CHAPTER 1: STATE BUILDING CODE; GENERAL PROVISIONS

CHAPTER 2: STATE PLUMBING CODE

CHAPTER 3: NATURAL GAS INSTALLATIONS

CHAPTER 4: NUMBERING BUILDINGS

CHAPTER 1

STATE BUILDING CODE; GENERAL PROVISIONS

A. Adoption: There is hereby adopted by the city council for the purposes of regulating buildings in the city and of protecting the health and safety of the city's citizens, those certain codes known as "the state building code", (referred to in Montana Code Annotated section 50-60-203), consisting of:

1. The international building code, 2003 edition, as described in and amended by administrative rules of Montana section 24-301.131, 1 through 3, and administrative rules of Montana section 24.301.146, 1 through 2, and including international building code appendix C (group U/agricultural buildings).
2. The international residential code, 2003 edition, as described in, and amended by administrative rules of Montana section 24.301.154.
3. The international energy conservation code, 2003 edition, as described in and provided by administrative rules of Montana section 24.301.161.
4. The international existing building code, 2003 edition, including administrative rules of Montana section 24.301.171, 1 through 4.
   The same are hereby adopted and incorporated herein as if fully set out in length herein.

B. Copies On File: Two (2) copies of each of the codes referred to in subsection A of this section shall be filed with the city clerk-treasurer for inspection by the public. (Ord. 15.03 Amended, 10-3-2005; ; Amended, 6-18-2007, see Appendices: Ord. 2007-1)

10-1-2: EFFECT OF FUTURE AMENDMENTS TO STATE BUILDING CODE:

Each and every provision of this chapter shall be amended by the city within ninety (90) days of notification of changes adopted by the state department of labor and industry, building codes bureau, when and as any future amendments are made to the codes referred to in section 10-1-1 of this chapter so as to conform to such future amendments. (Ord. 15.03 Amended, 10-3-2005; Amended, 6-18-2007, see Appendices: Ord. 2007-1)

10-1-3: BOARD OF APPEALS:

In order to determine the suitability of alternate materials and methods of construction and to provide for reasonable interpretation of the provisions of the codes adopted in section 10-1-1 of this chapter, there shall be, and is hereby, created a board of appeals, consisting of five (5) members who are qualified by experience and training to pass upon matters pertaining to building construction. The building inspector shall be an ex officio member and shall act as secretary of the board. The board of appeals shall be appointed by the city council and shall hold office at its pleasure. The board shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations for conducting its investigations and shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the building inspector, with a duplicate copy to the applicant, and may recommend to the city council such new legislation as is consistent herewith. (Ord. 15.03 Amended, 10-3-2005)

The jurisdictional area of the building department of the city of Cut Bank shall be the corporate limits of the city of Cut Bank. (Ord. 15.03 Amended, 10-3-2005)

10-1-5: BUILDING PLAN REVIEW:

A. The building inspector shall be responsible for the plan review coordination and for issuance of building permits.

B. Upon application by any person for a building permit, the building inspector shall review the plans for compliance with the codes adopted in section 10-1-1 of this chapter. The building inspector shall submit the plans to any other affected city department for review and approval by the department before issuance of a permit.

C. Building plan review shall be completed by the building inspector within thirty (30) working days of submittal by applicant.

D. The building inspector may, in proper cases, request the aid of the building codes division, other state agencies, or professional consultants to aid in coordination of review. In such cases, the building inspector may lengthen the completion time for review by ten (10) working days when necessary. (Ord. 15.03 Amended, 10-3-2005)

10-1-6: INSPECTIONS:

Inspections shall be conducted by the building inspector. Where other departments require inspection, the building inspector shall ensure that they are conducted within the time frame allowed in section 10-1-2 of this chapter. Final inspections and issuance of certificates of occupancy shall be conducted in accordance with the international building code. (Ord. 15.03 Amended, 10-3-2005)

A. The building inspector shall be the person with adequate knowledge of the building trade and such other qualifications as may be prescribed by the city council from time to time. As building inspector, his duties shall include those set forth in the international building code and in Montana Code Annotated title 50, chapter 60, as now or hereinafter amended.

