Gas Meter Clearance Codes

for the USA and Canada

...

United States Gas Meter Codes, Clearance Distances & Regulations

• American Gas Association, Tel: 202-824-7000 Website: https://www.aga.org/
• ANSI B109 "Rotary Type Gas Displacement Meters", available from http://webstore.ansi.org/ [Natural Gas]
• Alberta, Canada, GAS METER CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS for ALBERTA [PDF] ATCO, ATCOenergy, ATCO Park : 5302 Forand Street S.W. Calgary, AB Canada,
  1-844-687-2826 Natural Gas Emergency 1-800-511-3447 - Electricity Emergency 1-800-668-5506
  Excerpt citing additional Canadian codes:
  The installation of the meter, regulator, house line and secondary service lines must conform to the following codes and standards:
  Alberta Building Code
  CAN/CSA-Z662
  CAN/CSA-B149.1
  The Alberta Safety Codes Act
  The Alberta Gas Code Regulations
• BGE GAS & ELECTRIC INSTALLATION SPECIFICATIONS [PDF] BGE, Baltimore Gas & Electric Co.
  
• California, UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE CHAPTER 12 FUEL PIPING [PDF] California IAPMO Plumbing Code 2007, retrieved 2017/11/12, original source: http://www.iapmo.org/California%20Plumbing%20Code/Chapter%2012.pdf
• Canada, Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations (SOR/86-131), laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-86-131/index.html
• Enbridge, serving: Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, USA, GAS SERVICE MANUAL [PDF] (2018) Enbridge, retrieved 2021/09/23 original source: https://www.midamericanenergy.com/media/pdf/gas-service-manual.pdf
  
  Details of clearance zone requirements from air vents, air intakes, doors, windows, electrical source, electric meter and other building features.
  
• GAS METER PROTECTION BOLLARDS - protect from damage by vehicles
• EC Magazine, "Code Questions & Answers", (February 2000 Q&A discussing August 1999 magazine issue) Electrical Contractor Magazine, 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 1100 Bethesda, MD 20814 USA Tel: 301.657.3110 Website: http://www.ecmag.com/
• GAS METER CODES & STANDARDS
• GAS PIPING CLEARANCES, CODES & DEFECTS
• Maryland, USA, BGE GAS & ELECTRIC INSTALLATION SPECIFICATIONS [PDF] BGE, Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. at inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Gas-Electric-Installation-Requirements-BGE.pdf
  
• Minnesota, REQUIRED DISTANCE FROM GAS PIPES, LIQUID PROPANE TANKS, AND ELECTRIC LINES [PDF], (2008) retrieved 2017/11/12, original source: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules?id=4725.2150&format=pdf
• NFPA 54: National Fuel Gas Code, 2015 Edition (latest) is the best source for gas piping requirements. Readers have raised clearance questions that were not necessarily detailed in the model standards or codes - many of these have been clarified by local authorities so we like to add those as well. Quoting from the AGA:
  
  The American Gas Association servers as the secretariat to the ANSI Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) Z223 on National Fuel Gas Code. The ASC Z223 develops and publishes ANSI Z223.1, National Fuel Gas Code.
  
  The Code is jointly developed with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 54 Committee and is also known as NFPA 54. 2012 Edition National Fuel Gas Code
• NSTAR GAS & ELECTRIC INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS [PDF] NSTAR
• PG&E, ELECTRIC & GAS SERVICE REQUIREMENTS [PDF] (2017-2018, TD-7001M, GREENBOOK, Gas meter & electric meter installation manual, Website: www.pge.com/greenbook
• PG&E, GAS DESIGN & GAS METER LOCATIONS [PDF], (2013), Pacific Gas & Electric Company
• PG&E ELECTRIC & GAS METER CLEARANCES [PDF] and electric service requirements
• PG&E GREEN BOOK ELECTRIC & GAS SERVICE REQUIREMENTS (TD-7001M) 2020–2021 [PDF] original source: www.pge.com/pge_global/common/pdfs/services/building-and-renovation/greenbook-manual-online/greenbook_manual_full.pdf also available here at
• Puget Sound Energy Inc's 2014 GAS METER CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS, [PDF] retrieved 8/19/2014, - original source: https://pse.com/accountsandservices/Construction/Documents/3885.pdf
• PSE&G, GAS APPLIANCE and GAS PIPING [PDF], (2021), PSE&G Construction, New Jersey, USA, TEl: 800-722-0256, retrieved 2023/07/07, original source: nj.pseg.com/-/media/pseg/global/gathercontentdocuments/7-2-1upgradesandnewinstallationsnew/gas_appliances_gas_piping.ashx
• PSE&G, GAS APPLIANCE SAFETY [PDF] PSE&G Construction, New Jersey, USA, retrieved 2023/07/07, original source nj.pseg.com/safetyandreliability/gassafety/gasappliances
• PSE, GAS METER CLEARANCES AND SERVICE INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS [PDF] (2021) Puget Sound Energy, BOT-01H P.O. Box 91269 Bellevue, WA 98009-9269 USA, retrieved 2021/09/3 original source: https://www.pse.com/-/media/Feature/PSE/Construction-Service/Technical-Resource-Documents/Clearances-Service-Lines-Meter-Locations/Gas-Meter-Clearances-and-Service-Installation-Requirements.pdf
• Puget Sound Energy Inc's 2014 gas meter clearance specifications, retrieved 8/19/2014, - original source: https://pse.com/accountsandservices/Construction/Documents/3885.pdf
• Questar Gas, "GOOD PRACTICES FOR GAS PIPING AND APPLIANCE INSTALLATIONS" [PDF] (2015) Questar Gas, now Dominion Energy, Website: https://www.dominionenergy.com/, - retrieved 2017/11/12, original source: https://www.questargas.com/brochures/59060_401.pdf
• SOCAL, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS SERVICE GUIDEBOOK [PDF] (2013) - original source: http://www.socalgas.com/documents/construction/GasServiceGuidebook.pdf

