DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND INDUSTRY SERVICES

                         PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

                    TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR GAS SERVICE


(By authority conferred on the public service commission by  section   6   of 
Act No. 3 of the Public Acts of 1939, as amended, and  section   2   of   Act 
No. 165 of the Public Acts of 1969,  being  SS460.6  and   483.152   of   the 
Michigan Compiled Laws)


                        PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS


R  460.2301   Definitions.
  Rule 1. As used in these rules:
  (a) "Acceptable to the commission" or "approved by   the   commission"   or 
"authorized by the commission" means that  a  commission   order   has   been 
obtained.
  (b) "British thermal unit" means the quantity of heat that must be added to 
1 avoirdupois pound of pure water  to  raise  its   temperature   from   58.5 
degrees Fahrenheit to 59.5 degrees  Fahrenheit  under  standard  pressure.
Standard pressure is 30 inches mercury at 32 degrees  Fahrenheit   or   14.73 
pounds per square inch absolute and with acceleration due to gravity equal to 
32.174 feet per second per second.
  (c) "Commission" means the Michigan public service commission.
  (d) "Cubic foot of gas" means the following:
  (i) For billing purposes, a standard cubic foot of gas is that  quantity of 
dry gas which, at  a  temperature   of   60   degrees   Fahrenheit   and   an 
absolute pressure of 14.65 pounds per square inch, occupies 1 cubic  foot.
The commission may, however, approve a different absolute  pressure  base.
  (ii) For testing purposes, such as testing for heating  value,  a  standard 
cubic foot of gas is that quantity of gas which, when  saturated  with  water 
vapor at a temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit and an  absolute  pressure of 
14.73 pounds per square inch, occupies 1 cubic foot.
  (e) "Customer" means an individual  or  business,   excluding   other   gas 
utilities, that purchases gas or transportation services, or  both,  on   the 
utility's system.
  (f)  "Hazardous  condition"  means  any  condition   which   the    utility 
determines poses an immediate and serious threat to the  health,  safety,  or 
welfare of a customer or the general public and  which   requires   immediate 
action.
  (g) "Liquefied petroleum gas-air mixture" means a gas that  is  produced by 
mixing an appropriate quantity of air with propane vapor, butane vapor, or  a 
mixture of such vapors.
  (h) "Meter" means, unless otherwise qualified, a  device   of   a   utility 
that is used in measuring a quantity of gas.
  (i) "Meter accuracy" means the volume that is measured by a  meter   as   a 
percent of the actual volume that flowed through the meter as measured  by  a 
working standard.
  (j) "Mixed gas" means a gas that is produced by mixing  natural  gas   with 
any of the following:
  (i) Air.
  (ii) Inert gas.
  (iii) Liquefied petroleum gas.
  (iv) Liquefied petroleum gas-air mixture.
  (v) Other flammable gas.
  (vi) Substitute natural gas.
  (k) "Premises" means land or real estate, including  buildings  and   other 
appurtenances thereon.
  (l) "Potentially hazardous condition"  means  any   condition   which   the 
utility determines has the potential to become a  hazardous  condition,   but 
which does not require immediate action. All of the following are examples of 
potentially hazardous conditions:
  (i) Customer failure to permit the utility to   perform   inspections   and 
maintenance on the utility's facilities in or on the customer's  premises.
  (ii) Customer alterations or modifications of  the   utility's   facilities 
located in or on the customer's premises.
  (iii) Customer construction of a structure or appurtenance  near  or   over 
the main, service line piping, or meter set assembly so  that  the  utility's 
facilities are not in compliance with the  provisions  of   R  460.14001   et 
seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code or the utility's standards.
  (iv) Customer failure to correct or replace gas  utilization  equipment  or 
gas fuel line piping that has been previously identified  and  classified  as 
potentially hazardous by the utility.
  (m) "Rate book" means the assembled rate  schedules,  rules,   regulations, 
and standard forms of the utility as filed with the commission.
  (n) "Required access" means access that is necessary to  conduct   any   of 
the following:
  (i) Routine inspections and maintenance.
  (ii) Meter readings of gas usage.
  (iii) Scheduled replacement, repairs, relocation,   or   disconnection   of 
branch service lines or other changes with respect to   service   lines   and 
meter assembly piping.
  (o) "Substitute natural gas" means  gas  which   is   interchangeable   and 
compatible with natural gas and which  is  manufactured   from   carbon   and 
hydrogen-bearing materials.
  (p)  "Utility"  means  a   person,    firm,    corporation,    cooperative, 
association, or agency  which  is  subject  to  the   jurisdiction   of   the 
commission and which delivers or distributes and sells gas  to   the   public 
for heating,  power,  or  other  residential,   commercial,   or   industrial 
purposes.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.


R  460.2302   Application, intention, and interpretation  of  rules;  utility 
rules and regulations.
  Rule 2. (1) These rules apply to a gas utility which  operates  within  the 
state of Michigan  and  which  is  subject  to  the   jurisdiction   of   the 
commission.
  (2) These rules are intended to promote safe and adequate  gas  service  to 
the public, to provide technical  standards  for   uniform   and   reasonable 
practices by gas utilities, to encourage efficiency and   economy,   and   to 
establish a basis for determining the reasonableness of   such   demands   as 
may be made by the public upon gas utilities.
  (3) Questions that concern the application or   interpretation   of   these 
rules and disagreements with respect to any service  rules  and   regulations 
that are promulgated by a gas utility shall be referred  to  the   commission 
for a ruling.
  (4) A utility shall adopt reasonable rules and  regulations,   subject   to 
commission approval, governing its relations with customers.  The  rules  and 
regulations shall not be inconsistent with these rules and any other rules of 
the commission as may be promulgated from time  to  time.  A  utility's rules 
and regulations shall constitute an integral part  of   the   utility's  rate 
book.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R 460.2303   Rescission.
   Rule 3.  R 460.891 to R 460.914,  R  460.916,  R  460.919,  R  460.920,  R 
460.926, and R 460.927 of the Michigan Administrative Code,  appearing   on   
pages  6094  to 6102, and 6104 of the 1954 volume of the Code, and pages 1070 
and 1071 of the 1958 Annual Supplement to the Code, are rescinded.