B. The building department staff shall consist of the building inspector and such deputies or representatives as may, from time to time, be appointed by the city council. (Ord. 15.03 Amended, 10-3-2005)

10-1-8: FACTORY BUILT BUILDINGS:

Factory built buildings which are approved by the Montana building codes division, department of labor and industry shall be subject to local government inspection and fees for only foundations and/or any additions to be added to the factory built building. Zoning and utility connections should be applied for through the appropriate departments and not through the building codes department and/or the building inspector. (Ord. 15.03 Amended, 10-3-2005)

10-1-9: SCHOOL PLANS:

Inspection and approval of plans for school buildings shall be in accordance with administrative rules of Montana section 2.2.1(1) - S11050 (I). The building inspector shall notify the building codes division of local approval of site, sewer, water, and other local requirements within five (5) days of such approval before further action is taken. (Ord. 15.03 Amended, 10-3-2005)

Building permit fees shall be set and established by the city council from time to time by appropriate resolution. (Ord. 15.03 Amended, 10-3-2005)

10-1-11: SURVEYS OF CERTAIN INSTALLATIONS; FEES:

A. Surveys And Recommendations: When requested to do so by the owner, tenant, or any person authorized to make such a request by the owner or tenant of any building within the city limits, it shall be the duty of the city building inspector to make a complete survey of all electrical wiring or all plumbing or all gas heating installations and pipes or any other heating installations and pipes in any building within the city limits and to make such recommendations for the alteration, repair or replacement of any such installations or systems, as the circumstances require; and if so requested, the building inspector shall make his recommendation in writing, and furnish copies to the owner of the building and the person making the request, if not the owner, and file one copy in his office.

B. Survey Fees: Such requests shall be made in writing and the application shall be accompanied by the following prescribed fees, which shall be deposited with the city clerk and by him paid to the city treasurer:

For a complete survey of a building used for residential purposes and having accommodations for not more than three (3) families, the sum of five dollars ($5.00) per story; and for a complete survey of buildings used for other purposes including buildings used for residential purposes and having accommodations for four (4) or more families and for building used for both residential and other purposes, the sum of ten dollars ($10.00) per story. (Ord. 15.24)

10-1-12: FOUNDATION FOOTINGS:

A. Construction Specifications: Foundation footings of all buildings hereafter constructed, altered or repaired within the city shall be made of concrete of at least one part of Portland cement, three (3) parts of clean sand and five (5) parts of gravel passing a two and one-half inch (2 1/2") screen, and of sufficient thickness and area to safely sustain the weight to be imposed thereon, and shall be not less than that provided in the following table:

B. Additional Width Requirement:

1. The footing shall in all cases be a least twelve inches (12") wider on all sides than the piers and columns supported by such footings.
2. Provided, however, that if the superimposed load is such as to cause undue transverse strain on any footings projecting twelve inches (12"), the thickness of such footings shall be so increased as to safely support the load to be imposed thereon.

C. Reduction In Thickness And Projections: For light buildings or structures, and for small piers to sustain light loads and where soil conditions permit, the building inspector may, at his discretion, allow a reduction in the thickness and projections for footings as above provided. (Ord. 15.04)

A. Fire Limits And Outer Fire Limits:

1. All that portion of the city as described in ordinance 71 of said city shall constitute the fire limits of the city.
2. All that portion of the city, excepting that portion specified in ordinance 71 as appearing within the city fire limits of the city, shall be known as the outer fire limits of the city.

B. Constructing Or Moving Buildings; Permit Required:

1. No person shall, within said outer fire limits, erect or construct any building, or remove any building from one place to another without first obtaining a permit from the city council to do so.
2. All that portion of the city, excepting that portion specified in ordinance 71 as appearing within the city fire limits of the city, shall be known as the outer fire limits of the city.
3. The foregoing provisions of this subsection shall not apply to small outbuildings not closer than twenty feet (20') to any other buildings and in which at no time fire is kept. (Ord. 15.08)
4. Any person, whether owner, lessee, contractor or laborer who shall hereafter violate any of the provisions of this subsection shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to penalty as provided in section 1-4-1 of this code. (Ord. 15.08; amd. 2006 Code)

C. Chimneys And Stove Pipes:

1. Every building erected within the limits of said city wherein fires shall be intended to be used shall be furnished with at least one substantial brick chimney, or one of stone or other material equally as safe, and fire proof, securely plastered throughout and on the inside and also on the outside where passing through inaccessible places near wood work; and no person shall be allowed in any building hereafter erected within the city limits to run a stove pipe through the roof or side of the same nor in any place where said arrangements now exist within said limits, nor shall the same be allowed to continue after due notice to remove the same. Any violation of any of the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to penalty as provided in section 1-4-1 of this code, and every day of continued violation after due notice shall be deemed a separate offense punishable with a like fine.
2. In all buildings erected, repaired or altered within the city limits, when it shall be desired that a stove pipe shall pass through any partitioned wall of wood, or partly of wood, the same shall be secured by an iron or tin thimble with at least a two inch (2") air chamber; and where any pipe shall enter a chimney the same shall be provided with zinc, iron, tin or other similar material, an iron thimble securely fitted. Every stove, before use, shall be provided with equivalent to protect the wood underneath and around the said stove from taking fire therefrom. (Ord. 15.08)

10-1-14: VIOLATIONS; PENALTIES:

A. Violations: It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, raze, convert, demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain any building or structure in the city, or cause or permit the same to be done, contrary to, or in violation of, any of the provisions of this chapter or the codes adopted in section 10-1-1 of this chapter.

