Chapter 15.28 — LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS FACILITIES

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Hazardous conditions means any conditions/installations, which present an apparent risk of explosion and/or fire. The hazard may be imminent or seasonal.

Installation means a storage tank designed for the containment of liquefied petroleum gas or liquefied petroleum gas distribution system for use by a customer for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes, together with appurtenant pipes, risers, gauges and related equipment.

Interruption of service means change in vendor or any stoppage of gas, for whatever period of time, due to hazardous conditions, or to make modifications to the system. Temporary shut-off of gas to affect minor repairs shall not constitute interruption of service.

LPG means liquefied petroleum gas.

LPG facilities means all supply piping (above or below the ground), risers, fittings, gauges, regulators, and related equipment used for the conveyance of LPG on the property.

Nonconforming installation means any residential, commercial, or industrial installation, which does not comply with the requirements of this chapter.

Safety inspection means visual inspection, performed by the gas vendor, of exterior portions of LPG system, for purposes of observing, reporting, and correcting obvious hazardous conditions, including danger of failure under snow load.

Vendor means any person or business, which sells, at retail, liquefied petroleum gas for residential, commercial, or industrial use.

(Code 1990, § 15.40.010; Ord. No. 08-02, § 1(exh. A), 2008; Ord. No. 22-11, § 3(exh. A), 12-7-2022)

LPG installations within the Town limits shall comply with the provisions of this chapter, though no provision herein shall be interpreted to require the upgrading of existing installations, which are in good repair, nonhazardous and comply with the intent of these regulations.

(Code 1990, § 15.40.020; Ord. No. 08-02, § 1(exh. A), 2008)

LPG systems for single or multiple users shall be installed in accordance with the most recently adopted version of NFPA 58, relevant portions of the California Plumbing and Mechanical Codes, and applicable portions of the California Administrative Code. These requirements shall apply to all new LPG installations, existing installations that experience an interruption of service, and any installation that in the opinion of the Building Official or Fire Marshal is hazardous.

(1)

Two stage regulators required. Two stage regulator systems shall be installed on all LPG installations. Combination regulators (two stage combination regulators) or other methods of installation meeting the intent of these regulations are subject to the approval of the Mammoth Lakes Building Division and/or Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District.

(2)

First stage. The first stage regulator shall be installed in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. The first stage regulator shall be plumbed from the tank with an approved looped soft-copper pigtail or other approved means to allow flexibility should tank shifting occur. The riser from the yard piping shall be located not more than three feet, horizontally from the walls of the tank. The transition from underground piping to above ground piping shall be accomplished via an approved sweep/riser or other approved method.

(3)

Second stage. The second stage regulator and riser pipe shall be installed on the non-shed side of the building and directly attached to the building wall. The riser and exposed piping shall be installed in a manner to allow flexibility and movement. The transition from underground piping to above-ground piping shall be accomplished via an approved sweep/riser or other approved method and shall be installed as close to the side of the building as possible in order to minimalize snow and ice accumulation between the riser pipe and the building. The riser, including the regulator and gas shut-off, shall be securely attached to the building and shall extend to a point so that the gas shut-off is located at least five feet, but not more than seven feet above finish grade and within six inches of the regulator. Buildings or structures served by LPG facilities containing multiple meters of three or more shall be equipped with an emergency shut-off valve located at the building or structure and capable of disconnecting the entire service to the structure. A two-inch diameter or equivalent reflector shall be secured to the structure directly above the shut-off within three feet of the roof overhang and a minimum of ten feet above the meter/regulator assembly or other approved location. The gas shut-off shall be readily accessible.

Exception 1: Existing facilities installed before November 15, 1994 located on the snowshed side of structures need not be relocated if protected by an approved enclosure and the installation complies with all other provisions of this Code.

Exception 2: The Mammoth Lakes Building Division and/or the Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District may approve other locations, installations and riser heights provided accessibility to the shut-off valve is provided under all conditions and all other provisions of this chapter are in compliance.

(4)

Protection of LPG facilities. The LPG regulator, meter and gas piping installed at or attached to any structure shall be protected from physical damage by an enclosure or other structure approved by the Mammoth Lakes Building Division.

Exception: LPG meters and regulators located above the anticipated ground snow level and not subject to impact loads need not be protected by an enclosure.

(5)

No gas piping embedded in concrete. Gas piping shall not be embedded in concrete, asphalt, or similar materials. Gas piping passing through these materials shall maintain a one-inch clearance or be sleeved with an approved material.

(6)

Underground gas piping. Gas pipe installed below grade shall be approved for such use. All gas piping shall be installed a minimum of 18 inches below grade. Nonmetallic gas piping shall be installed with a listed electrically continuous corrosion resistant tracer tape or tracer wire (minimum 14 gauge) or other approved material to facilitate locating the pipe. One end of the tracer wire shall be brought above ground at a building wall or riser. The tracer wire shall not be in direct contact with the gas pipe.

(7)

Exposed exterior gas piping. Gas piping and fittings installed in exposed exterior locations and transition gas piping and fittings installed in the exterior wall of a building or structure shall have a minimum wall thickness of Schedule 40. Piping shall be supported by metal clamps or other approved methods at intervals not to exceed two feet and within six inches of either side of a fitting. Piping shall be installed in a manner to allow for adequate movement.

(8)

Exposed gas piping installed on roofs. Exposed gas piping and fittings installed on roofs or other horizontal surfaces shall have a minimum wall thickness of Schedule 80. The gas piping shall be supported its entire length. The installation shall employ methods to provide adequate flexibility and movement.