   History: 1979 AC.



              PART 2. RECORDS, REPORTS, AND OTHER INFORMATION

R  460.2321   Retention of records.
  Rule 21. All records that are required to be made or maintained pursuant to 
these rules shall be preserved by the  utility   for   a   period   of   time 
specified in R 460.2501 et seq. of the Michigan Administrative  Code.  If   a 
time period is not specified in these rules or  in  R   460.2501   et   seq., 
records shall be preserved by the utility for not less than  1   year   after 
the records are completed.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R 460.2322   Location of records.
   Rule 22.  Copies of all records required by  these  rules  shall  be  kept 
within the boundaries of this state or at the administrative headquarters  of 
the utility, and shall be available at all reasonable times  for  examination 
by an authorized representative of the commission.

   History: 1979 AC.


R  460.2323   Reports and records generally.
  Rule 23. (1) Volumetric data that is contained in any   report   which   is 
filed with the commission shall  define  the   pressure,   temperature,   and 
water saturation upon which the data is based.
  (2) In addition to reports or records that are required to  be  filed  with 
the commission pursuant to  these  rules,  a  utility   shall   provide   the 
commission with a current list of the name, title,  address,  and   telephone 
number of the person who should be contacted in connection with  all  of  the 
following:
  (a) General management duties.
  (b) Customer complaints that relate to operations.
  (c) Construction, maintenance, operations, and  emergencies  during  office 
and nonoffice hours for each major operating headquarters.
  (d) Meter tests and repairs.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.


                       PART 3. SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

R  460.2331   Sale of gas.
  Rule 31. (1) All gas that is sold by a utility shall be on  the  basis   of 
meter measurement, unless otherwise authorized by the commission.
  (2) The utility shall provide the characteristics of  service  available to 
prospective customers upon request.
  (3) If gas is supplied and metered to a customer at  a   nominal   delivery 
pressure of 0.25 pounds per square inch gauge, then,  for  billing  purposes, 
both of the following provisions apply:
  (a) The gas volume that is registered by the  meter  is   assumed   to   be 
measured at standard billing conditions as defined   in   R   460.2301(d)(i), 
regardless of the actual temperature of  the  gas   or   actual   atmospheric 
pressure. However, all meters which are  to  operate   at   ambient   outdoor 
conditions and which are  installed  after  the  effective   date   of   this 
subrule shall be installed with a temperature-compensating device.
  (b) If the billing  pressure  base  is  14.65  pounds   per   square   inch 
absolute, then the atmospheric pressure is assumed to be  14.4   pounds   per 
square inch absolute. If the commission has approved  a   different   billing 
pressure base, then the assumed  atmospheric  pressure  is   equal   to   the 
difference between such absolute billing pressure base and  0.25  pounds  per 
square inch.
  (4) If gas is supplied to a customer through  a  low-pressure  distribution 
system such that a service regulator is not used   before   metering,   then, 
for billing purposes, the gas shall be assumed to be supplied and  metered at 
0.25 pounds per square inch  gauge.  The   low-pressure   system   shall   be 
operated so that the gauge pressure at the outlet of the   meter   shall   be 
maintained within a range of 3 inches water column minimum to a maximum of 14 
inches water column. However, delivery to the customer may be  as  high as 18 
inches water column if the pressure to the appliances  is  regulated  to  not 
more than 14 inches water column. A utility may implement different standards 
for operating its low-pressure system  if  those  standards  are approved  by 
the commission.
  (5) If gas is supplied and metered to a customer at  a   nominal   delivery 
pressure of more than 0.25 pounds per square inch gauge,  then,  for  billing 
purposes, all of the following provisions apply:
  (a) The gas volume that is measured by the meter shall  be   corrected   to 
standard billing conditions as defined in R 460.2301(d)(i).
  (b) Gas volume corrections for temperature shall be  made   in   accordance 
with Charles' law. Gas volume corrections for pressure shall   be   made   in 
accordance   with   Boyle's    law.    Gas     volume     corrections     for 
supercompressibility shall be  made  in  accordance  with   either   of   the 
following publications of the American  gas  association   (AGA),   both   of 
which are adopted by reference in these rules and may be  purchased  at   the 
cost specified as of the time of adoption of these rules (which is subject to 
change) from the   American   Gas   Association,   1515   Wilson   Boulevard, 
Arlington, VA 22209, (703) 841-8558, or from the  Michigan   Public   Service 
Commission, 6545 Mercantile Way, P.O. Box 30221, Lansing, MI 48909:
  (i) "Manual for the Determination of   Supercompressibility   Factors   for 
Natural Gas, Project NX-19," (1962) (A.G.A. Catalog No. L00340). . $35.00.
  (ii) "Compressibility and Supercompressibility for Natural  Gas  and  Other 
Hydrocarbon Gases,  Transmission  Measurement  Committee   Report   No.   8," 
(1992) (A.G.A. Catalog No. . . . . . . . .$80.00 ($40.00 for AGA members).
  (c) If the pressure at which the gas is  metered  is   established   on   a 
gauge basis rather than an absolute basis, then the  absolute   pressure   at 
which the gas is metered shall be inferred by summing  the   gauge   pressure 
and either the  actual  atmospheric  pressure  or   a   reasonable   estimate 
thereof or an atmospheric pressure that is filed with,   and   approved   by, 
the commission.
  (d) If a pressure-compensating device is used with the  meter,  the  device 
shall be calibrated using the actual atmospheric pressure  or  a   reasonable 
estimate thereof.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2332   Permanent service line rules.
  Rule 32. Within 30 days after a company commences  operating   as   a   gas 
utility, the utility shall file its service line   installation   rules   for 
commission approval.  Such  rules  and  regulations   shall   constitute   an 
integral part of the utility's rate book.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2333   Main extension rules.
  Rule 33. Within 30 days after a company commences  operating   as   a   gas 
utility, the utility shall file its main extension   rules   for   commission 
approval. Such rules and regulations shall constitute an  integral  part   of 
the utility's rate book.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R 460.2334   Temporary service.
   Rule 34.  If a utility renders temporary  service  to  a  customer  for  a 
period not exceeding 2 years or for the duration of a particular construction 
project using such temporary service, in addition to the charges for gas used 
during such service, the utility may require the customer to bear all of  the 
cost of installing, removing, and providing equipment of facilities for  such 
temporary service, less the salvage value  of  any  equipment  or  facilities 
retained by the utility at the conclusion of the temporary service.