B. Penalty Imposed: Any person, firm, or corporation violating any of the provisions of the codes adopted in section 10-1-1 of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during which any violation of any of the provisions of the codes adopted in section 10-1-1 of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted and, upon conviction of any such violation, such person shall be punishable by fine of not more than three hundred dollars ($300.00) or by imprisonment for not more than ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 15.03 Amended, 10-3-2005)

CHAPTER 2

STATE PLUMBING CODE

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CHAPTER 3

NATURAL GAS INSTALLATIONS

A. Application Of Provisions; Exception:

1. The following provisions of this chapter are intended to apply to the installation of gas piping in and about all buildings.
2. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to the underground distribution leading into the buildings, but only to such parts of the piping on the outlet side of the meter.
3. All mains in streets and alleys, together with the service pipes up to and including the meter, shall be installed and maintained by the gas company.

B. Compliance Required: This chapter shall apply to all installations within the city and shall be complied with before gas service can be obtained. (Ord. 15.28)

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It shall be deemed an unlawful act to install, alter or extend any system of piping for the conveyance or distribution of illuminating or fuel gas in any building or structure in the city, except by meter installation by employees of the gas company, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, unless a written permit be first obtained from the official or officer having jurisdiction. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Permit Required: Any person may do gas fitting, provided such person has first obtained a permit from the city council, and complies strictly with the rules and terms of this chapter.

B. Bond Requirements:

1. The applicant for such permit shall file a bond for one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) with the city clerk-treasurer, which bond shall be approved by the council.
2. The bond shall be conditioned to the effect that such person shall perform all work in connection with the installation, extension or alteration of gas piping done by him in the city in a skillful and workmanlike manner and to pay all damages resulting to any person from the negligence or unskillful doing of such work, and further:
   a. To indemnify and save the city harmless from all damages resulting from defective and unskillful work done by such person, or by reason of any person or property falling into or otherwise being injured by excavations made or caused to be made in any place in the city by such person; and
   b. To save the city harmless from all damages that it may be subject to resulting from the operations of such person as a master gas fitter. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Applications To Administrative Authority: All applications for permits to install gas piping, or the making of extension, or altering to present system, shall be made in writing to the proper administrative authority on special forms.

B. Notify City For Inspection: Before any installation is covered from the sight, a notification in writing shall be given the proper administrative authority, who shall, within forty eight (48) hours, inspect and test the installation, alteration or extension and give his written approval or disapproval.

C. Examination To Ensure Compliance: All portions of the piping installation or appliances shall be closely examined by the proper authority to ensure that there is a full compliance with this chapter in regard to pipe size, grading, materials and appliances used, and all other points which can be determined by examination. (Ord. 15.28)

D. Permit And Inspection Fee: In order to procure a permit for the installation of any gas piping or the making of an extension to present equipment or existing installation, the person, firm or corporation applying for and receiving such permit shall pay to the city for said permit and for the inspection herein provided for a fee as set by council resolution, which fee shall accompany the application herein mentioned.

E. Bond; Saving City Harmless: It shall be left to the discretion of the proper administrative officer or officers, whether the permittee be required to furnish a bond to indemnify the city for all damages resulting from permittee's actions, and to save the city harmless from all damages that it may be subjected to resulting from the operations of such person, firm or corporation that may engage in gas installations of any kind or nature.

F. Appointment Of Inspector Or City Superintendent: The mayor and city council shall appoint the inspector, who may be the city superintendent, to work with and in conjunction with the gas company; and his approval or disapproval shall be binding on all parties concerned. (Ord. 15.28; amd. 2006 Code)

G. Permit Revocation; Hearing: The permit granted in this chapter may be revoked at any time for incompetency, dereliction of duty, or other sufficient cause after a full and fair hearing by the mayor and city council.

H. Testing System: The test for tightness shall be made in the presence of the proper authority with an air pump and either a spring gauge or mercury column, furnished by the permittee. The pump and gauge shall be so attached to the piping that it may be watched during the rise of pressure. All line cocks and valves in the system tested shall be opened so that the pressure will be applied during the test to all outlets. The test of the system shall be made with a pressure of at least ten (10) pounds per square inch, and to prove the system satisfactory, shall be continued for a period of twenty (20) minutes without showing any decrease in pressure. (Ord. 15.28)

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The proper administrative authority may prohibit the use of any installation, equipment or appliance which, after inspection or test, is considered as introducing a distinct hazard to life or property. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Repairing Gas Supply System By Gas Company Personnel: No person, unless in the employ of the gas company or having a permit from the gas company, shall repair, alter, or open any service pipe, or set or remove the service meter or do any other work on any part of the gas supply system up to and including the meter. However, if gas is leaking in any part of the supply system, it shall be the duty of the person to notify the gas company to make repairs.

