natural gas meter clearance

[Darren Stutzke]

Is the area around a residential natural gas meter a classified area? I can't determine after reading through the classifications. The situation is we have a customer with an existing meter that is 30" from the gas meter. we want to change the meter to include the emergency disconnect, this would make the new breaker even closer. The general rule is electrical equipment is to be 3' from the gas meter. I have known this for years but I honestly cant find it in the NEC. The Power co. has no problem reconnecting at the new distance but only if it meets our code. can anyone tell me where to find clearance from a gas meter in the nec? or the wac (Washington state).
thanks in advance.

 

[rc/retired]

I believe it's in the fuel gas code or the gas supplier specs.

 

[Hv&Lv]

It’s going to be a gas company requirement, and it’s generally 36”.
I believe NFPA 54 and 49CFR 192 says 3’ from an INDOOR meter or premise owned meter. There really isn’t a requirement for outside, but as stated earlier, the gas company probably will say 3’