   History: 1979 AC.


R  460.2335   Interruptions of service.
  Rule 35. (1) This rule does not  apply  to   service   interruptions   that 
result from a utility's implementation of the provisions of  R  460.2101   et 
seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code or a utility's  shutoff  of  service 
pursuant to the provisions of R 460.2371 to R 460.2374.
  (2) A utility shall make a reasonable effort to  prevent  interruptions  of 
service and, when such interruptions occur, shall  endeavor  to   reestablish 
service with the shortest possible delay consistent with the  safety  of  its 
customers, its employees and others engaged in work for  the   utility,   and 
the general public. If service is necessarily interrupted for the  purpose of 
working on the distribution system or plant equipment, it shall be done at  a 
time that  causes  the  least   inconvenience   to   customers,   and   those 
customers who may be seriously affected shall be notified in advance.
  (3) If the supply of  gas  diminishes  to  the   point   where   continuous 
service to customers is threatened, the utility  may  limit   or   shut   off 
service to its customers pursuant to curtailment   procedures   approved   by 
the commission.
  (4) A utility shall keep records of major interruptions   of   service   on 
its entire system or in major divisions or  operating  districts  thereof.
The records shall include a statement of the time, duration,  and  cause   of 
the interruption. A utility shall  report  interruptions   of   service,   as 
required by R 460.14001 et seq. of the Michigan  Administrative   Code,   and 
shall periodically make an analysis of the  records  for   the   purpose   of 
determining  steps  to  be  taken  to  prevent  the   recurrence   of    such 
interruptions.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.


                            PART 4. ENGINEERING

R 460.2341   Gas facilities; construction and installation.
   Rule 41.  Gas facilities of a utility shall be constructed  and  installed 
in accordance with accepted engineering practices  in  the  gas  industry  to 
ensure,  to  the  extent  reasonably  practicable,  continuity  of   service, 
uniformity in the quality of service provided, and the safety of persons  and 
property.

   History: 1979 AC.


