New gas service. Can we get meter turned on with capped/ pressure tested only?

[viper1]

I will first mention that I used to do fuel gas with a plumbing company and good friends with one. Not trying to do anything shady or unsafe. I am building a new building and want gas heating, but I don't want to install appliances right now, but also don't want the gas company back out. What I'd like to do is rough in, cap, pressure test, sign off, and have gas co flip the switch.

I am told many companies require at least one appliance terminated and functional. That would force me to install just "something", and probably put a useless hole in my new building for a flu. I'm actually planning to install an RTU with outdoor combustion so you can understand why I might sidestep that expense during build right now.

Any other ideas welcome. I simply don't want inspectors back out.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

I think I would call the gas company and make sure of their requirements.
and not go by what I have heard or been told..

Every gas line we have ever cut and run in a new home always just stubbed it out
the side of the house..... The gas line was eventually run to that location but the
meter was never installed until requested....

The gas company ALWAYS does a test on the line....ALWAYS they never take your word for things...

.once you call for a meter they start billing you the minimum price either way..

 

[Sponsor]

 

[bigb56]

For your local building authority inspection you should not need any appliances for your intermediate gas. Here they will final everything with just a pressure check. Some areas may not want to final you without seeing the HVAC installed though. If you can get the AHJ to final it you won't need to do anything till you're ready for the meter. If the gas supplier won't connect without any appliances or equipment and for some reason you want them to how about a gas patio grill?

 

[viper1]

For your local building authority inspection you should not need any appliances for your intermediate gas. Here they will final everything with just a pressure check. Some areas may not want to final you without seeing the HVAC installed though. If you can get the AHJ to final it you won't need to do anything till you're ready for the meter. If the gas supplier won't connect without any appliances or equipment and for some reason you want them to how about a gas patio grill?

I sort of want to be left to do my thing without AHJ oversight so would like to flip the switch on the meter and start that billing...lol

I was thinking of an outdoor grill but I guess I will have to ask. When we did those in homes, they were never connected to a grill, but I guess they were to the HVAC.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

I sort of want to be left to do my thing without AHJ oversight so would like to flip the switch on the meter and start that billing...lol

I was thinking of an outdoor grill but I guess I will have to ask. When we did those in homes, they were never connected to a grill, but I guess they were to the HVAC.

So You want to be left alone to "Doing your own thing."

I suggest you dont " do your own thing " even if you think you 100% know what you are doing

You really dont want to tangle a-holes with the gas company or they can really make things a lot
more difficult for you if they feel you are being "difficult" and you are that "special kind of boy"
Those guys just love to bust someones chops when they think you are a pain in the ass...

I understand that cutting and threading black gas pipe is not really brain surgery, but I
respectfully suggest that you Just hire someone that is licensed to install the gas lines so
they are insured just in case of issues and the gas company guys will take you seriously
and not make things extra difficult for you....

good luck

 

[Jeff H Young]

unusual in my warm weather area to have gas turned on and meter set without a certificate of occupancy Ive never heard of it. just one guy with local experiance just never heard of gas or electric turned on to the building befor completion

 

[viper1]

unusual in my warm weather area to have gas turned on and meter set without a certificate of occupancy Ive never heard of it. just one guy with local experiance just never heard of gas or electric turned on to the building befor completion

I did have a talk with the gas co and they have no problem with setting the meter and turning it on with just a rough in, capped and tested. He did say some techs may get bitchy and try to tell me I need an appliance, but to just call customer service and they will "talk to the tech". Bottom line, they want the connection. Not like I won't use it.

He also said with all the delays to call asap as soon as there is a stub out, tested or not. I told him for no more than we are installing right now, we can blast some fittings together, test it, and make that part a priority as we have plenty of other matters to deal with during construction.

 

[Jeff H Young]

Great ! Its odd but good for you.
maybe this is existing property thats already in use and you are installing gas where it was all electric i dont know or its in some small community where codes ,inspection s, and such arent so strict or at all . maybe adding gas system to a property that never had one.

 

[John Gayewski]

My advice is put a valve on your side of the meter so the person that shows up can see it. That way they can imagine how you'll hook on to a live gas line without touching their side of the meter. Some of our newer meters are coming with valves on both sides now, but having your own is good especially if you make a little tee tree near the meter for future connections. (pool heater, gas fire pit has to an out building etc.)

I know localities are different, but here they don't want you shutting off their valve coming into the meter because people put channel locks on them and ruin them.