Natural Gas Department
321 E. Lee Avenue
704-629-5398
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.For water and sewer emergencies or other problems during the night or on weekends call 704-866-3300.
PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAM
WORKING TOGETHER FOR SAFETY
The Bessemer City Natural Gas Department personnel strive to operate the gas system with an emphasis on safety. As one of the many people who live or work near our natural gas system, you can help us keep the gas system operating safely. The following information will be useful to you, and also help you keep us informed of safety issues:
Please read and be familiar with Public Awareness Plan Brochure that is mailed July & November of each year.
RECOGNIZING AND REACTING TO A NATURAL GAS LEAK
If a natural gas leak occurs, your sense of sight and smell will help you identify the possible leak and it’s location. The following are good detection methods:
Natural Gas has no odor; the odor one smells when a gas leak occurs comes from an additive called Mercaptan. It is added so anyone can recognize it as natural gas. It smells like ONIONS, not rotten eggs. The rotten egg smell is from propane gas.
CARBON MONOXIDE GAS
Carbon Monoxide gas is a by –product of burning fuel, any fuel, natural gas included. The symptoms of CO poisoning are: headaches, nausea, vomiting and death! If you suspect you have an improper burning gas appliance or a problem with a vent system call your service person as soon as possible and have them check and make repairs as needed. If you suspect you have a gas leak, you should notify the Gas Company as soon as possible, or call 911 immediately!
GAS LEAK INSTRUCTIONS
| GAS LEAKING INSIDE: |
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Open all windows, upper and lower sections |
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Open all exterior doors |
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Call the Gas Department at 704-629-6773 or dial 911 |
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If you call the gas company from inside the structure where the leak occurs, DO NOT hang up the phone
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Do not turn “ON” any lights, or turn “OFF” any lights that are already on |
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Get everyone out of the structure and to a safe area away from the leak |
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Do not start car engines, walk away |
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Do not use any type of telephone (cell phone) or two-way radio equipment |
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Warn others to stay out of the structure |
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Avoid all potential ignition sources |
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A damaged or weakened pipeline |
| GAS LEAKING OUTSIDE: |
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Call the gas company or dial 911 and leave the area
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Warn others to stay away from the area
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FLEXIBLE GAS CONNECTORS
Flexible gas appliance connectors are easy to use; they install quickly and make gas appliance installation much easier. But some of these connectors were manufactured using metal that was too thin! The connector pipe will break if you make the bend too sharp or it might break when you pull the appliance away from the wall.
PLEASE NOTE – each gas appliance should have it’s own control valve. This could be a quarter turn valve installed in the fuel piping where it comes through the floor to serve a particular appliance. It would be possible to shut the gas off to that appliance and not interrupt the flow of gas to other appliances.
PIPELINE MARKERS IDENTIFY PIPELINE AREAS
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG
Pipeline markers are placed along the length of the pipeline right of way. Line markers WARN everyone that a pipeline or other utility is buried in the area. They only indicate the “approximate” location of the pipeline and should not be used as a means to locate the exact location of a pipeline. The pipeline may not follow a straight line between the pipeline markers. These markers give no information as to the depth of a pipeline, nor do they indicate the number of pipelines or other utilities buried there.
Never try to locate a pipeline yourself, always contact the North Carolina One Call Center at 1-800-632-4949. Give them the information as they request and they will notify everyone with a utility in the area of your planned excavation. The only requirement we ask is that you give us a 48 hour notice to allow us time to respond to the locate request and mark our utilities. There is no charge for this service.
WORKING AROUND NATURAL GAS LINES
The leading cause of pipeline leaks is damage from construction equipment such as earth moving equipment and power tools operated by untrained and uninformed personnel. During your excavation activities around our gas pipelines, we request that if you or your crew were to hit, scrape, dent, gouge, crease or bend the pipeline in anyway, please call the gas company immediately. We will check the area of the pipeline before a SAFETY problem occurs.
RECOGNIZING A PIPELINE EMERGENCY
Some examples of Pipeline Emergencies:
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A leaking pipeline |
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A damaged or weakened pipeline |
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An explosion or fire ON, NEAR, or INVOLVING a pipeline or pipeline facility |
PROTECTING GAS METERS
The Gas Company will determine the location of a gas meter at a structure. We will choose a location that provides visibility and safety for the gas meter with respect to riding lawn mowers and falling objects.
Snow is not normally a problem in this area, however, there is always a possibility of snow building up on the roof and eventually sliding off and onto the gas meter. There have been cases where this problem has caused the piping attached to the gas meter to break, causing a gas leak.
