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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    McKinney Texas
    Posts
    501

    Default Gas meter above driveway.

    Gas meter above driveway. I haven't had time yet to research this but I thought I would throw it out there for comments. At this point I am not sure if this is an issue or not (due to possibility of trapping gas below concrete). I seem to recall some gas meters on commercial buildings above paved or concrete parking lots. This may be an issue or maybe not. As mentioned I have not researched it yet but thougth I would post it for comments.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Lake Barrington, IL
    Posts
    1,367

    Default Re: Gas meter above driveway.

    My concern would be a vehicle hitting the meter. I always recommend bollards be installed.

    Eric Barker, ACI
    Lake Barrington, IL

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Gas meter above driveway.

    Quote Originally Posted by Gene South View Post
    Gas meter above driveway. At this point I am not sure if this is an issue or not (due to possibility of trapping gas below concrete). .
    Kind of like trapping gas under the bedsheets!

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    43

    Default Re: Gas meter above driveway.

    I would say the piping should be encased and not have any contact with the cement. Alkaline deterioration will occur otherwise. I would not be able to verify no contact below the grade.

    Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Gas meter above driveway.

    Concrete shouldn't be poured directly up against the riser, technically. The gas company in my area won't make an issue of it, nor will they fix it.
    The guard post (bollard) would be required though.

    Natural gas will seep right through dry asphalt, but not concrete.....


  6. #6
    tom daley's Avatar
    tom daley Guest

    Default Re: Gas meter above driveway.

    FWIW:

    1. Install bollards if the meter is exposed to traffic, however, there's also an unprotected A/C unit in 6ft proximity.

    2. There is no shut-off valve on the incoming gas pipe - it should come before the regulator just after the gas pipe leaves the ground.
    There is a shut-off wrongly positioned on the outlet piping.
    Perhaps that fitting just below the regulator is a shut-off? It's difficult to tell. If it is, then two isolaters is unusual but i dont think it's against Ca/UPC Code.

    3. There should be a plugged 3/4" test tee on the outlet side of the meter.

    4. The gas pipe underground and breaking the concrete should be wrapped. The in-situ arrangement appears to be a "stake" to hold the riser in position during the pour.


  7. #7

    Default Re: Gas meter above driveway.

    2. There is no shut-off valve on the incoming gas pipe - it should come before the regulator just after the gas pipe leaves the ground.
    The valve is there. Note that it's set up to be able to lock it out.

    There is a shut-off wrongly positioned on the outlet piping.
    That's called a customer valve. We install those on all new residential meter sets so that the customer can shut off gas to the house without messing with our meter.

    3. There should be a plugged 3/4" test tee on the outlet side of the meter.
    There are different standards for different areas, eras, etc.


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Bennett (Denver metro), Colorado
    Posts
    1,461

    Default Re: Gas meter above driveway.

    I see this sort of thing several times a year. The local gas company never says anything about it. But there should be a slip gasket around the pipe penetrations in the concrete. The bollards is a good idea, but I've never seen those installed. Bad ideas, stupid installations, and dumbness should be pointed out, even if the local utility companies don't care.

    If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Gas meter above driveway.

    Quote Originally Posted by Lon Henderson View Post
    The bollards is a good idea, but I've never seen those installed.
    I've seen bollards installed to protect gas, water, and electrical vales/equipment/meters at apartment complexes and commercial sites, but not at dwelling units ... then again I've not see gas meters installed at driveways or parking areas at dwelling units either (surely that cannot be because our contractors are 'smarter' and know better, not with all the other stupid things they do ).

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

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Bennett (Denver metro), Colorado
    Posts
    1,461

    Default Re: Gas meter above driveway.

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Peck View Post
    (surely that cannot be because our contractors are 'smarter' and know better, not with all the other stupid things they do ).
    Our stupid contractors can match up with any anywhere.

    If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Near Philly, Pa.
    Posts
    1,682

    Cool Re: Gas meter above driveway.

    PART 192—TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL AND OTHER GAS BY PIPELINE: MINIMUM FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS :: PART 192--TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL AND OTHER GAS BY PIPELINE: MINIMUM FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS :: CHAPTER I--PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAF

    Federal CFR covers the meter to the connection downstream of the meter, which is technically the "point of distribution" or where the local gas code picks up. That would be the right hand joint coming off the meter.

    You can skim down the link to 192.353 and on for meter installation regs.

    Enjoy!

    Keep the fire in the fireplace.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Vancouver
    Posts
    202

    Default Re: Gas meter above driveway.

    I have seen where abs piping has been installed around the pipe going thru concrete. this protects the pipe from the cement. bollards for protection strongly recomended here also.


  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Washington State
    Posts
    376

    Default Re: Gas meter above driveway.

    I'd fire the cement finisher, he was shaky and broomed it too wet !


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
    Posts
    3,509

    Default Re: Gas meter above driveway.

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Barker View Post
    My concern would be a vehicle hitting the meter. I always recommend bollards be installed.
    +1. I recommend the same when I see this.

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

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