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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 1392 (Copy) O R D I N A N C E N 0. 1 3 9 2 GAS ORDINANCE, CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION AND LICENSING OF GAS FITTERS IN THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, AND FOR THE INSPECTION OF PIPING FOR NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL GAS IN BUILDINGS IN THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH& SECTION 1. INSPECTIONt That the City Plumbing Inspector and his assistants orp deputies be and they are hereby authorized, empowered and directed to superpise all gas piping, appliances, fixtures and apparatus whether now or hereafter existing, placed in or In any manner connectAd in any building or tent or structure of any character, whether used for business, residence or any other purpose, in the City of Fort Worth, and the installation, construction, reconstruction, adjustment and repair thereof and to see that all the rules and regulations of said City of Fort Worth with respect thereto are properly complied with and to inspect and reinspect all such gas piping, appliances, fixtures and apparatus and the installation, construction, reconstruction, adjustment and repair thereof whenever and as often as they shall deem it desirable or necessary, and to do so in order to prevent firee, accidents or injuries to persons or property, and the said City Plumbing Inspector and his assistants or deputies be and they are hereby authorized, emplowered and directed to cause all such gas piping, appliances, fixtures and apparatus and the installation, constructions reconstruction, adjustment and repair thereof to be such as not to cause fire or accident or injury to life or property and any and all such gas piping, appliances, fixtures and apparatus now ex- isting or hereafter existing as well as the installation, construction, reconstruction, adjustment and repair thereof shall be subject to the foregoing inspection and super— vision. And it is further ordained that no gas appliances, fixtures or apparatus, either for heating, illuminating, cooking or hot water heating, be installed until type of said gas appliances, apparatus, or fixtures has been approved by the City Plumbing Inspector or his assistant or deputy. It shall be unlawful for any person to work at the business of gas fitting in the City of Fort Worth either as master gas fitter, employing gas fitter or journeyman gas fitter unless such person received a certificate therefor required by the provisions of this Ordinance. The word "Master Gas Fitter" as used in this Ordinance shall mean one who employs or contracts for the work of gas fitting which would be subject to inspection under the provisions of this ordinance or who does the work of a journeyman gas fitter as that term is hereinafter defined. The word "Employing Gas Fitter" shall mean one who employe or contracts for the work of gas fitting which would be subject to inspection under the provisions of this ordinance and no employing gas fitter shall be permitted to do the work of journeyman gas fitter as that term is hereinafter defined. The word "Journeyman Gas Fitter" as used in this ordinance aril mean one wtp personally does any gas fitting or any work in connection therewith which would be subject to inspection under the provision of this ordinance. SECTION 2. APPLICATION AND EXAMINATION REZ,UIREDS Every person desiring to work at the business of gas fitting in the City of Fort Worth, shall make application to the Inspector of Plumbing or the Board of Plumbing Elamiaegs of said City of Fort Worth for examination therefore. 6 Page +-2 Copy of Ordinance #1392 SECTION 3. EXALfINATION CERTIFICATES, FEES, POWER OF BOARDY Said Board of Plumbing Examiners shall, at its regular meetings or any special meeting called by the president of said Board, examine all applicants desiring to work at the business of gas fitting in the City of Fort Worth as to their particular knowledge of -gas fitting. Such Board shall submit to the applicants to some satisfactory form practical test, and, if satisfied as to the confitence of said applicant to work at the business of gas fitting, shall there upon issue a certificate to each such applicant authorizing him to work at the business of gas fitting in said City. master The fee for the certificate of any/gas fitter or employing gas fitter shall be $3.00 and the fee for the certificate of any ,journeyman gas fitter shall be $2.00, such certificate shall continue in force one year and shall not be transferrable. Any fee for renewal of certificate mentioned in this adction shall become due and payable on or before the first day of February of each sueeeeding year and failure to psy said renewal fee prior to that date shall carry with it a penalty for 50� of said fee which penalty shall be added to the amount of the renewal; and when the orginal certificate is obtained during the year then a proper adjustment of the fee charged therefor for the unexpired portion of the year shall be made by the official issuing such certificate. All fees received from said certificates shall be paid to the secretary and treasurer