(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.
(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.
(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.
(4)
Meter
adjustment. All meters and associated metering devices shall, when
tested, be adjusted as closely as practicable to the condition of zero
error.
(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.
(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.
(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.
Notes
Iowa Code r.
199-19.6
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
ARC 7962B, lAB 7/15/09,
effective 8/19/09
Amended by
IAB
November 8, 2017/Volume XL, Number 10, effective
12/13/2017
Editorial change: IAC Supplement
7/24/2024
