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Checking gas meters is an important matter. This is directly related to the safety of the owners of the living space where the relevant equipment is installed. We learned from experts how the necessary procedure is being carried out now, how much it will cost and who is involved in such activities.
Why is gas meter calibration necessary?
– There is such a stereotype that it is the resource supplying organization that needs to check the meter, otherwise the user will not pay extra for the consumed gas. The counter over time, indeed, may begin to give incorrect readings, because during operation its parts wear out, deform. But only not always these indications will be “erroneous” in the direction of decrease, they can also be in the direction of increase, – shares Roman Gladkikh, Technical Director of Frisquet.
According to Roman, verification of gas meters is necessary, first of all, for the homeowner himself, in order to understand how correct the readings are, so that nothing superfluous is “wound up”.
— This is a mandatory procedure for each subscriber-consumer of gas. It is necessary not only to check the health of the meter, but also for the safety of the consumer, – says Oksana Vasilieva, Associate Professor, Department of Legal Regulation of Economic Activity, Financial University under the Government of the Federation. — If the device malfunctions, a gas leak may occur, which can lead to a tragedy.
Periodic verifications show the degree of wear of the meter, they will tell you when the device needs to be changed, why the readings are inaccurate. Verification will help not only protect yourself, but also save money – a new meter should not wind up too much.
Сроки поверки газовых счетчиков
When it is necessary to calibrate gas meters depends on the model of the device and the information that must be indicated in its passport. Maybe once every 4 years, and for some even once every 12 years.
– Until January 1, 2021, meter readings were taken with an expired verification period – such measures were taken in connection with restrictions due to the coronavirus. But today the obligation to carry out verifications is returning again, – notes Roman Gladkikh.
Oksana Vasilyeva adds that, according to the Federal Law “On Ensuring the Uniformity of Measurements”, IPUs are subject to primary verification immediately before installation and immediately after it. In the process, they need to be looked at periodically, according, again, to the data from the device passport. Gas suppliers recommend checking at least once a year.
Who verifies gas meters
Verification of meters cannot be trusted to anyone. There are professionals for this. As a rule, such cases are handled by an accredited specialized organization, whose specialists have permits to work with gas-using equipment. Usually, these are representatives of the organization that supplies gas to your home or a company attached to it that deals with similar matters.
— Поверку может осуществлять и коммерческая организация, если у нее есть соответствующий аттестат в области обеспечения единства измерений. Его выдают в Федеральной службе по аккредитации, — указывает Oksana Vasilyeva.
The register of organizations with accreditation can be viewed on the website of the Federal Accreditation Service.
How gas meters are calibrated
Roman Gladkikh и Oksana Vasilyeva offer the following step-by-step instructions for calibrating gas meters. It does not look complicated and is quite understandable for the consumer.
Step 1. Contacting a gas supply company – by phone number, on the Internet or in person. You must have a package of documents with you: a gas supply agreement, a subscriber’s passport, an act on installation work, an act of a previous verification.
Step 2. Meeting of experts. Check their documents and permits. Escort to the installation site of the meter. They either carry out the work on site or take the instrument with them, but leave a spare and the corresponding receipt.
Step 3. If the counter is checked on the spot. The verifier must check the integrity of the seal. If everything is in order, he will wash the connections and connect equipment to them for testing. After checking and disconnecting the equipment, the specialist will connect the connections to the meter, lather again and check for leaks.
Step 4. Upon completion of the verification, you will receive a certificate of work performed with a seal, an IPU maintenance contract, a certificate or a certificate of verification. The specialist will enter information about the verification carried out into the technical passport of the meter.
Please note that from September 24, 2020, according to the new version of Federal Law No. 102 “On Ensuring the Uniformity of Measurements”, only an electronic entry in the unified register of Rosstandart has legal force. Paper acts are issued from now on only at the request of the owner of the device, but they have no legal force.
Oksana Vasilyeva adds some more actions:
– If the old meter was replaced with a new one, then information about this must be transferred to the Unified Information Settlement Center, – emphasized Oksana Vasilyeva.
Сколько стоит поверка газовых счетчиков
Each organization involved in the diagnosis of IPU has its own prices for services. Usually the price consists of several components: the amount for the dismantling of the meter, for verification and for the re-installation of the meters on the inlet pipe.
— В среднем стоимость варьируется от 2000 до 5000 рублей. Важно помнить, что если вы хотите проводить проверку без демонтажа счетчика и доставки его в лабораторию, а у вас на дому, то стоимость будет значительно выше, — рассказала Oksana Vasilyeva.