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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Fredericksburg, VA
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    895

    Default Gas Meter Location

    Gas meter in living room enclosed in a wood box. Exterior through wall vent (3/4" inch galvanized pipe). Meter viewable through cutout. No main cutoff access unless out in street somewhere. Original house built in 1904. Addition ca. 1960. And yes, that is a 14" floor height differential without a safety rail or steps behind the meter box.

    Would a meter installation like this be allowed even in the 60's?

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    The above statements are expressed solely as my opinion and in all probability will conflict with someone else's.
    Stu, Fredericksburg VA

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Healdsburg, CA
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    Default Re: Gas Meter Location

    Not even in the 1860's !!!

    Jerry McCarthy
    Building Code/ Construction Consultant

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Rockwall Texas
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    4,521

    Default Re: Gas Meter Location

    I would assume that the meter was outside of the structure originally, but the exterior wall has been opened up for a room addition. That probably explains the step down of the floor.

    Gas meter inside the structure? NO can do. Well, they did do it but its wrong.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: Gas Meter Location

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Hurst View Post
    I would assume that the meter was outside of the structure originally, but the exterior wall has been opened up for a room addition. That probably explains the step down of the floor.
    Goes along with my thoughts too.

    Enclosed carport into a room, removed part of wall, and ... Dang! Billy Bob, what are we going to do with this here gas meter? ... Well, thar ain't no permit, so we can't call the gas company, ummm, we'll just box 'er in and make an opening to read it from the outside - if the gas company does not complain, we'll be home free.

    Yeah, that's a ... YIKES!

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  5. #5
    Michael Larson's Avatar
    Michael Larson Guest

    Default Re: Gas Meter Location

    I grew up in a home that was built in the early 50s.

    The gas meter was inside in the basement.

    Reading Your Natural Gas Meter

    Reading your own meter is one of the easiest ways to ensure that you are paying only for the natural gas you use. It is simple to do, and most companies will let you submit your meter reading over the phone or through the Internet.
    Most natural gas companies attempt to obtain an actual meter reading every other month. From time to time, the natural gas company may not be able to get an actual reading from your meter. If your meter is inside your home (usually in the basement), behind a locked gate, or guarded by the family dog, you may see estimated readings on your natural gas bill. To get an estimated usage, the company uses a sophisticated formula that takes many factors, like the outside temperature, into account. For most customers, the difference between the estimated and actual usage is adjusted when the meter is read by the natural gas company the following month. However, for customers that have inaccessible meters, their bills may be estimated for several months in a row.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
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    2,048

    Default Re: Gas Meter Location

    The gas meter inside the house is very typical up here in older homes. Basement, hallway, stairwell are typical. The in-ability to readily turn-off I would write up as a hazard. The particular location I would recommend to be changed also.

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  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: Gas Meter Location

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Larson View Post
    From time to time, the natural gas company may not be able to get an actual reading from your meter. If your meter is inside your home (usually in the basement),
    It is my understanding that the regulators, which are at the meter, are not allowed to be within 3 feet of a building opening. Putting the regulator directly inside seems to be much more absurd then being outside within 3 feet of a building opening.

    If the gas meter is in the house, I would presume that the regulator was also. THAT (the regulator) is not allowed, as far as I understand.

    Hopefully Bob H. will rely.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Healdsburg, CA
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    Default Re: Gas Meter Location

    Having a natural gas meter beneath a home in California is a bad idea. If the home is located near one of the major seismic faults it’s a terrible idea. When inspecting older homes where I found a gas meter located within the crawl space I always recommended my clients request the local utility company, usually the PG&E, (Pacific Gas & Electric) relocate it to an exterior location.
    I’ve attached a schematic published by the PG&E regarding clearances, which may be handy for some of our left coast inspectors?


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  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Fredericksburg, VA
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    Default Re: Gas Meter Location

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Peck View Post
    Goes along with my thoughts too.

    Enclosed carport into a room, removed part of wall, and ... Dang! Billy Bob, what are we going to do with this here gas meter? ... Well, thar ain't no permit, so we can't call the gas company, ummm, we'll just box 'er in and make an opening to read it from the outside - if the gas company does not complain, we'll be home free.

    Yeah, that's a ... YIKES!
    Jerry, you should see the electric service drop! I don't know how the heck they got away with it. That was the question I asked myself when looking at it. Very guttsy or, more likely, very stupid.

    The above statements are expressed solely as my opinion and in all probability will conflict with someone else's.
    Stu, Fredericksburg VA

  10. #10
    Michael Larson's Avatar
    Michael Larson Guest

    Default Re: Gas Meter Location

    What some are not considering is that the requirement is for the meter to be located in a ventilated area or that the relief port of the regulator can be piped to a ventilated area.

    I'm not saying that the pictured item is OK but that are ways to make it so.

    I see no harm in raising it as a concern and to having the local gas supplier provide some guidance on the matter.


  11. #11
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
    Ted Menelly Guest

    Default Re: Gas Meter Location

    Looks like a home made bomb waiting to go off. I can only imagine if a slight leak occured in that box and filled it with gas and a spark were to happen anywhere close by.

    "Well, that is where my addition and home use to be"


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