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Here are some important points to remember for construction projects requiring new residential gas service.
Please follow these three easy steps to get a natural gas service line and meter for your project.
STEP 1:
Contact our New Business Team at least 30 days prior to needing natural gas service at 800-440-6111 .
n The natural gas service line and meter will be installed at the same time if the site is ready.
STEP 2:
Identify the location of the natural gas meter and stub out the fuel line.
n Clearly mark the proposed location of the natural gas meter on the building’s foundation. n Stub out the fuel line in accordance with appropriate fuel gas code.
STEP 3:
Mark all private underground utilities and ensure the site is ready.
Locate and mark all private underground utilities owned by you or your firm which are not marked by VA811 such as water lines, sewer laterals, drain fields, sprinkler systems and invisible dog fences.
n n
Make sure the site is within 6” of final grade.
Make sure the proposed path of the natural gas service line is clear of debris and obstructions.
If your construction project is located within an area requiring a city inspection prior to the gas service being established in the building, a city building inspection sticker or report needs to be available at your site prior to requesting a gas meter being set.
Important: Fuel line(s) and appliance(s) must have been installed in accordance with the “National Fuel Gas Code”; and manufactured home installations shall be in accordance with Title 24, Code of Federal Regulations,
Part 3280, Subpart H.
When the fuel line(s) and equipment, if applicable, have been installed, inspected, and tested, the party responsible for the payment of the gas bill should call our New Business Team at 800-440-6111 to schedule the meter installation. The required Columbia Gas inspection and testing will be done at the time the meter is installed.

The section of fuel line piping which extends through the outside wall to connect to the meter setting must extend: n 4-6 inches outside the building wall, with a threaded end for piping smaller than 2 inches n 6-8 inches outside the building wall for piping 2 inches and larger if the connection to the meter setting will be threaded, and n 10 inches outside the building wall for piping 2 inches and larger if the connection to the meter setting will be welded.
Fuel lines that will be tied into large volume meter settings should terminate 18 inches above finished grade.
The meter setting size will be determined by our New Business Team during the application process.
All fuel line piping must be sealed, to be rain and insect resistant.
Meter protection will be required, if near vehicular traffic. Customer will be responsible for installing meter protection prior to meter installation for commercial properties.
On multiple meter installations, each fuel line stub must be plainly and properly identified with a weatherproof tag or other approved means of designating the apartment, unit or the part of the building it supplies.
The first inspection and/or test is done at no charge. If a Columbia Gas Field Technician determines that a return trip is necessary due to the failure to comply with the requirements detailed above, a tag will be left at the premise stating the reason and the appropriate fee will be charged for each subsequent return trip.
The provisions in this document are subject to change and are not intended to be all-inclusive. Local codes, ordinances, and governmental regulations will govern when they are more stringent than the requirements contained herein. When in doubt as to the proper procedure, consult with Columbia Gas before proceeding with the work.
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Please keep these requirements in mind when determining the best location for our natural gas meter:
n Create a perpendicular, continuous straight line of sight from the meter to our gas main line facility which is typically located in or near the street right-of-way or alley.
n Locate the meter a minimum of 3 feet from any building opening, vent, electric equipment, electric panel or meter and any other possible source of ignition.
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2ND FLOOR LINE
Regular vent terminal must be installed to maintain a minimum clearance of
3 feet radial separation from any door, window, gravity air opening into a building, or rotating electrical equipment. However, in no circumstance shall the event terminal be installed beneath any of the features described above.
The regulator vent terminal should be installed to maintain a 3 feet radial separation from electric meters, outlets, switches in disconnects, etc..
However, if it is not practical to maintain a 3 foot separation, no less than 1 foot radial separation shall be required.
ELECTRIC METER
3FT RADIUS
1FT RADIUS
FOUNDATION VENT
ELECTRIC
OUTLET
NOTE:
Regulator vent terminal shall not be installed beneath any 1st floor air opening into a building nor under any rotating electrical equipment.
DRYER
EXHAUST
AIR
CONDITIONING
UNIT

Meters and meter settings must maintain a clearance of: n 6” above finished grade to bottom of meter
Meter
< Setting n 6” on sides and top of meter n 36” in front of meter
Meters and meter settings must be: n Installed in a ventilated, readily accessible location Meter
Setting > n Protected from corrosion and damage
Meters, meter settings & regulators must be a minimum of 10 feet away from: n Generators
METER
Regulator
Vent >
Regulator vents must be a minimum of: n 12” above grade (in areas where flooding may occur, vent height may be in excess of 12” above grade) n 3 feet radially and NOT directly below any rotating electrical equipment (e.g., an air conditioner) n 3 feet radial separation from: an electric meter, electric panel, electric outlet, electric pedestal, electrical equipment disconnect, or pad mounted transformer.
n 3 feet radially from, and NOT below any first floor opening into a building, such as: a door, window or other gravity air openings (including clothes dryer exhaust terminals and appliance air intakes) n 10 feet radially from, and NOT below any forced air inlet or power intake.
Central A/C compressor >
(source of ignition)
Intake to direct vent appliance
<
Window air conditioner
<
(source of ignition)
<
GAS
METER
<3 FT MIN>
Crawl space opening, windows, or exhaust fan
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Meter protection is required for gas meters with less than 5 feet of clearance between the meter and the edge of pavement or curb. Meter protection is also required if there is less than 8 feet of clearance from the edge of any perpendicular parking surface.
n Meters requiring protection should have a minimum of two bollards installed. Bollards must be:
n Minimum 4” in diameter
n Grade B, schedule 40 steel pipe
n Minimum 60” in length
n Filled with concrete and domed at the top
n Bollards must extend above grade to a distance that is sufficient to offer adequate protection to the meter.
n Bollards must be placed in concrete-filled holes at least 24” deep and 12” in diameter.
n The concrete must be sloped away from the bollard at grade level.
n Bollards cannot be installed closer than 1 foot from the front of the meter set assembly and must allow adequate room for operation and maintenance activities.
Please help us protect our natural gas meter and service line by following these requirements to keep your service in compliance:
n Locate the meter where it will not be damaged by outside forces such as vehicular traffic, ice, snow, construction equipment and falling objects. Avoid installing the meter under a fire escape.
n Vehicular protection is required if there is less than 5 feet of clearance between the meter and the edge of pavement or curb.
n Vehicular protection is required if there is less than 8 feet of clearance from the edge of any perpendicular parking surface.
n Do not build structures such as decks, garages or patios over our meter or service line. The meter and service line are the property of Columbia Gas of Virginia and must remain accessible by our service technicians or other emergency responders.
<8 FEET
PARKING
AREA
STREET “B”

n Protect the meter from vehicular traffic with meter protection bollards.
n Ensure the natural gas meter is accessible by our service technicians or other emergency responders.
Do not install the natural gas meter indoors or in confined spaces such as a crawl space, closet, vault or shaft.
Less than 5’ of clearance between meter set and edge of pavement or edge of curb shall require meter protection.
STREET “A”
< EDGE OF PAVEMENT/CURB
<5 FEET
DRIVEWAY
STREET “B”
< EDGE OF PAVEMENT/CURB
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1809 Coyote Dr.
Chester, VA 23836
Telephone: 1-800-440-6111
Website: ColumbiaGasVA.com
10/2014