How to check a gas meter without removal, taking into account the service life

Checking the gas meter without removal

Portable Gas Meter Testing Unit

It is possible to check gas meters at home without removing the device. When calling a representative of the gas service, you need to indicate the desire to test the meter using a portable installation.

Verification without removal is performed in the following order:

• a service worker comes to the consumer's house and goes to the installation site of the device;
• the homeowner removes foreign objects from the gas stove (if other appliances also work on gas, you need to make room in accordance with the instructions of the verifier);
• the master inspects the device, checks the integrity of the seal;
• in the absence of damage, a mobile unit is connected to the device, the necessary verification procedures are performed;
• the installation is turned off, the connecting sections are mounted, and the absence of leakage is checked.

The employee enters the necessary entries in the verification certificate and in the journal. The consumer is issued a receipt for the services he pays for. The homeowner keeps the certificate until the next verification.

Tester

Special portable cases are available for testing home and utility gas meters. The wide profile of the installations allows operation with meters of various designs and with a wide range of hourly gas flow rates. With the help of the device, the device is checked on site without disconnecting from the gas pipeline.

Mobile devices are capable of operating from an independent power source for 10 hours or more. The verification algorithm is used general, approved by state standards, or developed for a certain type of meters. According to the regulations, it is advisable to do the procedure in the environment with which the device works, only in the absence of the possibility of testing for gas, it is allowed to use air.

Replacement cost

To install a new meter, as well as dismantle the old one, you must contact specialists who have the appropriate license to carry out these works. The cost of such work can cost from 1 to 15 thousand rubles. The amount will depend on:

• the region in which the service is provided;
• company and its base rates;
• the cost and type of the measuring instrument itself;
• the complexity of dismantling the previous meter;
• the complexity of the installation of a new meter;
• the cost of design documents for conducting gas in a private house.

To replace the meter, the homeowner must conclude an agreement with a company that provides these services and has qualified specialists

It is important to know that, in addition to the obligation to install measuring devices, homeowners are obliged to carry out the following:

1. To operate the device in the prescribed manner under the conditions established by the technical documents.
2. Provide a meter for regular verification of its readings.
3. Carry out independent control and provide it for control to authorized persons to verify the correctness of the reflected testimony.
4. control over its performance.

Privileges

The legislation of the country provides benefits to certain categories of citizens. These benefits include for the cost of work installation and replacement of meters. If a person has the right to take advantage of the benefit due to him, then he will only have to pay the cost of a new meter. The following persons are classified as privileged categories of citizens:

• low-income people living only on a minimum pension;
• large families;
• WWII veterans.

To receive benefits, it will be enough to present a certificate confirming the status of a citizen, giving him this right.

Who should pay for the replacement?

According to the Order of the Ministry of Industry No. 1815 of July 2, 2015, payment for the replacement of the meter is the responsibility of the owner of the premises.Depending on the type of property, payers can be legal entities, individual entrepreneurs or individuals.

Accordingly, these are owners of square meters in apartment buildings, owners of private households and holders of rights to commercial real estate.

The exception is municipal housing, where residence is temporary for citizens. In this case, the owner is the local government. Therefore, all costs are borne by the municipality. The only thing that residents should do in case of a malfunction of the flow meter is to apply to the housing and communal services service.

Participants of the war (veterans and rear soldiers), large families and non-working pensioners can use the free service. Expanded lists can function at the local level, additional benefits can be provided. You can check this information with the municipal gas company or local authorities.

Legislative grounds for verification

The need for verification of measuring instruments is established by Article 13 of the Law of the Russian Federation of June 26, 2008 No. 102-FZ. This is done for ensuring the uniformity of measurements in the field of state control. According to paragraph 1 of article 13, an initial verification is established when the device is put into operation and after its repair, as well as periodic verification during operation with a set frequency.

Veronika Astakhova

Legal consultant

Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated May 6, 2011 No. 354 establishes the rules for verifying utility meters. According to p.p."d" and "e" of the Decree, consumers of services are obliged to comply with Law No. 102-FZ and ensure the verification of general house and individual appliances (including room ones) in time according to the technical documentation for the meters.