of the Examining Board to be used to pay its necessary expense. Any excess to be paid over to the Treasurer of the City of Fort Worth at such times as the Examining Board shall feel that it has no need therefor. Said Board shall have power and is directed to suspend, for a definite time, or cancel at the discretion of the Board, any certificate of authority granted thereunder, if after notice and opportunity to be heard, the party named therein is found guilty by said Board of violating the terms and conditions of this Ordinance or the rules and regu— lations, established by the City Council under the authority of the charter and ordinance of the City of Fort Worth; providing, however, that no person holding a certificate as a journeyman or master plumber from the Board of EYumbingeExaminers of the City of Fort Worth shall be required to take the examination for gas fitting herein provided; but such plumbing certificates shall be accepted by sucks Board in lieu of the gas fitting certificates required by the provisions of this ordinance. SECTION 4. INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING DUTY= The Inspector of Plumbing, or his duly authorized deputies or assistants shhll inspect all the new work or altering work relating to gas fitting in new or old building, the connections and use of such work, and shall report all violations of this ordinance to the proper officers. The Plumbing Inspector shall, upon request by an interested party, inspect and pass upon the condition of house piping or customer's service pipe used for conveying natural or sanufactured gas, and upon finding same in an unsafe condition shall order the use of same discontinued until the completion of such repairs or replacements as may be necessary. He shall also perform such other appropriate duties as may be required by the Plumbing Board. All powers conferred by this ordinance upon the City Plumbing Inspector are hereby likewise conferred upon his assistants and deputies, and such assistants and deputies and each of them may likewise exercise all such powers. SECTION 5. LICENSE TO BE DISPLAYED; Every licensed gas fitter shall displev his licence number conspicuously at his place of business. SECTION 6. PERMIT, APPLICATION, REGULATION: No building shall be piped or fitted for gas, nor shall any repairs be made in such piping, nor fitting be placed unless a permit shall be granted therefor by the Inspector of Plumbing. Every licensed gas fitter theretofore performed any work relating to piping or fitting a building for gas or the repair of gas piping or fittings, or the placing of fixtures therein as hereinafter provided in this ordinance for the inspection of such work shall file an application at the Office of Inspector of Plumbing, giving the correct location, name and address of the owner of such building, a full and complete statement of the number of openings and the purpose for which installation work was performed by said Inspector of Plumbing, furnished a plan thereform which shall be subject to the approval of such inspector. Page #-3 Copy Ordinance #1392 The Health Department of said City and the Inspector of Plumbing, or their duly authorized agents, assistants or deputies, shall from time to time, as they deem proper inspect the gas fixtures and appliances in any building, and shall made such require- ments relating thereto as they may deem the public health and safety require, and the owners of such buildings shall comply with such requirements. SECTION 7. GAS PIPE LOCATION; GAS METER REMOVAL; No gas pipes shall be placed in the timbers, beams or girders of any building, unless the same is placed within twenty-four inches of the end of said timber, beam or girder, and in no building shall the said pipe be placed in the timbers, beams or girders more than twenty percent (20%) of its depth. All pipes under houses must be securely strapped to the bottom of joists or other secure places with iron straps or gas #ooks. No person shall disconnect or remove any gas meter except the Plumbing Inspector, or his assistant or deputy, or a duly authorized representative of the company furnishing gas owning such meter. SECTION 8 GAS BRACKETS; LOCATIONS All gas brackets shall be placed at least two and one half feet below any ceiling or wood work, unless the same is properly protected by a shield, in which case the distance shall not be less than 18 inches from such ceiling or wood work. Nothing in this ordinance shall be constrused as affecting the operation of any company furnishing gas upon its premises or upon its mains, service, and meters and connections. SECTION 9. NIPPING, BUSHING, GAGE TESTS, BRACKETS, ELLS, ETC: On all piping of natural gas or artitical gas in buildings in the City of Fort Worth, nipples and reducing couplings must be used; in no case will bushings be allowed. All piping must be tested with air pressure by the Inspector of Plumbing on a mercury or spring gauge at a pressure not less than 10 inch column of mercury which shall be maintained for fifteen minutes. All drops and branch lines for openings for side brackets must be of bracket ells or square bends where practicable. No nipples will be allowed on