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Topic:   Gas meter at panel - 72 visits (1 today, 10 this week)

David Banks
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Posts: 450
From:Southborough, MA.
Registered: Mar 2004

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posted February 04, 2006 11:44 AM         

Is three feet the requirement in front of panel for gas meter?
Dave

Click for photo (673164 Bytes)

Jerry Peck
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From:Pembroke Pines, FL
Registered: Feb 2003

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posted February 04, 2006 12:55 PM            

The 3' you are thinking of (I think) is for working space in front of the electrical equipment. In your photo, that is not a problem.

The other 3' you may be thinking of (possibly) is the 3 feet clearance from ignition sources.

For natural gas, this is 3 feet to each side and above (natural gas is lighter than air), for LPG it is 3 feet to each side and below (propane is heavier than air).

One good thing, that vent on the regulator is vented to (the exterior, maybe?) and not left venting there.

The gas meter and regulator should be level with the top of the panel or 3 feet from it (if I remember correctly).

Maybe Bob H. will check this an post a specific answer, he the go-to gas person.

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Jerry Peck
South Florida

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Bob Harper
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From:Drexel Hill, PA
Registered: May 2005

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posted February 04, 2006 04:09 PM            

Whose jurisdiction?

The gas supply from the street up to the meter's service regulator (seen here), and meter itself up to the point of discharge are actually regulated by DOT(CFR)and not the gas codes. This is similar to LP where NFPA 58 regulates it to the point of delivery, which is where it exits the second stage regulator.

I don't have the DOT requirements for meters in front of me but I doubt this would pose a problem as long as:
-the shutoff is accessible with a suitable wrench for the utility to shut it off.
-all the fittings are accessible for inspection and turning wrenches
-the service regulator is vented to the outside with an approved vent protection screen and oriented downwards
-the meter is protected from damage such as cars driving into it, which this certainly is.

While I don't like this setup, I can't quote a chapter and verse to fail it. It appears the vent line is the same size (3/4" black iron) and the tapping in the vent outlet. Downsizing is stricly taboo. The use of a ground union and all those pipe joints is not addressed in the codes even though these joints don't get leak tested.

Should there be a vent termination within 3 feet, yes, you would have a conflict but you're not going to terminate a vent in the basement, unless you're a member of the Darwin Club or trying to collect someone's life insurance.

Here's the kicker: the DOT regs. really weren't intended to cover piping entering buildings. They figured the gas code would take over before then with the normal point of delivery is outside, right where the gas exits the meter. The idea is for the gas utility to be able to shut off a house without having to break windows. I'll check with my local utility on this since I need to know the straight scoop anyway. I'll get back to ya'll with my findings.

Looks like an American 250 CFH temperature compensated meter. One point you guys might want to note about meters is the CFH rating. If you have a big house with a lot of high BTU appliances, the meter may be inadequate for the house load. In this case, 250,000 BTU/ hr of input ratings. If you had 2 furnances in this house along with a 75K water heater or a commercial cook top, you could be stretched a little thin. All I'm saying is when you see multiple furnaces, 75K water heaters, commercial cook tops, and maybe one of my fireplaces, how about taking a peek at the meter. Look for a yellow sticker on the service regulator denoting either a 12.2 wci or 2 psi system. If not, that meter may come up short. Pilots can drop out, suffer delayed ignition, sooting and appliances burn underfired.

Good discussion! Thanks Dave & Jerry!

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Paul MacLean
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From:Austin, Texas
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posted February 05, 2006 10:33 AM            

Maybe it's an optical illusion, but it looks like the gas meter violates the 36" working space for the electric panel to me.

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Paul in Austin
www.newdayinspections.com

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John Ghent
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From:Trumbull, CT
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posted February 05, 2006 12:27 PM            

Did you report the asbestos?

David Banks
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From:Southborough, MA.
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posted February 05, 2006 07:11 PM         

Paul, "Maybe it's an optical illusion, but it looks like the gas meter violates the 36" working space for the electric panel to me."
It does. The door of the panel would not open without hitting panel.

John, "Did you report the asbestos?"
Sure did. Lots of it too. Old steam oil boiler converted to hot water. Then converted to Gas burner. Along with a now abandoned oil tank. Must be removed in MA if not used for 2 years. Under fire department supervision. Oil line under concrete floor. Told my client have seller deal with it. Who knows if the line under concrete has leaked and they get caught with possible oil spill.
Dave

John Steinke
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From:Reno, Nv.
Registered: Jul 2003

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posted February 06, 2006 06:56 PM            

The local utility company sets the codes for such things as the separation between the panel and the gas meter. Thise rules will typically specify exactly what must be separated, and how to measure it.

These rules have changed some over time. Especially in places where the same utility provided both gas and electric service, it was once common for the utility to require them to be adjacent to each other....I have seen many places where there is a bank of electric meters directly over the bank of gas meters.

As far ae electrical working space requirements...the clear space is allowed to begin at one side (or edge) of the panel. The panel need not be centered in the "working space." Likewise, it is only required that the door be able to open 90 degrees. (On the panel shown the door is narrower than the panel cover, so the door will be able to open more than 90 degrees- but some panels require some side clearance for the door to open).