B. Installation By Others; Inspection By Gas Company: Any concealed part of the gas supply system up to and including the service meter, when installed by persons not in the employ of the gas company, when on the premises of a prospective consumer, shall be reported to, and shall be inspected by, the gas company before it is concealed either within the building or underground and before it is connected to the main or service pipe which contains gas.

C. Disconnection Of Service: No person, unless in the employ or having a written permit from the gas company, shall disconnect the outlet of the service meter from the building piping.

D. Installing Service Pipes Under Structures: In no case will it be allowed to run a service pipe under a building or porch, unless the same first passes through a foundation wall and the hole thus made can be sealed with cement so that it will be impossible for the gas to creep along the service line ditch and so on into or under a building. In case the building has no foundation, the service pipe shall be brought up out of the ground on the outside of the building and then into the building. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Quality Of Materials: Pipe used shall be standard full weight of the best quality wrought iron or steel and free from defects. All fittings (except stopcocks or valves) shall be of the best quality of malleable iron.

B. Inspection: Materials delivered on any job shall be carefully inspected by the gas fitter in charge of the work, and any part of such materials which is defective or which has been repaired with cement, lead or other material or by caulking or other methods, except welding, shall not be used.

C. Used Materials: Pipe, fittings, cocks, valves, or accessories removed from any installation shall not be used again unless they have been thoroughly cleaned, inspected and ascertained to be equivalent to new material. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. General Requirements And Restrictions: No pipe smaller than standard three-eighths inch (3/8") size shall be used in any concealed gas piping installation; and no pipe smaller than standard one-half inch (1/2") size shall be used for concealed horizontal piping. All gas heating appliances shall be vented to the atmosphere with the size vent connection supplied by the manufacturer. When no chimney is available, it is permissible to vent with metal pipe; provided, however, that at least one-half inch (1/2") air space may be provided between the shield and the woodwork through which the pipe passes. In no case will a rubber hose connection be permitted in the connection of any appliance, either for heating, lighting or cooking.

B. Pipe Size:

1. All supply lines, branches, drops and other parts of any piping installations shall be made of pipe of a size suited to the length required and the number and character of the outlets to be supplied. It is important that the minimum size for any pipe shall be as indicated in the following tabulation.
2. If any outlet is larger than three-eighths inch (3/8"), it shall be counted as more than one outlet, according to the following table:

(Ord. 15.28)

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A. General Requirements: All pipe shall be cut square with its length. Pipe shall be threaded with clean cut thread. The threads on both pipe and fitting shall be so cut that the joint can be made gastight without lead or compound; they may be leaded, however, as a lubricant or aid in making the joint cut. All burs or other obstructions shall be removed from the pipe. Where ceiling fixtures are hung from drops, the outlet fitting shall be securely and rigidly fastened. Piping shall not be laid to support any weight (except fixtures) or be subjected to any extra strain. Pipe with stripped, chipped, crooked or damaged threads shall not be used.

WB. Jointing Compound: When an approved jointing compound is used, such cmpound should be applied sparingly and only to the male thread of the joint. Sealing wax or any material or compound known as "gas fitters cement" shall not be used. (Ord. 15.28; amd. 2006 Code)

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A. Branching: All branches shall be taken from the top or side of horizontal piping and not from the bottom. When calling outlets are taken from horizontal piping, branch should be taken from the sides and carried in a horizontal direction, preferably not less than six inches (6").

B. Bending:

1. Bending pipes to form outlets or for other purposes, when approved by the gas company, will be permitted. In bending pipe care shall be taken so that it does not kink or split at the weld. Pipe excessively bent or flattened to less than the radii given below will not be permitted.



Size Of Pipe Inches	Minimum Radius Of Bend Inches
3/8	3
1/2	4
3/4	6
1	8
1	12
1	15
2	18



2. After a pipe has been bent, it shall be examined to make sure that the weld has not opened and that it has not kinked or become otherwise damaged. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Strain: Piping shall be installed so that it is subject to no unnecessary strain.

B. Spacing: The following is the minimum spacing of supports which should be used in continuous piping installations.

C. Short Pipes: When the length of pipe is shorter than that given in the above table, it shall be adequately supported.

D. Change Of Direction: Whenever there is a change of direction of forty five degrees (45°) or more or branched fitting is used, support should be provided on at least one side of the bend or fitting, preferably within six inches (6") of this point, unless other supports render this unnecessary.

