Section 500.170  Location of Service Meters

a)         Meters shall be located on the customer's premises as near as practical to the point of entrance of gas service into customer's building or utilization area as mutually agreed upon by the utility and customer.  Said location shall be accessible and provide reasonable protection for the meter from accidental damage or hazardous operation.  Meters shall not be installed in sleeping rooms, small unventilated areas or in locations where the installation, reading and removal of the meter may prove difficult or hazardous.  Out-of-doors meters may not be installed in front of a residential dwelling except with the consent of the customer.

b)         Meters shall not be installed in locations where the generally prevailing ambient temperature varies from 60 degrees Fahrenheit by more than 20 degrees Fahrenheit, except as hereinafter provided.  In locations where generally prevailing ambient temperatures vary from 60 degrees Fahrenheit by more than 20 degrees Fahrenheit, meters incorporating a suitable temperature compensating device shall be used.  Where it is the present general policy and practice of a utility to install all of its residential and small commercial meters, where possible, out-of-doors without temperature compensation, said utility may continue to do so on the assumption that present rates are predicated on such metering practice.

c)         Meters shall be rigidly secured in an upright and level position by a suitable meter bar, pipe risers, meter brackets or foundation sufficient for the support of the metering installation.

d)         Normally, only "hard case" meters may be installed out-of-doors.  "Tin case" meters may be used out-of-doors, provided said meters shall be installed in suitable housings or in underground pits so as to protect such meters against damage.

e)         If, in the opinion of the utility, it is not practical to locate a meter installation in a place free of traffic hazard, such installation shall include guard posts or rails to reasonably protect the facility from damage.