R746-320-3. Use, Location, and Accuracy Tests of Meters

  A. Use of Meters -- Gas sold by utilities shall be metered through approved meters except in case of emergency, or when otherwise authorized by the Commission as provided in R746-1-109, Deviation from Rules. Meters shall bear an identifying number and shall be plainly marked to show the units of the meter index. When gas is delivered at higher than standard pressure, the contract, rate schedule, or gas bill shall specify the method to be used to correct the gas volume to standard pressure.

  B. Meter Location -- Meters may be located either inside or outside of buildings. The locations selected by utilities and provided by customers shall be convenient for inspection and reading of the meters and shall comply with 49 CFR 192.353, 192.355, 192.357, incorporated by reference.

  C. Meter Accuracy at Installation -- New meters and reinstalled meters shall be no more than one percent fast or two percent slow.

  D. Initial Tests of Meters -- Meters shall be tested and meet the foregoing accuracy limits before installation. When meters are placed into service, the meter index reading shall be recorded.

  E. Periodic Tests of Meters --

  1. Utilities shall adopt schedules for periodic tests and repairs of positive displacement meters. Utilities shall keep records of accuracy of meters periodically tested and shall analyze the records to determine meter service life for purposes of adjusting the periods for testing and servicing meters.

  2. Unless a time extension or a statistical sampling method is approved by the Commission, meter test intervals for displacement meters of the following rated capacities shall not exceed the following:

TABLE

     a. To 300 cu. ft./hr 10 yrs

     b. 300 to 600 cu. ft./hr 5 yrs

     c. 600 to 1,500 cu. ft./hr 3 yrs

     d. Over 1,500 cu. ft./hr 2 yrs

     e. Orifice Meters, inspected

         and checked for accuracy 1 yr

  F. Meter Tests by Request --

  1. Upon written request, utilities shall test a customer's meter promptly. If a meter has been tested within 12 months preceding the date of the request, the utility concerned may require the customer to make a deposit to defray the costs of the test. If the meter is found to be more than three percent inaccurate, either over or under, the deposit shall be refunded; otherwise the deposit may be processed by the utility as a service charge. The deposit shall not exceed the estimated cost of performing the test.

  2. The customer shall be entitled to observe the test and the utility shall forward a copy of the written report of the test to the customer.

  G. Referee Meter Tests -- If there is a dispute over a test, the customer concerned may request a referee test in writing. The Commission may require the deposit of a testing fee in connection with a referee test to defray costs of the test. Upon filing of the request and receipt of the deposit, if needed, the Commission shall notify the utility and the utility shall not remove the meter until the Commission so instructs. The meter shall be tested in the presence of the Commission's representative, and if the meter is found to be more than three percent inaccurate, the customer's deposit may be refunded; otherwise it may be kept.

  H. Billing Adjustments for Meter Variance --

  1. If a meter tested pursuant to Subsections R746-320-3(E) and (F) is more than three percent fast, there shall be refunded to the customer the amount billed in error for one-half the period since the last test. The one-half period shall not exceed six months unless it can be shown that the error was due to some cause, the date of which can be fixed. In this instance, the overcharge shall be computed back to, but not beyond, that date.

  2. If a meter tested pursuant to Subsections R746-320-3(E) and (F) is more than three percent slow, the utility may bill the customer in an amount equal to the unbilled error for one-half the period since the last test, that one-half period shall not exceed six months.

  3. When there is a nonregistering meter, the customer may be billed on an estimate based on previous bills for similar usage. The estimated period shall not exceed three months.

  4. When there is unauthorized use, the customer may be billed on a reasonable estimate of the gas consumed.

  I. Standard Meter Test Methods -- Meter tests shall be made by trained personnel using approved methods and testing equipment. The methods and apparatus recommended in the Gas Displacement Standard, Second Edition 1985, published by the American Gas Association and incorporated by this reference, may be used to satisfy this rule.

  J. Meter Testing Equipment -- Utilities shall own and maintain, or have access to, at least one five-cubic-foot prover of an approved type, as well as other equipment necessary to test meters. Meter testing equipment shall be installed in a meter testing station designed for that purpose.

  K. Records of Meter Tests -- Utilities shall record the original data of meter tests on standard forms and preserve the data until the next time meters are tested.

  L. Meter Records -- Utilities shall keep permanent records of their meters. Utilities shall start a record for each meter when purchased and include the date of purchase, identification number, manufacturer's name, type, and rating. Utilities shall keep records of any tests, adjustments, and repairs. Utilities shall keep records of meter readings when the meters are installed or removed from service together with the addresses of customers served. The meter records shall be systematically kept and filed until the meters are retired.