Gas meter clearance distance questions & answers:

Answers to common questions about the required distances between a gas meter and building walls, decks, fences, and other building features, openings, or appliances.

This article series provides a detailed table of example clearance distance specifications for natural gas meter installations, giving the distances to various building features such as windows, doors, electrical components, vents, air conditioners, and outside hose bibs. Gas service line trench features are also described.

Gas Meter or Gas Meter Regulator Vent Clearance Distance FAQs

These questions and answers about distances between a gas meter and other building or site features were posted originally at the topic home: GAS METER CODES & CLEARANCE DISTANCES - be sure to see the clearance spacing tables given there.

Photo: gas meters along an alley in Tucson Arizona in the U.S. must be protected from vehicle impact.

Details of that protective system are in a separate article found

at GAS METER PROTECTION BOLLARDS

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2017-11-03 by (mod) - rules and clearances for gas meter located in a breezeway

Ron,

The six-foot clearance over a meter to a deck or porch, for example, might permit what you want.

While one could argue that 6 ft to a deck floor doesn't risk gas trapping since a deck isn't air tight, a porch floor is usually made of solid materials and even if it were not, by definition a porch has a roof.

If we figure that a roof is going to be 8 ft. or more over the porch floor, and the meter has 6 ft. of clearance to the underside of the porch floor, then we are in fact building a roof over a meter - in form of the floor and again in form of the porch roof.

I'd ask your local gas company (who is it?) about that reasoning.

You don't name the gas company so I can't research their specific guidelines. Let's look at a breezeway, defined as

Breezeway − A passage or walkway that may or may not have a roof covering and is adequately ventilated to the outside atmosphere.

Here's an example from PGE:

A gas meter can be located in a "breezeway" provided certain requirements are met

C. Specific Requirements for Meter Sets Located in Breezeways

(1) Isolation from Living Spaces

Meter sets installed in breezeways must be located so that gas cannot migrate into building openings.

(2) Ventilation

Meter sets may be installed in breezeways that are adequately ventilated to the outside atmosphere.

At least one end of the breezeway is to be open and the other end should have at least two vents, one located at the top and the other at the bottom.

Vents must be fixed, and be a minimum of 12 inches by 12 inches or equivalent.

(3) Separation from Sources of Ignition

No sources of ignition will be allowed in the breezeway.

Any electric wiring, switches, light fixtures, and circuit breakers must meet the requirements of the National Electric Code for installation in Class 1,

Division 2 areas.

Federal regulations often used as a model require that if a meter might vent gas it must be vented outside - note part D in Title 49 Transportation § 192.357 - as that might permit the meter under a porch or carport roof provided it vents appropriately AND of course it must be protected from damage (by my sister-in-law who might drive into your carport).

Customer meters and regulators: Installation.

(a) Each meter and each regulator must be installed so as to minimize anticipated stresses upon the connecting piping and the meter.

(b) When close all-thread nipples are used, the wall thickness remaining after the threads are cut must meet the minimum wall thickness requirements of this part.

(c) Connections made of lead or other easily damaged material may not be used in the installation of meters or regulators.

(d) Each regulator that might release gas in its operation must be vented to the outside atmosphere.

On 2017-11-03 23:02:41.739574 by Ron - constructing a carport from the wall with the gas meter.

My question is similar to the one below regarding constructing a carport from the wall with the gas meter.

I'm interested in building an open-air patio roof. The patio roof would be connected at the top to a wall that is perpendicular to the wall that has the meter

. It would also be connected to the wall that has the meter as it slopes down and would be flashed under the siding along that wall. It would be well over 6' to between the meter and the roof above.

I called an engineer at the gas company who said that putting a covering over it is not allowable, but a pergola would be permitted because it isn't a cover.

I asked if it could be located one inch away from the wall instead of flashed to it and she didn't know the answer, but is going to look into it.

I trying to find out the applicable codes and regulations so that I can read them myself. From what I'm reading above, what I'm suggesting should be permissible as long as there is 6' of space above the meter.

On 2017-11-03 22:59:11.758675 by (mod) -

Florin

I wouldn't give much weight to grandfathering when the concern is for safety - an indoor gas meter leak can blow up the building and thus kill people.

Some gas companies may leave a meter indoors provided that its vent is extended to the outside via approved piping route, diameter, etc.

Some other companies may use a meter that doesn't accommodate such venting or that may have enough little leaks that don't matter outside but inside can be catastrophic.

Ask them about a vent extension to see if that's workable. Else move it.

On 2017-11-03 22:48:18.506137 by Florin

My gas meter is currently mounted inside but the gas company wants to mount it outside.

Is there a requirement to be mounted outside especially if the meter was installed long time ago isn't there a grandfathering clause ?

Could the meter be left inside the house ?

On 2017-11-03 by (mod) - constructing a carport from the wall with the gas meter.

Ron,

The six-foot clearance over a meter to a deck or porch, for example, might permit what you want.

While one could argue that 6 ft to a deck floor doesn't risk gas trapping since a deck isn't air tight, a porch floor is usually made of solid materials and even if it were not, by definition a porch has a roof.