Uniform Plumbing Code for Outdoor Gas Piping

404.7 Above-Ground Outdoor [Gas] Piping

All piping (including CSST) installed outdoors shall be elevated not less than 31/2 inches (152 mm) above ground and where installed across roof surfaces, shall be elevated not less than 31/2 inches (152 mm) above the roof surface. Piping installed above ground, outdoors, and installed across the surface of roofs shall be securely supported and located where it will be protected from physical damage.

CSST systems shall be protected in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions. Where passing through an outside wall, the piping shall also be protected against corrosion by coating or wrapping with an inert material. Where piping is encased in a protective pipe sleeve, the annular space between the piping and the sleeve shall be sealed.

404.13 Location of [Gas] Outlets

The unthreaded portion of piping outlets shall extend not less than l inch (25 mm) through finished ceilings and walls and where extending through floors or outdoor patios and slabs, shall not be less than 2 inches (51 mm) above them.

The outlet fitting or piping shall be securely supported.

Outlets shall not be placed behind doors. Outlets shall be located in the room or space where the appliance is installed.

Exception: Listed and labeled flush-mounted-type quick- disconnect devices and listed and labeled gas convenience outlets shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.

409.3.2 [Gas shutoff valves at ] Individual Buildings

In a common system serving more than one building, shutoff valves shall be installed outdoors at each building.

410.1 [Gas] Pressure Regulators

A line pressure regulator shall be installed where the appliance is designed to operate at a lower pressure than the supply pressure.

Line gas pressure regulators shall be listed as complying with ANSI Z21.80. Access shall be provided to pressure regulators.

Pressure regulators shall be protected from physical damage.

Regulators installed on the exterior of the building shall be approved for outdoor installation.

410.2. (4) The MP [Gas] pressure regulator shall be provided with access.

Where located indoors, the regulator shall be vented to the outdoors or shall be equipped with a leak-limiting device, in either case complying with Section 410.3.

and be sure to see

411.1 .8. Listed and labeled outdoor [Gas] appliance connectors in compliance with ANSI Z21.75 and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Watch out: be sure to see the article series beginning at

BACKUP ELECTRICAL GENERATORS because there are critical life-safety hazards when using a backup generator.

Continuing with gas plumbing/piping codes & gas meter codes

• U.S. Energy Information Administration - eia.doe.gov/
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - epa.gov/solar/energy-and-you/affect/natural-gas.html
• Washington Gas Light Co., GAS METER & REGULATOR CLEARANCES, CONTRACTOR GUIDELINES [PDF] Washington Gas, WGL, 6801 Industrial Road, Springfield VA 22151, Website: www.washingtongas.com retrieved 2017/11/12 original source: https://www.washingtongas.com/-/media/94c5206d9d314f0cb0fbc157f0c53eb2.pdf
• At Natural Gas.Org www.naturalgas.org/environment/naturalgas.asp#emission you’ll find a table of combustion products
• At geocities.com/rainforest/6847/report1.html is an interesting and detailed though not “neutral” report on the components and contaminants in the combustion of natural gas. You’ll see a long long list of emissions products, but look again – most of the contaminant levels listed are in the picograms.
• apvgn.pt/documentacao/iangv_rep_part1.pdf lists the components in natural gas exhaust from vehicles
• The Need Project, Manassas, VA: need.org/needpdf/infobook_activities/SecInfo/NGasS.pdf
• Kroschwitz, Jacqueline I., and Mary Howe-Grant (eds.). "Gas, Natural." In Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 4th ed., vol. 12. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1993.
• Tussing, Arlon R., & Bob Tippee. The Natural Gas Industry: Evolution, Structure, and Economics. 2nd ed. Tulsa, OK: PennWell Publishing, 1995.
• "HOW to READ ELECTRIC & NATURAL GAS METERS", [PDF] U.S. DOE original source: www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=13120?print

...

