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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 20.57.02.09" title_num="20" subtitle_num="57" chapter_num="02" heading="Hazardous Facility Notice.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>General. After an inspection, report, or complaint, the Division may find a particular facility to be hazardous to life or property if the Division determines that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The equipment, material, or technique used in the construction of the pipeline facility or its components poses a hazard to life or property; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The operation of the pipeline facility poses a hazard to life or property.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Determining Factors. In determining a facility hazardous to life or property, the Division may consider the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The characteristics of the pipe and other equipment used in a pipeline facility, including age, manufacturer, physical properties, resistance to corrosion and deterioration, and methods of manufacture, construction, and assembly;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The nature of the materials transported by the facility, including the corrosive and deteriorative qualities, and the sequence in which the materials are transported through the pipeline;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The location of the pipeline facility;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The climatic and geologic conditions associated with the area;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The population, population density, and growth patterns of the area; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The adequacy of records demonstrating absence of a hazardous condition.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Notice.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If the Division finds a pipeline facility to be hazardous to life or property, the chief engineer shall issue a hazardous facility notice.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A hazardous facility notice shall provide an opportunity for a Commission hearing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The chief engineer may request that the Commission issue an order setting a hearing date and finalizing a hazardous facility order before a hearing under this section, if failure to do so would result in the likelihood of serious harm to life or property.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Content.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A hazardous facility notice shall contain:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A finding that the pipeline facility is hazardous to life or property;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The facts on which the finding is based;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The legal basis of the notice;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The nature and description of the particular corrective action required of the gas company or gas master meter operator; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>The date by which the required action shall be taken or completed and, when appropriate, the duration of the notice.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Corrective action under §D(1)(d) of this regulation may include suspended or restricted use of the facility, physical inspection, testing, repair, replacement, or other action as appropriate.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>