If we figure that a roof is going to be 8 ft. or more over the porch floor, and the meter has 6 ft. of clearance to the underside of the porch floor, then we are in fact building a roof over a meter - in form of the floor and again in form of the porch roof.

I'd ask your local gas company (who is it?) about that reasoning.

You don't name the gas company so I can't research their specific guidelines.
Let's look at a breezeway, defined as

Breezeway − A passage or walkway that may or may not have a roof covering and is adequately ventilated to the outside atmosphere.

Here's an example from PGE:

A gas meter can be located in a "breezeway" provided certain requirements are met

C. Specific Requirements for Meter Sets Located in Breezeways

(1) Isolation from Living Spaces

Meter sets installed in breezeways must be located so that gas cannot migrate into building openings.

(2) Ventilation

Meter sets may be installed in breezeways that are adequately ventilated to the outside atmosphere. At least one end of the breezeway is to be open and the other end should have at least two vents, one located at the top and the other at the bottom. Vents must be fixed, and be a minimum of 12 inches by 12 inches or equivalent.

(3) Separation from Sources of Ignition

No sources of ignition will be allowed in the breezeway. Any electric wiring, switches, light fixtures, and circuit breakers must meet the requirements of the National Electric Code for installation in Class 1, Division 2 areas.

Federal regulations often used as a model require that if a meter might vent gas it must be vented outside - note part D in Title 49 Transportation § 192.357 - as that might permit the meter under a porch or carport roof provided it vents appropriately AND of course it must be protected from damage (by my sister-in-law who might drive into your carport).

Customer meters and regulators: Installation.

(a) Each meter and each regulator must be installed so as to minimize anticipated stresses upon the connecting piping and the meter.

(b) When close all-thread nipples are used, the wall thickness remaining after the threads are cut must meet the minimum wall thickness requirements of this part.

(c) Connections made of lead or other easily damaged material may not be used in the installation of meters or regulators.

(d) Each regulator that might release gas in its operation must be vented to the outside atmosphere.

On 2017-11-03 by Ron

My question is similar to the one below regarding constructing a carport from the wall with the gas meter.

I'm interested in building an open-air patio roof. The patio roof would be connected at the top to a wall that is perpendicular to the wall that has the meter

. It would also be connected to the wall that has the meter as it slopes down and would be flashed under the siding along that wall. It would be well over 6' to between the meter and the roof above.

I called an engineer at the gas company who said that putting a covering over it is not allowable, but a pergola would be permitted because it isn't a cover.

I asked if it could be located one inch away from the wall instead of flashed to it and she didn't know the answer, but is going to look into it.

I trying to find out the applicable codes and regulations so that I can read them myself. From what I'm reading above, what I'm suggesting should be permissible as long as there is 6' of space above the meter.

On 2017-11-03 by (mod) - ok to grandfather a gas meter mounted inside and not vented?

Florin

I wouldn't give much weight to grandfathering when the concern is for safety - an indoor gas meter leak can blow up the building and thus kill people.

Some gas companies may leave a meter indoors provided that its vent is extended to the outside via approved piping route, diameter, etc.

Some other companies may use a meter that doesn't accommodate such venting or that may have enough little leaks that don't matter outside but inside can be catastrophic.

Ask them about a vent extension to see if that's workable. Else move it.

On 2017-11-03 by Florin

My gas meter is currently mounted inside but the gas company wants to mount it outside.

Is there a requirement to be mounted outside especially if the meter was installed long time ago isn't there a grandfathering clause ?
Could the meter be left inside the house ?

On 2017-10-31 by (mod) - people at work are mounting gas meters sideways

Anon

Depending on the manufacturer brand and model of gas meter, a horizontal mounting position might be permitted.

YOu would want to make a note of the meter brand and model, then we (or you) can find its installation instructions. You can also give your local gas supplier a call to get a quick, authoritative answer for the specific meter being installed.

What's usually important is that the natural gas regulator must be in a horizontal position.

Some types of gas meters, as I'll cite below, can be mounted in almost any position:

• FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF ROTARY METERS, John Michalak, Romet International, Ltd. 1080 Matheson Boulevard, East, Mississagua, Ontario, Canada L4W 2V2 http://asgmt.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf-docs/2006/1/A7.pdf

On 2017-10-26 by Anonymous

people at work are mounting gas meters sideways, yes i am not joking, i can not find where there is a required orientation for them, these are on flex pipe,

aka track pipe inside apartments, rather than fighting the track pipe to mouth then vertical, like a meter is normally installed, some people are putting them on their side, bc we need them high up in the closets in these apartments.

I know this is very embarrassing, i was never on this project if anyone ever asks me after the things ive seen done

On 2017-02-27 by (mod) - How far does the exterior dryer vent need to be from the gas meter ?

See CLOTHES DRYER VENT CLEARANCES & TERMINATION
and perhaps first see

GAS METER CODES & CLEARANCE DISTANCES

On 2017-02-27 by Jane

How far does the exterior dryer vent need to be from the gas meter

On 2017-10-12 by (mod) - ok to install a TV tower close to a gas meter?

