Anyone know the legalities of protective posts around gas meters?

[havasu]

We have a subcontractor who was hired by our gas company, who is planning on installing steel pipe barriers around our gas meters. Some plans show the pipes drilled 4' out from the gas meters, but say it is necessary, although are optional and you can decline them. Does anyone know if this is an item that could be brought up during an inspection when selling a house? My neighbor is frustrated because this will kill his side RV parking. My RV parking is nearly 14' wide, so I won't have an issue, but sure don't want to hit these posts while walking around the meter when it is dark.

 

[Snoonyb]

From your friendly utility; https://www.pge.com/assets/pge/docs/account/service-requests/j-95.pdf

Some jurisdiction also require them in garages that have gas fired equip.

 

[PJB12]

Hi Havasu,

When deciding about the barrier size, style and material also check with your local building department. I got surprised once on a construction project I was managing. The tradespeople followed the gas company's requirements only to find that the city required something different. (Pipes turned in to guard rails- complete with deflectors and reflectors.)

An idea that we investigated at home was to ask the gas supplier to move the meter.
We wanted the meter moved purely for aesthetic reasons. (It's in front of the house.) Since it wasn't safety related, the gas company would charge us. But, if I were to pre-dig and installed the new (free) template, the cost would drop to about 1/4 of if they were to dig.

Or-
The neighbor received a notice from the gas supplier to put barriers because the meter was in the driveway. The gas company moved it free because it was a safety concern. All they had to do was ask.

For the record, our meter is still out front. The gas company put a much smaller meter in for us (free). Next, I built a brick planter, then planted evergreen shrubs. No more meter showing.

I Hope For Success For You & Your Neighbor,
Paul

 

[PJB12]

I forgot in the previous post to mention meter cabinets. Many of them are built to withstand vehicle hits. We used them at work on occasion. The cabinets bolt to the building, thus eliminating the need for posts in the ground.

We also used to use what are essentially short pieces of freeway guard rails that are bent at a 60 degree angle at both ends. They also bolt to the building. The rails are short enough to let the meter be viewed and accessed. The 60 degree bends deflect straight-on vehicle hits.

Both are quicker and easier than the bollards your gas company wants- take less driveway space, too.