Working Space

[dnbob]

I am wondering if there is an article that requires a minimum 3' clearance from a meter socket or all in one loadcenter to a gas meter. Also 110-26e '99 Headroom, should apply to a meter socket, right? (Service equipment)

 

[charlie]

Re: Working Space

NFPA 54 requires 3 feet to any spark producing device but an electric utility's cash register (meter) is not a spark producing device unless you pull it under load. I would assume that if you standing in the area with the strong smell of gas, you would not pull the cash register.

Since the meter fitting is not service equipment, 110-26(e) in the 1999 Code does not apply (this has no changes for the 2002 Code).

With all that said, the serving electric utility will have some rules of their own that will require some clearances that may exceed anything in the various Codes. Please check with their book of rules (we call ours the Electric Service and Meter Manual). We require all the clearances shown in 110.26 plus 4 feet in front of the meter fitting. We also require 3 feet of clearance to any gas meter.

 

[iwire]

Re: Working Space

Originally posted by charlie:
I would assume that if you standing in the area with the strong smell of gas, you would not pull the cash register.

Is there a "stick guy" warning sticker on the meter to tell me not to pull a hot meter in the presence of flammable vapors?