said bracket lights. In order to avoid trapping, all pipes must be garded to risers or drops. SECTION 10. GAS FITTER, DUTY, INSPECTION OF WORK, CHARGES: It shall be the duty of the gas fitter, installing or altering gas fit& W in any building in the City of Fort Worth, 'to notify the Inspector of Plumbing when the work Is ready for inspecti.on;j and said gas fitter shall prepare the whole system of gas piping in said building for the Inspector of Plumbing to make a proper test of the same. The Inspector of Plumbing can require twenty-four hours notice after the gas piping is made tight and ready for inspection. For each inspection of new gas piping or of alternation of work in any building, the Inspector of Plumbing shall charge and collect from Master Gas Fitters or Employing Gas Fitters applying for such inspection the sum of One ($1.00) Dollar for epch inspection up to fifteen openings, and teicents for each additional opening. For reinspection of gas fitting that had been rejected or turned down after the second inspectign, an additional fee of One Dollar ($1.00) will be charged and such fee must be.paid before the Master Plumber or Gas Fitter doing such work will be granted further permits. SECTION 11. REPAIR OF LEEKS, NOTICE; PIPES, HOW LAID= In all cases of repairs of leaks a notice of work performed shall be filed with the Inspector of Plumbing immediately upon completion of the same. No pipe or fitting shall be covered/ oncealed from view until inspected and approved by the the Inspector of Plumbing or his duly authorized agent, assistant or deputy. No pipe shall be laid so as to support any way except fixtures or be subject to any strain. All outlets, not covered by fixtures, shall be tei*t capped. All pipes laid in cold or damp places shall be properly ddpped or covered. No split pipe or broken fittings repaired in any way will be permitted, but all such work shall be removed and replaced by new material. Page #-4 iCopy Ordinance #1392 SECTION 12. RULES FOR PIPING: SECOND HAND PIPES3 - All buildings shall be piped or fitted according to the following rules and regulations: All pipes in buildings above the first floor shall be laid above timbers instead of beneath them, where practicable to do so. Fastening boards shall not be cut away to accomodate electric wires. In every gas installation all piping and attachments must be at least of such capacity as will supply gas up to the full maximum requirements of all appliances contemplated to be connected thereon according to the requirements of this ordinance. No gas piping, appliances, fixtures or apparatus, of the install- ation, construction, reconstruction or repair thereof, for which a permit is issued shall be put to the use in connection with any supply of gas until inspected and accepted by the City Plumbing Inspector. Any gas installation not specifically covered by this ordinance must be approved by the City Plumbing Inspector. Ordinary dwellings must be piped with the following size pipe, and a table giving the greatest length of pipe of various sizes will be found below: From curb line or alley property line, pipe shall be laid in an independent ditch and to first outlet, minimum sizes of pipes as follows shall be used; 10 outlets or less 1 " 11 outlets to 15 incl. 1 " 16 to 20 outlets Incl. 2" For installations if larger size consult Plumbing Inspector. Supply pipes to control heating plants shall be full size as above. All risers to appliances from supply pipes shall be not less than one-half inch and where the opehings are larger on said appliances, such as cook stoves, automatic hot water heaters, storage tanks, boilers, etc., the risers or branches must be full size of the connections on such appliances. Supply pipes from first outlet to various other appliances shall not be less than the followings For one stove 1" pipe For two stoves 1" pipe to first and 3/4" to second For three stoves 1 " " " " ,1" to second, 3/4" to third For four stoves it " " N and second, 1" to third, and 3/4 to fourth. All risers to appliances from supply pipes shall be not less than one-half inch, and must have cut-off above floor. Gas is never to be supplied from a smaller pipe to a larger one. The greatest permissible length of pipe of various sizes for varying number of fires shall be as follows: NO. FIRES FEET OF PIPE SIZE OF PIPE 2 30 314" 6 40 1" 12 60 1 " 20 100 1 " 36 150 2" Cook stoves and water heaters counts as two fires. Any gas fitter, before installing a meter or house service line shall consult the company furnishing gas for the proper location of said meter and the course of said house service line and if said company has not acted on this matter within fotty- eight hours thereafter, than such gas fitter may appeal to the Inspector of Plumbing of the City of Fort Worth and said Inspector of Plumbing shall locate said meter and the course of said house lines as soon thereafter as possible without amy charge to the gas fitter applying for such service. 