E. Strength And Quality: Only such metal pipe straps, iron hooks, hook plates, or hangers suitable for the size of the pipe to be secured, and of standard strength and quality, shall be used for supporting piping.

F. Larger Pipe: Pipe straps and iron hooks shall not be used for supporting pipe of a size over two inches (2"). Pipe larger than this size, when run horizontal and to be fastened to floor joists or beams, shall be supported with pipe hangers; or when run horizontal and to be fastened to side walls, hook plates shall be used. Vertical pipe over two inches (2") in size shall be securely fastened to the wall with the band straps.

G. Pipes Run On Wood: When piping is run on wood walls, partitions or ceilings, the supports shall be securely screwed (not nailed) to the wood work at intervals specified in subsection B of this section.

H. Masonry, Concrete, Brick Or Tile Walls: When piping is run on masonry, concrete, brick or tile walls, it shall be rigidly fastened by hooks, metal straps, or pipe hangers which are securely held to the wall, partition or ceiling by the use of suitable expansion bolts or other approved devices, spaced at the distances given in subsection B of this section. If this method is not practicable, the hooks, metal straps, or pipe hangers should be fastened by screws to plugs or blocks, which should be firmly embedded in the masonry, or to wood strips securely fastened to the masonry. Pipes shall not be fastened to walls or chimneys or flues. (Ord. 15.28)

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When in running pipe it is necessary to cross wood joists or beams, they should be notched as little as possible and shall not be notched to a depth of more than one-fifth (1/5) of the depth of the timber. The notching shall be as close as possible to the point of support of the timber and shall not be further than three feet (3') from a support. When feasible, the piping should be run so that only timbers having the shortest spans shall be cut. (Ord. 15.28)

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The lower end of a vertical supply line, if accessible, should be equipped with a tee (or cross) having a full sized plugged opening looking down to permit access for removing stoppages. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Partitions: Vertical pipe, when concealed in partitions, should be located in hollow rather than in solid partitions. Such pipe should be so located as not to be in contact with plaster more than is necessary.

B. Floors: Piping should not be laid in or under tile, mosaic, or composition floors if it can be avoided, but should be so placed as to be accessible with a minimum of damage to walls, ceilings or floors.

C. Exposed Piping: When piping is exposed through areaways or other similar locations, the pipe shall be increased in size sufficiently to prevent stoppages due to freezing by the use of irregular fittings which shall be set to permit drainage of the enlarged section. The enlarged section shall extend through the wall at each side of the areaway. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Use Of Conduit, Chase Or Channel: When piping is to be placed in concrete, cement, masonry, etc., it should, if possible, be laid in a conduit pipe or in a chase or channel left in the solid work. All conduit pipes, pipe channels, and chases shall be carefully graded and drained to prevent the accumulations of water about the pipe; and the walls of such pipe chases or channels should be coated with asphalt, pitch, or moisture resisting paint before the pipe is placed, and be painted with two (2) coats with a bituminous paint or equivalent protective coating. All exposed threads or tool marks on galvanized piping should be painted with protective coating.

B. Black Or Painted Pipe:

1. When necessary to embed a pipe in direct contact with cement or concrete, black iron pipe may be used.
2. If cinders, salt, sea water, or other substance which has corrosive action on the piping is to be used in the fabrication of the cement or concrete, or if the concrete or cement in which the pipe is laid is to be exposed to brine, acid pickling bath liquor, or to other liquids of corrosive nature, or if the pipe is to be in contact with composition flooring or similar, structural material, the piping shall be made up of pipe and fittings galvanized on the outside, and shall be painted with two (2) coats of a pure red lead paint, a bituminous paint, or an equivalent protective coating. It is preferable that such pipe also be wrapped or coated with an approved material for protection against corrosion.

C. Embedding In Structural Member: No pipes shall be embedded in the required protection of columns or other structural member in buildings of fire resistive construction. (Ord. 15.28; amd. 2006 Code)

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A. Settling Or Cracking Of Structure: Where piping is enclosed by or embedded in cement, concrete, or other restructural material, not reinforced, it shall be so placed as to avoid the strains which may be induced by settling or cracking of the structure.

B. Encasing Pipe: Where piping (not including the service pipe, which is always to be made gas and watertight through the foundation wall) passes through concrete, masonry, brick or tile walls, it should be encased, with the pipe resting on the bottom of the casing pipe to provide at least one-half inch (1/2") clearance above it. The space above the pipe should be packed with mineral wool or other incombustible material to afford a fire stop, but care should be taken to avoid packing above the pipe in such a way that settling of the wall will produce excessive strain.