R  460.2342   Standards of accepted engineering practice.
  Rule 42. Unless otherwise specified by the commission,  a   utility   shall 
use the publications listed below as standards of accepted practice:
  (a) The current edition of the Michigan gas safety code,  R  460.14001   et 
seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code, which may be   ordered   from   the 
Michigan Public Service Commission, 6545 Mercantile Way,  P.O.   Box   30221, 
Lansing, MI 48909.
  (b)  The  following  American  national    standards    institute    (ANSI) 
publications, which are adopted by reference in these rules and which  may be 
purchased at the specified cost as of the time  of  adoption  of  these rules 
(which  is  subject  to  change)  from  the   American   National   Standards 
Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, New York  10018,   (212)   642-4900,   or 
from the American Gas Association (AGA), 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 
22209, (703) 841-8558, or from the Michigan Public Service  Commission,  6545 
Mercantile Way, P.O. Box 30221, Lansing, MI 48909:
  (i) ANSI/API 2530, "Orifice Metering of Natural Gas   and   Other   Related 
Hydrocarbon, A.G.A. Report No. 3," as follows:
  (A)  Part   I,   "General   Equations    and    Uncertainty    Guidelines," 
(1990)(A.G.A. Catalog No. XQ9017) $55.00 from  ANSI  or   $50.00   from   AGA 
($40.00 for AGA members).
  (B) Part  II,  "Specification  and   Installation   Requirements,"   (1991) 
(A.G.A. Catalog No. XQ9104) $55.00 from ANSI or $50.00   from   AGA   ($40.00 
for AGA members).
  (C) Part III, "Natural Gas Applications,"  (1992)  (A.G.A.  Catalog  No.
XQ9210) $65.00 from ANSI or $50.00 from AGA ($40.00 for AGA members).
  (D) Part IV, "Background  Development,   Implementation   Procedures,   and 
Sub-Routine   Documentation   for    Emperical    Flange-Tapped    Discharged 
Coefficient Equation," (1992) (A.G.A. Catalog No. XQ9211)  $50.00  from   AGA 
($40.00 for AGA members).
  (ii) ANSI B109.1, "Diaphragm Type - Gas Displacement  Meters,   Under   500 
Cubic Feet per Hour Capacity," (1992) (A.G.A. Catalog  No.   X69218)   $20.00 
from ANSI or $20.00 from AGA ($10.00 for AGA members).
  (iii) ANSI B109.2, "Diaphragm Type - Gas Displacement  Meters,  500   Cubic 
Feet per Hour Capacity and  Over,"  (1992)  (A.G.A.   Catalog   No.   X69219) 
$20.00 from ANSI or $20.00 from AGA ($10.00 for AGA members).
  (iv) ANSI B109.3, "Gas Displacement Meters, Rotary Type," (1992) (A.G.A.
Catalog No. X69220) $20.00 from ANSI or $20.00 from AGA   ($10.00   for   AGA 
members).
  (v) ANSI Z223.1 National Fuel Gas Code-1992 edition, which  may   also   be 
purchased from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers,  345  East  47th 
Street, New York, NY 10017, (212) 705-7722,  or  from   the   National   Fire 
Protection Association (NFPA), P.O. Box  9146,  Quincy,   MA   02269,   (800) 
344-3555 $24.50 ($22.00 for NPFA members).
  (c) The following national fire protection  association  standards,   which 
are adopted by reference in these rules and which may be  purchased  at   the 
specified cost as of the time of adoption of these rules (which is subject to 
change) from the National  Fire  Protection  Association,  P.O.   Box   9146, 
Quincy, MA 02269, (800) 344-3555, or  from  the   Michigan   Public   Service 
Commission, 6545 Mercantile Way, P.O. Box 30221, Lansing, MI 48909:
  (i) "NFPA Standard 58,  Storage  and  Handling   of   Liquefied   Petroleum 
Gases," (1992) $24.50 ($22.00 for NFPA members).
  (ii) "NFPA Standard 59, Storage  and  Handling   of   Liquefied   Petroleum 
Gases at Utility Gas Plants," (1992) $18.75 ($17.00 for NFPA members).
  (iii) "NFPA Standard 59A, Production, Storage and  Handling  of   Liquefied 
Natural Gas (LNG)," (1990) $18.75 ($17.00 for NFPA members).
  (d) The following American society  for  testing   and   materials   (ASTM) 
publications, which are adopted by reference in these rules and which  may be 
purchased at the specified cost as of the time  of  adoption  of  these rules 
 (which   is   subject   to   change)   from   ASTM,   1916   Race    Street, 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania  19103-1187,  (215)  299-5585,   or   from    the 
Michigan Public Service Commission, 6545 Mercantile Way,  P.O.   Box   30221, 
Lansing, MI 48909:
  (i) ASTM specification D-1826 "Calorific Value of Gases  in   Natural   Gas 
Range by Continuous Recording Calorimeter," (D1826-88) $15.00.
  (ii) ASTM specification D-1945 "Method for Analysis of   Natural   Gas   by 
Gas Chromatography," (D1945-91) $18.00.
  (iii) ASTM specification D-3588 "Method for  Calculating  Calorific   Value 
and Specific Gravity (Relative  Density  of   Gaseous   Fuels),"   (D3588-91) 
$15.00. Many of ASTM's publications are now stored  at  University  Microfilm 
International,  300  N.  Zeeb  Road,  Ann  Arbor,   Michigan   48106,   (313) 
761-4700.
  (e) General rules of the construction  code  commission,   which   may   be 
ordered from the Construction  Code  Commission,   Michigan   Department   of 
Labor, State Secondary Complex, 7150  Harris  Drive,   Lansing,   MI   48926, 
(517) 322-1701.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2343   Rescinded.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.


