§ 63-4-2. Operator; powers, duties and responsibility.

(a)

All operators shall make available on a twenty-four (24) hour basis adequate emergency response crew(s) including answering personnel, radio dispatchers, appliance servicemen and utility repair crews capable of performing all work tasks necessary to cope with EMERGENCY or HAZARDOUS situations. The number of emergency work crews shall be determined by the operator based upon reasonable response time (one (1) hour maximum to emergency scene during other than work hours) and the number and frequency of experience recorded.

(b)

All reports of HAZARDOUS conditions received by operators shall be reported immediately to the Emergency Operations Center of Fairfax County and all reports of hazardous conditions received by the Emergency Operations Center of Fairfax County shall be reported immediately to the appropriate operator.

(c)

Emergency shut-off valves shall be provided for all new gas service line installations such that:

(1)

All gas services supplying inside meters shall be equipped with an outside shut-off at the curb or property line. Access shall be through a stop-cock box, the top of which is flush with the surrounding grade.

(2)

Steel or copper services to outside meters shall be equipped with an outside shut-off as provided in Subsection (c) (1) above and an above ground shut-off at the meter.

(3)

Plastic services to outside meters shall be equipped with an outside shut-off at the meter.

(d)

The decision to shut off a utility line during a HAZARDOUS condition shall be vested in an appropriate representative of the utility company concerned. When time permits, the County Executive of Fairfax County or his designated representative shall be notified before the operator decides whether or not to shut off a utility line during a hazardous condition.

(e)

When adequate operator emergency response crews are not available during a hazardous condition, the operator involved shall employ Fire and Rescue Services, Fairfax County, to take the necessary action to shut off specific utility line valves or breakers serving the area.

(1)

In order to facilitate this, Fire and Rescue Services shall have knowledge of and access to emergency shut-off valves and breakers. In addition, effective ninety (90) days after the adoption of this Chapter, the appropriate staff of Fire and Rescue Services shall be trained in the use of implements employed to shut off a utility line during a hazardous condition. Information and training is to be provided by and through the cooperation of utility operator representatives.

(2)

Only the appropriate utility line representatives shall be permitted to reopen any valve or breaker which was closed during such a hazardous condition and only after a thorough check has indicated that it is safe to place the affected lines back into service.

(3)

The provisions of this Subsection shall not be mandatory upon the operators of flammable, natural, toxic or corrosive gas transmission pipelines.

(23-73-6B; 1961 Code, § 6B-16.)

(23-73-6B; 1961 Code, § 6B-16.)