Have you had a master gas meter inspection in Arizona recently? If not, it’s time to give us a call! Today, we’ll tell you more about master gas meter maintenance, including three big reasons you need to schedule annual inspections.

Master Gas Meter Inspection in Arizona

To start, let’s go over the basics of master gas meters.

This type of natural gas distribution system is commonly used in multi-unit buildings or complexes, including:

• Apartment buildings
• Condominium
• Commercial buildings

In this system, a single gas meter, known as the master meter, is installed at the main entrance of the building or complex to measure the total gas consumption for the entire property.

The advantage of master meter systems is that they allow a multi-tenant property to bill tenants for individual measured utility usage.

Who’s responsible for master gas meter system repairs?

This is an important question, and it’s one you’ll want to know the answer to before an issue arises: It’s the property owner’s responsibility to make any repairs to the system, not the utility company’s.

This means if issues like corrosion or damage are detected during regular inspections, the property owner must take the necessary actions to rectify the problems.

Such repairs may involve:

• Fixing or replacing corroded sections of the pipe
• Conducting additional cathodic protection measures
• Preventive maintenance strategies to ensure the long-term health of the underground infrastructure

With that in mind, there are three main reasons property owners should be scheduling an annual master gas meter inspection:

• Master meter maintenance

Annual inspections of the master gas meter are important because many of the systems are older and potentially have problems. Regular, annual inspections will ensure the master meter natural gas system is running properly, and nothing looks worn, deteriorated, and ready to leak.

Any damage or potential leaks in the piping of a master gas meter system will likely cause outages for several buildings. So if you identify these problems early, it will save a lot of disruption.

Our natural gas inspection services can consist of the following:

• Odor test
• Proper valve operation
• Above and below-ground piping inspection
• Leak surveying
• Gas system mapping
• Line locating

All of these services are vital in the ongoing maintenance of your master meter.

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• Underground pipe corrosion testing

Detecting and preventing corrosion is crucial for building owners and operators.

After all, corrosion-related issues can lead to:

• Pipe leaks
• Structural damage
• Environmental hazards
• Significant repair and replacement costs

By proactively conducting cathodic protection tests, building owners can identify these potential signs of corrosion problems early on. That way, they can take corrective actions before the situation escalates.

Fortunately, RP Gas Piping will conduct a cathodic protection test in an annual inspection.

It’s also worth mentioning that aside from cathodic protection testing, other inspection techniques like visual inspections, ultrasonic testing, and corrosion monitoring sensors might also be employed to ensure the integrity of underground pipes.

• Regulatory compliance

An annual inspection will keep you in compliance with regulatory requirements. It will also ensure you always have the proper documentation to support findings on site.

In November 2018, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) voted to approve and adopt a new policy regarding natural and propane gas master meter systems throughout the state.

Read what this means for owners of mater meter gas systems next.

Book a Master Gas Meter Inspection in Arizona Today

Is it time to convert your master gas meter to individual meters?

RP Gas specializes in the conversion of a master meter to individual metering on your property in Arizona. Individual gas meters do not have the maintenance requirements, documentation requirements, and the liability of an Arizona Corporation Commission-governed gas system.

Contact us today to get an estimate for your master gas meter conversion to individual meters.

Did you learn a lot about natural gas meters in AZ today?

Here are three more posts to read next:

• Natural Gas Explosions Are Too Common: Here’s How to Prevent Them
• Do You Know If You Have Natural Gas Lines On Your Property?
• Installing a Natural Gas Pipeline to Exterior and Outdoor Appliances

This article was updated in 2023.