Canadian Gas Meter Codes, Clearance Distances & Regulations

Canadian provinces may have different clearance regulations, and differing interpretations of the national Canadian model gas codes.

More examples are below, and all of these are included in our citations given in the article above.

Alberta, Canada: Gas Meter Clearance Distance codes for Alberta, Canada

"There must be a minimum of three feet (0.9m) separation between any part of the gas meter/regulation installation and any sources of ignition (i.e. open flames, electrical panels, switches, meters.)"

- Source:

• ATCO, GAS METER CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS for ALBERTA [PDF] ATCO, ATCOenergy, ATCO Park : 5302 Forand Street S.W. Calgary, AB Canada,
  1-844-687-2826 Natural Gas Emergency 1-800-511-3447 - Electricity Emergency 1-800-668-5506

- Alberta's ATCO who in turn cite:

The installation of the meter, regulator, house line and secondary service lines must conform to the following codes and standards:
Alberta Building Code
CAN/CSA-Z662
CAN/CSA-B149.1
The Alberta Safety Codes Act
The Alberta Gas Code Regulations

Gas Meter Clearances, BC, British Columbia, Canada, courtesy of Canadian Chimney, 521 Short Close Ladysmith, BC ​V9G 1A7 Canada, (250)800-2251 https://www.canadianchimney.com/​

[Click to enlarge any image]

...

British Columbia Gas Codes

For BC, Canada gas meter clearances also see

• British Columbia INFORMATION BULLETIN NO: B-G5 051206 4, CLEARANCE TO METER REGULATOR VENTS [PDF] BC Safety Authority, retrieved 2021/09/23 original source: https://www.technicalsafetybc.ca/sites/default/files/B-G5-051206%204%20-%20Clearances%20to%20Meter%20Regulator%20Vents.pdf
  
  There are a number of instances in the CSA B149.1 Natural gas and Propane Installation Code where oblique references are made to clearances. This Information Bulletin summarizes the
  clearance requirements to resolve a long history of conflicting requirements.
  
  The required clearances for equipment, vents, services, exhausts or openings to meter regulator vents are detailed in the attached diagrams. Please note that building opening means
  any building opening, such as an openable door or window and not just permanent openings such as a ventilation air opening.
• British Columbia, Canada Gas Meter Clearances: also see Gas Meter Clearances, BC, British Columbia, Canada, courtesy of Canadian Chimney, 521 Short Close Ladysmith, BC ​V9G 1A7 Canada, (250)800-2251 canadianchimney.com/​

National Canada Gas Codes & Standards

• See: Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations (SOR/86-131) at aws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-86-131/index.html

Ontario Gas & Gas Meter Codes

• Ontario, Canada, CLEARANCE DISTANCES: ELECTRIC ARC SOURCES to GAS EQUIPMENT - ONTARIO [PDF] in Ontario Electrical Safety Code, Bulletin 2-10-13 Electrical equipment near combustible gas equipment Rule 2-326 and 6-408 (2019) retrieved 2021/09/23 original source: esasafe.com/assets/files/esasafe/pdf/Electrical_Safety_Products/Bulletins/2-10-13.pdf
  Excerpt:
  
  Rule 2-326 states that the clearance between arc-producing electrical equipment and a combustible gas relief device or vent shall be in accordance with the requirements of CSA B149.1, “Natural gas and propane installation code”, which uses the terms “source of ignition” and “discharge openings of relief devices”.
  
  Questions have been asked regarding the specific types of electrical equipment covered by the Rule.
  
  Arc-producing electrical equipment which is considered a source of ignition includes, but is not limited to:
  
  receptacles, switches, meter base plug in transfer devices, meter base plug in devices with an internal service air conditioning units, and related disconnecting means. This interpretation is consistent with the rules concerning the use of electrical equipment in Class 1 Zone 2 locations.
  
  Meter bases, conventional mechanical meters and conventional smart meters are not a source of ignition, and are permitted to be located within 1 metre of a natural gas discharge opening and 3 metres of a propane gas discharge opening. A meter is considered a conventional meter if it does not contain an internal service disconnecting feature.
  
  All sources of ignition, regardless of the date of installation, shall be kept outside of the clearance shown in Figure B1. Meter mounting device (meter base) locations, as per Rule 6-408 f), shall be in compliance with the requirements of the supply authority.