C. Pipe In cellars, Coal Bins: Pipe should not be run in coal bins or in other parts of a basement where wood, lumber, or other material is likely to be stored against it or to subject it to strain. Pipe which is run in a cellar should be hung from the ceiling and not supported on the walls. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Distance From Electric Wiring: Piping shall not be installed closer than five inches (5") to any electric wiring which carries current at more than twenty five (25) volts unless such wiring is enclosed in metal conduits, armored cable or metal raceway, or where not so encased is separated from the pipe by some approved continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor, and no piping shall be run closer than three feet (3') to any electric cutout box, fuse box, or meter.

B. Tied Electrically With Conduit, Cable Or Metal Raceway: When gas piping is run near or in contact with conduit, armored cable, or metal raceway carrying wires of a voltage in excess of twenty five (25) volts, the piping shall be permanently tied electrically with such conduit, armored cable, or metal raceway.

C. Grounding: Electric wiring from circuits of over twenty five (25) volts shall not be grounded on gas piping. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Unions: Unions shall not be used on concealed piping.

B. Bushings: The use of bushings should be avoided. When necessary to connect two (2) sizes of pipe, a reducing fitting is preferable, but a hexagonal head bushing may be employed if necessary.

C. Swing Joints: Swing joints on concealed piping which are made by the use of combination of fittings shall not be used. This is intended to forbid the use of combination of fittings where useful only to produce flexibility and therefore for convenience in connecting piping. This necessity can be avoided by cutting accurately the length and careful threading, which is essential to good workmanship. The use of fittings for necessary offsets is not forbidden. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Standard Method Of Installation: The meter end of the main supply line shall be so located that the meter can be installed in the standard manner.

B. Meter Placement: The meter should be placed where it will not be subjected to extreme heat or cold and, when possible, where it will not be necessary to use artificial light in indexing or doing any other work about the meter. Meters shall not be placed in coal or wood bins, and should not be placed in closets or small confined places, nor in spaces not at all times readily accessible nor where there is a likelihood of their being damaged through corrosion or accidents. Meters should not be placed near coal chutes. (Ord. 15.28)

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Any interconnection of piping systems which are supplied through separate service meters should be avoided. If necessary, as when an appliance such as a laundry stove or drier is installed for the joint use of tenants of a building, a special pipe from each tenant's meter should be installed to the room where such appliances are located and a header provided adjacent to the appliance. Each pipe shall be provided with a lock cock at a point near the header, and each such cock shall be labeled with a metal tag wired in place or with a suitable device indicating the number of the tenant's apartment or other designation for identification. Not more than one illuminating fixture should be supplied from such header in addition to the fuel appliance. The owner of the building shall supply the locks for each cock, thus preventing the removal of the lock when the tenant leaves the premises. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Shutoff Valve Required: All service pipes shall be provided with a shutoff valve on the outside located near the curb line or property line. A suitable valve box shall be installed extending to the surface of the ground, which shall be of easy access and have the top thereof plainly marked "Gas"; provided, however, that the foregoing provisions regarding valves and valve boxes shall not apply to existing services to dwelling houses, but all other services heretofore installed shall be so provided.

B. Separate Valves On Each Supply Line: Separate valves or cocks are required on every supply line or branch if the operation or maintenance of the appliance supplied requires that gas be shut off from the line or branch from time to time, unless gas can be otherwise shut off when necessary with equal safety and convenience. Such separate valves or cocks shall be provided on any branch or supply line which is two inches (2") or more in diameter, or which is rated to supply more than two hundred (200) cubic feet of gas per hour, or which supplies an appliance used for heating inflammable materials or materials which give off combustible vapors or gases.

C. Accessibility: Cocks or valves required under subsection B of this section shall be placed near enough to the appliance controlled and in such location as to be readily accessible at all times, and the handle of the cock or valve shall be easy to reach; but it should not be so close to the appliance that, should an accident occur, it will be impossible to operate it.

D. Circulating Systems: On circulating systems of piping, care should be taken to provide cocks to cut off the supply from both directions wherever this may be necessary.

E. Open And Closed Indications: All cocks should indicate by markings on stops the open and closed positions. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Objectionable Locations: Outlets shall not be placed back of swing doors or close to windows or door frames or any other location where curtains or draperies may be moved or blown by air currents so as to become ignited.

B. Size Of Outlets:

1. When an outlet is placed on a supply line before it is known what size pipe will be connected to it, the outlet should be of the same size as the line which supplies it.

2. Ceiling outlets in churches, stores, theaters, or other places of assembly, or in rooms where ceilings are twenty feet (20') in height or over, or in display or show windows, should not be less than one-half inch (1/2") so as to provide adequate support for large fixtures which may be used at such outlets.

