Technical Seminar
Mike O’Connor
Columbus Marriot NorthwestMarch 28, 2014
DOT 49 CFR 192.353 Meter Protection & Location
Current Designs & Standards by Current Gas Provider
Steel Bollards
Bolt Down Bollards
Bendable Bollards
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration
Pipeline Safety Regulations
DOT 49 CFR Section § 192.353 Customer Meters and Regulators: Location
Each meter and service regulator, whether inside or outside a building, must be installed in a readily accessible location and protected from corrosion and other damage, including, vehicular damage that may be anticipated. However, the upstream regulator in a series may be buried.
Each service regulator installed within a building must be located as near as practical to the point of service line entrance.
Each meter installed within a building must be located in a ventilated place and not less than 3’ from any source of ignition or heat.
Where feasible, the upstream regulator in a series must be located outside the building, unless located in a separate metering or regulating building.
This gas standard provides guidelines and instructions for
selecting and installing new and retrofitted gas meter
guards for residential and commercial meters subject to
vehicular traffic
These meter guards are designed to protect against
incidental bump damage during typical low-speed
maneuvering
Purpose & Scope
References: Gas Meter Locations J-15; Electric and Gas Service Requirements, MeterProtection; California Fire Code, Section 1106, Gas Meters and Piping; DOT 49 CFR Section192.353; American Welding Society, Safety and Health Fact Sheet No. 25: Metal Fume Fever
Type 1 Locations -
Residential
Within 3’ of the following:
A single-family driveway/parking area
A roadway, street, alley, or driveway
with a curb
Within 8’ of the following:
A roadway, street, alley, or driveway
without a curb
A multi-family driveway/parking area
Type 2 Locations -
Commercial
Within 3’ of the following:
A commercial refuse container
location
Within 8’ of the following:
A commercial or industrial
driveway/parking area
A loading dock/freight handling area
Physical protection must be provided for any
gas meter set located in one of the areas
described below:
If a risk of vehicular damage exists at a location,
the meter should be protected by barrier posts:
When field conditions do not permit exact compliance with these
requirements, alternatives may be proposed. Alternative meter guard
arrangements must sufficiently protect the meter set and ensure
adequate distance for maintenance and meter reading.
Residential areas require a minimum 2” diameter Schedule 40 (0.154” thickness) steel post.
Commercial and industrial areas require a concrete-filled, minimum 4” diameter Schedule 40 (0.237” thickness) steel post.
High quality domestic steel
Prime painted recommended
Wide variety of standard thicknesses
and sizes
Coatings: galvanized, powder coated,
painted
Shapes: square, rectangular, round
A500B structural pipe recommended
Depth is a function of frost line
Core Drilled
Diameter Schedule Wall Thickness O.D.
4" 10 0.130 4.5"
4" 40 0.237 4.5"
4" 80 0.337 4.5"
6" 10 0.134 6.625
6" 40 0.280 6.625
6" 80 0.432 6.625
8" 20 0.250 8.625
8" 40 0.322 8.625
8" 80 0.500 8.625
10" 20 0.250 10.75
10" 40 0.365 10.75
10" XHD 0.500 10.75
Structural Pipe A500B Common Sizes
Strength Levels Yield Strength Min. 42,000 PSI
Tensile Strength Min. 58,000 PSI
Elongation % Min. 23
Lengths Tube Production Up to 74”
Tolerances O.D. Size +/- 0.75%
Wall Thickness +/- 10%
Chemistry Low C, Mn, P, S, and residual elements for
superior weld-ability
Size Availability 28 sizes Range 1.900” O.D. to 16.000” O.D.
Gauge
Availability
Standard sizes 0.125”, 0.188”, 0.250”, 0.313”, 0.375”, 0.438”,
0.500”, 0.625”
Straightness 1/8” x length (ft) divided by five
Great looking protection at low cost
Improves property appearance/visibility
Crack & fade-resistant HDPE Plastic
Optional 3M reflective stripes
Adhesive free installation
Comes in many colors & sizes
Designed for all weather conditions
No more scraping & painting
Reduces dings & dents
Easy to clean with any abrasive cleaning agent
Before
After
Easy installation
No core drilling or
excavation
Cost effective
Schedule 40 Steel
Safety Yellow Powder
Coated
Weld on cap recommended
Optional reflective tape
4" x 36"
4" x 42“
6" x 42"
Recommended Design
½ ” thick base plate:
4” dia. = 8” x 8”6” dia. = 10” x 10”
¾ ” anchor holes
No moving parts
Flexes on impact
Returns to height & shape
Elastomeric polymer material
Available as bolt down, core drilled, or removable bollard
Becoming standard in Europe