New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 16 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE › Chapter III - GAS UTILITIES › Subchapter A - Service › Part 226 - Gas Meters And Accessories-testing And Reporting › Section 226.9 - Large volume meters-in-test programs

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
(a)
Large
				  volume meter in-test program.
After installation, all large volume meters shall receive
					 an in-test at least once every seven years, except as otherwise provided in
					 subdivisions (b) and (c) of this section. In-tests of meters shall be made at
					 ambient temperature conditions at the same open and check test flow rates as
					 used for out-tests specified in section
					 226.6(a)  of this
					 Part. Where possible, each in-test shall be performed within 60 working days
					 after removal from a customer's premises.
(b)
Alternate large volume meter
				  in-test program.
(1) Initial
				  notification. In lieu of the schedule of testing set forth in subdivision (a)
				  of this section, any utility may apply to department staff for approval to
				  adopt the alternate large volume meter in-test program described in this
				  subdivision. The initial application for approval and any subsequent revisions
				  shall include full formulation of said program complying with paragraphs (2)
				  through (8) of this subdivision.
(2) Test groups. Test groups shall be formed
				  in accordance with section
				  226.8(b) (2) (ii), (iii) and
				  (3)  of this Part.
(3) Each approved utility shall test its
				  large volume meters as follows:
(i) Except as
				  provided in paragraph (5) of this subdivision, the required annual test rate
				  will be used to determine the minimum number of meters to be tested from each
				  test group for each approved utility in an ensuing calendar year and shall be
				  based on meter performance at the check rate during the three preceding
				  calendar years. For example, the performance of meters in the calendar years
				  1991-1993 shall determine the test rate for the meters in the calendar year
				  1995. The required annual test rate for each meter type shall be four percent
				  of such meters in service where 100 percent of the meters are within +2.0
				  percent of 100 percent proof. For each one percent of the meters found over 2.0
				  percent slow, the test rate shall increase 0.133 percent. For each one percent
				  of the meters found over 2.0 percent fast, the test rate shall increase 0.267
				  percent.
(ii) Where the calculated
				  test rate is between 8 and 14 percent, the test rate shall be determined from
				  table 1 of Appendix 7-A of this title,
infra
.
(iii) Where the calculated test rate exceeds
				  14 percent in table 1 of Appendix 7-A of this Title,
infra
,
				  the following test rate shall apply: test rate = 2x+y36, where x = percentage
				  of meters fast and y = percentage of meters slow.
(4) The meters tested shall be from all age
				  groups, the majority to be selected from those longest in service since last
				  test.
(5) Meters tested for reasons
				  other than the requirements set forth in paragraphs (3) and (4) of this
				  subdivision may be included for compliance therewith, provided that:
(i) the number of meters removed for fault,
				  or found faulty, that may be credited against the test requirements for any
				  meter type shall not exceed the number of meters tested and found to be in
				  sound conditions; and
(ii) meters
				  found to be inoperative or leaking shall be reported as such.
(6) No annual rate of test shall
				  decrease from the required annual rate of the preceding year by a factor
				  greater than three percent per year during each of the first two years of
				  participation in the alternate large volume accuracy maintenance in-test
				  program.
(7) Upon submission of a
				  program satisfactory to the department staff, as described in subdivision (c)
				  of this section, any utility may retire or accelerate the repair of any group
				  of meters identifiable by make, type or any other factor which affects
				  performance. The number of meters that are removed in excess of the number that
				  is required may be credited to those meters with a history of superior test
				  rates. The number credited to each test group shall be limited to quantities
				  which will assure a two-percent sample of the superior test rate meters. Meters
				  to be retired shall be in-tested at the rate specified in subdivision (c) of
				  this section. In-test results for retirement and accelerated repair programs
				  shall be reported separately.
(8)
				  Any utility that does not meet its annual test requirements, in any test group,
				  shall schedule such deficits in the following year's test requirements. Where a
				  utility has exceeded its test requirements in any test group, such meters may
				  be credited toward any deficits in current year requirements, providing that
				  the credits are applied to meters with a history of superior performance. A
				  maximum of two percent or 200 meters, whichever is less, in any test group may
				  be credited toward the following year's test requirements, provided that they
				  are credited to those meters having superior test rates.
(9) Rotary meter differential testing. In
				  lieu of paragraph (5) of this subdivision, a utility may elect to differential
				  test rotary type meters as an indicator of meter condition. An increase of 50
				  percent in the pressure differential reading between the inlet and outlet of
				  the meter from readings supplied by the manufacturer or readings taken at the
				  time of the meter's installation will require maintenance to the meter to bring
				  it back into specification or the performance of an in-test. Differential tests
				  shall be done at least once every 10 years or at one half the meter's scheduled
				  in-test interval, whichever is greater.