3. In determining the size of outlets, allowance should be made for any anticipated increase in gas consumption. The following should be the minimum sized outlets for the various appliances:

C. Projection Of Outlets:

1. Outlets on concealed piping shall project beyond the furnished wall or ceiling (or in a suitable recess in the case of recessed fittings), so that all of the threads required are clear and available for use and there is sufficient wrench space on the unthreaded portion of the pipe; and the pipe shall be run far enough from floor and walls to permit the use of a suitable size wrench without straining or bending the pipe. When the type of appliance to be secured to the outlet requires a longer projection than stated above, allowances should be made for such equipment at the time of the installation of the piping. When combination fixtures or recessed baseboard fittings are used, the threads on the piping should be clear of the back plate of the outlet box.
2. Outlets on concealed piping for drops and brackets, and such short outlets as cannot give the wrench space described in subsection C1 of this section, shall be made by the use of drop ells or by fittings which provide the means for rigidly securing them in place; or the pipe may be bent if the conditions of subsection 10-3-10B of this chapter are complied with.
3. In every case, outlets shall be so installed that they cannot become displaced in the wall or ceiling. When an outlet is to be placed between joists, beams or studs, the outlet fitting shall be secured to a strut fastened between the joists or studs, in order to prevent the fixture from swinging and straining the joists.

D. Closing Outlets:

1. Each outlet shall be securely closed gastight with a thread iron plug or cap immediately after installation and shall be left so closed until an appliance is installed thereon. In no case shall the outlet be closed with lead caps or plugs.
2. When an appliance is removed from an outlet, and the outlet is not to be used again immediately, it should be securely closed gastight with a threaded iron plug or cap. (Ord. 15.28)

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The gas company and proper administrative authority shall be consulted in advance and should pass on all details of such installations which differ from the ordinary house lighting practice in volume of gas required or any special features. Special attention shall be paid in exit and stair lights, remote controls, fire and accident conditions, and frequent inspection. (Ord. 15.28)

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Piping exposed on the outside of buildings or in damp places shall be carefully cleaned after installation and painted with two (2) coats of pure red lead paint or covered with other material. Additional coats of paint should be applied as often as necessary. Piping shall not be coated or painted until after the first inspection. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. If leaks develop, all sources of ignition shall be kept away and the gas company and proper administrative authorities notified as quickly as possible.

B. All repairs, alterations or additions are to be in conformity with such provisions of this chapter as apply. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Responsibility:

1. Any gas fitter not in the employ of the gas company shall not turn the gas on at the meter cock except with the specific permission of the gas company.
2. A gas fitter, whether employed by the gas company or not, shall not turn the gas on if the following conditions prevail:
   a. If the piping, appliances or meter supplied are known to leak or to be defective.
   b. If the piping or appliances are to be, but have not been, inspected and approved by the administrative authority.
   c. If the proper administrative authority or the gas company has ordered the gas to be left turned on.
   d. If the meter cock is found shut off, unless the gas fitter has, himself, shut it off or knows that it was shut off by the customer to prevent leakage and the cause of the leakage has been repaired. If the gas is found turned off for other causes or for some reason not known to the gas fitter, he shall then secure permission from the gas company before turning on the gas.

B. Procedure:

1. When turning gas into any piping system, a gas fitter shall exercise the greatest care and shall do the work himself. The gas fitter shall not direct a helper or other person to turn the gas on unless the work is closely supervised by the gas fitter who shall be personally on the job at the time.
2. The same care shall be taken each and every time the gas is turned on even though the gas has been shut off only for a short time and the same precautions have been taken only a short time before. These precautions are to avoid leaks and are checks on each other and shall not be omitted.
3. When gas is turned on at any meter cock, the gas fitter shall observe the following precautions:
   a. Determine by actual inspection in every part of the building supplied through the cock that all appliances, including pilot flames, have been turned off and that no outlets on the piping are open. If impossible to get to all burners or appliances because of persons asleep in some of the rooms of the building, the gas shall not be turned on until it is possible to determine with certainty that there are no burners open in the rooms.
   quirements: All pipe shall be cut square with its length. Pipe shall be threaded with clean cut thread. The threads on both pipe and fitting shall be so cut that the joint can be made gastight without lead or compound; they may be leaded, however, as a lubricant or aid in making the joint cut. All burs or other obstructions shall be removed from the pipe. Where ceiling fixtures are hung from drops, the outlet fitting shall be securely and rigidly fastened. Piping shall not be laid to support any weight (except fixtures) or be subjected to any extra strain. Pipe with stripped, chipped, crooked or damaged threads shall not be used.
   b. When all precautions have been taken by the gas fitters, the gas may be turned on and the gas fitter shall note whether the meter dial test indicates that gas is passing through the meter. The minimum time which the gas fitter shall wait to determine this will be as follows:
   

