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Gas Dept

Smell Gas? Act Fast!
	Don’t look for a leak.  Don’t use or touch anything electrical, like a phone – even a cell phone.  Instead, leave the area immediately.  Call the Fort Valley Utility Commission at 825-7701.  After hours call 825-5482.

Notification to New / Replacement Natural Gas Customers 

To:       Natural Gas Customers
Re:       Federal Safety Regulation – Excess Flow Valve

The Federal Department of Transportation is now enforcing a new safety regulation pertaining to the “Excess Flow Valves.”  This new regulation requires that natural gas supply companies notify certain customers of the availability of an excess flow valve that meets minimum federal performance requirements.  Also, should the customer desire installation of this device, the customer must agree to pay all associated costs including materials and labor.

What is an Excess Flow Valve?  An excess flow valve is a device designed to restrict gas flow in a customer’s natural gas service line by automatically closing in the event that a service line is broken, completely cut, torn apart or otherwise separated, usually caused by some type of excavation or digging.  A natural gas service line is the piping from the gas main in the street to the customer meter set and runs underground through the customer’s yard.  Restricting gas flow after a gas service line is damaged may decrease the potential for property damage and/or injury.

Customer Responsibilities.  If a customer requests installation of an excess flow valve, and agrees to pay the cost at the time of installation, the Fort Valley Utility Commission’s Gas Department will perform the installation.

Customer must agree to pay any and all future maintenance costs associated with an excess flow valve including:

• Excavation costs for valve removal and/or replacement.
• Pavement and/or landscaping replacement associated with any necessary excavations.
• All associated material and labor costs.

Additional Information:

• Installation of an excess flow valve is not mandatory.
   

• An excess flow valve will not protect against the following events:

  • Customer appliance gas leaks.

  • Small gas service line punctures.

  • Gas meter set leaks.
     

• The Fort Valley Utility Commission’s Gas Department makes no express warranty for continued proper excess flow valve operation under normal use conditions and/or false valve closure under any gas system operating conditions.
   
• Additional information may be obtained by calling our office at 825-7701.

 Should you desire and Excess Flow Valve be installed on a new or replaced service line, you the customer, must bear all costs associated with the installation, maintenance, and any future replacement or removal of the valve.

 Should you desire an installation, you will be contacted to arrange a mutually agreeable date for your service line installation.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Utility Commission attains its gas supply through the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia (MGAG). Our natural gas supplies are aggregated with the needs of the other members (over 70) to negotiate better volume pricing through greater economies of scale. Please refer to the attached gas fact sheet for answers to common questions.

UNDERGROUND GAS PIPE MAINTENANCE

In accordance to federal regulations, the Fort Valley Utility Commission (FVUC) wants to make its customers aware of certain safety recommendations regarding your natural gas piping running underground from the gas meter to a structure or a gas-burning appliance.

FVUC operates its gas system with an emphasis on safety. FVUC is required to design, operate, and maintain the underground natural gas pipeline system in accordance with prescribed federal safety standards. The gas system does not maintain the gas piping downstream of the gas meter. This is the responsibility of the customer who owns the piping. If the buried pipe is not properly maintained, it is subject to corrosion and/or leakage.

To ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of these lines, the buried piping should be checked periodically. Building owners are advised to contact a licensed plumber or heating contractor to assist in locating and inspecting buried gas piping. If any unsafe condition is discovered, repairs should be made immediately. The area phone books are excellent sources for listings of licensed plumbers and heating contractors.

Please contact us at 478-825-7701 with any questions relating to gas pipe safety. After normal business hours, or on weekends, call 478-825-5482.

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG

When you plan to dig anywhere, buried gas piping should be located in advance and all digging should be carefully done by hand in the vicinity of the pipe. New rules in Georgia require contact with the Utility Protection Center, 1-800-282-7411, three days in advance of digging in order that all underground utilities and cable may be located. This is a free service. For Frequently Asked Questions, visit www.digline.com/faq.htm

MGAG City Gate News
A newsletter for and about Members of the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia