According to amendments to Federal Law No. 261 “On energy saving and increasing energy efficiency,” owners of apartments and residential buildings must install meters to record gas consumption by January 1, 2020, or the device will be installed forcibly by a special service.
The law does not apply to emergency housing and facilities that are subject to demolition or awaiting major repairs. Also, meters will not need to be installed in apartments where the maximum volume of gas consumption does not exceed 2 cubic meters per hour, for example, when only the stove runs on gas in a house. Let's find out how long the device is valid and after what time the counter changes.
Standard device life
Depending on where exactly the measuring device will be installed, the following types of gas meters are distinguished: household, industrial, municipal. The main difference between them is the volume of gas that is passed through over a certain period of time. The service life also varies.
Over time, the functionality of the device decreases. This can lead to unnecessary noise, interruptions in operation, and incorrect accounting of gas consumption. In this regard, gas meters need to be periodically checked and replaced. The nominal service life of such a device is 20 years.
Reference! The countdown begins from the moment the device is released, not installed.
However, each product comes with a passport for it. This document always indicates both the service life and the frequency with which inspections must be carried out. The SGK 4 meter, for example, according to the instructions, can operate for no more than 20 years, while the Betar device has a service life of 12 years. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to focus on the data specified in the passport.
Replacing a gas meter: at whose expense
The main responsibility for the readings of the gas meter and its performance lies on the shoulders of the owner. Subscribers also bear the cost of maintaining the meter. This includes payment for verification and delivery for verification.
What is verification? These are several operations that are performed by government metrological service bodies. They are aimed at studying and confirming the compliance of a gas flow meter (or other measuring instrument) with accepted technical requirements.
As mentioned above, delivery of devices is provided at the expense of the owners. This is confirmed by paragraph 3.16 “Procedure for verification of measuring instruments”. The document was approved by order of the State Standard of the Russian Federation dated July 18, 1994 No. 125.
So, any consumer of gas from natural sources is simply obliged to take measures to ensure reliable accounting of gas volumes. When the time interval between checks set by the manufacturer of the measuring device has expired, you need to send the metering device for verification. This is the only way to obtain a conclusion about its effectiveness for further use.
For the convenience of consumers, today there are rules for the provision of utility services to citizens. They indicate that the fee for replacement, verification, repair of collective and individual metering devices, which lasts no more than 30 calendar days, is calculated based on average monthly consumption.
It is determined using the purchased measurement tool based on the last half year. If a common house or individual metering device has been in use for less than 6 months, it is necessary to take into account the actual period of its operation, which does not exceed the consumption standards for these utilities.
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Replacing the meter according to the law
The inspection and replacement procedure is regulated by Federal Law No. 102. It clearly states that meters (including gas meters) need periodic inspection.
Only accredited organizations and individual entrepreneurs who have received permission to carry out such actions from the state can carry out this procedure, in accordance with this regulatory act.
The legislator indicates that it is necessary to focus on the service life specified in the technical data sheet of the product. After this time has expired, the device must be replaced.
Replacement is also carried out by accredited organizations. It is prohibited to disassemble meters, change readings or replace them yourself.
What installation rules must be followed?
Remember that the meter must be installed in accordance with the rules:
- the distance from the floor to the meter must be at least 1 meter 20 centimeters. The device must be installed no further than 80 centimeters from the stove or other gas appliance;
- the gas meter should not be above the stove, but to the side of it. The gas meter is attached by welding or a rubber sleeve, which should not be exposed to heat;
- the device can be located both in a vertical and horizontal position;
- The installation location of the metering device should be convenient for taking readings, maintenance and repair. You can place it next to the entrance for ease of checking readings, but taking into account all the above requirements.
Who should pay for the procedure
Responsibility for checking the measuring equipment rests with the person who owns the apartment. The owner of the premises is also responsible for ensuring that the inspection is carried out on time. It should be noted that if a delay is detected, fines may be imposed on the owner.
The homeowner must also pay for the inspection. The cost of its implementation depends on the region of residence and in some cases can reach 25% of the cost of the measuring device.
Peculiarities! Considering the cost of conducting verification activities, some citizens prefer to change the meter before the second verification instead of carrying it out.
Replacing a gas meter is a paid service. Its cost depends on many factors, so it is impossible to give exact numbers. The estimated replacement price is from one thousand to fifteen thousand rubles. The average cost of this service by region reaches three to four thousand rubles. Specific numbers depend on the type of meter, model and brand.
Verification or replacement - which is better?
When the deadline for verification of the metering device approaches, all work associated with the verification will be paid by the owner of the property.
Remember! It is not advisable for the homeowner to carry out verification for the following reasons:
- the price includes not only verification, but also work on dismantling, installing and sealing the metering device;
- delivery of the gas meter to the place of verification is carried out independently and at your own expense;
- if deficiencies are found during verification, then the meter must be replaced, and in this case the cost of verification is still payable;
- verification work can last up to three weeks, and during this time the owner pays for gas according to the standard.
Therefore, some owners believe that at the end of the verification period it is better to completely replace the gas meter. As already mentioned, the verification interval depends on the brand and type of metering devices; it can range from 5 years to 12 years.
Check and replacement
The frequency of checks also depends on the specific meter model. In most cases, this procedure must be performed once every eight years. It looks like this:
- Call a specialist (usually the receipts contain a notification that it is time for an inspection).
