Section 501.110  Location and Installation of Meters

a)         A utility shall install a meter on a service applicant's premises as near as practical to the point of entrance of gas service into the service applicant's building or utilization area as mutually agreed upon by the utility and service applicant. The utility shall install a meter in a readily accessible location and protect the meter from corrosion and other damage.

b)         A utility shall not install a meter indoors unless outdoor installation is not possible or would make the meter installation financially infeasible. A utility shall not install an indoor meter in sleeping rooms, in small, unventilated areas, or in locations where the installation, reading or removal of the meter may prove difficult or hazardous. A utility shall not install indoor meters less than three feet from any ignition source or source of heat that might damage the meter. A utility shall not install a meter in a location where expected temperatures are likely to exist outside the range recommended by the meter manufacturer.

c)         A utility shall not install a meter in front of a residential dwelling except with the consent of the service applicant or if no other practical external location is available.

d)         A utility shall install all meters in a secured upright and level position. A utility may vary from this requirement if it installs a meter whose accuracy does not depend upon an upright and level installation. A utility shall install each meter to minimize anticipated stresses upon the connecting piping and the meter.

e)         If it is not practical for a utility to locate a meter installa­tion in a place free of vehicular traffic hazards, the utility shall install meter protection such as guard posts or rails to protect the meter installation from damage. If the utility determines meter protection is necessary, then the utility shall inform the service applicant and include an estimate of the cost for the additional meter protection. The service applicant may install the guard posts or rails prior to the installation of the meter if the utility approves the proposed protection, or the service applicant may reimburse the utility for the cost and installation of the guard posts or rails.

f)         A utility may refuse to install a meter or to serve a service applicant if, in the utility's judgment, the metering installation is hazardous or the service applicant's installation of piping or gas burning equipment is hazardous or of such character that the utility cannot provide service in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 8-101 of the Act.  In case of refusal, the utility shall inform the service applicant in writing of the reason for refusal to render service and make the service applicant aware of the refusal to provide service within five business days after the decision to refuse service.

g)         A utility shall not install a meter without a temperature compensation device unless the utility uses a corrector or other acceptable auxiliary equipment to correct the meter's reading for temperature variation. A utility may install non‑temperature compensated meters in indoor locations if the utility uses only that type and size of meter in indoor locations.

h)         Each diaphragm, rotary and turbine meter shall have a register or display on the meter or correcting device that displays consumption in a definite and known proportion to the actual energy consumption of the customer, that is plainly visible, and that a customer can read. A customer may waive this requirement in writing. This requirement shall not affect the utility's right to secure meters for safety reasons or in situations in which the meter is subject to excessive risk of damage or tampering. At the customer's request, a utility shall explain to the customer how to read the meter used for billing that customer.

i)          A utility shall avoid installing a meter or auxiliary or tertiary equipment in locations where the meter or auxiliary or tertiary equipment is in direct contact with soil or concrete unless the manufacturer designed the meter or equipment for those conditions.

j)          A utility shall have security seals installed on all meters and auxiliary and tertiary equipment or take measures to secure its equipment in order to deter unauthorized personnel from tampering with it.

k)         A utility shall secure all meter bypass valves when not in use in order to deter unauthorized personnel from tampering with them while also providing a readily apparent visual indication of tampering or other diversion activities.

l)          A utility shall secure a regulator that it uses in conjunction with fixed factor billing if it discovers tampering with the pressure setting.

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 351, effective December 29, 2016)