GAS UTILITY SERVICES

American Society for Testing and Materials

American Society for Testing and Materials
 Municipal

Municipal has to be satisfied that installation complies and that

 municipal. This is a

municipal does not permit

 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Service Regulator

• Service Regulator & Meter Set Inspection

• Regulator Flow, Lock-up and Leak Tests

 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Service Regulator
A device that controls the pressure of gas
from the service line pressure (usually 60
psig) to the reduced pressure ultimately
delivered to the customer.
(usually 7” W.C. or 0.25 psig)
Water column is used in natural gas distribution for measuring utilization pressure (U.P., i.e.
the residential point of use) which is typically between 6 and 7 inches WC (6~7" WC) or about
0.25 psi.
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Lock-up
The pressure at which a regulator
remains under a no-flow or no-load
condition. This lock-up pressure is always
slightly above the set pressure.
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Set Pressure
The pressure a regulator is adjusted to
deliver for the required pressure for the
specific load or system. This pressure is
measured between the outlet connection
of the regulator and the inlet connection
of the meter.
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Common Set Pressures
• 7” W.C. (1/4” psig)
• 14: W.C. (1/2 psig) < WPS only
• *2 psig (56” W.C.)
• *5 psig (commercial customers)
* requires additional regulator on
customer piping system
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
When are they required?

• When meter is newly installed, tested,

or changed (periodic meter change)

• When replacing meter assembly(meter set)

 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Inspection
• Inspect general overall condition of
entire meter set
• Inspect discharge vent on outside regulators
and discharge vent piping from inside
meter sets
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Test Procedures
Perform flow, lock-up and leak test per
company procedures and manufacturers
requirements.
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Remove Meter
Note: This step does not apply to a new
meter installation.

Close riser valve and using a 14” pipe wrench

remove the meter from the meter connections
on your meter set. Discard meter gaskets.
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Flow Testing
1. Select the appropriate test device to use on
your system depending on your set/delivery
pressure.
2. Attach the test device to the inlet meter swivel.
Make sure the test device’s valve is closed. The
seal at the meter collar/swivel must be gas tight,
as this will affect the leak test.
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Flow Testing
3. SLOWLY open the riser valve to the full open
position.
4. Open the test device’s valve. Adjust the set
pressure per company requirements.
Note: Adjust the regulator clockwise to increase flow
pressure, and adjust counter-clockwise to
decrease flow pressure.
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Set Flow Pressure to the following:

• 7” W.C. system: 7” @ 50 SCFH

• 14” W.C. system: 14” @ 50 SCFH
• 2 PSIG system: 2psig (56”) @ 50 SCFH

Note: 50 SCFH = 50,000 BTU/HR

 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Lock-up Testing
Close the test device’s valve. The riser valve
should still be in the fully opened position.
Continue to observe the test device for a 3
minute period. The regulator lock-up pressure
should not exceed your company’s
requirements.
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Lock-up Pressure should not exceed:

• 7” W.C. system: Lock-up @ 10” W.C.

• 14” W.C. system: Lock-up @ 17” W.C.
• 2 psig system: Lock-up @ 2.3 psig (64’ W.C.)
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Meter Assembly Leak Testing
Shut off the riser valve. While observing the test
device, bleed a small amount of gas at the test
device’s valve until an acceptable pressure is
reached. Observe the test device for at least 1
minute. A drop in pressure indicates leakage
between the test device and the riser valve. An
increase in pressure indicates a leak through the riser
valve.
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Acceptable Pressure Reached
• 7” W.C. system: pressure should remain
@ 5-6” W.C.
• 14” W.C. system: pressure should remain
@ 9-10” W.C.
• 2 psig system: pressure should remain
@ 30-40” W.C.
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Riser Valve Leak Testing
The riser valve must remain closed. Bleed the
remaining gas out of test device until the test
device is zero. Observe the test device for at
least 1 minute. If pressure stays constant, the
riser valve is not leaking. If the pressure
increases, the riser valve is defective and
needs repair or replacement.
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Internal Relief Valve Testing
(WPS only)
The riser valve must remain closed. Blow pressure
back into the outlet of the regulator. Two tests are
required on regulators set for 14” W.C. or less. On
the first try, the internal relief should open at 35”
W.C. or less. This is the ‘as found’ condition. On the
second try, the internal relief should open at 23”
W.C. or lower. This is the ‘as left’ condition.
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Restoration of Customer Service
After completion of all tests, replace the old meter
gaskets and reconnect meter to assembly. Always
apply anti-seize compound to the meter threads prior
to connection. Purge air out of meter prior to making
the outlet meter connection. Tighten meter
connections with a 14” pipe wrench and soap test all
connections for possible leakage.
 Regulator – Inspection & Testing
Records Completion

• Complete Regulator & Safety Device

Inspection Record

• Complete Gas Meter Record