   Size Of Proving Test Dial On Meter	Minimum Time Required
   2 cubic feet	5 minutes
   5 cubic feet	10 minutes
   10 cubic feet	20 minutes

   c. If the meter shows a passage of gas, the cock shall be closed and an inspection made to determine the point of leakage. See rule "searching for leaks", section 10-3-28 of this chapter.
   d. Light all pilot lights on water heaters or other appliances except domestic lighting fixtures, carefully observing the precautions indicated on the appliances. The pilot light on lighting fixtures may also be lighted by the gas fitter, but this is not required if the fixture cock has been closed.

C. Removing Air From Piping:

1. After gas has been turned into piping for the first time or after any interruption of supply, the air in the piping shall be removed. This should be done by opening as many burners as necessary, one at a time, lighting the gas as soon as it comes to each until it is certain that no air remains in the piping. Each line shall be tested separately even though it is thought that no air has entered.
2. Open outlets shall not be used for gassing up. If enough gas to smell has escaped into the room during gassing up, this should be removed at once by proper ventilation. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Gas Fitter Authorization: When necessary to turn the gas off, the gas fitter shall use the meter cock or line cock which affects only part of the piping of a single customer; he shall not turn the gas off at the service cock or curb cocks unless authorized to do so by the gas company.

B. Notify Customers To Shut Off Appliances: Before gas is shut off from any line or piping, the gas fitter shall notify all customers whose service is affected to shut off all appliances and cocks and warn them to keep them shut off until advised that service has been restored. (Ord. 15.28)

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In no case shall a flame be used in searching for leaks. (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Flexible Tubing: No flexible tubing of any kind shall be used in connection with the use of gas, except on the written permission of the gas inspector.

B. Safety Device Required: When a shutoff shall be placed close to the floor, or in other positions where it may be turned on by accident, a shutoff with self-locking or safety device shall be used.

C. Location Of Appliances: Gas consuming appliances shall be arranged so that continued operation will not raise the temperature of surrounding combustible material, including woodwork, to a maximum of one hundred sixty degrees Fahrenheit (160°F). (Ord. 15.28)

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A. Precautions Listed: Gas fitting, appliance installation, or unscrewing of a cap, plug, or pipe which will open an outlet and permit the escape of gas should never be done without shutting the gas off, except in emergency cases where interruption of the service is impracticable, and unless the work can be done without danger to life and property with the gas on. Where pipes are filled with gas, work on outlets larger than three-eighths inch (3/8") size pressures in excess of thirty inches (30") of water shall not be handled except by a specialist. In any event, the following precautions shall be observed:

1. Determine the location of the meter cock or line cock by which the gas supply to the proposed opening is controlled and see that it is in working order.
2. Make sure that no fire, flame or spark emitting device of any kind is near enough to set fire to the gas which may escape.
3. Determine that even the slightest escape of gas expected will not be injurious to persons, especially invalids and small children.
4. Examine the threads to be used, to make sure the opening can be quickly and tightly closed.
5. Have at hand a plug, rubber or other suitable material to fit snugly into the opening.
6. Make sure that no lighted burners or pilot lights supplied from the line to be opened are turned so low that they may go out or flash back because of the sudden drop in pressure in the pipe when it is opened. After the work has been completed, all appliances shall be examined and any pilot lights and burners which may have been extinguished, shall be relighted or turned off.

B. Conditions Requiring Use Of Helper: In any one of the following conditions, there shall be more than one person present, one of whom should be in such location that he is not exposed to any possible asphyxiating influence from the escaping gas:

1. When necessary to make installations, repairs, or to do other work on piping filled with live gas.
2. When work is done in a gassy atmosphere.
3. When work is done in any confined space where gas may accumulate or in any space not readily accessible, e.g., when the gas fitter shall lie down or assume a cramped position.

C. Use Of Flame Restricted: No matches, candles or flames or other sources of ignition shall be used by a gas fitter or his helper when working on a meter, piping or appliances filled with gas, except for such work as necessarily involves the use of such flame. A flame shall never be used in searching for leaks; in no case should a flame be allowed to touch a meter, meter connection, or other piping. When an open flame light, as a match or candle, is used in a basement, it should, when practicable, be carried or set not more than three feet (3') above the floor level.

D. Smoking Prohibited: A gas fitter shall not smoke while working on piping which is filled with gas, or has been filled with gas, nor permit others to smoke while near such work.

E. Safety Lamp: Every gas fitter shall be provided with an approved electric flash lamp or safety lamp which is adequately protected to prevent explosion or fire if used in a gassy atmosphere. No oth