Gas Meter Clearance Distances & Specifications

Installation & inspection points for gas meters

Example¹ Gas Meter Clearance Distances from Building Features

12 inches.

With this specification met, there are no clearance distance requirements for building features located around the corner from the gas meter.

If the regulator relief vent is less than 12" from any outside corner, then the minimum clearances specified in this table must be maintained.

Measure as a direct, straight line from the nearest meter set or component to the nearest edge of the building feature "as if using a string"

Gas Meter Clearances To Finish Grade (soil surface)

Gas Meter Clearances To Landscape Features, soil depths, soil cover

3 feet clear to front of meter

2 feet clear to either side of meter

18 inches - residential

24 inches - commercial

24 inches - snow country

36 inches

Depth includes 4 inches of bedding sand under gas line & 6 inches of sand shading over the gas line, & typical excavation trench width of 12 inches.

Backfill must be free of sharp objects and must not contain rocks larger than 8", or increase sand shading depth to 12 inches.

Gas Meter Regulator Vent Clearance Distances To Building Features

3 feet in any direction horizontally or vertically to the feature

1 foot to a feature located below

3 feet in any direction horizontally or vertically to the feature

1 foot to a feature located below

Gas Meter Regulator Vent Clearance To Building Mechanical System Air Intake Openings

Window mounted air conditioner

See CLEARANCE DISTANCE, HVAC

Clothes dryer intake or exhaust vent opening

See CLOTHES DRYER VENT CLEARANCES & TERMINATION

Gas Meter Clearances to Other Building Features

Gas Meter Clearance Distances To Electrical Panels, Wiring & Meters (outdoors)

3 feet for non-utility gas meters and electric service equipment that can create an arc when operated.

Meters shall be located at least 3 ft from electrical meters and other sources of ignition.

Meters shall not be installed closer than 2 ft from the front of an electric panel board on an adjacent wall, opposite or another wall. - PSE&G cited below. 

1 foot

Ground rod location must be clearly marked

Gas Meter Clearance Distances Below Balconies, Entrance Platforms, Decks & Porches

Gas Meter Clearance To Sources Of Ignition

Electrical equipment that can serve as a source of ignition is defined as an ignition source if it creates an arc or spark during operation.

Normal building electrical wiring and junction boxes are not sources of ignition,

Electrical panels, most electrical switches, relays, and similar controls that can create a spark when operated are considered a "source of ignition".

Electric meters on buildings are not considered a source of ignition.

All portions of a gas utility distribution system up to the outlet of the meter are regulated by 49 CFR Part 192, under the U.S. Department of Transportation.

These regulations require a three-foot clearance from indoor meters to sources of ignition, but have no comparable requirement when the meter is located outdoors.

At least 3 feet, per NEC 110-26 & NFPA 54-National Fuel Gas Code for premises-owned gas meters.

Preferred: 10 feet.

In at least some jurisdictions, the National Fuel Gas Code excludes meters and other equipment used by the gas utility from inclusion within scope of the Code.