0 Page #-5 Copy Ordinance #1392 All house service lines shall be run in as direct a line as possible from building line to alley line or curb line, and no gas pipe shall be run within 18" of water service, not withint'two feet of sewer trenches. The proper spread must be made at the curb line or alley and correct distance must be left by gas fitter for all meters to be set. Information as to distances required can be obtained in the same manner as for the location of meters and house service lines set out in the pre- ceding paragraph of this section. All gas pipe,and fittings where undergroukd, or in damp cellere or basements, or under concrete and tile floors, such as stores, Math rooms and toilet rooms, must be of Merchants Galvanized Steel or Galvanized wrought Iron, or wrapped or concreted pipe of a type approved by the Plumbing Inspector. NO valves or unions will be permitted to be placed between ceiling and floor or located in such a position that stuffing box or valve cannot be repacked or union gasket replaced. All globe and angle valves must be placed on line with gas pressure under gas seat and not on stuffing box when valve is closed. No "soft seat" valves will be allowed, and all valve stems shall be packed in a workmanlike manner. Use as few elbows as practicable. Elbows not absolutely neceseary will be con- demned. when impracticable to get through an obstruction, such as a beam offset, use the pipe, rather than use elbows. Air mixers must be placed in air-tight ash boxers, but where a free flow of air can reach them at all times. Rea& all pipe after shop cuts are made, especially nipples near burners and mixers. Place a damper in all vent pipes leading from gas appliances (sufficient safety opening to be made in all dampers), and carefully adjust same, explaing to the con- sumers how to operate a damper, with respect to the instructions of the particular type and make of appliance installed. SECTION 13. After a meter has been set and additional work is done the plumber or gas fit- ter shall report such change or extension to the City Inspector. The meter is property of the company furnishing gas and mast not be disconnected for any cause by any one other than those specifically authorized, to do so; if change Is desired notify the said company. If meter stop is closed, do not open under any circumstances. Application must be made to the company furnishing gas for gas to be turned on, and when said application has been made and all requirements as herein- after not out in this ordinance have been complied with, it shall be unlawful for said company to refuse to immediately turn on the gas. The passageway to meter location must not be blocked. Lead pipe must not be used under any circumstances. Running a line through a flue is prohibited. No second-hand gas pipe or fittings shall be put into use in any building without the written permission of the Inspector of Plumbing. SECTION 14. STOVES, GAS HOSE, FLUES; - All connection to room or space heaters should be of iron pipe. No flexible connections may be used except those approved by the Plumbing Inspector. All gas water heaters of every description shall be vented by connection to a good and sufficient flue. C Page +-6 Copy Ordinance #1392 SECTION 15, Any and all gas piping, appliances, fixtures and apparatus or material, which may at any time become defective and in the opinion of the City Plumbing Inspector or his assistants or deputies, likely to cause leaks, fires or accidents or to endanger persons or property, shall be condemned by the City Plumbing Inspector or his assis- tants or deputies and when, in his opinion, it is deemed necessary in order to pre— vent such accident or danger, said City Plumbing Inspector or his assistants or deputies, are hereby authorized to disconnect such gas piping, appliances, fixtures and apparatus, or to cause the service of gas to such consumer to be discontinued until the person or persons owning or using such gas piping, appliances, fixtures, apparatus, or material shall cause the same to be put in safe condition and tested and approved by the Ci.fy Plumbing Inspector. When any gas piping, appliances, fixtures, apparatus or material of any nature whatsoever have been in any manner disconnected and rendered inoperative by the City Plumbing Inspector or the service discontinued, as set forth in the foregoing pro— visions, it shall be unlawful for any reason or person to in any manner reconnect the same or cause the same to be reconnected to any supply of gas or to use the same as a part of any gas piping system until they have been put in safe condition and a certificate or acceptance has been issued by the City Plumbing Inspector. It shall be unlawful for the company furnishing gas•to install a meter or turn on the gas in any building until a certificate of inspection by the Plumbing Inspec- tor has been issued, and when such certificate has been obtained and the consumer has made the proper deposit with said company and signed the proper application and or contract with said company then said company shall immediately furnish gas to said consumer, and it shall be unlawful for said company furnishing gas to refuse to furnish gas to said consumer as provided for in this section of this ordinance. SECTION 16. INSPECTOR, RIGHT TO ENTER PREMISES: •-- The Inspector of Plumbing, or his duly authorized agent, shall have the right