Cathy,

Yes, there are clearance requirements. You want to check with local gas distributor.

Or maybe also a risk that erecting any construction so close to the meter will require excavation that needs to be clear of any buried gas lines.

On 2017-10-11 by Cathy

A company wants to install an old TV tower against my house but the tower is sitting right in front of my gas meter....almost touching the pipes going into it. Do I need to be concerned about this? Is there some code in Ontario that says there needs to be a minimum clearance around the meter?

On 2017-09-06 by Mod - don't lock a gas meter open

Rich, I would be really scared of contributing to an explosion, fire, death if a gas meter were locked in the open position since in an emergency it may be impossible to turn the gas supply off.

On 2017-09-06 by Rich

New gas meters can be locked open or closed, is it code to lock a meter open?

On 2017-07-06 by Meg

Can a segmental wall be built right next to a residential gas meter? The meter is 3" off the corner of the house we want to extend the wall off of, which would leave approximately 3" clearance between the side of the meter and the wall.

Reply: On 2017-07-01 by (mod) adding a carport around an existing gas meter

Anon

Generally, depending on the guidelines of your specific gas utility, you might be permitted to build a carport roof over an area where there is an outdoor gas meter, though you will need to install concrete or steel pilons or posts to protect the meter from being struck by my ex wife Laura should she drive into your carport.

OPINION: There are restrictions to "roofs over gas meters" but at the same time where you are permitted to build a porch over a gas meter provided there's a 6 ft. overhead clearance, one would think that a porch floor would be no less obstruction than a carport roof.

Watch out: Your local building department have the final legal say.

Kyle:

In the table at GAS METER CODES & CLEARANCE DISTANCES see

Gas meter clearance distances below balconies, entrance platforms, decks & porches

On 2017-06-30 by Anonymous - add a carport over a gas meter

Can a carport be added on to the side of the house with the existing gas meter inside the carport?

On 2017-04-10 by Kyle - carport cover above the gas meter?

Can I build a carport cover above the natural gas meter? Distance between roof and meter will be approx 12 ft and open on all sides but one.

On 2017-05-31 by (mod) re: gas meter clearances to doors

Marg,

Gas meter clearancs to doors as well as other building features are indeed in the table found in GAS METER CODES & CLEARANCE DISTANCES. Please take a look and let me know if you have further questions and I'll be glad to research further

On 2017-05-31 00:00:32.012087 by Marg

I am concerned about the location of my gas meter it is in the pathway directly in front of our entrance. This is a major worry for us as we have a very active 9 year old...what is the code for distance from main entranceway to your home?

On 2017-05-19 by (mod) re: adding a gas meter and A/C unit in a bedroom

Nisha: no, a gas meter cannot be installed indoors in a bedroom.

On 2017-05-18 by Nisha

Can ac and gas meter go side by side ?

Can air conditioner and gas meter go together in same bedroom ?

On 2017-05-13 by (mod) re: distance fdrom shed to gas meter

For an authoritative answer you will need to check with your local building official.

But I think the general concern for the case that you described is that you provide sufficient working space around the gas meter.

For example if your shed create such a narrow passageway between the existing building where the meter is located and the shed that it would not be possible for a plumber to access and repair and meter or for a gas company representative to inspect and read the meter that would be a concern

Most of the gas meter clearances that you see in the table in this article assume that there is no second building that is close to the building for which the meter has been installed. I'm guessing it a minimum of three feet probably more is going to be required by your building inspector.

Remember that if you're building a shed too close to an existing building you can create other difficulties as well for example if you don't leave sufficient working space to repair siding or window or to place a ladder to access a roof.

On 2017-05-13 by Joe

Im installing a shed in the back yard I dont understand the meaning in the chart how close can the back of the building be with no electrical fans sparks etc just a shed outer wall?

 

On 2017-03-24 by Anonymous

how far does a pvc pipe have to be from the gas meter

On 2017-02-24 by (mod) The 1'-8" is what is left after the ramp is designed per ANSI 117 codes,

So we agree

On 2017-02-24 by Jasin

I was more concerned with the futre maintenance of the meter and accessibility around the meter.

We still have to verify the location of the piping to the meter.

The 1'-8" is what is left after the ramp is designed per ANSI 117 codes, which raised a red flag to me. Thank you for you help.

...

Continue reading  at GAS METER CODES & CLEARANCE DISTANCES or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see GAS METER CLEARANCE DISTANCE FAQs-3 - more-recent Q&A about the necessary clearance distances around gas meters

Or see these

Gas Meter Articles

• GAS LP & NATURAL GAS SAFETY HAZARDS
• GAS BTUH, CUBIC FEET & ENERGY - how to calculate or convert between cubic feet of gas, liquid gallons of LP gas, and BTUs per cubic foot or gallon of gas fuels.
• GAS LEAK DETECTION, LP / NG
• GAS METERS
  • GAS METER CODES & CLEARANCE DISTANCES
  • GAS METER CODES & STANDARDS
  • GAS METER PROTECTION BOLLARDS
• GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS - home
• LP / PROPANE GAS TANKS

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