                       PART 5. INSPECTION OF METERS


R  460.2351   Meters and  associated  metering   devices;   inspections   and 
tests.
  Rule 51. Inspections and tests of meters and  associated  metering  devices 
shall be made by, or on behalf of, each utility as follows:
  (a) A meter or an associated metering device that is not  included   as   a 
part of the meter, or both, shall be inspected  and   tested   before   being 
placed in service, and the error shall be not more than 1.0%.  In  place   of 
this requirement, methods of sample testing that  are   acceptable   to   the 
commission may be used.
  (b) A meter or an associated metering device, or both,  shall   be   tested 
after it is removed from service. Such tests  shall  be   made   before   the 
meter or associated metering device is adjusted, repaired, or retired.
  (c) A repaired meter or a meter that is removed from   service   shall   be 
leak-tested before being returned to service,  subject   to   the   following 
requirements:
  (i) If tested in the field, a meter shall be tested at  the  actual   meter 
operating pressure of the system.
  (ii) If tested in the shop, a meter shall be subjected   to   an   internal 
pressure test of not less than 3.0 pounds per square  inch   gauge   pressure 
and, in addition, any meter that will operate above 3.0  pounds  per   square 
inch gauge pressure shall be so marked on the meter and shall be subjected to 
1 of the following tests:
  (A) An internal pressure test of not less than  the  manufacturer's   rated 
operating pressure.
  (B) An internal  pressure  test  at  10%  above   the   maximum   operating 
pressure to which the meter could be subjected.
  (C) Any suitable test that is acceptable to the commission.
  (iii) During the pressure test, the meter shall be checked for leaks  by  1 
of the following tests:
  (A) Immersion test.
  (B) Soap test.
  (C) Pressure drop test of a type that is acceptable to  the  commission.
  (d) As part of its rate book,  a  utility  shall   file,   for   commission 
approval, a statement of its policy with regard to  testing  meter   accuracy 
upon a customer's request. In the absence of a filed   policy   approved   by 
the commission,  the  utility  shall  adhere  to  both   of   the   following 
provisions:
  (i) A utility shall test meter accuracy upon the request of  a  customer if 
the customer does not request a test more than once every 2   years   and  if 
the customer agrees to accept the results of  the  test  as  the  basis   for 
determining the difference claimed. A charge shall  not  be   made   to   the 
customer for the first test in any 5-year period, but  if  subsequent   tests 
during the same period, for the same customer, show the meter  to  be  within 
the allowable limits of accuracy, the utility may charge  the   customer   an 
amount for subsequent tests which is uniform and which does  not  exceed  the 
utility's direct cost thereof, plus a reasonable  charge  for  administrative 
overhead. The customer may be present at the test if he  or   she   makes   a 
request before the test.
  (ii) A written report shall be made to the customer by  the  utility.   The 
report shall state the results of the test. A record of the  test  shall   be 
kept by the utility.
  (e) A utility shall make periodic tests of  meters,   associated   devices, 
and instruments to ensure their accuracy. The  tests   shall   be   conducted 
according to the following schedule, unless otherwise   authorized   by   the 
commission:
  (i) Positive displacement diaphragm-type meters that  have  capacities   of 
500 cubic feet per hour and under 10 years.
  (ii) Positive displacement diaphragm-type meters   that   have   capacities 
over 500 cubic feet per hour 7 years.
  (iii) Other meter types, such as proportional, rotary, and turbine,  may be 
tested in place when possible 2 years.
  (iv) Orifice meters 6 months.
  (v) Gas instruments, such  as  base  volume,  base   pressure,   and   base 
temperature-correcting  devices,  shall  be  removed    and    checked    for 
calibration at  intervals  that  correspond  to  the   schedule   for   their 
associated meters and  shall  be  checked  for  calibration   in   place   at 
intervals of not more than 2 years.
  (vi) Test bottles, 1 cubic foot 10 years.
  (vii) Deadweight testers 10 years.
  (viii) Certified test meters 10 years.
  (ix) Meter testing systems shall be calibrated when  first  installed   and 
after alterations, damages, or repairs  that  might   affect   accuracy.   To 
assure that the accuracy of a meter testing  system  is   maintained   on   a 
continuous basis, a daily leakage test shall be made and  a  weekly  accuracy 
test with a comparison meter of known accuracy shall be made.  If  the   test 
results differ by more than plus or minus 0.5% from  the  comparison   meter, 
the cause of the error shall be determined and necessary corrections shall be 
made before the system is reused. The comparison meter shall be checked at an 
interval of 1 month.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2352   Diaphragm-type meters; meter tests; reports.
  Rule 52. (1) A utility shall comply with the provisions   of   R  460.2351, 
except that a utility that receives approval from the  commission  may  adopt 
the requirements of this rule.
  (2) This rule applies only to diaphragm-type meter categories that  have  a 
rated capacity as follows:
  (a) Category 1 - 500 cubic feet per hour or less.
  (b) Category 2 - 501 cubic feet per hour to 1000 cubic feet per hour.
  (c) Category 3 - 1001 cubic feet per hour or more.
  (3) As used in this rule:
  (a) "Meter class" means a group or groups of meters as  assigned   by   the 
utility according to specified meter characteristics, such  as   TMS   (type, 
make,  size),  set  year,  year   of   manufacture,    or    other    similar 
characteristics.
  (b) "Norm" means the acceptable meter accuracy  range   between   98%   and 
102%.
  (c) "Test point," for a meter, means the  numerical   equivalent   of   the 
accuracy variance from norm, with 1 test point equal to a  1%  variance.  For 
example, a meter that is between 104.1% and 105.0% or   between   95.0%   and 
95.9% accurate on test would have 3 test points.
  (4) The overall annual test rate criteria shall be  determined  pursuant to 
all of the following provisions:
  (a) Determine the average test points per meter  for   each   meter   class 
(Pmc).
  (b) Multiply the total number of installed meters at   year-end   in   each 
class by the respective Pmc to determine the total test   points   for   each 
meter class. The test points for each meter class shall be added to arrive at 
total overall test points (Pt)  for  all  installed   meters   specified   in 
subrule (2) of this rule.
  (c) Divide Pt by the total number of installed  meters   at   year-end   to 
determine the overall average test points per meter.
  (d) Using the overall  average  test  points  per   meter   determined   in 
subdivision (c) of this subrule,  determine  the   required   percentage   of 
total overall test points to be corrected the following   year   based   upon 
the following table:
      Percentage of total
  Overall average test   overall test points
  points per meter (Pt)  to be corrected
  .060 or less     2  
  .061 - .09     3
  .091 - .12     4
  .121 - .15     5
  .151 - .18     6
  .181 - .21     7
  .211 - .24     8
  .241 - .27     9
  .271 - .30     10
  .301 - .33     11
  .331 - .35     12
  .351 or more     15

  (e) Multiply Pt by  the  applicable  percentage  of  the   points   to   be 
corrected as specified in subdivision (d) of this subrule  to  determine  the 
total minimum test points to be corrected for the following year.
  (f) The sum of Pmc times the number of  meters  tested   for   each   meter 
class for the following year shall meet or exceed the  total   minimum   test 
points to be corrected as determined in subdivision (e) of  this  subrule.
The mix of meters to be tested shall be at the   utility's   discretion,   if 
the requirements of subrules (5) and (6) of this rule are met.
  (g) With commission approval, a utility may modify  the  requirements   set 
forth in subdivisions (b) to (f)  of  this  subrule  so  as   to   make   the 
required computations based not on the utility's test data  from  the   prior 
year, but on the utility's test data from a calendar year 1 year  earlier.
  (5) Except for the nonregistering meters, all meters   that   are   removed 
from customers' premises shall be tested  and  shall  form   the   basis   of 
determining the  total  minimum  test  points  to  be   corrected   for   the 
following calendar year in accordance with the provisions of  subrule  (4) of 
this rule. If a utility has knowledge that a particular class  of  meters  is 
not  maintaining  satisfactory   accuracy   and   cannot   be   repaired   to 
maintain satisfactory accuracy, the class of meters shall  be  removed   from 
service and retired.
  (6) Not less than 2% of the total meters that are originally  set  in  each 
set year and not less than 2% of the total meters in service  in  each  meter 
class shall be tested annually, except that a meter need   not   be   removed 
for testing within the first 4 years after it is set.
  (7) Not later than March 1 of each year, utilities shall file  a  report of 
the meters that have been tested during the  preceding  calendar  year.
The report shall detail all of the following information:
  (a) All of the following meter characteristics:
  (i) Set year.
  (ii) Type of case.
  (iii) Manufacturer.
  (iv) Type of diaphragm.
  (v)  Revenue  classification,  either  commercial   and    industrial    or 
residential.
  (b) The number of meters in each meter class tested and  found  within  the 
norm and within each 1% variance from norm between 94%  accuracy   and   106% 
accuracy. Meters that are slower than 94% and faster than 106% shall  each be 
grouped separately. For a utility that has more than 500,000  customers,  the 
commission may approve a further  1%  variance  for  meters  that  are slower 
than 94% and faster than 106%.
  (c) A comparison of the total  test  meters  that  were   tested   in   the 
preceding year with the standard required pursuant to   the   provisions   of 
subrule (4) of this rule.
  (d) Information and data that are needed to compute   the   total   minimum 
test points to be corrected for the subsequent year in  accordance  with  the 
provisions of subrule (4)(a) to (e) of this rule.
  (e) The identity of the meter classes to  be  used   for   the   subsequent 
year, including an explanation for any meter class changes.
  (f) A separate section on meters that were retired  during  the   preceding 
year that details the information identified in subdivision   (a)   of   this 
subrule and the reasons for the retirement of the meters.

