Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 192.383 mandates that the City of Athens Utilities Gas Department notify each of their gas customer?s whether commercial or residential that burns no more than 1000 Standard Cubic Feet Hour (SCFH) of natural gas of your right to request the installation of an Excess Flow Valve (EFV) at a mutually agreed date and time. The purpose of the EFV valve is to stop the flow of gas should damage occur to the service line that feeds the meter from the main line tap. Stopping the flow of gas from a damaged service line can reduce the risk of a fire, ignition, explosion, personal injury and or property damage.
The EFV is designed to close should damage occur on service line and depends on the size of the leak whether or not the EFV closes. They are not designed to close should a leak occur on the house piping, and gas appliances. However if you add additional appliances such as cook stoves, pool heaters etc., to the gas load then there is a possibility that the valve may sense a leak and close should you exceed the design flow limits of the EFV.
EFVs cannot be installed on all service lines, only those with no more than 1000 SCFH of gas flow per hour. Should you request an EFV and your load exceeds the EFV limit the Athens Gas Department will inform you that an EFV cannot be installed on your service line.
The City of Athens Utilities Gas Department will install the Plastic EFV valve at a cost of $600.00 per request should a customer decide to have one installed. All these prices are subject to change therefore, customers desiring an EFV installation will get a Quote from the Athens Gas Department prior to making a decision.
It should be noted should an EFV valve malfunction or fail for reasons outlined above you the customer may be subject for the replacement cost at the desecration of the Gas Department.
Want to learn more about the regulation go to https/www.federalregister.gov and search excess flow valves.
