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Gas meter needing repairs Gas Meters Defects, Hazards, Leak FAQs
Q&A about natural gas meters

FAQs on gas meters in homes: inspection, troubleshooting, leaks, reporting.

This article series explains how to visually inspect natural or piped-in gas meters for defects and safety concerns.

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FAQs on Gas Meter Safety & Inspection

Photograph of this obsolete natural gas meter located indoorsImmediate LP or natural gas safety hazards: if there is evidence of an LP or natural gas leak at a building, gas odors, for example, you should:

These questions & answers about natural gas meters were posted originally

at GAS METERS - be sure to see the inspection points described there.

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2018-10-19 by (mod) - minimum building code for walls around an interior gas meter in a basement

I think the smart move would be to call your local gas company and get a copy of their installation specifications. You will see that the concern is not just access but venting as well. The risk is a fire or explosion.

Details are at

GAS METER CODES & CLEARANCE DISTANCES

On 2018-10-19 by Robert T.

I cant find the minimum building code for walls around an interior gas meter in a basement. Im looking to finish my daughters basement and need to put a wall up next to the gas meter that is located in the basement.

It doesn't appear to be vented and is facing inward so I would like to build a wall about 3 inch's off to the side of it. this will not interfere with servicing or replacing the meter if necessary I am located in NJ. Please help.

On 2018-05-29 by (mod) -

Prank,

Thank you for commenting. We appreciate all the help we can get.

On 2018-05-29 by Frank - An inside gas meter on a low pressure system does not require a regulator and therefore has no need for a vent pipe

An inside gas meter on a low pressure system does not require a regulator and therefore has no need for a vent pipe

On 2017-10-10 by (mod) - Can I park my motorcycle next to my gas meter?

Jason,

I don't know about your bike but if my old hog had fallen over right onto a residential gas meter, having put the sidestand down on soft mud, there would have been hell to pay - both to the broken leaky gas meter and to repairs to my gas tank.

But if your gas meter is protected by a post or other device so that no vehicle can smack into it, I would have no worries about parking nearby.

Or if your question is "can I park my bike behind the protective post between it and the gas meter" sure, with the warning that if the bike falls you could cause trouble.

On 2017-10-09 by Jason

Can I park my motorcycle next to my gas meter?

On 2017-05-27 by Louise

I'm in DC and gas meter is located behind a panel in a closet off the bedroom. Building department says it should be "vented to the outside". Does this mean an air vent or a line vent or both? If an air vent, how large? (They refused to explain to me, the homeowner!)

On 2016-10-13 by Bryant

We have an indoor gas meter, and we are planning on finishing the room it's located in. Do you know what kinds of things I can say to the energy company to get them to move it based on their own concerns for its safety? The last time it was inspected, the worker seemed to suggest there are some "magic words."

On 2016-08-07 by (mod) -

I don't know, Houston; certainly within buildings we find T-connections in gas piping. Perhaps there's something about the question I don't understand.

What does your local plumbing inspector or gas company say? Typically I'd expect your plumber to replace the nipple or elbow after the first union at the meter with a Tee.

Be sure to review the meter flow rate capacity, piping runs, pipe diameter, and appliance requirements to be sure of adequate gas capacity.

On 2016-08-07 by Houston

Does code allow a T connection directly on natural gas meter or does it have to be piped away to a manifold for multiple appliance connections?

On 2016-03-03 by (mod) -

Thanks David, you did and we replied. Certainly the meters in your photos are newer than your 1905 building. I suggested noting the meter model and serial number. Age is often coded in the serial number or can be decoded by your utility company.

On 2016-03-02 by David Jimenez

Hi. I am trying to determine how old the gas meter in my building is. If I sent you a picture is possible you can determine the age or era? Thank you

On 2015-06-09 by (mod) - we have a gas leak, what do we do?

Anon

I don't fully understand your question but basically, if there is an LP or natural gas leak at a building the risk is a fatal, catastrophic explosion or fire.

At https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Gas_Leak_Detection.php - GAS LEAK DETECTION, LP / NG -

we repeat the following warnings from experts:

Immediate LP or natural gas safety hazards: if there is evidence of an LP or natural gas leak at a building, gas odors, for example, you should:

Do not do anything that is likely to cause a gas explosion, such as lighting a match, operating an electrical switch, or even using a telephone in the building

Leave the building immediately and keep a safe distance away - 100 feet or more.

Notify other building occupants of the safety concern

Contact the local gas company and/or fire department

Heating equipment which the inspector (or building occupant or manager) judges to be an immediate life safety hazard should be shut down and appropriate emergency services called.

Watch out: improper installation and even improper inspection and testing methods involving natural or "LP" gas can involve dangerous conditions and risk fire or explosion.

If you smell gas you should leave the building immediately and should do so without doing anything that could create a spark such as operating a light switch or telephone. From a safe location, call your gas company's emergency line and/or your fire department.

The text provided here is a working draft and may be incomplete or inaccurate.

On 2015-06-08 by Anonymous

We have gas leak in which we energies have out to this rental house and landlord has had 40 days to fix and has not done so
.
Now what are we to do?

On 2012-11-14 Carol Lavelle Snow

I live in Tulsa, OK, and have just been notified by ONG that they want to relocate the gas meter from the back of the back yard to within inches of the house

My husband, a former firefighter, is very concerned that a meter close to the house will be a fire hazard. We want them to leave it where it is. Do you agree?


...

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