192.722w Distribution Mains: Markers. When distribution mains are located outside urban areas, their location shall be marked, recognizable to the public, at each fence line, road crossing, railroad crossing, river, lake, stream, or drainage ditch crossing and wherever it is considered necessary to identify the location of a pipeline to reduce the possibility of damage or interference.
PSC 135.722 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1999, No. 526, eff. 11-1-99. (cw) Every operator shall maintain a gas leak-detection program and shall maintain records of operation under the program. The program shall consist of not less than the following:
(1) In addition to 49 CFR 192.723 (b) (1), a second leakage survey with a leak detection device shall be conducted over street openings in business districts, as shown by maps filed with the public service commission by each utility, each calendar year but not within 4 ½ months of the survey required under 49 CFR 192.723 (b) (1). (2) In each business district, a building survey shall be conducted at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. The piping from the service entrance to the meter outlet and metering and regulating equipment shall be tested for gas leakage in those buildings that have gas service.
(3) A survey of all buildings used for public gatherings, such as schools, churches, hospitals, and theaters, shall be conducted at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. The piping from the service entrance to the meter outlet and metering and regulating equipment shall be tested for gas leakage.
(4) In incorporated cities and villages, in addition to a survey of public buildings, the operator shall conduct a leak survey of all mains using a continuous-sampling instrument capable of detecting and measuring combustible gas in air concentrations of 100 parts per million. The utility may substitute for the test required by this provision a survey by mobile flame ionization or infrared gas detection units. The tests required by this provision shall be made at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year.
(5) Along all mains in unincorporated areas, a leakage survey with leak detection equipment shall be conducted at least once every 2 calendar years at intervals not exceeding 27 months.
(6) A leakage survey of all services conducted with an acceptable leak detection device shall be made at least once every 5 calendar years at intervals not exceeding 63 months.
(7) When a leak complaint is received and the odor of gas indicates that there is a leak in or near the premises, a search shall be conducted until the leak is found.
PSC 135.723 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1999, No. 526, eff. 11-1-99; CR 21-049: am. Register March 2022 No. 795, eff. 4-1-22. PSC 192.724w Further leakage survey after repair of leak. When a leak is found and repaired, a further check shall be made in the vicinity of the repaired leak to determine if there is any other source of migrant gas in the neighborhood.
PSC 135.724 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1999, No. 526, eff. 11-1-99. (hw) Special efforts shall be made to include services which have not been used for ten years in a way that will remove gas from the customers’ premises. The plan shall include all of the following provisions:
(1) If the facilities are abandoned in place, they shall be physically disconnected from the main at the service tee. The open ends of all abandoned facilities shall be capped, plugged, or otherwise effectively sealed.
(2) In cases where a main is abandoned, together with the service lines connected to it, insofar as service lines are concerned, only the customers’ end of the service lines need be sealed.
(3) Until the time a service is abandoned, it shall be treated as active for purposes of applying the regulations of 49 CFR 192. If a service line is not treated as an active line, it shall be physically disconnected at the main and purged, no later than 2 years after becoming inactive. PSC 135.727 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1999, No. 526, eff. 11-1-99; CR 21-049: am. Register March 2022 No. 795, eff. 4-1-22. (cw) All aboveground oil or gasoline storage tanks shall be constructed and protected in accordance with ch. ATCP 93. PSC 135.741PSC 135.741 Pressure limiting and regulating stations: telemetering or recording gauges addition [49 CFR 192.741]. After 49 CFR 192.741(c), insert: (dw) Each low pressure distribution system shall be equipped with telemetering or recording pressure gage or gages as may be required to properly indicate the gas pressure in the system at all times. At least once each year the pressure variation shall be determined throughout each system.
PSC 135.741 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1999, No. 526, eff. 11-1-99. PSC 192.744w Service regulators and associated safety devices: inspection and testing. Service regulators and associated safety devices on customers’ premises shall be inspected and tested periodically to determine whether they are in proper operating condition. This shall include testing of the set pressure of the regulator at a specific flow rate, determination of the lock-up pressure, and determination as to whether there are any leaks, internal or external, associated with the regulator. The test interval shall be the same as the interval between meter changes in the meter rotation program under s. PSC 134.30. PSC 135.744 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1999, No. 526, eff. 11-1-99. (1w) Inspection shall include checking of alignment to permit use of a key or wrench and clearing from the valve box or vault any debris which would interfere or delay the operation of the valve. Records shall be maintained to show specific valve location and the records shall be made continuously accessible to authorized personnel for use under emergency conditions.
(2w) Existing connections in the form of inline valves between low pressure gas distribution systems and high pressure gas distribution systems shall be physically severed by January 1, 1974.
(3w) The by-pass valves in district regulator stations supplying gas to a low pressure distribution system shall be sealed, locked or otherwise be rendered incapable of operation, except by authorized personnel.
PSC 135.747 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1999, No. 526, eff. 11-1-99; CR 21-049: am. Register March 2022 No. 795, eff. 4-1-22. (dw) Whenever the accidental ignition in the open air of gas-air mixture might be likely to cause personal injury or property damage, precautions shall be taken, including all of the following:
(1) Prohibit smoking and open flames in the area.
(2) Install a metallic bond around the location of cuts in gas pipes to be made by other means than cutting torches.
(3) Take precautions to prevent static electricity sparks.
(4) Provide fire extinguishers of appropriate size and type.
PSC 135.751 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1999, No. 526, eff. 11-1-99.
