Athens City Code

1. (1) Title. This chapter and the code herein adopted by reference shall be known as the gas code of the city and may be cited as such.
2. (2) Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, for the purpose of interpretation and administration of the gas code, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
   
   Certain appliances means conversion burners, floor furnaces, central heating plants, vented wall furnaces, water heaters, and boilers.
   
   Certificate of approval means a document or tag issued and/or attached by the inspector to the inspected material, piping, or appliance installation, filled out, together with the date and address of the premises, and signed by the inspector.
   
   Gas company means any person distributing gas within the corporate limits or authorized and proposing to so engage.
   
   Inspector means the person appointed as inspector and shall include each assistant inspector, if any, from time to time acting as such under this chapter by appointment of the city manager.

(Code 1972, § 4-401; Code 1995, § 12-401)

Pursuant to authority granted by T.C.A. §§ 6-54-501 through 6-54-506 to provide minimum standards, provisions, and requirements for safe installation of consumers' gas piping and gas appliances, all gas piping and gas appliances installed, replaced, maintained, or repaired within the corporate limits shall conform to the requirements of this chapter and to the International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 edition, as prepared and adopted by the International Code Council, which is incorporated by reference and made part of this chapter as if fully set forth herein. One copy of the gas code shall be kept on file in the office of the city manager for the use and inspection of the public.

(Code 1972, § 4-402; Code 1995, § 12-402; Ord. No. 960, 7-17-2007; Ord. No. 1058, § 5, 1-17-2017; Ord. No. 1105, § 5, 12-21-2021)

Notwithstanding any provision in the gas code to the contrary, consumers' piping installed prior to the adoption of the gas code or piping installed to supply other than natural gas may be converted to natural gas if the inspector finds, upon inspection and proper tests, that such piping will render reasonably satisfactory gas service to the consumer and will not in any way endanger life or property; otherwise, such piping shall be altered or replaced, in whole or in part, to conform with the requirements of the gas code.

(Code 1972, § 4-403; Code 1995, § 12-403)

1. (1) No person shall engage in or work at the installation, extension, or alteration of a consumer's gas piping or certain gas appliances, until such person shall have secured a license as hereinafter provided and shall have executed and delivered to the city manager a good and sufficient bond in the penal sum of $25,000.00, with corporate surety, conditioned for the faithful performance of all such work, entered upon or contracted for in strict accordance and compliance with the provisions of the gas code. The bond herein required shall expire on January 1 next following its approval by the city manager, and, thereafter, on January 1 of each year a new bond, in form and substance as herein required, shall be given by such person to cover all such work as shall be done during such year.
2. (2) Upon approval of the bond, the person desiring to do such work shall secure from the city manager a nontransferable license which shall run until January 1 next succeeding its issuance, unless sooner revoked. The person obtaining a license shall pay any applicable license fees to the city manager.
3. (3) Nothing herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting an individual from installing or repairing his own appliances or installing, extending, replacing, altering, or repairing the consumer's piping on his own premises, or as requiring a license or a bond from an individual doing such work on his own premises; provided, however, all such work must be done in conformity with all other provisions of the gas code, including those relating to permits, inspections, and fees.

(Code 1972, § 4-404; Code 1995, § 12-404)

To provide for the administration and enforcement of the gas code, the office of gas inspector is created. The inspector, and such assistants as may be necessary in the proper performance of the duties of the office, shall be appointed by the city manager.

(Code 1972, § 4-405; Code 1995, § 12-405)

The inspector is authorized and directed to enforce all of the provisions of the gas code. Upon presentation of proper credentials, he may enter any building or premises at reasonable times for the purpose of making inspections or preventing violations of the gas code.