The verification methodology and requirements for control meters are regulated by GOST 8.156-83 and MI 1592-99. Regardless of the accuracy of measuring the water flow, the devices must be tested after a certain calibration interval. The readings of an unverified meter cannot be taken into account.

Why change counters?

During operation, situations arise when water meters need to be replaced. Their failure can be caused by natural wear and tear and peculiarities of operation. The main causes of damage are: mechanical wear of the impeller and counting device; poor water quality caused by a high content of salts, solid impurities and other aggressive components (especially in hot water); blocking passages with sand and mud; mechanical damage due to external influences; the presence of a hidden factory defect.

These circumstances may cause damage to meters that cannot be repaired. It is possible that the repair is too expensive and only solves the problem for a short time. In such situations, replacing a device that has failed with a new one becomes a necessity.

It is important to understand that the operation of a damaged meter is unacceptable, its readings will not be taken into account, and the water consumption will be recalculated according to the standards for the number of residents

When is it legal to replace meters?

Mandatory replacement of the water meter is necessary in the following cases:

1. The end of the service life of the device specified in the technical documentation.
2. Mechanical damage and breakage of the device.
3. The presence of critical deviations in the readings caused by reasons that cannot be eliminated by repair.
4. Loss of a passport for the device and the impossibility of restoring it.

A malfunction of the device can be established by the following signs:

• Obvious mechanical damage.
• Pronounced differences in daily meter readings with equal consumption.
• Visible violation of the movement indication: complete or intermittent stop with the tap open, uneven movement with a uniform flow of water, excessively slow or too fast rotation compared to the previous period of operation.

If there are clear signs of a device failure, penalties may be imposed on the consumer. He is obliged, upon detection of defects, to immediately notify the water supply organization.

The replacement of the meter can be carried out at the initiative of the consumer upon detection of obvious signs of a breakdown or at the end of the instrument's service life; as prescribed by the controlling organization (based on the results of an unscheduled inspection or at the end of the device’s service life); according to the conclusion based on the results of the planned verification (if the device malfunctions). To carry out the replacement, the consumer of the service must submit an application, and the procedure itself is carried out by a specialist of the water supply company (Mosvodokanal). Pulling with the replacement of the counter is not recommended.

Five questions about checking gas meters

Now gas meters are installed in all houses and apartments. Firstly, this is required by law, and secondly, it is beneficial.After all, thanks to the metering device, we get the opportunity to pay only for the gas that we actually used up. But in order for the meter to work correctly, it must be checked periodically. We decided to answer the most common questions regarding the verification of gas meters.

1. Who pays for meter verification?

The law requires periodically checking all meters installed in houses and apartments. Verification is carried out in accordance with the Law "On Metrology and Metrological Activities", and its procedure is established by the Code of Gas Distribution Systems. Periodic verification and all work associated with it (including dismantling, transportation and installation of devices) is carried out at the expense of the company supplying gas to your home. Moreover, regardless of who installed the meter - gas workers or the consumer himself.

2. How often should the meter be checked?

The interval between calibrations is indicated in the technical data sheet of the device. It can be 5 or 8 years, depending on the type of meter. However, you yourself do not need to monitor the timing of verification - this is done by the specialists of the gas distribution company. Not later than a month before the next verification, they must inform you of its conduct and agree on the date and time of the arrival of specialists. If verification is carried out immediately for all consumers of an apartment building or entrance, an appropriate announcement should be posted in a public place. In turn, you are required to provide gas workers with access to the device at the set time. But only if they show their ID cards.

3. How is verification carried out?

Before taking the meter for verification, the gas workers check whether the device is in good condition, whether it is damaged and whether the seals are intact.All this must take place in the presence of the consumer. After the counter is verified, it is installed in place and sealed. The consumer must sign the Certificate of sealing, which is drawn up by employees of the gas industry.

4. How is payment for gas calculated while the meter is being verified?

At the time of verification, gas workers install another meter in the house or apartment.