(9)

Inspection and testing. All new or modified installations shall require an inspection and approval by the Mammoth Lakes Building Division. All gas piping shall be air tested by the installer and the test of all gas piping shall be visually inspected by the Mammoth Lakes Building Division. Rough gas piping test shall be a minimum 15 psi of air for 15 minutes. Other testing methods are subject to the approval of the Mammoth Lakes Building Division.

a.

The approval for connection of LPG to the structure will be indicated by the attachment of a tag on the building LPG piping at the point it exits the structure.

b.

Any connection of LPG to any structure without approval of the Mammoth Lakes Building Division is in violation of this chapter and applicable sections of the California Mechanical Code and California Plumbing Code.

c.

Locks shall be provided by the serving LPG vendor at the shut off valve for meters and assemblies that are incomplete and/or not inspected and approved by the Mammoth Lakes Building Division.

(10)

Plot plan. Prior to connection of service the vendor shall submit to the Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District a plot plan identifying the LPG system. The plot plan shall be drawn on an approved form. A verification of approval must be provided to the Mammoth Lakes Building Division prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy or final letter. The plot plan shall include, but not be limited to:

a.

The tank location and distance from structure;

b.

Number of tank(s) and capacity in U.S. gallons;

c.

Location of the riser pipe and shut-off at the building;

d.

Property boundaries;

e.

An outline of all buildings on the lot and a depiction of the ridgeline of any building to be supplied with LPG;

f.

Location of the property. Street address, lot number, subdivision, assessor's parcel number, and condominium project name if applicable;

g.

LPG supplier and phone number;

h.

Building permit number and final date.

(11)

Snow states. The location of the center of LPG tanks shall be permanently marked by a snow stake of sufficient height to rise above the anticipated depth of snow. The upper 12 inches of the stake shall be painted bright orange with the top three inches of the stake painted the color assigned the individual vendor. The stake shall be located near the riser pipe and may be attached directly to, provided the installation will not apply additional stress to the riser pipe. The installation and maintenance of the snow stake is the responsibility of the LPG vendor. The Building Division shall assign colors to each vendor.

(12)

Tank installation. Tanks shall be securely fastened on a four-inch-thick concrete pad reinforced with a minimum of #4 rebar at the perimeter. Pad shall be set below grade, with horizontal dimensions 12 inches greater than the tank's leg spacing and shall be located to be safe from disturbance by snow removal operations. In lieu of a concrete slab, prefabricated reinforced blocks may be used (design subject to approval of the Mammoth Lakes Building Division and the Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District). Use of prefabricated blocks shall be limited to existing residential installations and shall be limited to LPG tanks with capacities of 500 gallons or less.

(13)

Temporary tank installations. Temporary LPG tank installations shall be limited to emergency installations only. The placement and design of the system shall be subject to the approval of the Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District and the Mammoth Lakes Building Division.

(14)

Property line setback variance. To accommodate multiple users, an LPG tank may be located on or closer to property lines than the required setback specifications of NFPA 58. The encroachment shall require the mutual approvals of all property owners involved. Setback requirements to building and/or structures shall maintain the minimum distances specified in the California Fire Code.

(15)

Excessive flow valves. Excessive flow valves shall be installed on all residential systems with an LPG storage capacity in excess of 2,000 gallons.

Exception: Residential occupancies equipped with an approved, monitored fire detection and suppression system may omit the excessive flow valve on the system.

(16)

Alternate methods and materials. The Building Official and Fire Marshal may approve alternate designs, methods and materials provided the alternate methods and materials meet or exceed the provisions of this chapter.

(17)

Separations. LPG meters shall be separated from electric meters by a minimum of two feet, and a minimum of 18 inches for plumbing fixtures (such as hose bibs) that extend more than six inches from a wall surface. Second stage regulator venting shall be separated from window, door, and similar openings by a minimum of three feet from such openings. Second stage regulator venting shall also be no less than five feet from any source of ignition, openings into direct vent (sealed combustion system) appliances, or mechanical ventilation air intakes.

(Code 1990, § 15.40.030; Ord. No. 08-02, § 1(exh. A), 2008; Ord. No. 22-11, § 3(exh. A), 12-7-2022)

(a)

A vendor shall file with the Mammoth Lakes Building Division a report of any uncorrected hazardous conditions affecting any LPG installation served by such vendor within five working days of discovery. The report shall contain the following information:

(1)

The name, street address, and telephone number of the LPG customer;

(2)

A description, in words, picture, or both, of the hazards;

(3)

Any proposal by the property owner or vendor to eliminate the hazards.

(b)

It is unlawful for any vendor to provide service to a hazardous installation. Hazardous installations shall be disconnected and repaired immediately.

(c)

The LPG vendor shall inspect each served installation for safety, including outside regulators, valves, meters and exposed piping, at least once every five years.

(d)

When service is terminated by one vendor and assumed by another, all applicable requirements of Section 15.28.030 will apply. The vendor assuming service shall obtain a permit from the Mammoth Lakes Building Division prior to change.

(Code 1990, § 15.40.040; Ord. No. 08-02, § 1(exh. A), 2008)

(a)

It is unlawful for a vendor to provide service to a hazardous installation.

(b)

It is a violation for any serving gas supplier to connect and turn on the gas supply to any structure without first obtaining an inspection and the approval of the Mammoth Lakes Building Division.

(Code 1990, § 15.40.050; Ord. No. 08-02, § 1(exh. A), 2008)