Gas meter replacement: procedure, rules and terms of work

Have you noticed that there is often a frivolous attitude towards tasks such as replacing a gas meter? Advisors post self-replacement algorithms, find dubious options for saving on devices and materials.

Meanwhile, the replacement rules have a legislative basis and are dictated by the service life of the equipment. The person authorized to work must have proven qualifications: even the battery change must be carried out by a gas service employee.

After conducting a thorough research, we found out the requirements for the procedure, found laws governing the procedure, frequency and reasons obliging the owners of gas equipment to replace the appliance accounting. We also found out what documents need to be provided to the service provider to replace the gas meter.

Requirements of Russian legislation

Main document - Resolution No. 824, approved by the Russian government on September 19, 2013.

It amended the Rules for the Provision of Utilities and touched mainly on the requirements for replacing gas meters.

Reasons for replacement determined by law

According to the law, it is necessary to replace an existing gas meter when:

• the expiration of the service life specified in the technical passport of the product;
• negative results of verification.

Negative results include visible mechanical damage, recorded excess of the error, violation of seals, lack of readable indicators.

The initiator of the verification can be the owner who noticed a malfunction of the device, or an employee of the gas service performing a scheduled or extraordinary audit.

Contractor and frequency

Important questions, also raised by the decree - after how many years should the gas meter be replaced, and who should replace it? The frequency should be determined by the flow meter passport. Most models life time is 20 years old. But there are also exceptions.

For example, a product of the Betar brand can work correctly only for 12 years. Therefore, verification with information from the manufacturer is mandatory.

The dismantling of the old device, as well as the installation of the newly acquired one, can be performed by an employee of the gas service serving the area of ​​residence. Representatives of a private licensed company can also join the work. Self-replacement is prohibited.

Who should pay for the replacement?

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

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

An 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 flow meter malfunction is to apply to the housing and communal services service.

Free service can be used by participants in the war (veterans and logisticians), large families and unemployed pensioners. At the local level, extended lists can function, additional benefits can be provided. Check with the municipal gas company or local government for this information.

Why is it important to monitor the status of the counter?

If the owner of the device timely discovered its malfunction or violation of the integrity of the seal and notified the gas supplier on the same day, then during the replacement period, payment will be made according to regulations. The replacement period lasts from the date of notification until the day following the day of sealing the new / refurbished meter.

The situation is completely different when a problem is detected by a gas service employee. In this case, the use of the standards will be applied for the period lasting from the moment of the last check to the installation of a fresh seal.

And, although the duration of the period cannot be more than 6 months, the increase in fees is very significant - as you know, the standards are overestimated in comparison with the volume of real consumption.

Procedure for replacing equipment

The first step in the algorithm for replacing the meter is the conclusion of an agreement with a company that supplies gas to the area of ​​residence. The subject of the agreement is a set of measures to change the device. Motive - an application submitted by the owner of the premises.

Private gas companies operate in large cities. They have the appropriate licenses, and their employees are certified and authorized to work with gas equipment. When contacting them to change the flow meter, you must request supporting documents.

First visit of a specialist

At the first visit after the conclusion of the contract, the master must confirm or deny the need to purchase and install a new device. Situations are not uncommon when it is enough to install a new battery or perform an inexpensive repair to restore functionality.

If the device is really outdated or broken, then a specialist must inspect the installation site, evaluate the technical conditions and give detailed recommendations on choosing a suitable model. Based on these recommendations, the owner of the premises purchases a metering device and prepares for the second visit of the gas service employees.

Second visit - installation

By the second visit of a specialist, it is necessary to prepare documents relating to the newly purchased device, as well as free up space for installation. Since the meter must be installed in a visible place and in a free access area, it is worth removing all obstructing objects.

This requirement is spelled out in SP 42-101-2003 - a set of rules for the design of gas distribution systems. It is necessary to follow it after installation, during operation: the meter should be located where it is convenient to install and maintain it.

After the completion of the installation, gas workers are required to fill out an act of work performed, issue a document on the launch of the device. These documents must be kept together with the technical data sheet of the device.

The procedure algorithm for those living in an apartment is no different from the procedure for replacing a gas meter in a private house. The only addition for the owners of private households is the gasification project.

