83 Ill. Adm. Code 501.110
Location and Installation of Meters
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.