  History: 1979 AC; 1984 AACS; 1993 AACS.


R 460.2353   Retirement of meters.
   Rule  53.   Meters  shall  be  retired  from  service  whenever   abnormal 
conditions affecting accuracy cannot  be  corrected  for  economic  or  other 
reasons.  Examples of such conditions are basic defects due  to  manufacture, 
design, or excessive damage.  Meters may also be retired due to obsolescence, 
unavailability of repair parts, or other reasons.

   History: 1979 AC.


R  460.2354   Accuracy of metering equipment; tests; standards.
  Rule 54. (1) The utility shall use  the  applicable   provisions   of   the 
standards listed in R 460.2342 as criteria of accepted  practice  in  testing 
meters.
  (2) Metering equipment shall be tested by comparison  with  the   standards 
that are referenced in R 460.2342.
  (3) A gas service meter that is repaired or removed from  service  for  any 
cause shall, before installation, be tested and  adjusted   to   be   correct 
within 1% fast or 1% slow.
  (4) Every diaphragm-type gas meter shall be  tested   before   installation 
and adjusted, if required, to a meter accuracy of 100% plus or minus 1% at  a 
low flow rate and at a high flow rate  so  that  the   numerical   difference 
between the meter accuracy at these 2  flow  rates  is  not   more   than   1 
percentage point. A low flow rate is a flow at 20% to  50%   of   the   rated 
capacity of the meter. A high flow rate is a flow at 80% to   120%   of   the 
rated  capacity  of  the  meter.  The  average   meter    accuracy    of    a 
diaphragm-type meter shall be defined as 1/2 the sum of the meter accuracy at 
the low flow test and at the high flow test.
  (5) All recording-type meters or  associated  instruments   that   have   a 
timing element that serves to record the time  at   which   the   measurement 
occurs for billing purposes shall be adjusted at  intervals   of   not   more 
than 2 years so that the timing element is not in error by more than  plus or 
minus 4 minutes in 24 hours, under laboratory conditions, as  set   forth  in 
ANSI B109.1 (which is adopted by reference in R 460.2342(b)(ii)), or by  more 
than plus or minus 10 minutes in 24 hours under field conditions.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2355   Meter  shop;  design;  meter   testing    system;    standards; 
handling; calibration cards; calibrated orifices.
  Rule 55. (1) A utility shall maintain or designate a  meter   shop   within 
Michigan for the purpose of inspecting, testing, and  repairing  meters.  The 
shop shall be open for inspection by  authorized   representatives   of   the 
commission at all reasonable times. A utility may   secure   authority   from 
the commission to have its meters tested outside of Michigan upon showing, to 
the satisfaction of the commission,  that  the  meter  test   facilities   so 
utilized are in compliance with these rules. Records of test results shall be 
maintained in  Michigan   or   the   administrative   headquarters   of   the 
utility.
  (2) The area within the meter shop that  is  used  for   the   testing   of 
meters shall be designed so that the meters   and   meter-testing   equipment 
are protected from drafts and excessive changes in temperature. The meters to 
be tested shall be stored in such a  manner  that  the  temperature  of   the 
meters is substantially the same as the temperature of the prover.
  (3) A utility shall own and maintain, or have access  to,  a  meter-testing 
system (working standard) of an approved  type,  subject  to   all   of   the 
following provisions:
  (a) Means shall be provided to maintain the temperature of the liquid in  a 
meter-testing system at substantially the   same   level   as   the   ambient 
temperature in the prover area.
  (b) The meter-testing system shall be maintained in good  condition  and in 
correct adjustment so that it   shall   be   capable   of   determining   the 
accuracy of any service meter to plus or minus 0.5%.
  (c) A utility may use a  properly  calibrated  test   meter   or   transfer 
prover or may use a properly designed flow prover for testing meters.
  (4) Meter-testing  systems  (working  standards)  shall   be   checked   by 
comparison with a secondary standard. Both  of   the   following   provisions 
shall be complied with:
  (a) At least once every 5 years, bell and flow provers  shall  be   checked 
with  a  1-cubic  foot  bottle  or  shall  be   calibrated   by   dimensional 
measurement or any other test that is  approved  by   the   commission.   The 
accuracy of the secondary standard that is used shall be  traceable  to   the 
national institute of standards and technology.
  (b) At least once every 10 years, rotary  displacement   transfer   provers 
shall be checked with a standard that has its calibration  traceable  to  the 
national institute of standards and technology or shall be  checked  by   any 
other suitable test that is approved by the commission.
  (5) Extreme care shall be exercised in the use and handling of standards to 
assure that their accuracy is maintained.
  (6) Each standard shall have a certificate  or   calibration   card   which 
shall be duly signed and dated and which shall record  the  corrections  that 
were required to compensate for errors found on the last test.
  (7) A utility shall have properly calibrated  orifices   to   achieve   the 
rates of flow required to test the meters on its system.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2356   Pressure measurement standards.
  Rule 56. (1) For its working pressure measurement  standards,   a   utility 
shall have  manometers,  laboratory-quality   indicating   pressure   gauges, 
field-type deadweight pressure gauges, or any other instruments that  have an 
accuracy error of not more than 1/2 of 1% of full scale, which shall be  used 
to test the indicating  and  recording  pressure  gauges  that  are  used  in 
determining the pressure on the utility's system.
  (2) For its secondary pressure measurement standards,   a   utility   shall 
own, or have access to, a pressure-testing instrument that  has  an  accuracy 
error of not more than 1/10 of 1% of full scale, which shall   be   used   to 
verify the accuracy of its  working  pressure   measurement   standards.   An 
instrument that is used as a secondary pressure measurement standard shall be 
maintained in an accurate condition.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2357   Records; meter tests.
  Rule 57. (1) A utility shall maintain records of the last 2  tests  made on 
any meter. The record of the meter test made  at  the  time  of  the  meter's 
retirement shall be maintained for a minimum of 3 years.
  (2) Test records shall include the following information:
  (a) The date and reason for the test.
  (b) The index reading of the meter at  the  time  of   removal   from   the 
customer's premises.
  (c) The meter accuracy "as found."
  (3) If the test of the meter is made by using  a   test   meter,   transfer 
prover, or flow prover, the utility shall retain,  as   test   records,   all 
data taken at the time of the test in complete form to permit the checking of 
the test methods and the calculations.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R 460.2358   Records; meter and associated metering device data.
   Rule 58.  A utility shall maintain records of the  following  data,  where 
applicable, for each meter or associated  metering  device,  or  both,  until 
retirement:
   (a)   Descriptive  data,  manufacturer,   identification   number,   type, 
capacity, multiplier, and constants.
   (b)  The dates of installation and removal from service, together with the 
location of current and previous installation.