• If the meter belongs to a gas distribution company, it will be replaced with a new one until the next verification.
• If the meter belongs to the consumer and has been verified, it must be returned to the consumer within two months.
• If during the verification the meter is recognized as unsuitable, the gas workers must repair it within two months after dismantling. If the device cannot be repaired, a new one will be installed free of charge within 15 working days after verification.
• If at the time of verification it is impossible to install another meter, gas will be calculated for you based on the average monthly volume of consumption for the same period (heating or inter-heating) of the previous year.

5. What will happen if you do not check the counter on time?

It depends on whose fault the verification was missed. If it is the fault of the gas workers, then the charges will be made according to the actual readings of the meter. If it is the fault of the consumer, then the volume of consumption will be determined by the maximum consumption volumes from the day of the last control reading of the meter, even if the consumer actually consumed less gas.

The need for an independent review

A gas meter, like any other metering device, must periodically undergo a scheduled check.In addition to the current survey, an unscheduled one is also provided, which must be carried out before the commissioning of new gas equipment or after the repair of previously installed equipment.

In the course of checking the operation, the metering device is inspected for external interference and damage, the integrity of the factory and seals installed by the service is analyzed. Additionally, the survey may reveal the facts of the impact of various devices that allow you to adjust the actual indicators of fuel consumption in favor of the subscriber.

In order to confirm the serviceability of the meter and make sure that the gas metering is correct, the device is dismantled by a service representative and sent for an official check, about which an appropriate act is drawn up.

Some types of gas meters can be tested at home without dismantling. To examine such devices, special mobile diagnostic devices are used.

Alas, it is the household meter that may not pass the test without dismantling. And the identification of any other violations during the initial inspection can bring undesirable sanctions even on a conscientious subscriber.

An independent technical and metrological examination helps to defend their rights and challenge the actions of gas workers.

During the survey, the user will be able to prove the most important facts confirming his innocence of the alleged violations:

• the absence of outside interference in the design of the metering device;
• the performance of the counter and the correctness of the data provided by it.

Experts can additionally conduct studies regarding the effect of a magnetic field on the device and determine the level of residual magnetization.A conclusion of this kind can be the main evidence that the subscriber did not try to influence the meter from the outside for selfish purposes.

The results of the examination can be used both in pre-trial and litigation disputes. In some situations, the conclusion of a specialist helps not to start a lawsuit at all and immediately challenge the actions of the gas distribution organization. So, for example, if the user has a suspicion that the meter winds a lot, it fixes an unreasonably large amount of consumed cubic meters of gas. This may be the reason for an independent examination, the results of which will help to immediately challenge the unreasonably large amount of accruals.

If specialists are involved to conduct an independent examination of the meter if it is suspected that it winds a lot, as in other cases, the subscriber will have to pay for their services at his own expense

Acts provided by an expert organization are weighty evidence in court and can be considered by regulatory or law enforcement agencies in the process of resolving disputes between a service organization or service provider and the end user.

Is it possible to carry out at home without removal

In most cases, it is technically impossible to check a gas meter without removing it, since without dismantling the inspector will not be able to set different gas flow rates.

However, if employees of Gosstandart (or another accredited company) have a mobile calibration station on hand, then they can check the meter at home.

The meter is dismantled and checked on site, in the client's apartment, without delivery to the laboratory. Such verification is carried out within an hour.The owner of the counting instrument will be required to organize a verification event, pay for services in advance or on the spot.

Varieties and procedure for verification

Verification of gas meters can be:

• planned;
• unscheduled.

The terms for checking gas meters according to the plan are set by the manufacturer of gas equipment and are indicated:

in the passport of the flow meter. The manufacturer sets the calibration interval, and you can determine the period for a scheduled inspection by adding the date of manufacture with the established interval. For example, the Betar flow meter has a calibration interval of 6 years;

Calibration interval set by the manufacturer

in the receipt for payment for the consumption of "blue fuel".

