minimum distance from meter socket

[squ1d06]

Just recently purchased home here in CT. Need to replace electric meter. The house has a propane tank and the regulator is about 2 feet away from the meter. Is this okay. What is the code for distance the tank has to be from the meter socket?

 

[rbalex]

This is not an NEC issue. It is generally covered by NFPA 54, the National Fuel Gas Code. Section 5.7.2.3 states: "Gas meters shall be located at least 3 ft (0.9 m) from sources of ignition."

 

[GoldDigger]

This is not an NEC issue. It is generally covered by NFPA 54, the National Fuel Gas Code. Section 5.7.2.3 states: "Gas meters shall be located at least 3 ft (0.9 m) from sources of ignition."

Agreed, not in NEC.
A propane regulator will be a worse case than just tank (except when filling) or a meter because the regulator has a vent for release of excess pressure on the low pressure side.
However, propane is heavier than air unlike natural gas, and will collect in low spots rather than rising.
Try to find a specific rule for propane regulators.

 

[infinity]

Generally what's considered a source of ignition?

 

[Gregg Harris]

Just recently purchased home here in CT. Need to replace electric meter. The house has a propane tank and the regulator is about 2 feet away from the meter. Is this okay. What is the code for distance the tank has to be from the meter socket?

NFPA 58

Tank to source of ignition if filled on premises is 10 feet

Regulator vent termination to source of ignition is 5 feet

 

[rbalex]

Agreed, not in NEC.
A propane regulator will be a worse case than just tank (except when filling) or a meter because the regulator has a vent for release of excess pressure on the low pressure side.
However, propane is heavier than air unlike natural gas, and will collect in low spots rather than rising.
Try to find a specific rule for propane regulators.

There is no such specific rule for regulators in NFPA 54. If you want to find one somewhere else - go for it.

That propane is heavier than air is irrelevant to this issue since there is no particular "direction" of the release. As for that matter, methane dilutes and disperses rapidly. Three feet is a very small hazard radius for either gas.

Generally what's considered a source of ignition?

In the NEC, Article 500 world, a circuit breaker doing its job as a fault clearing device would be considered a source of ignition (it doesn't have to be constant). As mentioned above, the hazard radius stated in NFPA 54 is actually quite small for any fuel gas, but it is considered adequate by the technical committee in control of the Standard.

 

[GoldDigger]

NFPA 58

Tank to source of ignition if filled on premises is 10 feet

Regulator vent termination to source of ignition is 5 feet

Vent termination is a key word. I had to add a
5' PVC pipe to my regulator vent to get separation from electrical panel and gas dryer exhaust. The regulator vent opening is threaded for that purpose.

 

[meternerd]

Just recently purchased home here in CT. Need to replace electric meter. The house has a propane tank and the regulator is about 2 feet away from the meter. Is this okay. What is the code for distance the tank has to be from the meter socket?

Also, check with your POCO. Many (including ours) have additional requirements.

 

[rbalex]

Actually citing NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code:

6.22.2.2* Fixed electrical equipment and wiring installed within a classified area specified in Table 6.22.2.2 shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code.

However,

6.22.2.4 The provisions of 6.22.2.2 shall not apply to fixed electrical equipment at residential or commercial installations of LP-Gas systems or to systems covered by Section 6.23.

[Underline mine]

NFPA 58 is defining electrical area classifications in Table 6.22.2.2 listed above; however, NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code (and the applicable residential Code) is only establishing a distance the Technical Committee deems reasonable. These two Codes have been coordinated for years as far as the two respective Technical Committees are concerned.

Maybe I should have said, " If you want to find a relevant Standard somewhere else - go for it."

 

[mgookin]

Also, check with your POCO. Many (including ours) have additional requirements.

Or maybe gas company. It's really a gas location issue.

 

[Gregg Harris]

Generally what's considered a source of ignition?

Air conditioning condensers, window units, electric meters, all would have a hard time egniting either natural gas or propane in most scenarios where a gas meter would be involved or the vent regulator in an open scenario.


With propane installations NFPA 58 governs the tank, first regulator, up to the second regulator and from the second regulator throughout the structure IFGC and NFPA 54 or IRC govern the rest of the instalation.

As posted by Gold Digger the regulator is threaded and can be exstended to surpass the distance requirements.