to enter upon any premises containing gas fitting at all reasonable hours, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the pro— visions of this ordinance have been or are being complied with. SECTION 17. INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING: DUTIES= It is hereby made the duty of the Inspector of Plumbing of the City of Fort Worth, In addition to his duties as specified in other ordinances of said City to inspect all piping of natural or artifical gas that may hereafter be installed or altered in any building in the City of Fort Worth. Said Inspector of Plumbing shall give general information and advise as to the meaning and requirements of this ordinance and the rules and regulations governing gas fitting, to persons desiring the same. He shall investigate all cases of violation or attempted violation of this ordinance and of the rules and regulation relating thereto on the part of the gas fitter, builder, owner or agent, and shall cause the offending parties to be prosecuted, He shall issue all certificate of registration, keep a record of all inspections of gas fitting made by him and when•the gas piping in any building shall be satisfactory completed and inspect6d and tested as herein— before provided,.he shall issue to the party doing the work a certificate and memor— andum copy 'to the company furnishing gas stating that the same is lawfully and prop- erly done. SECTION 18. PLACE OF BUSINESS: CERTIFICATE: Any meter gas fitter or journeyman gas fit— ter desiring to engage in the business of gas fitting in the City of Fort Worth have an established place of business and a certificate of examination from the Board of Plumbing Examiners as hereinbefors nrovfded. I Page -7 Copy Ordinance #1392 SECTION 19. BOND EEQUIIMD; CONDIIXIONS; EXCEPTIONS= —. Before engaging in the business of gas fitting every master gas fitter or journeyman gas fitter shall give to the City of Fort Worth a bond in the sum of Fifteen Hundred ($1,500.00) Dollars, to be approved by the City Council, conditioned that such party will faithfully comply with the terms and provisions of this ordinance and all the rules made in pursuance thereof, and will indemnify and hold said City harmless against all costs, expnses, damages and injuries sustained by the said City by reason of the carelessness or neglect of said gas fitter in operating under this ordinance and the rules and regulations made in pursuance there— of, Said bond shall be further conditioned that such master gas fitter or journeyman gas fitter shall, without additional cost to the person for whom the work is done, remedy and defect therein due to faulty workmanship or incorrect construction or due to the faulty material furnished or used by such master gas fitter or journeyman gas fitter, and that such master gas fitter or jonmrasyman gas fitter, shall reconstruct or repair such work to the satisfaction of the City Plumbing Inspector of the City of Fort Worth at any time within one year after the construction, repair or installation thereof, within forty—eight (48) hours of notice from the City Plumbing Inspector to reconstruct or repair the same. Such bond shall be executed to cover a period of two years and shall remain in full force and effect as to each piece of work done for two years after the same has been completed; provided, however, that any party having given the'bonds as a plumber under and pursuant to the ordinances of said City reg- ulating the business of plumbing, shall not be required to give the bond herein pro— vided for. SECTION 20. UNLAWFUL NOT TO HAVE INSPECTION AND PAY FEES: -- It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation owning or controlling any'building in the City of Fort -Worth in which new gas piping may hereafter be installed, or existing piping altered, orany gas fitter or any other person to allow or to permit gas to flow through such piping until the same has been inspected, tested and approved by the Inspector of Plumb— ing as hereinbefore provided and the fees for such inspection and testing shall be paid to the Inspector of Plumbing by the person, firm or corporation requesting said inspection or test by the City Inspector. And it shall be unlawful for any such person, firm, corporation to fail, refuse or neglect to pay to said Inspector of Plumbing the inspection fee hereinbefore provided for inspecting and testing such gas piping. SECTION 21. PENALTY: -- Every owner, agent, architect, gas fitter, superintendent, contractor, corporation or any person failing, neglect, omitting, resisting or refusing to comply with any of the condition of this ordinance shall be deemed guilty def a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, 'shall be fined in any sum not less than ($5.00) Fite Dollars and not more than Fifty ($50.00) Dollars for each offense and eahh dayre failure, neglect or refusal to comply with the conditions of this ordinance shall be deemed a distinct offense and punishable as such. SECTION 22. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication as required by law. (signed) I.L.Van Zandt, Jr. City S,wCfietary—Treasurer Adopted by the City Council of the City of Fort Worth, March 6, 1926.