Natural Gas Service Line and Meter
Installation Requirements
Installation Guide
Residential Service Line and Meter Guidelines
Meter Guidelines
Here are some important points to remember for construction projects requiring new residential gas service.
Getting a Natural Gas Service Line and Meter
Please follow these three easy steps to get a natural gas service line and meter for your project.
STEP 1:
Contact our New Business Team at least 30 days prior to needing natural gas service at 800-440-6111.
n The natural gas service line and meter will be installed at the same time if the site is ready.
STEP 2:
Identify the location of the natural gas meter and stub out the fuel line.
n Clearly mark the proposed location of the natural gas meter on the building’s foundation.
n Stub out the fuel line in accordance with appropriate fuel gas code.
STEP 3:
Mark all private underground utilities and ensure the site is ready.
Locate and mark all private underground utilities owned by you or your firm which are not marked by VA811
such as water lines, sewer laterals, drain fields, sprinkler systems and invisible dog fences.
n Make sure the site is within 6” of final grade.
n Make sure the proposed path of the natural gas service line is clear of debris and obstructions.
If Your Construction Project Requires an Inspection
If your construction project is located within an area requiring a city inspection prior to the gas service being established
in the building, a city building inspection sticker or report needs to be available at your site prior to requesting a gas
meter being set.
Important: Fuel line(s) and appliance(s) must have been installed in accordance with the “National Fuel Gas Code”;
and manufactured home installations shall be in accordance with Title 24, Code of Federal Regulations,
Part 3280, Subpart H.
When the fuel line(s) and equipment, if applicable, have been installed, inspected, and tested, the party responsible
for the payment of the gas bill should call our New Business Team at 800-440-6111 to schedule the meter
installation. The required Columbia Gas inspection and testing will be done at the time the meter is installed.
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Meter Guidelines
The section of fuel line piping which extends through the outside wall to connect to the meter setting must extend:
n 4-6 inches outside the building wall, with a threaded end for piping smaller than 2 inches
n 6-8 inches outside the building wall for piping 2 inches and larger if the connection to the meter
setting will be threaded, and
n 10 inches outside the building wall for piping 2 inches and larger if the connection to the meter
setting will be welded.
Fuel lines that will be tied into large volume meter settings should terminate 18 inches above finished grade.
The meter setting size will be determined by our New Business Team during the application process.
All fuel line piping must be sealed, to be rain and insect resistant.
Meter protection will be required, if near vehicular traffic. Customer will be responsible for installing meter
protection prior to meter installation for commercial properties.
On multiple meter installations, each fuel line stub must be plainly and properly identified with a weatherproof
tag or other approved means of designating the apartment, unit or the part of the building it supplies.
Customer Charges
The first inspection and/or test is done at no charge. If a Columbia Gas Field Technician determines that a return
trip is necessary due to the failure to comply with the requirements detailed above, a tag will be left at the premise
stating the reason and the appropriate fee will be charged for each subsequent return trip.
The provisions in this document are subject to change and are not intended to be all-inclusive. Local codes,
ordinances, and governmental regulations will govern when they are more stringent than the requirements
contained herein. When in doubt as to the proper procedure, consult with Columbia Gas before proceeding
with the work.
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Gas Meter Location Standards
Meter Standards
How to Determine the Best Location for Our Gas Meter
Please keep these requirements in mind when determining the best location for our natural gas meter:
n Create a perpendicular, continuous straight line of sight from the meter to our gas main line facility
which is typically located in or near the street right-of-way or alley.
n Locate the meter a minimum of 3 feet from any building opening, vent, electric equipment,
electric panel or meter and any other possible source of ignition.
2ND FLOOR LINE
Regular vent terminal must be installed to maintain a minimum clearance of
3 feet radial separation from any door, window, gravity air opening into a building,
or rotating electrical equipment. However, in no circumstance shall the event
terminal be installed beneath any of the features described above.
The regulator vent terminal should be installed to maintain a 3 feet radial
separation from electric meters, outlets, switches in disconnects, etc..
However, if it is not practical to maintain a 3 foot separation, no less than 1 foot
radial separation shall be required.
