(1) Each valve installed on a pipeline shall comply with the following: (a) The valve and its operating device to open or close the valve shall be at a location that is readily accessible to authorized personnel to operate.(b) The valve and its operating device shall be reasonably protected from tampering, unauthorized operation, or damage.(c) The valve shall be supported to prevent settling of the valve or movement of the pipe to which it is attached.(d) If the valve is installed below ground with a valve box or in an enclosure, the box or enclosure shall be installed so that it will not transmit external loads to the pipeline.(2) Each pipeline shall have sectionalizing block valves spaced so that each point on the pipeline is within four miles of a sectionalizing block valve. If the pipeline passes through an area designated as a Class 4 location, as defined in 49 CFR 192.5, the federal transmission line spacing requirements shall be applicable, as set forth in 49 CFR 192.179(a)(1).(3) Each section of a pipeline located between sectionalizing block valves shall have a blow-down valve. Each blow-down valve shall be sized so as to reduce the time needed to reduce the pressure in the pipeline safely and quickly. The discharge point of each blow-down valve shall be located to minimize the hazard to the public in the event gas is vented to the atmosphere.(4) Where practicable, each regulating station that supplies gas to a pipeline shall have a valve in the pipe supplying the regulating station, provided that the pipe is owned by an operator under the jurisdiction of the Department. The valve shall be located where it can be operated during an event that could preclude access to the station.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1432, eff. 12/11/2020.