equipment sharing space

[John Dirks Jr]

I wrote this up because the location of the gas and electric meters were at the end of a driveway and they had no protection from vehicle impact.

In addition to that, is there a rule as to how close these two services are to each other? In other words, are they too close to each other?

Click to Enlarge

53.79 KB

Click to Enlarge

47.45 KB

[Jerry Simon]

On the potential impact part, I would not have wrote it up. Seems like you'd have to drive a car on an angle to miss the bay window and the outside garage corner to try and hit the gas meter. Looks sort of hard to hit it even if you were trying. 'Course, the picture may be deceiving and it could look worse on-site. If so, a fair call.

I recommend installing a protective concrete-filled metal post in such cases. Is that what you say?

Clearance part...I never heard of anything prohibiting such.

[Bill Kibbel]

On the potential impact part, I would not have wrote it up. Seems like you'd have to drive a car on an angle to miss the bay window and the outside garage corner to try and hit the gas meter. Looks sort of hard to hit it even if you were trying. 'Course, the picture may be deceiving and it could look worse on-site. If so, a fair call.

I would have included a recommendation. I got to see what was left of a block of townhomes after a meter was hit. When they were built, it wasn't required because someone thought a vehicle would never be at that particular angle.

I recommend installing a protective concrete-filled metal post in such cases.

Or you could recommend a bollard.

Clearance part...I never heard of anything prohibiting such.

Check with the local gas co. Many require that the regulator be set more than 36" away from the electric meter and/or the meter and gas piping be 36" from the grounding electrode.

[John Dirks Jr]

I didn't specify the exact means of protection.

Here is a quote from the report.

The gas meter is in a location that it is subject to damage. At the head of the driveway, it could be affected by vehicle impact. This can cause a major gas leak which is very dangerous. An appropriate barrier needs to be installed to protect this gas meter and its piping. Have a qualified contractor fix it.

[Bain]

Like Bill said, I would recommend rather than quasi-mandate. Remember that the utility company takes a look at that meter once a month and, presumably, sees nothing wrong with the installation.

The meter in the photo below was beside a 50 year old house, but apparently no one from the local utility co. minded where it was.

Click to Enlarge

65.19 KB

[John Dirks Jr]

If its dangerous, I say fix it. There is no "recommend" about it. If they choose to ignore my direction, that's their business.

That's how I think about it.

[kurt]

I think bollards would be a good idea in that situation. Yes, a judgment call, but smart.

I usually say "you should...........", instead of commanding. Mandating can get weird sounding on some stuff.

[Garet]

I would not rely on a gas company meter-reader to catch this. First, those are probably not the brightest bunch in the crop. Second, around here the meters are all read remotely. It's possible that the driveway has been made wider since the last time a gas company rep was there.

[RichNSpect]

If its dangerous, I say fix it. There is no "recommend" about it. If they choose to ignore my direction, that's their business.

That's how I think about it.

I would take a little softer stance on this issue. I agree that the meter needs to be protected from physical damage, but would not call this out as a "mandated" repair.

I was taught to classify these things as "Elective Modifications" and then clearly explain the definition of the term in my scope of work.

While many things we (Inspectors) come across in the field could be classified as just plain common sense, we should keep in mind that we are not there at the property to perform a "code compliance" or "safety" inspection. Assuming that we are there do conduct a Standard Inspection, of course.

Kevin

[charlieb]

If its dangerous, I say fix it. There is no "recommend" about it. If they choose to ignore my direction, that's their business.

That's how I think about it.

I would take a little softer stance on this issue. I agree that the meter needs to be protected from physical damage, but would not call this out as a "mandated" repair.

I was taught to classify these things as "Elective Modifications" and then clearly explain the definition of the term in my scope of work.

While many things we (Inspectors) come across in the field could be classified as just plain common sense, we should keep in mind that we are not there at the property to perform a "code compliance" or "safety" inspection. Assuming that we are there do conduct a Standard Inspection, of course.

Kevin

Our role is quite simple. Look for things. Write them down. Tell the consumer what it can/will do/cause and give an opinion on what to do.

The gas meter is located in a place that can allow it to be damaged. If a vehicle hits the meter, gas can escape and possibly cause a fire or explosion. This would not be a good experience. Have the meter relocated or provide physical protection to prevent it from being damaged.

We have no authority to mandate anything. We issue opinions. If we are smart, our opinions are based in the code, manufacturer's installation instructions. I believe you can find the line "This code is not intended to address stupidity" somewhere in the IRC. :>

[John Dirks Jr]

With something that has the potential bad affect as this, you won't be able to convince me to not be direct about it.

I understand I don't rule anything. However, I think that sometimes stronger words are needed. This is one of those cases.

The percentage of my business from referrals of clients is growing. I see no reason to change my game plan.

The beat around the bush wishy washy mush mush try to make everyone happy is not a part of my business.

I find the facts, state them as they "need" be, then move on.

It's working for me.

[ghentjr]

Is it just me, or did anyone else notice the electrical box at or slightly below grade? Water? Rust? Snow? Where does the plow push the snow pile?

[randynavarro]

Folks pay me for my professional evaluation and guidance.

It it's dangerous, I say it's dangerous. I need sufficient data at my fingertips, though, to be able to back that up and explain why it's dangerous.

Shoot, if something was really ugly, I could also say it was ugly. The problem is I couldn't back that up with anything other than mere opinion.

There's no rules about how much information I can provide my client.

[qhinspect]

I would not rely on a gas company meter-reader to catch this. First, those are probably not the brightest bunch in the crop. Second, around here the meters are all read remotely. It's possible that the driveway has been made wider since the last time a gas company rep was there.

I agree. I had a radon motor located a little under 2 feet from the gas regulator port. For three years I lived here and the meter-reader never reported it. We realized there was a leak before the meter and the gas guy told me that they will fix the leak but would not turn my gas back on unit that motor was relocated outside that 3 feet. The other guy that actually fixed the gas leak did me a favor and installed a different regulator with threads and installed a pipe so it had the 3 foot clearance.

Click to Enlarge

40.4 KB