3FT RADIUS
ELECTRIC METER
1FT RADIUS
ELECTRIC
OUTLET
FOUNDATION VENT
3
NOTE:
Regulator vent
terminal shall
not be installed
beneath any 1st
floor air opening
into a building
nor under any
rotating electrical
equipment.
DRYER
EXHAUST
AIR
CONDITIONING
UNIT
Meter Placement Guide
Meter Standards
When planning for the location of your natural gas meter, please note:
Meter
< Setting
Meters and meter settings must maintain a clearance of:
n 6” above finished grade to bottom of meter
n 6” on sides and top of meter
n 36” in front of meter
METER
Meters and meter settings must be:
n Installed in a ventilated, readily accessible location
n Protected from corrosion and damage
Meter
Setting >
Regulator
Vent >
Meters, meter settings & regulators must be a minimum of 10 feet away from:
n Generators
Regulator vents must be a minimum of:
n 12” above grade (in areas where flooding may occur, vent height may be in excess of 12” above grade)
n 3 feet radially and NOT directly below any rotating electrical equipment (e.g., an air conditioner)
n 3 feet radial separation from: an electric meter, electric panel, electric outlet,
electric pedestal, electrical equipment disconnect, or pad mounted transformer.
n 3 feet radially from, and NOT below any first floor opening into a building, such as: a door, window
or other gravity air openings (including clothes dryer exhaust terminals and appliance air intakes)
n 10 feet radially from, and NOT below any forced air inlet or power intake.
Local codes or manufacturers requirements may exceed 3 feet.
Please check with your gas equipment installer for details.
GAS
METER
<
Window
air conditioner
(source
of ignition)
<
<
Intake to direct
vent appliance
>
Central A/C compressor >
(source of ignition)
<3 FT
MIN>
Crawl space opening,
windows, or exhaust fan
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Meter Protection Design
Meter Protection
Meter Protection Design Requirements
Meter protection is required for gas meters with less than 5 feet of clearance between the meter and the edge of
pavement or curb. Meter protection is also required if there is less than 8 feet of clearance from the edge of any
perpendicular parking surface.
n Meters requiring protection should have a minimum of two bollards installed. Bollards must be:
n Minimum 4” in diameter
n Grade B, schedule 40 steel pipe
n Minimum 60” in length
n Filled with concrete and domed at the top
n Bollards must extend above grade to a distance that is sufficient to offer adequate protection to the meter.
n Bollards must be placed in concrete-filled holes at least 24” deep and 12” in diameter.
n The concrete must be sloped away from the bollard at grade level.
n Bollards cannot be installed closer than 1 foot from the front of the meter set assembly and must allow
adequate room for operation and maintenance activities.
Protect Our Meter and Service Line
Please help us protect our natural gas meter and service line by following these requirements to keep your
service in compliance:
n Locate the meter where it will not be damaged by outside forces such as vehicular traffic, ice, snow,
construction equipment and falling objects. Avoid installing the meter under a fire escape.
n Vehicular protection is required if there is less than 5 feet of clearance between the meter and the
edge of pavement or curb.
n Vehicular protection is required if there is less than 8 feet of
clearance from the edge of any perpendicular parking surface.
n Do not build structures such as decks, garages or patios over
our meter or service line. The meter and service line are the
property of Columbia Gas of Virginia and must remain accessible
by our service technicians or other emergency responders.
Less than 8’ of clearance from edge of any perpendicular parking area
surface and meter set shall require meter protection.
<8 FEET
PARKING
AREA
STREET “B”
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Meter Protection
n Protect the meter from vehicular traffic with meter protection bollards.
n Ensure the natural gas meter is accessible by our service technicians or other emergency responders.
Do not install the natural gas meter indoors or in confined spaces such as a crawl space, closet,
vault or shaft.
Less than 5’ of clearance
between meter set and
edge of pavement or
edge of curb shall require
meter protection.
DRIVEWAY
< EDGE OF PAVEMENT/CURB
STREET “B”
STREET “A”
<5 FEET
< EDGE OF PAVEMENT/CURB
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Natural Gas Service Line and Meter
Installation Requirements
1809 Coyote Dr.
Chester, VA 23836
Telephone: 1-800-440-6111
Website: ColumbiaGasVA.com
10/2014