This article shall be known as the “Natural Gas Code” of the City of Sundown, Texas and may be cited as such.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 4, Section 5-4-1)
(a) 
Adoption.
The International Fuel Gas Code, 2003 edition, (“the code”) a publication of the International Code Council (ICC), is hereby adopted and designated as the official fuel gas code of the city to the same extent as if such code were copied verbatim in this article subject to the amendments prescribed in subsection (b) below. Any provision of the code in conflict with the amendments prescribed in subsection (b) below is hereby repealed. A copy of the International Fuel Gas Code, 2003 edition, and the amendments thereto shall be maintained by the office of the city secretary as an original document and ordinance of the city.
(b) 
Amendments.
The following amendments are made to the International Fuel Gas Code, 2003 edition:
(1) 
Section 403.4.2 is amended in its entirety to provide as follows:
403.4.2 Steel. Wrought-iron and steel pipe shall not be used, unless said pipe is black steel.
(2) 
Section 403.4.3 is amended in its entirety to provide as follows:
403.4.3 Copper and brass. Copper and brass pipe shall not be used.
(3) 
Section 403.4.4 is amended in its entirety to provide as follows:
403.4.4 Aluminum. Aluminum-alloy pipe shall not be used.
(4) 
Section 403.5 is amended in its entirety to provide as follows:
403.5 Metallic tubing. Metallic tubing shall comply with sections 403.5.1 through 403.5.4.
(5) 
Section 403.5.1 is amended in its entirety to provide as follows:
403.4.1 Steel tubing. Steel tubing shall not be used, unless said tubing is black steel.
(6) 
Section 403.5.2 is amended in its entirety to provide as follows:
403.5.2 Copper and brass tubing. Copper and brass tubing shall not be used.
(7) 
Section 403.5.3 is amended in its entirety to provide as follows:
403.5.3 Aluminum tubing. Aluminum-alloy tubing shall not be used.
(8) 
Section 403.5.4 is amended in its entirety to provide as follows:
403.5.4 Corrugated stainless steel tubing. Corrugated stainless steel tubing shall not be used.
(9) 
Section 411.1 is amended in its entirety to provide as follows:
411.1 Connection appliances. Appliances shall be connected to the piping system by one of the following:
1. 
Approved flexible connector designed for the application.
2. 
Rigid metallic pipe and fittings, as approved by the code official.
3. 
Semirigid metallic tubing and metallic fittings. Lengths shall not exceed 6 feet (1829 mm) and shall be located entirely in the same room as the appliance. Semirigid metallic tubing shall not enter a motor-operated appliance through an unprotected knockout opening.
4. 
Listed and labeled appliance connectors installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and located entirely in the same room as the appliance.
5. 
Listed and labeled quick-disconnect devices used in conjunction with listed and labeled appliance connectors.
6. 
Listed and labeled convenience outlets used in conjunction with listed and labeled appliance connectors.
7. 
Listed and labeled appliance connectors complying with ANSI Z21.69 and listed for use with food service equipment having casters, or that is otherwise subject to movement for cleaning, and other large movable equipment.
(Ordinance 514 adopted 11/12/13)
Notwithstanding any provision in this article to the contrary, consumer’s piping installed prior to the adoption of this article or piping installed to supply other than natural gas may be converted to natural gas, if the inspector finds, upon inspection and proper tests, that such piping will render reasonable satisfactory gas service to the consumer and will not in any way endanger life or property; otherwise, such piping shall be altered or replaced, in whole or in part, to conform with the requirements of this article.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 4, Section 5-4-3)
(a) 
Before any person shall do any work or make any connections with the gas system, or do any work connected or intended to be connected with the gas system, he shall be licensed as provided in Article 6243-101 Revised Civil Statutes.
(b) 
All persons qualifying under subsection (a) of this section, desiring to work on the gas system in the city, shall first secure a permit from the gas inspector.
