19.6(1) Inspection and testing program. Each utility shall adopt a written program for the inspection and testing of its meters to determine the necessity for adjustment, replacement or repair. The frequency of inspection and methods of testing shall be based on the utility’s experience, manufacturer’s recommendations, and accepted good practice. The commission considers the publications listed in 19.6(3) to be representative of accepted good practice. Each utility shall maintain inspection and testing records for each meter and associated device until three years after its retirement.
19.6(2) Program content. The written program shall, at minimum, address the following subject areas:
a. Classification of meters by capacity, type, and any other factor considered pertinent.
b. Checking of new meters for acceptable accuracy before being placed in service.
c. Testing of in-service meters, including any associated instruments or corrective devices, for accuracy, adjustments or repairs. This may be accomplished by periodic tests at specified intervals or on the basis of a statistical sampling plan, but shall include meters removed from service for any reason.
d. Periodic calibration or testing of devices or instruments used by the utility to test meters.
e. Leak testing of meters before return to service.
f. The limits of meter accuracy considered acceptable by the utility.
g. The nature of meter and meter test records maintained by the utility.
19.6(3) Accepted good practice. The following publications are considered to be representative of accepted good practice in matters of metering and meter testing:
a. American National Standard for Gas Displacement Meters (500 Cubic Feet Per Hour Capacity and Under), ANSI B109.1-2000.
b. American National Standard for Diaphragm Type Gas Displacement Meters (Over 500 Cubic Feet Per Hour Capacity), ANSI B109.2-2000.
c. American National Standard for Rotary Type Gas Displacement Meters, ANSI B109.3-2000.
d. Measurement of Gas Flow by Turbine Meters, ANSI/ASME MFC-4M-1986 (Reaffirmed 2008).
e. Orifice Metering of Natural Gas and Other Related Hydrocarbon Fluids, API MPMS Chapter 14.3, Parts 1-4.
19.6(4) Meter adjustment. All meters and associated metering devices shall, when tested, be adjusted as closely as practicable to the condition of zero error.
19.6(5) Request tests. Upon request by a customer, a utility shall test the meter servicing that customer. A test need not be made more frequently than once in 18 months.
A written report of the test results shall be mailed to the customer within ten days of the completed test and a record of each test shall be kept on file at the utility’s office. The utility shall give the customer or a representative of the customer the opportunity to be present while the test is conducted.
If the test finds the meter is accurate within the limits accepted by the utility in its meter inspection and testing program, the utility may charge the customer $25 or the cost of conducting the test, whichever is less. The customer shall be advised of any potential charge before the meter is removed for testing.
19.6(6) Referee tests. Upon written request by a customer or utility, the commission will conduct a referee test of a meter. A test need not be made more frequently than once in 18 months. The customer request shall be accompanied by a $30 deposit in the form of a check or money order made payable to the utility.
Within 5 days of receipt of the written request and payment, the commission shall forward the deposit to the utility and notify the utility of the requirement for a test. The utility shall, within 30 days after notification of the request, schedule the date, time and place of the test with the commission and customer. The meter shall not be removed or adjusted before the test. The utility shall furnish all testing equipment and facilities for the test. If the tested meter is found to be more than 2 percent fast or 2 percent slow, the deposit will be returned to the party requesting the test and billing adjustments shall be made as required in 19.4(14). The commission shall issue its report within 15 days after the test is conducted, with a copy to the customer and the utility.
19.6(7) Condition of meter. No meter that is known to be mechanically defective, has an incorrect correction factor, or has not been tested and adjusted, if necessary, in accordance with 19.6(2)"b," "c," and "e," shall be installed or continued in service. The capacity of the meter and the index mechanism shall be consistent with the gas requirements of the customer.
[ARC 7962B, IAB 7/15/09, effective 8/19/09; ARC 3453C, IAB 11/8/17, effective 12/13/17; Editorial change: IAC Supplement 7/24/24]