Determining the date for checking the receipt

The reasons for unscheduled verification may be:

damage to the verification mark/seal and/or illegibility of the information indicated on the mark (seal). The causes of damage may be mechanical impact or normal wear and tear;

Seal breach

• damage to the housing of an individual meter;
• depreservation - putting the flowmeter into operation after the expiration of at least one calibration interval;
• the presence of suspicions of the user to receive incorrect readings.

The result of the verification is a protocol confirming:

• the possibility of using the metering device further;
• unsuitability of the flowmeter for further operation.

The standard document states:

• the name and address of the organization that conducted the research;
• counter type;
• the date of the inspection;
• counter number;
• research results;
• expert opinion;
• date of the next check;
• cause of unsuitability if the meter has not been tested and needs to be repaired or replaced.

Document with verification results

Verification of meters can be done:

• in a specialized organization;
• at home.

Features of verification in the company

If it is planned to check the meter in a specialized company, then the following procedure is performed:

1. the consumer personally or through a legal representative visits the office of the selected organization and applies for the removal of the meter for the purpose of verification. The application is written in free form or on a special letterhead of the company. The application must be accompanied by:

• a copy of the applicant's civil passport and a power of attorney, if the document is submitted by the legal representative of the owner;
• a copy of the certificate (extract) confirming the ownership of the premises in which the metering device is installed;
• a copy of the technical passport of the flow meter;

1. at the appointed time, a representative of the company arrives and removes the meter for research. Instead of a metering device, a special arc is installed - a plug. An act is drawn up on the removal of the flow meter, which must be submitted to the resource supply organization;

Arc instead of a gas meter

While the meter is not available, the gas fee is charged according to the standards established in the region.

1. the owner personally takes the device for examination, which can last from 5 to 30 days;
2. obtaining a metering device and a research protocol. If the meter can be used further, then specialists are called who install and seal the flow meter. If the flowmeter is unsuitable for further use, then it is replaced;
3. sending a verification document to a resource supply company.

Features of verification at home

If the gas system maintenance company has special equipment designed to calibrate the meter without removing it at home, and the type of installed meter supports this possibility (for example, Grand meters), then the verification procedure is simpler and requires less time (1 - 3 working days).

Verification is carried out according to the following scheme:

1. filing an application for a flow meter check;
2. arrival of a specialist who performs the following actions:

• external inspection of the metering device, during which defects, deformations and violation of the seal are detected;
• checking the operation of the shut-off valves;
• if no external defects are found, then special equipment is connected to the meter;
• joints are washed to eliminate possible leakage, and when it is detected, they are sealed;
• research is being done;
• a protocol is drawn up containing the result of verification;

Conducting meter studies without removing the device

1. payment for services rendered;
2. transfer of documents to a resource supply company or replacement of a gas meter.

How to check at home, look at the video.

Variety of gas meters

Varieties of gas meters for installation in apartments and private houses

The flow meter is built into the gas pipeline that supplies the resource to the room. Devices vary in design. The method of operation can be based on taking into account the characteristics of the movement of the mechanism initiated by the properties of the fuel, or on the analysis of pulses generated by sensors during the passage of gas.Indications are displayed for the consumer by means of the counting block or the electronic display.

Vortex

The operation of devices of this type is based on the analysis of the frequency of pressure changes that occur when the path of the gas passing through the meter is in the form of a vortex. As a rule, such devices are mounted in industrial or municipal premises. Other types of counters are produced for home use. Vortex models have complex electronic components inside and are expensive devices.

Turbine

Here, the gas flow initiates the torsion of the turbine element provided with bearings. The main accounting parameter is its speed. Since the bearings soon dry out when gas flows through the mechanism, they must be regularly lubricated to ensure the smooth functioning of the device. This function is performed by a pump built into the device. Like the previous type of apparatus, turbine models are industrial devices. This is due to their large size and excellent throughput. New models are usually equipped with sensors that record pressure and temperature.

Most often, such gas meters have a body in the form of a cylinder. At the entrance they have a rectifier unit. Behind it is the main component - a rotating impeller. The number of its revolutions depends on how much gas fuel has passed through the structure. The counting unit of the device can be both mechanical and electronic.

