The Washington times., 1914-08-06
Re Prescribed by Pub
lie Utilities Commission for
District Given Out.
THE PRESENT
CANDLEPOWER AS BASIS
Changes Made as Gas Is Now
Used More for Heating and
Cooking.

Regulations recently adopted by the
Public Utilities Commission prescribing
Standards for the heating value of gas
h rnished iii the District of Columbia
were made public today.
he regulations. which become effect
,o September !. 1914. provide for the
abandonment of the present candle
power requirement and base the stand
hrri of manufactured gas on the British
rhermal unit system. The reason for
hhrs according to officials, is that gas
now used more for heating and cook
Ing purposes and less for illumination,
and it is believed the tests should apply
to the former use. The new regulations
kprovide that the monthly average heat
[lnr value of gas for any calendar month
ST. all not be less than COO British ther-
nal units per cubic foot of gas. nor
81 all the daily total heating value OF
TIE gas for any day fall below $50 Brit
is thermal units per cubic feet of gas.
Meter Tests Provided.
The testing of meters by methods
nrescribed by the National Bureau Of
Standards is provided for. the gas
companies being required to test each
meter at least once every five years
ach gas company is required to maze
without charge, upon request OF
Iconsumer, a test Of the accuracy OF
meter, provided that the meter In
question has not been tested by either
lie company or the commission with
sr one year previous TO such request
The department of the Public util-
ities Commission which viii nave
charge of the inspection of gas is
|designated the gas inspection burea u.
|The regulations provide that upon
duplication of any consumer TO the
|b ureau a test shall be maoe CT the
Consumers meter upon the payment
OF fee of 50 cents. If the meter Is IS
Hound to read fast in excess OF per
Ice7t the regulations provide that the
Ifea deposited by the consumer snail ne
returned and paid by the gas conpan.
The consumer and representative Oh
the company may be present curing ing
the test, but such persons shah no'
Interfere with the testing.
Gas Bureaus Work.
The gas inspection bureau is re-
| r. tired to keep a complete record OF
e. cL test made by it and of all fees
received for such testing and for
s.. pervising the tests made by the gas
c, apGnies.
--ach gas light company is requireh
a. TRANSPORT to the bureau all or its
| n tiers for test purposes, and wheh a
4 n ter is removed from a consumer :
7 -, mIses for test by the bureau, the
q, .npany shall set in its place meter
hich has been sealed by Lhe our ~
Y 'thir one year and which mas not
M en- in service since being sealeh.
II is provided that no gas ms:1T
: all be allowed to remain in service
: -ich has an error in measurement In
ress Of 2 per cent when passing gas
the standard test rate OF now anG
| :, nich is not sealed with the seal of
r-e gas inspection bureau.
The Quality of Gas.
Z The regulations further provide that
| As supplied by any gas Company shall
,of show the presence Of hydroSer
| , rlphide and shall not contain more
an thirty grains OF total sulphur II
o. cubic feet of gas. ana not more thar
- grains of ammonia in lhe cubic fee
gas The determination Of the tCta
lphur and ammonia in gas Will Dt
rrade at the Public Utilities Cumml =
Ions testing stations. The reGula
| IONS regarding pressure provide ina
the gas supplied by any gas light com
/ Qany shall be maintained at a pressure
II never less than inches nor NOR
han six inches of water pressure, meas
red at the outlet of the company
-er1ce pipe TO any consumer or TO an!
= the commissions testing stations
. nd the daily variation IL said pressur
} curing the dav at such outlet shal
/ ever exceed 100 per cent Of the mini
1Um pressure at that outlet for tina
| tay."
II is provided that on application L
| ne commission and for sufficient caus
Ich notifications and exemptions b
ade with reference to the regulation
the facts in each case shall warrant
'Eithout an express order Of the com
isEion authorizing il, however, ever
eparture from the new rules will b