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CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
CUSTOMER-OWNED BURIED PIPELINE
Pipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Part 192 of the Code of Federal Regulations, requires that the City, as an operator of a Natural Gas System, inform all of our customers of the following information:
| 1. |
Bessemer City DOES NOT maintain the customer owned buried piping. This is the piping on the outlet side of the gas meter that runs UNDERGROUND to supply gas to your appliances. |
| 2. |
All buried gas piping should be:
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Periodically inspected for leaks |
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If metallic, piping should be inspected for corrosion |
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Repaired or replaced, if unsafe conditions are found |
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Plumbers & Heating contractors can assist you in locating, inspecting and repairing your customer owned, buried piping. |
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As stated in Bessemer City’s “Gas Tariff, Terms and Conditions”, the gas department may inspect your customer owned gas system for compliance with the code. If, upon inspection, the technician determines that a HAZARD exists, your gas service will be terminated. Upon repair of the hazard and an inspection by Gaston County Building Inspection Dept., your gas service will be reinstated. |
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GAS TAP FEE SCHEDULE (Revised)
Effective Date: January 14, 2008
PRESIDENTIAL/SMALL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
The gas tap fee for All Residential and Small Commercial customers will be *$450.00. This tap fee includes the cost of installing an Excess Flow Valve at the service tap. All gas tap fees for this customer base category are subject to the Gas Tariff Terms and Conditions. Tap fees are also subject to the Rebate Program policy, (if any) in effect at the time of application. Currently, the City of Bessemer City does not install gas services to residential or small commercial customers for Gas Fire Log use only!
INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS
The gas tap fee for All Industrial customers will be **$3,000.00
All gas tap fees for this customer base category are subject to the requirements of Bessemer City’s, Gas Tariff Terms and Conditions, involving the use of natural gas for Plant Heating and/or gas usage for Production purposes. Tap fees are also subject to the Rebate Program policy, (if any) in effect at the time of application.
INDUSTRIAL INTERRUPTIBLE CUSTOMERS
The gas tap fees for All Industrial Interruptible customers will be **$12,000.00
All gas tap fees for this customer base category are subject to the provisions and requirements of Bessemer City’s, Gas Tariff Terms and Conditions, involving the use of natural gas for Plant Heating and/or Production purposes, the ability to convert to an alternative fuel within the specified time period.
Tap fees are also subject to the Rebate Program policy, (if any) in effect at the time of application.
NOTE:
* See the Rebate Program policy, (if any) in effect at the of application for gas service!
** See the Rebate Program policy, and the Gas Tariff Terms and Conditions policy for ref.
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REBATE PROGRAM AND REQUIREMENTS
Revised: January 14, 2008. Effective Date: January 14, 2008
The standard Residential and Small Commercial gas tap fee will be $450.00, this fee must be paid in advance and prior to the actual installation of the gas service tap.
REBATE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
As long as funds are available, the City of Bessemer City, Natural Gas Department will offer a Rebate Program to all new gas utility service customers. This rebate program is based on the type of, and number of gas fired appliances installed by the customer or builder.
This Rebate Program is available to all citizens within the City’s Gas Utility Service Area and are directly able to connect to Bessemer City’s Natural Gas pipeline System. To qualify for a rebate, all gas fired appliances must be installed, connected to the gas meter and in operation at the time of the Rebate Inspection by Gas Department personnel. Gas Fire Logs are considered a decorative appliance and will not be included in any rebate dollar amount for multiple gas appliance usage!
REBATE CATEGORIES
| A. |
Single Gas Fired Appliance, Winter Use Only
Gas tap fee of $450.00. For gas service installations where the customer has installed a Primary Gas Heating System (gas furnace) and has installed a set of gas fire logs, but no other gas fired appliances were installed. Sorry NO REBATE is offered for this type service. |
| B. |
Multiple Use, Year Round Gas Usage
At least two of four required gas fired appliances installed. Gas tap fee of $450.00. For gas service installations where the customer has installed Primary Gas Heat (gas furnace) and has installed ONE additional gas fired appliance(s), either a gas hot water heater, a gas cook stove or a gas clothes dryer (customers
choice). Once connection is verified the rebate for this type of gas usage will be $100.00. |
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Multiple Use, Year Round Gas Usage
At least three of four required gas appliances installed. Gas tap fee of $450.00. For gas service installations where the customer has installed Primary Gas Heat(gas furnace) and any TWO additional gas fired appliances (either gas cook stove, and a gas hot water heater, and/or a gas clothes dryer). Once connections
are verified, the Rebate will be $150.00. |
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Multiple Use, Year Round Gas Usage
Natural Choice, Total Gas Usage, Gas tap fee of $450.00. For gas service installations where the customer has installed All of the following required gas fired appliances (gas furnace, gas cook stove, gas clothes dryer, and gas hot water heater). Once connections are verified, the Rebate will be will be $200.00. |
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Industrial and Industrial Interruptible Gas Service Rebates
Gas tap fees are as indicated in the current Gas Tap Fee Schedule. Rebates for this type of customer will be all or a portion of the actual gas tap fee. Any and all Rebates will be at the discretion of the City Manager and the Utilities Director, after a discussion of the costs involved with the installation of the gas service, the anticipated load factor of the customer, or gas service tap installed on the six inch, High Pressure Distribution Pipeline. |
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NATURAL GAS SERVICE AND GAS MAIN EXTENSION POLICY
Revised: January 14, 2008. Effective Date: January 14, 2008
As long as the city has sufficient gas available to permit the addition of new customers, the city will provide for additional gas service taps and gas main extensions in the following manner:
| GAS SERVICE TAPS: |
| 1. |
The standard gas tap fee to be paid by all new residential and small commercial customers is **$450.00 unless otherwise noted on the most current Gas Tap Fee Schedule approved by Council Action.