1. (1) The inspector is authorized to disconnect any gas piping or fixture or appliance for which a certificate of approval is required but has not been issued with respect to same or which, upon inspection, shall be found defective or in such condition as to endanger life or property. In all cases where such a disconnection is made, a notice shall be attached to the piping, fixture, or appliance disconnected by the inspector, which notice shall state that the same has been disconnected by the inspector, together with the reason therefor, and it is unlawful for any person to remove the notice or reconnect the gas piping or fixture or appliance without authorization by the inspector and such gas piping or fixture or appliance shall not be put in service or used until the inspector has attached his certificate of approval in lieu of his prior disconnection notice.
2. (2) It shall be the duty of the inspector to confer from time to time with representatives of the local health department, the local fire department, and the gas company, and otherwise obtain from proper sources all helpful information and advice, presenting same to the appropriate officials from time to time for their consideration.

(Code 1972, § 4-406; Code 1995, § 12-406)

No person shall install a gas conversion burner, floor furnace, central heating plant, vented wall furnace, water heater, boiler, or consumer's gas piping or convert existing piping to utilize natural gas without first obtaining a permit to do such work from the city; however, permits will not be required for setting or connecting other gas appliances, or for the repair of leaks in house piping.

1. (1) When only temporary use of gas is desired, the inspector may issue a permit for such use for a period of not to exceed 60 days, provided the consumer's gas piping to be used is given a test equal to that required for a final piping inspection.
2. (2) Except when work in a public street or other public way is involved, the gas company shall not be required to obtain permits to set meters, or to extend, relocate, remove, or repair its service lines, mains, or other facilities, or for work having to do with its own gas system.

(Code 1972, § 4-407; Code 1995, § 12-407)

1. (1) A rough piping inspection shall be made after all new piping authorized by the permit has been installed, and before any such piping has been covered or concealed or any fixtures or gas appliances have been attached thereto.
2. (2) A final piping inspection shall be made after all piping authorized by the permit has been installed and after all portions thereof which are to be concealed by plastering or otherwise have been so concealed, and before any fixtures or gas appliances have been attached thereto. This inspection shall include a pressure test, at which time the piping shall stand an air pressure equal to not less than the pressure of a column of mercury six inches in height, and the piping shall hold this air pressure for a period of at least ten minutes without any perceptible drop. A mercury column gauge shall be used for the test. All tools, apparatus, labor, and assistance necessary for the test shall be furnished by the installer of such piping.

(Code 1972, § 4-408; Code 1995, § 12-408)

The inspector shall issue a certificate of approval at the completion of the work for which a permit for consumer piping has been issued if after inspection it is found that such work complies with the provisions of the gas code. A duplicate of each certificate issued covering consumers' gas piping shall be delivered to the gas company and used as its authority to render gas service.

(Code 1972, § 4-409; Code 1995, § 12-409)

The total fees for inspection of a consumer's gas piping at one location (including both rough and final piping inspection) shall be $1.50 for one to five outlets, inclusive, and $0.50 for each outlet above five.

1. (1) The fees for inspecting conversion burners, floor furnaces, boilers, or central heating plants shall be $1.50 for each unit.
2. (2) The fees for inspecting vented wall furnaces and water heaters shall be $1.00 for each unit.
3. (3) If the inspector is called back, after correction of defects noted, an additional fee of $1.00 shall be made for each such return inspection.
4. (4) Any and all fees shall be paid by the person to whom the permit is issued.

(Code 1972, § 4-410; Code 1995, § 12-410)

Any person who shall violate or fail to comply with any of the provisions of the gas code shall be guilty of a civil offense, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be assessed a civil penalty under ACC 1-13, or the license of such person may be revoked, or both civil penalty and revocation of license may be imposed.

(Code 1972, § 4-411; Code 1995, § 12-411)

This chapter shall not be construed as imposing upon the city any liability or responsibility for damages to any person injured by any defect in any gas piping or appliance mentioned herein, or by installation thereof, nor shall the city, or any official or employee thereof, be held as assuming any such liability or responsibility by reason of the inspection authorized hereunder or the certificate of approval issued by the inspector.

(Code 1972, § 4-412; Code 1995, § 12-412)