25-12.022. Requirements for Distribution System Valves

(1) Valves ahead of regulator stations – A valve shall be installed upstream of each regulator station for use in an emergency to stop the flow of gas. These valves are to be installed at a safe distance from the station, but no more than 500 feet from the regulator station. The distance for the valve location can be greater than 500 feet if physically impractical to install closer.

(2) Sectionalizing valves – Valves shall be spaced within each distribution system to reduce the time to shut-down a segment of the system in an emergency. In determining the spacing of these valves, the following factors shall be evaluated:

(a) Volume and pressure of gas between valves.

(b) Size of area and population density between valves required to isolate the area and the accessibility of the required valves.

(c) The minimum number of personnel required to shutdown and restore the area.

(d) Other means and availability of required equipment to control the flow of gas in the event of an emergency.

(e) The number and type of customers, such as hospitals, schools, commercial and industrial loads that will be affected.

(3) Identification – Emergency or sectionalizing and other critical valves shall be designated on appropriate records, drawings or maps used by the operator and shall be referenced to “permanent” aboveground structures or other field ties so the valves can be readily located. The centerline of the road or highway, property line, or right-of-way may be used as one of the referenced structures. The valve installation and all records showing these valves must be marked for prompt identification using any logical designating system. The valve marking must be accomplished using a durable tag or other equivalent means located as follows:

(a) For aboveground valves or valves located in vaults which have to be operated from within the vault, the marking shall appear on the valve body or hand wheel.

(b) For buried valves or valves operated by a key wrench, the marking shall be legible and may be on any type of permanent material placed in a visible location inside of the curb box or standpipe where the cover will not abrade the marking. Marking the cover only is not acceptable.

(4) Blowdown valve requirements – Where blowdown valves are used to aid the evacuation of gas from segments of mains between isolation valves, these valves must:

(a) Be protected against tampering and mechanical damage from outside forces.

(b) Be designed for safe venting giving consideration to the direction of flow, electric facility locations, proximity of people, etc.

(c) Be readily accessible in the event of an emergency.

(5) All the sectionalizing or emergency valves which may be necessary for the safe operation of the system must be inspected and maintenance performed to assure location, access and operating ability at intervals not exceeding 15 months but at least each calendar year.

Rulemaking Authority 368.05(2) FS. Law Implemented 368.05(2) FS. History–New 9-21-74, Amended 10-7-75, 10-2-84, Formerly 25-12.22, Amended 12-15-09, 3-2-17.