Opinion No. 60-230
December 27, 1960
TO: Mr. Sam J. Jackson Chief Inspector State Plumbing Administrative Board 1930 San Mateo, N.E. Albuquerque, New Mexico
QUESTION
QUESTION
Does the installation, alteration, and repair of natural gas piping and the installation of natural gas appliances in house trailers come under the jurisdiction of the State Plumbing Administrative Board?
CONCLUSION
1. Yes.
OPINION
{*654} ANALYSIS
You state that your question relates to house trailers that are permanently residing in trailer courts or otherwise semi-permanently located within the State, and not to trailers moving through the State.
Section 67-22-2, N.M.S.A., 1953 Compilation (P.S.), states the applicability of the Plumbing Administrative Act as follows:
"The provisions of this act shall apply to all installations, alterations and repairs of 'plumbing' or 'fixtures' as herein defined, and to the installation, alteration and repair of consumers' gas piping and the installation of gas appliances, within or on public or private buildings, structures, or premises, except as hereinafter provided;" (Emphasis supplied)
Section 67-22-2, supra, then lists certain exceptions to the applicability of the Act, none of which apply to the installation, alteration, or repair of gas piping to house trailers, or to the installation of gas appliances in house trailers. By the terms of § 67-22-2, supra, the Act applies to all activities other than those exempted. The Act, therefore, applies to house trailers if they come within the terms "public or private buildings, structures or premises." We think it indisputable that a house trailer where natural gas is used constitutes the "premises" of the consumer of the natural gas. Therefore, it is our opinion that the plumbing administrative act is applicable to the installation, alteration, and repair of consumers' gas piping to house trailers, and to the installation of gas appliances in house trailers, and that house trailers are subject to the supervision and inspection of the State Plumbing Administrative Board to the same extent as other buildings or structures.
By: Norman S. Thayer
Assistant Attorney General