Rotary

Rotary gas meter

Devices with rotary blades are intended for mounting on a vertical pipe through which the gas moves downward.The movable block consists of two 8-shaped blades adjacent to each other, rotating in opposite directions. They are tightly fixed in a special box. This prevents excessive gas losses (provided that the pressure does not go beyond the specified limits).

The flow of the resource initiates the rotation of the blades. This is achieved due to the pressure difference between the supply and output. A single revolution redirects a clearly defined amount of gas downwards. The fixation of the number of twists and their conversion into units of volume is carried out by a counting mechanical unit. Resource losses are also taken into account. This ensures high accuracy of the counter.

The device has many advantages - energy independence, small size, almost silent operation, good bandwidth. It is capable of measuring over a wide range. The downside is the short period of time between inspections - 5 years. This is due to the design with a movable blade unit.

Membrane

Membrane meters are highly accurate

Instruments of this type are popular due to their high accuracy combined with ease of operation. They are used for apartments and houses located in the private sector. Boxes with membrane elements are installed in the body of the device, communicating with each other through tubules. The latter are equipped with valves, the opening and closing of which occurs due to the transfer of force through a special block with levers.

When gas is supplied inside, the first box is filled first. After that, the valve opens, redirecting the fuel to the second chamber. And so it passes sequentially through all the boxes with membranes placed inside the case.The more there are, the more accurate the data will be.

Such metering devices have a significant duration of the interval between verifications (10 years or more) and operation in general (up to 20 years). They function normally on a low-purity resource. As disadvantages, we can designate the generation of whistling noise (the severity depends on the activity of gas consumption), as well as large size. The latter is not a problem for private households, but can be annoying when installing a meter in a small apartment.

The procedure for checking a gas meter in an apartment and a private house

In order to obtain high-precision information about the operation of the device, a specialist analyzes the process of gas passing through the device, while comparing the data of the calibrated and reference gas meter.

Gas meter verification process.

The procedure for checking a gas meter in a private house or apartment involves the following procedure:

1. Preparatory preventive work, including flushing the device.
2. Connecting the gas meter to the calibration instrument.
3. Starting the blower to create a vacuum in the gas path. Air is passed through the calibrated and reference device with fixed flow rates.
4. Analysis of temperature, humidity and pressure indicators.
5. Conclusion of the processor about the correct operation of the device and fixing the result.
6. If inaccuracies are found, then a decision can be made to calibrate the instrument. It involves connecting pairs of gears with a fixed gear ratio.
7. Issuance of the act, if the procedure was successful, and its signing by both parties.
8. The date of the planned diagnostics is entered in the data sheet.

What documents are needed to verify a gas meter?

In order to verify the gas meter, the applicant submits the following documents:

• application for verification of a gas meter;
• a copy of the applicant's passport;
• registration certificate of the metering device;
• a copy of the document for the apartment;
• act of previous verification.

In addition to passport and contact details, the application indicates:

• gas meter model;
• date of initial installation;
• factory number;
• gas meter readings;
• the name of the company that installed the device.

Download a sample application for verification of a gas meter.

Verification in the laboratory with removal

The laboratory technique involves the preliminary fixation of the readings of the device. Then it is necessary to remove the gas meter and hand it over for verification to the metrological organization.

Verification of gas meters in the laboratory.

Controllers carry out diagnostics in the laboratory using specialized equipment for gas flow meters. The user is allowed to be present. After the procedure and payment for it, the device is installed in place.

Checking a gas meter at home without removal

Checking a gas meter with a home visit is easier and more convenient, but at the same time much more expensive. All activities, including diagnostics, drawing up an act and even payment, are carried out on the spot - at the customer's home.

Verification without dismantling the device is carried out in a private house or apartment, using special portable equipment. That is why, in order to avoid the slightest violations, diagnostics should be carried out by highly qualified workers.

On-site verification is available for almost any modification of gas meters, with the exception of the above-mentioned models.

Documents to be drawn up

Upon completion of work, the contractor and the applicant sign a gas meter verification certificate in two copies: for the owner and the verification organization. A gas meter verification certificate and a payment receipt are also issued.