The ultimate cost of replacement consists of the cost of the new device and installation costs. An increase in the average value can be influenced by:

• the need to increase the length of the gas pipe with additional pipes;
• welding works;
• purchase of parts and consumables.

A more expensive replacement will be performed with a change in the position of the counter. For example, when moving the device into the visibility zone.

Meter sealing rules

According to the government decree No. 549 of 2008, the right to install the seal is vested only with the supplying companies. However, it is not the emergency dispatch departments that install the devices themselves, but the authorized employees of the subscriber departments that are responsible for this. Therefore, for sealing, you will have to write another statement.

It should indicate:

• Full name, passport data of the owner of the home;
• make and serial number of the device;
• flow meter readings at the time of installation;
• the date of the next verification.

The application must be accompanied by a technical passport of the new device, an installation certificate, a document on the commissioning of equipment.

If the installation was carried out by a representative of a third-party licensed company, then it is necessary to present documents confirming the qualifications and the right of the representative of this company to work.

Installation quality control

The work must be carried out taking into account the safety rules:

1. The distance from the meter to the gas equipment cannot be less than one meter.
2. Outside the home, the device can be installed under a moisture-proof canopy or inside a metal cabinet.
3. The standard placement height is 160 cm. Any deviations must be confirmed by the technical data sheet of the product.
4. There should be no heating devices within a radius of 2 meters.
5. The device must be within sight and quick access.
6. The distance between the meter and the wall must be more than 5 cm. This allows natural ventilation and slows down the formation of corrosion on metal parts.
7. Upon completion of installation, a leak check is mandatory. Previously, it was performed using a soap solution. Now representatives of gas companies are increasingly giving preference to electronic sensors.

Knowing how to do it right install a gas meter in an apartment or house, it is easy to control the actions of specialists. In addition, a knowledgeable owner will be able to correctly formulate emerging issues and receive comprehensive advice.

After installation, you should follow the further operation of the device: while maintaining the same volume of consumption, the new device should record approximately the same consumption as the old one. If the readings differ greatly, this is a reason for re-contacting the gas workers.

Choosing the right model

The choice of specialists is based on the size of the room, the location of the gas equipment, the number of devices connected to the metering device. The wizards take into account the thread diameter, the flow rate of the flow meter.

The user is advised to pay attention to the balance of price and service life, as well as the date of manufacture. Too old a release date will significantly reduce the time until the next calibration, since this period is determined by it, and not by the date of purchase or installation.

It will not be superfluous to clarify the design features, as this affects the frequency of checks. Thus, compact rotary models must be inspected every five years. Membranes are subject to professional inspection every 10 years. Turbine devices frequently used in the industrial sector - once every 8 years.

The model chosen by the owner himself, in any case, will be tested for compliance with all requirements. Therefore, before buying, it is worth consulting with gas workers.

In more detail, the subtleties of choosing gas meters are described in this material.

Replacing the device battery

The need to change the battery is usually signaled by a blank screen. In some cases, it becomes difficult to distinguish or "disappear" part of the numbers. Sometimes users notice screen flickering, which can also be evidence of a faulty battery.

In this case, you will also have to turn to the help of the gas service, since self-opening of the device is prohibited. Moreover, most of the batteries are closed with a seal.

Repair or replacement?

In some situations, replacing equipment may be more beneficial than verification and repair work. If the device breaks down, you will have to pay for dismantling work, expertise and, if it is impossible to restore correct operation, a new flow meter and its installation.

At the same time, all the time spent on these manipulations, gas charges will be calculated based on regional standards.

Therefore, many users who suspect a fundamental breakdown of the device prefer to immediately install a new meter. The old one is either disposed of, or, after a successful repair, is stored as a spare until the end of its useful life.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The meter is replaced when it breaks down and at the end of its service life. The initiator can be the owner himself or the representative of the gas service. When choosing a device, it is worth listening to the opinion of a professional, since only he can take into account all the technical subtleties.

Installation should also be entrusted to specialists. This is how their visit goes during installation:

After the completion of the work, the gas service employee must draw up two acts: on the replacement and on the commissioning of the device. After that, all that remains is to put a seal and monitor the state of the new flow meter.

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