   History: 1979 AC.



                  PART 6. BILL ADJUSTMENT; METER ACCURACY

R  460.2361   Bill adjustment; meter accuracy.
  Rule 61. If a meter is found to be nonregistering or to  have  an   average 
meter accuracy less than 98% or greater than 102%, an  adjustment  of   bills 
for the  inaccuracy  may  be  made  in  the  case   of   nonregistration   or 
underregistration and shall be made in the case  of   overregistration.   The 
adjustment shall be calculated  on  the  basis  that  the   meter   is   100% 
accurate with respect to the testing equipment that is used   to   make   the 
test.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2362   Determination of adjustment.
  Rule  62.  (1)  If  the  date  that  the  period   of   inaccurate    meter 
registration began can be determined, that  date  shall   be   the   starting 
point for calculating an  adjustment  pursuant  to  the   provisions   of   R 
460.2361.
  (2) If the date that the period of inaccurate  meter   registration   began 
cannot be determined, it shall be assumed that the inaccuracy existed  for  a 
period equal to 1/2 of  the  time  elapsed   since   the   meter   was   last 
installed on the present premises.
  (3) The adjustment  shall  be  made  on  the  basis   of   actual   monthly 
consumption, if possible. Otherwise, the average monthly consumption  that is 
determined from the most recent 36 months' consumption  data  shall  be used.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2363   Refunds.
  Rule 63. (1) Refunds shall be made to the 2 most   recent   customers   who 
received service through the meter found to be  registering  inaccurately.
If the utility has not adopted the requirements of R  460.2352,  the   period 
that is used for determining the amount to be refunded shall  not   be   more 
than 12 months. If the utility has adopted the requirements  of  R  460.2352, 
the period that is used for determining the amount to be  refunded  shall  be 
the period of inaccurate meter registration that is  determined  pursuant  to 
the provisions of R 460.2362(1) to (2). In the case of  a  previous  customer 
who is no longer a customer of the utility, a notice of the  amount  of   the 
refund shall be mailed to his or her last known address   and   the   utility 
shall, upon demand made within 3 months, refund the amount.
  (2) If the amount of the refund due an existing or  previous  customer   as 
the result of meter overregistration is equal to, or more than, an average of 
10 cents per month for the period  that   is   used   for   determining   the 
amount to be refunded, the full amount of the refund shall  be  made,  except 
that a refund that is less than $1.00 need not  be  made   to   an   existing 
customer and a refund that is less than  $2.00  need  not  be   made   to   a 
previous customer who is no longer a customer of the utility.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2364   Rebilling.
  Rule 64.  If  the  amount  due  the  utility  as  the   result   of   meter 
nonregistration or underregistration is equal to, or   more   than,   amounts 
set forth in R 460.2363(2) as minimum refunds, the utility   may   bill   the 
customer for the amount due, but the period covered by  the   billing   shall 
not be more than 12 months unless otherwise ordered by  the  commission.  The 
utility shall offer the customer reasonable payment  arrangements   for   the 
amount of the billing, taking into  account  the  period   covered   by   the 
billing. A rebilling policy that is adopted by a utility  based  on   minimum 
amounts that are more than those  set  forth  in  R  460.2363(2)   shall   be 
uniformly applied to all customers.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



 R 460.2365   Consumption data records.
   Rule 65.  Records of all consumption data and other data necessary for the 
administration of adjustment of bills  shall  be  maintained  for  a  minimum 
period of 36 months.