(** indicates that a Rebate Program may be in effect to residential customers).
The tap fee must be paid in advance, as the gas department will schedule the installation of a gas service tap upon receipt of a paid invoice from the Finance Department.Any Rebate due the customer must be applied for by the person whose name appears on the Gas Tap Application.s
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Where the service line from the main to the structure is 150 feet or less, the city will install such service as part of the standard tap fee. For a service that is longer than 150 feet or of a pipe size greater than normal (3/4 inch), a charge consisting of the actual cost of the pipe, plus $0.30 cents per foot over the 150 feet, shall be charged in addition to the $450.00 tap fee. |
| GAS MAIN EXTENSIONS: |
| 1. |
Where to provide gas service, an extension of an existing gas main is required, the city will extend the main a distance up to 200 feet as part of the normal tap fee. In addition, the city will provide for an additional 100 foot credit towards the extension footage for each residence or commercial structure existing and directly ably to be served by such an extension. For footages above the credits there shall be a charge that consists of the actual cost of the pipe, plus $0.30 cents per foot.
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The city retains the right to refuse new main or service in any case where the cost of such extension or service appears to be uneconomical to the city. |
Approved by Council Action, January 14, 2008.
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CODE REQUIREMENTS
Bessemer City’s Code Requirements for natural gas appliance installations, customer piping, delivery pressure, meter locations and final connections.
| Gas Operations inside the City of Gastonia: |
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The City of Bessemer City operates a section of this gas system inside the City Limits of Gastonia, NC. If your residence or business is located inside Gastonia’s City Limits, and you are a customer of the City of Bessemer City, Natural Gas System, you are required to get a permit and inspection from the City of Gastonia, Codes Enforcement Department.
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| Bessemer City and Surrounding Areas (Gaston County): |
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All other gas customers must get a permit for the installation and inspection of gas fired appliances from the Gaston County Code Enforcement and Inspections Department. Bessemer City Natural Gas requires that all gas utility customers must have their gas appliance installation and customer piping system inspected and approved prior to the installation of a gas meter. These inspections are for your safety and to assure that your gas fired appliances have been installed correctly, by a competent and licensed HVAC Contractor and that the appliances are safe to operate.
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| CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CUSTOMERS OF THE BESSEMER CITY NATURAL GAS SYSTEM: |
| 1. |
No Two Pound Residential Gas Service
This gas system will supply all residential customers with “seven (7) inches water column pressure” (4 ounces pressure) for all residential applications. |
| 2. |
Location of Gas Meters:
Under no circumstances will the city install a gas meter at the rear of a residence. A gas meter cannot be located in front of a vent or directly under a window where the possibility of leaking gas could migrate into the structure. The gas department is also required to maintain 36 inches clearance between the gas meter and any point of ignition, such as an electric meter, cable or telephone service box or furnace quick disconnect |
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Fenced Yards:
Where there is a fence installed at the side yard location, the gas service will be located either at the front of the residence or inside the fenced area, nearest to the front corner of the house. |
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Piping Requirements:
Bessemer City requires that there must be 36 inches of black steel pipe installed at the “final connection point” on the outlet side or customer side of the gas meter. This pipe must be attached to the structure wall or underpinning to help support the gas meter. |
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Customer Piping System. NOTICE, Customer Owned, Buried Gas Piping:
The City of Bessemer City does not maintain any customer piping. Buried Customer piping must meet certain federal regulations, such as Annual Leak Surveying and Cathodic Protection Survey and Inspections. This is the customer’s responsibility! |
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Installation of Gas Meters:
On new gas services the gas department will install a gas meter after the County Inspector has performed an inspection of all gas appliance installations and witnessed a pressure test of the customer piping. If approved, the inspector will place an approval sticker on the piping near the final connection point. |
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Final Connections To Gas Meter:
The gas department will make the final if the customer piping is within 12 inches of the outlet connection of the meter. The gas department will not make the final connection to Copper Tubing, (see #4 above). |
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| Emergency Services |
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Emergencies: Dial 911
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Police Department
704-866-3300
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Crowders Mountain
Fire & Rescue
215 East Virginia Ave.
704-629-5353 or
704-629-5354
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Ambulance Services
704-866-3300 |
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| City Contact Info |
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Chamber of Commerce
704-629-3900
go to web page
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Public Works
704-629-5398
go to web page
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City Clerk
704-629-5542
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Utilities
704-629-5398
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