After paying for the services, the owner takes the certificate of passing the test to the gas supply organization to apply for sealing the meter.

Terms of verification

How long the verification of the meter will take depends on the testing method:

• The verification period for a gas meter installed in an apartment and in a private house in a laboratory can be from 15 to 30 days. To the verification period after installing the gas meter (until it is fully ready for use), the time spent on sealing should be added.
• The time spent on the procedure without removing the IPU of gas consumption is several hours, but it is worth noting that the departure of employees can be expected for several days.

Frequency of checks of gas meters

In addition to the initial check, there is also a specially developed diagnostic schedule, which outlines the timing of periodic verification of gas meters.

The interval between such events is mandatory prescribed in the data sheet of the device. It also indicates the period during which the full performance of the gas metering device is guaranteed.

The date of the previous check can be found out by examining the seal of the gasometer under a magnifying glass. On the brand that is applied to it, the year and quarter of the procedure are put.

The documents indicate the time of passing the diagnostic procedure and put a stamp certifying the suitability of the gasometer for operation.

The specified date of the planned inspection should not be neglected. If the device does not pass the control within the scheduled time, it is considered unusable, and the data taken from it may be invalidated.

In this case, the fee will be charged according to the average meter reading for the previous period or according to the standards prescribed in the contract. It is also possible to recalculate the already paid payment for blue fuel upwards.

For each brand of gas meter, a certain calibration interval is prescribed, which implies the maximum period of operation of the device before it is checked. Thus, the SG-SGK-1.6 model is designed for 8 years of operation, while the SGMB-1.6, Grand-1.6, SGBM-1.6 "Betar" models are designed for 12 years.

It should also be taken into account that the service life of the gasometer is calculated not from the date of sale, but from the date of its manufacture (PR 50.2.006-94 "GSI. The procedure for verifying measuring instruments", Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation No. 640 21.07.94)

In the absence of a technical passport (for example, in the event of its loss), gas service specialists can independently determine the calibration interval of any meter using technical documentation and reference literature.

How many times can you trust?

The brand, type and model of the gas consumption meter determines the duration of its operation and how long the verification is valid. After what time it will be necessary to replace the meter - it is also written in its data sheet. For example, if the device has been serving for 30 years, and the calibration interval is 10 years, then it makes sense to do the verification 2 times.

If the calibration period has passed and the operating period has expired, the device must be replaced.If the verification period has expired before the end of the gas meter's operation period, and its expiration date will also expire before the next diagnostics, then it may be more expedient to immediately replace the device.

How long the meter will last and how often the calibration procedure needs to be done is influenced by various external factors, such as operating conditions, humidity and room temperature.

Useful information

Here are some useful facts that you will definitely find useful:

1. If the period of the inter-check interval has expired, but the homeowner for some reason does not want to hand over the meter for verification, or opposes its dismantling, then he will have to pay according to average state standards, and not according to the actual readings of the device, and they are often much higher than the average level gas consumption in an ordinary family.
2. Remember, for all procedures that are carried out with the meter, including dismantling, installation, purchase of the device and its verification, the owner of the home pays exclusively.
3. Removal and inspection of a household meter in your home can only be carried out by a company with which you have entered into an agreement on the maintenance of gas appliances and networks. Before signing the contract, we advise you to view certificates and permits for the performance of work, read reviews.
4. Information on the terms after which you must calibrate the device are in the technical data sheet of the meter. For each individual model, the term is different, so be careful. In the same way, each verification date must be entered into the data sheet without fail.

Remember, monitoring the state of the counter is the task of its owner.Even if it seems that the device is working properly, it may not be so. In any case, the technique periodically fails. It is in order to prevent such situations that there is a procedure for conducting verifications. The counter can give incorrect readings both in one direction and in the opposite direction. If it turns out that you paid less than the due, you will be recalculated. But otherwise, no one will return the money to you. That is why we strongly recommend that you do not violate the terms for checking the device, and be attentive to the operation of the meter in everyday life. And the unwillingness to obey the rules will undoubtedly lead to serious sanctions that will hit the pocket.