Test bypass for meter main ?

[titan1021]

I am looking at a job where I will need to add an additional meter main. I am not sure whether the new meter main will need to have a test block bypass or not. This is a mixed use commercial building. The first and second floors are retail spaces and the third floor consist of (4) apartment units. I will just be adding a 100amp meter main to the right of the last panel in the picture.
I could not find a reference in the code to a "test block bypass". Is that a code requirement or a utility provider requirement ?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bob]

That requirement is usually a utility need. They can close the bypass and pull the meter without an outage to the customer.

 

[titan1021]

Thanks Bob.

 

[480sparky]

There's two flavors of bypasses 'round here.

A 'horn' bypass, which is just tabs added to the terminals of the meter socket that the utility crews attach short jumper leads to.

And there's a 'lever' bypass, a factory-installed mechanical method that does the same thing by moving the handle.