(c) 
Nothing herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting an individual from installing or repairing his own appliances or installing, extending, replacing, altering, or repairing consumer’s piping on his own premises, or as requiring a license or bond from an individual doing such work on his own premises, provided, however, all such work must be done in conformity with all other provisions of this article, including those relating to permits, inspection, and fees.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 4, Section 5-4-4)
To provide for the administration and enforcement of this article, the office of gas inspector is hereby created. The inspector, and such assistants as may be necessary in the proper performance of the duties of the office, shall be appointed by the City Council of the City of Sundown, Texas, and the compensation for such office shall be determined at the time of appointment.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 4, Section 5-4-5)
(a) 
The inspector is authorized and directed to enforce all of the provisions of this article, and the inspector, upon presentation of proper credentials, may enter any building or premises at reasonable times for the purpose of making inspections or preventing violations of this article.
(b) 
The inspector is authorized to disconnect any gas piping or fixture or appliance for which a certificate of approval is required but has not been issued with respect to same, or which, upon inspection shall be found defective or in such condition as to endanger life or property. In all cases where such a disconnection is made, a notice shall be attached to the piping, fixture, or appliance disconnected by the inspector, which notice shall state that the same has been disconnected by the inspector, together with the reason or reasons therefore, and it shall be unlawful for any person to remove said notice or reconnect said gas piping or fixture or appliance without authorization by the inspector and such gas piping or fixture or appliance shall not be put in service or used until the inspector has attached his certificate of approval in lieu of his prior disconnection notice.
(c) 
It shall be the duty of the inspector to confer from time to time with representatives of the local health department, the local fire department, and the gas company, and otherwise obtain from proper sources all helpful information and advice, presenting same to the town officials from time to time for their consideration.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 4, Section 5-4-6)
(a) 
No person shall install a gas conversion burner, floor furnace, central heating plant, vented recessed heater, water heater, boiler, consumer’s gas piping, or convert existing piping to utilize natural gas without first obtaining a permit to do such work from the city clerk; however, permits will not be required for setting or connecting other gas appliances, or for the repair of leaks in house piping.
(b) 
When only temporary use of gas is desired, the inspector may issue a permit for such use, for a period of not to exceed sixty (60) days, provided the consumer’s gas piping to be used is given a test equal to that required for a Final Piping Inspection.
(c) 
Gas company shall not be required to obtain permits to set meters, or to extend, relocate, remove, or repair its service lines, mains, or other facilities, or for work having to do with its own gas system.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 4, Section 5-4-7)
(a) 
Rough Piping Inspection.
Shall be made after all new piping authorized by the permit has been installed, and before any such piping has been covered or concealed or any fixtures or gas appliances have been attached thereto.
(b) 
Final Piping Inspection.
Shall be made after all piping authorized by the permit has been installed and after all portions thereof which are to be concealed by plastering or otherwise have been so concealed, and before any fixtures or gas appliances have been attached thereto. This inspection shall include a pressure test, at which time the piping shall stand an air pressure equal to not less than the pressure of a column of mercury twelve (12) inches in height, and the piping shall hold this air pressure for a period of a least fifteen (15) minutes without any perceptible drop. A mercury column gauge shall be used for the test. All tools, apparatus, labor, and assistance necessary for the tests shall be furnished by the installer of such piping.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 4, Section 5-4-8)
The inspector shall issue a certificate of approval at the completion of the work for which a permit for consumer piping has been issued, if after inspection it is found that such work complies with the provisions of this article. A duplicate of each certificate issued covering consumer’s gas piping shall be delivered to the gas company and used as its authority to render gas service.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 4, Section 5-4-9)
(a) 
The total fees for inspection of consumer’s gas piping at one location (including both rough and final piping inspection) shall be provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code.
(b) 
The fees for inspecting conversion burners, floor furnaces, boilers, or central heating plants shall be provided for in the appendix of this code.
(c) 
The fees for inspecting vented recessed heaters and water heaters shall be provided for in the appendix of this code.
(d) 
If the inspector is called back, after correction of defects noted, an additional fee, as provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code, shall be made for each such return inspection.
(e) 
Any and all fees shall be paid by the person to whom the permit is issued.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 4, Section 5-4-10)
This article shall not be construed as imposing upon the city any liability or responsibility for damages to any person injured by any defect in any gas piping or appliance mentioned herein, or by installation thereof, nor shall the city , or any official or employee thereof, be held as assuming any liability or responsibility by reason of the inspection authorized hereunder or the certificate of approval issued by the inspector.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 4, Section 5-4-11)