- Replacing the old meter with a device from the service company (the new device is installed while the old one is being checked).
- Checking the dismantled product.
- Issuance of a conclusion based on the test results, which will indicate whether the device can continue to be used.
Reference! The inspection will take no more than three weeks.
If the conclusion indicates that the device can be used, it will be installed in place. Otherwise, an act is drawn up, which states information about the impossibility of further use of the meter. It is provided to the owner, who will have to replace the metering device.
If it is necessary to replace the meter in an apartment building (located in the basement of a building), municipal services are entirely responsible for carrying out the process.
Residents of the house do not need to spend money on the procedure. If we are talking about replacing an internal device or an apparatus located in a private house, the responsibility for carrying out the replacement rests with the homeowner.
In this case, the citizen must contact the gas service with which he has signed an agreement with a corresponding request. In this case, it is necessary to indicate the time and date of replacement.
You must first purchase the device itself. It is desirable that it be the same model as the previous product. If a similar product is not on the market, you should contact the gas service staff so that they can select a new device.
Reference! In some cases, welding may be required to install a new product. They are carried out by gas service employees and paid for by the customer.
At the appointed time, an employee of the company with which the citizen has an agreement will carry out the necessary work. After completion, the device must be sealed. This can happen within no more than five days from the date of installation. Before installing the device, a preliminary check of the device’s serviceability is carried out.
How to change a gas meter
You cannot simply install a device for measuring the volume of gas consumed without permission, even if you are the owner of the premises. A metering device is an intra-apartment or in-house equipment.
Therefore, its installation is carried out exclusively by a gas company that has been issued a special license, as well as by an emergency dispatch service.
To install a gas meter in your apartment, you need to write an application and submit it to the regional gas service. Along with the application, the package of documents must include copies of papers confirming ownership of the premises in which the meter will be installed.
First, representatives of the gas service will determine the quality of the gas pipeline. They will also calculate the technical capabilities of installing a gas meter.
The measuring instrument is purchased with personal money by the apartment owner, after which specialists at the regional gas service draw up an estimate. The final cost of installing a gas meter will depend on the complexity of the work.
The owner of the premises pays the bill for installation of the meter only after the fact of installation and signing of the work completion certificate.
The next step should be to contact the management company. She must seal the device. Along with the application, passport details and a telephone number for contact are provided.
The written request itself contains some information about the meter. This is the possible time and date of commissioning of the measuring device, its type and serial number, installation location, information about the company that carried out the installation.
The meter readings at the time of installation and the date of upcoming verification are also recorded. The set of documents will need to include a copy of the passport for the gas meter and papers confirming the results of the final verification of the meter. Of course, if your measuring instrument is completely new, documents about the latest verification are not included.
Utilities have three days from the date of filing the application. They must respond to the specified telephone number and agree with the meter owner on the date of their visit.
If no one has contacted you in three days to seal the device, you should contact the state housing inspectorate with a complaint.
Complaint about the actions of gas service employees
If a citizen is faced with the fact that the company servicing his apartment is not going to change the meter, it is necessary to file a claim addressed to the head of this organization (or its branch in the region). Often this measure is enough to get results.
If the complaint does not help, you can contact:
- Ministry of Energy. This department has a special department that considers citizens' complaints.
- "Rospotrebnadzor". Meter replacement is a paid service. This organization oversees the legality of providing such services.
- The prosecutor's office. As in the previous case, the prosecutor’s office is a supervisory body; accordingly, department employees can conduct an investigation into the fact of violation of a citizen’s rights.
Important! If contacting these organizations does not yield results, legal proceedings can be initiated.
Sealing and checking the work of the master
The Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated July 21, 2008 No. 549 prescribes the procedure for implementing the necessary measures to seal flow meters. Only official gas supply companies can install seals. Responsibility for this lies not with the emergency departments that are directly involved in the installation, but with special subscriber departments.
For sealing, you will need to submit another application, in which you will need to indicate:
- Full name of the subscriber, his passport details;
- brand and number of the device;
- meter readings at the time of installation;
- date of last verification.
You will also need a replacement certificate, a commissioning document and a product passport. If the work was carried out by private companies, you must attach documents confirming the right to carry out the work to the application.
When sealing, gas workers check compliance with all established requirements for installation of the metering device:
- The meter is located at least 1 m from the gas stove.
- If the device is mounted outside the house, it must be reliably protected from moisture.
- The required height of the product is 160 cm. Otherwise, data on deviations must be recorded in the meter passport.
- Heaters are placed at a distance of at least 2 m.
- Access to the meter must remain free.
- The required distance from the wall is 5 cm to avoid metal corrosion.
- A mandatory leak test using an electronic sensor is required.
To independently check for a possible gas leak, you can use a soap solution. When applying it to the joints, foam should not form, otherwise it is necessary to redo the work and eliminate the leak.
It is worth paying attention to the gas consumption with the new meter: it should be approximately the same as before.
How to determine when to change the meter
After receiving the notification, the owner of the premises calls specialists for verification. If tests show a malfunction, the unit is replaced. The technical diagnostics of the meter is carried out by the center for standardization, metrology and certification. If the owner notices any malfunctions in the operation of the equipment, including a foreign smell, you should immediately call specialists who will offer to change the gas meter or carry out repair work.
There is also a second reason for mandatory replacement - the end of the dial resource. Counters, as a rule, are not run for a second round, although the values are most often enough for a long period of operation.