    History: 1979 AC.



                        PART 7. SHUTOFF OF SERVICE

R  460.2371   Conditions for establishing gas  service;   liability;   notice 
and record of inability to establish   service;   refusal   of   service   to 
customer using other gaseous fuel; exception.
  Rule 71. (1) A utility shall not establish gas service  to   a   customer's 
premises until the utility has done both of the following:
  (a) Performed a leakage test using gas at utilization  pressure  to  ensure 
that the customer's fuel line is gastight.
  (b) Made a determination that the gas odor is detectable.
  (2) This test shall not be construed to make the utility  liable  for   the 
installation, maintenance, or use of piping or appliances that  are  owned by 
the customer, nor shall the utility be held liable for  any  continuing  duty 
of inspection of piping or appliances.
  (3) If the condition of the customer's fuel line is   such   that   service 
cannot be established, the utility shall notify the customer, in  writing, of 
the reason or reasons that service was not established.
  (4) A record shall be kept by the utility of all cases  where  refusal   to 
establish service is made. The record shall provide all  of   the   following 
information:
  (a) The name of the customer.
  (b) The address or location of the premises.
  (c) The date of the test.
  (d) The name of the service person.
  (e) All changes or rearrangements recommended.
  (5) Except  in  certain  commercial  and   industrial   applications   that 
require a standby fuel that is authorized  by  the   utility,   the   utility 
shall have the authority to refuse gas service to  a   customer   that   uses 
another gaseous fuel,  such  as  liquefied  petroleum  gas,   in   the   same 
building.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2372   Gas facilities hazard.
  Rule 72. When a utility acquires knowledge that a  customer's  action   has 
caused a hazardous condition to exist with respect to a  gas  facility,   the 
utility shall initiate the following action depending on the facility that is 
involved:
  (a) For a utility's facilities, the utility shall correct the  condition at 
the expense of the customer or shut off service to the customer.
  (b) For a customer's facilities, the utility shall correct the condition at 
the expense of the customer,  if   such   action   is   authorized   by   the 
utility's service policy and if  the  customer   consents.   Otherwise,   the 
utility shall shut off service to the customer  until   the   condition   has 
been corrected.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2373   Shutoff of service.
  Rule 73. Under any of the following conditions, gas service  may  be   shut 
off by the utility:
  (a) A hazardous condition exists. In this instance gas   service   may   be 
shut off without prior notification.
  (b) A potentially hazardous  condition  exists.  In   this   instance   gas 
service may be  shut  off  upon  implementing   the   customer   notification 
procedures set forth in R 460.2071 et seq. and R 460.2101 et  seq.   of   the 
Michigan Administrative Code and in the utility's rate book.
  (c) Refusal of required access. In this instance gas service  may  be  shut 
off upon implementing the customer notification procedures set  forth  in   R 
460.2071 et seq. and R 460.2101 et seq.  of   the   Michigan   Administrative 
Code and in the utility's rate book.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2374   Customer notification of shutoff of service.
  Rule 74. A  utility  shall  include,  in  its   rate   book,   notification 
procedures to be utilized in dealing with  potentially  hazardous  conditions 
and refusal of required access conditions.

  History: 1993 AACS.

                            PART 8. GAS QUALITY

R  460.2381   Gas purity.
  Rule 81. (1) Gas that is distributed by a utility to   a   customer   shall 
not contain more than 0.3 grains of  hydrogen  sulfide  or   more   than   20 
grains of total sulfur per 100 cubic feet, including  the   sulfur   in   any 
hydrogen sulfide.
  (2) Gas that is distributed by a utility to a customer  shall  not  contain 
flammable liquids in quantities that interfere with the  normal  operation of 
the customer's equipment.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2382   Heating value; authorized variations.
  Rule 82. (1) The heating value of substitute natural gas  and   mixed   gas 
shall be considered as being under the control of the  utility.  The  average 
heating value on 1 day shall not be more than or less   than   the   standard 
total heating value range set forth in  the  utility's   rules.   A   utility 
shall not add air to a gas stream if this results in a heating value  that is 
below 1,000 British thermal units per standard cubic foot.
  (2) The average monthly heating value of  gas  that  is   supplied   by   a 
utility shall be 1,025 British thermal units per standard cubic foot, plus or 
minus 75 British thermal units. A greater variation may   be   authorized  by 
the commission upon a showing by the utility that  the  variation   will  not 
adversely affect  the   efficient   and   satisfactory   operation   of   its 
customers' appliances.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2383   Heating value records; location and   accuracy   of   measuring 
equipment; frequency of heating value determination.
  Rule 83. (1) A utility shall maintain records of the   heating   value   of 
gas it distributes. Heating value test records shall be  preserved  for   not 
less than 6 years. A utility shall utilize either  the   industry   standards 
that are adopted by reference in R 460.2342(d) or other  standards  that  are 
approved by the commission for heating value determination methods.
  (2) Heating value measuring equipment shall  be   installed   in   suitably 
located testing stations.
  (3) The accuracy of all heating value measuring equipment and the method of 
making heating value tests shall  meet  the  industry  standards   that   are 
adopted by reference in R 460.2342(d) or shall otherwise   be   approved   by 
the  commission.  Recording  equipment  shall  be  tested   not   less   than 
annually.
  (4) The utility shall determine the heating value  of  substitute   natural 
gas and mixed gas not less than twice a  day  and  shall   make   the   tests 
during the periods of the a.m. and p.m. peak demands.
  (5) The utility shall determine the heating value of gas at  least  once  a 
month. A utility that sells gas subject  to  a   thermal   adjustment   shall 
determine the heating value at least once a day.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.



R  460.2384  Rescinded.

  History: 1979 AC; 1993 AACS.