address, and telephone number of the office of the person responsible for each LPG system.

49 CFR Part 191 Transportation of Natural Gas and Other Gas by Pipeline; Annual Reports, Incident Reports, and Safety Related Condition Reports, as amended;

49 CFR Part 192 Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards, as amended; and

The applicable provisions in the GPTC Guide for Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems, which is incorporated by reference under COMAR 20.55.02.02.

At least once each calendar year, at intervals not exceeding 15 months, for a pipeline located in a business district or place of public assembly;

At least once every 3 calendar years, at intervals not exceeding 39 months, for a pipeline made of cast iron, ductile iron, and cathodically unprotected steel; or

At least once every 5 calendar years, at intervals not exceeding 63 months, for all other types of pipelines.

Each owner shall establish written procedures for conducting gas leak surveys as specified in this chapter.

Acceptable methods for owners conducting gas leak surveys, as described in the GPTC Guide for Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems, include:

In addition to the acceptable methods listed in §B(2) of this regulation, other survey and test methods that have been tested and proven to be at least equal to the methods listed in §B(2) of this regulation and approved by the Commission may be used to meet the requirements of §B(1) of this regulation.

An owner shall conduct a leakage survey on each new or replaced service line before the line is placed in service, but after backfilling and a reasonable period of gas pressurizing.

After a leak repair, an owner shall conduct a gas leakage survey in accordance with §B of this regulation.

An owner shall maintain a record of each leak survey listing by location and date for the following:

An owner shall maintain the records required under §E(1) of this regulation as long as the segment of pipeline involved remains in service.

An owner shall install tracer wire on all newly installed plastic pipes.

When the open trenching method of pipeline construction is used, an owner shall install suitable identification tape at least 12 inches above the top of the pipe.

Residential customer meters shall be placed as close to the exterior building wall as possible.

Gas service may not be provided to new or renewed service lines if there is any underground pipeline after the meter, unless the pipeline carries gas only to gas utilization equipment located outdoors.

If it is not possible to comply with §B(1) or (2) of this regulation, written permission shall be obtained from the Commission before placing the meter and activating the service.

If a residential service line is replaced, the new service line shall be installed as provided in §B(1)—(3) of this regulation.

In the event of a fatal accident, an owner shall promptly notify the Commission of the fatal accident by telephone.

A written report shall be submitted to the Commission within 20 days of the date of the incident resulting in the fatal accident reported under §B(1) of this regulation.

An owner shall notify the Commission in writing at least 10 days before the estimated start date of a major construction project.

A major construction project includes:

The notification required by this regulation shall be on a form provided by the Commission.

Meter Accuracy.

Leak Test. An owner shall test a meter for leaks before the meter is placed in service.

Sample Testing New Meters. An owner may sample test new meters for accuracy in accordance with a sample plan approved by the Commission.

Request for Test. Upon request by a customer and at no charge, the owner shall test the accuracy of the meter and associated metering device, if installed, serving the customer. A test under this subsection need not be made more often than once in 18 months.

Customer May Observe. The customer, or the customer's representative, may be present when the test is performed.

Report to Customer. A report of the results of the test shall be made to the customer within a reasonable time after the completion of the test, and a record of the report, together with a complete record of the test, shall be kept on file at the office of the owner for at least 3 years.

Application for Test. Upon written application to the Commission by a customer or an owner, an accuracy test shall be made of the customer's meter and associated metering device, if installed, as soon as practicable by a representative of the Commission. A test under this subsection need not be made more often than once in 18 months.

Deposit for Test. The application under §D(1) of this regulation shall be accompanied by a $10 deposit.

Notice to Owner. On receipt of a request from a customer, the Commission shall notify the owner and the owner may not knowingly remove or adjust the meter and associated metering device, if installed, unless instructed by the Commission. The owner shall furnish to the Commission's representative reasonable assistance if required to make the test.

Customer May Observe. The customer, or the customer's representative, may be present when the test is performed.

Report to Customer. A written report of the results of the test shall be sent to the customer and to the owner.

Disposition of Deposit. If the accuracy test shows an over-registration of more than 2 percent at check flow, a deposit shall be refunded by the Commission and the owner billed the amount of the deposit. If the accuracy test shows an under-registration or an over-registration of 2 percent or less at check flow, the Commission shall retain the deposit.

An owner shall prepare and submit to the Commission an in-service performance plan.

The Commission shall approve an owner's in-service performance plan before its implementation.

An owner shall perform an in-service accuracy test of meters and associated metering devices, if installed, on a periodic interval or variable interval basis.

Report.

Fast Meters.

Slow Meters. If an accuracy test shows an under-registration of more than 2 percent at check flow, the owner may bill the customer 1/2 of the unbilled undercharge for a period of 12 months, unless the meter has been tested within that 12-month period, in which event the utility may bill the customer 1/2 the unbilled undercharge for the period since the meter was last tested. If the amount of under-registration is less than $20, the utility may not bill the customer for the undercharge.

Nonregistering Meters.

Manufacturer;

Number;

Type;

Capacity;

Multiplier;

Constants;

Pressure rating; and

Compensated index with associated pressure.

Date of each installation;

Date of each removal from service; and

Current location.

The date and reason for the test;

The reading of the meter before making any test;

The accuracy “as found” at check flow and full rated flow; and

The accuracy “as left”, if applicable, at check flow and full rated flow.