Gas meter clearance

[Stan Elmin]

Can anyone shed light on the clearances needed when mounting sub panels and shutoffs near a gas meter. And if so, what or were could the code be found.

Thanks,
Stan

[inetdog]

Can anyone shed light on the clearances needed when mounting sub panels and shutoffs near a gas meter. And if so, what or were could the code be found.

Thanks,
Stan

The issue, as I recall, is that the gas meter (or the pressure regulator usually located at the same place) has a vent which under some conditions will release gas to the air. The regulatory goal is to keep a great enough distance that the rising gas plume can dissipate before it reaches the potential ignition source of a breaker opening or closing.
AFAIK the separation distance will be set out in the building or gas code rather than the electrical code, and I do not recall the distance other than that is it somewhere in the area of 3 to 6 feet.

[SunEagle]

The issue, as I recall, is that the gas meter (or the pressure regulator usually located at the same place) has a vent which under some conditions will release gas to the air. The regulatory goal is to keep a great enough distance that the rising gas plume can dissipate before it reaches the potential ignition source of a breaker opening or closing.
AFAIK the separation distance will be set out in the building or gas code rather than the electrical code, and I do not recall the distance other than that is it somewhere in the area of 3 to 6 feet.

While there are minimum distances between electrical and combustible gas mentioned in the NEC starting in Article 500 you need to look at the Fire codes for your area as inetdog mentioned.

The distance may also be dependent on the amount of natural ventilation to keep the fumes from accumulating to a combustible concentration.