CHAPTER 116

GAS SERVICE POLICIES

116.01 SERVICE CHARACTERISTICS. The Utility shall make available, throughout its service area, gas service of a character determined by the Utility to meet the needs of the customer and subject to limits of the Utility’s gas supply. Standard gas service is gas having an approximate heating value of 1000 British thermal units (BTU) per cubic foot at a pressure approximately 4 oz. per sq. inch at customer’s piping. In supplying this service, the Utility shall construct, own and maintain all facilities up to and including the meter and meter outlet. Other service connections, including service at higher pressures are available at the option of the Utility and may require a contribution in aid of construction or an advance for construction costs. Terms and conditions of customer participation shall be established by the Council. The Council may waive the contribution or advance in whole or in part upon a determination that the waiver is in the public interest. Such waiver, when entered in the minutes of the Council, shall not be considered a discriminatory practice.

116.02 ENGINEERING PRACTICES. Facilities of the utility shall be constructed, installed, maintained and operated in accordance with accepted good engineering practice in the gas industry to assure, as far as reasonably possible, continuity of service and safety of persons and property. However, the Utility shall not be held liable in actions arising from interruptions or fluctuations in service. The utility shall use and shall require compliance with applicable provisions of the publications listed below as standards of accepted good practice, unless otherwise ordered by the Commission.

1. Code Of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Part 191 – Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Reports of Leaks, Part 192 – Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards, insofar as the same may be applicable, and as said regulations may be hereafter amended or modified by the Department of Transportation, United States of America.
   
2. NFPA 501 Standards On Manufactured Housing.
3. GNFPA 54 - National Fuel Gas Code Book.
4. NFPA 501A Standards for Fire Safety, Criteria for Manufactured Home installations, Sites and Communities.
   

        References to publications listed above shall be deemed to be the latest edition or revision accepted by the Utility Division as a standard of good practice. Additional guidelines of good practice are located in IAC section 19.5 (2) as other standards, which are not formally adopted herein as Hawarden standards.

116.03 SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE. Except for facilities defined in Section 112.03 of these service rules as a responsibility of the Utility, the customer shall be responsible for all gas piping and appliances on his or her premises. The installation and maintenance of customer facilities shall be consistent with standards imposed by Chapter 112 of this Code of Ordinances and other applicable statutory or administrative law. No inspection or approval of a customer’s compliance with this section by the Utility or other agent of the City shall be construed to impose any duty or liability on the Utility but shall be considered solely for the purpose of ensuring protection of the utility’s property and continuity of service to customers of the Utility.

116.04 GAS APPLIANCES. Each gas appliance shall bear a nameplate showing the manufacturer’s name and the seal of approval of either American Gas Association or Underwriters Laboratories. Appliances without nameplate data must be approved in writing by the municipality prior to being connected to the gas system.

116.05 GAS CONTRACT SERVICE. Gas service for large volume users above 50mcf monthly may be supplied under terms and conditions of a written contract.

116.06 INTERRUPTIBLE GAS SERVICE. Interruptible gas service is not available.

116.07 GAS TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.

1. The customer shall have the following responsibilities:
   1. The customer shall inform the Utility of the type of utilization the transported gas shall be used for and if their requirements will be met fully by the transportation gas.
   2. The customer shall furnish the Utility with a statement guarantee that the gas being transported is of pipeline quality.
   3. The customer shall furnish to the Utility and the Public Works Director the name of a contact person, if the need for communication arises.
   4. The customer shall notify the Public Works Director of the volumes to be purchased 24 hours before delivery. The customer will be requested to limit volumes received under this service to the quantity nominated the previous day. The Hawarden municipal gas system shall be notified immediately if any changes occur in the transportation volumes.
   5. If the customer does not use all of the transported volumes from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (24 hours), the amount of unused gas becomes the property of the Utility. This is due to the fact that the Utility needs to serve its customers on a 24-hour basis and does not have storage facilities.
   6. If the customer transports any of his or her requirements for certain utilization, the Hawarden Municipal Utilities has no obligation to reinstate said person as a customer. However, upon written request, the Council may reinstate the customer, if and when the gas supply is secured.
   7. If the customer serves his or her needs by transported gas, it is the customer’s responsibility to secure an alternate supply agreement.
2. The Utility shall have the following responsibilities:
   1. The Utility will furnish the customer with a method of contact for inquiries.
   2. The Utility will maintain all distribution equipment, including metering.
   3. The charges for additional capacity or new installations utilizing this service shall be billed to the customer.
   4. Should the customer experience an emergency supply situation and notifies the Utility of such, the Utility will endeavor to assist the customer. The cost associated with such cases will be determined at that time.
      
      
      Editor’s Note:
      For definitions of terms used in this chapter, see Chapter 110.
      For Customer Service Policies, see Chapter 111.
      For additional General Service Policies, see Chapter 112.
      For Gas Service Rates, see Chapter 113.