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2004-06-30 Communiqué - Reverification Periods for Natural Gas Volume Conversion Devices
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Reverification Periods for Natural Gas Volume Conversion Devices, in PDF format, 112 KB
To view Bulletin G-18
Introduction
Historically, volume conversion devices have not been subjected to fixed reverification periods as were applied to most other natural gas meters coming under the purview of the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and its Regulations. Instead, these devices were addressed under a 1986 Measurement Canada Notice which indicated that the reverification period was not fixed and that the subject meters were to be inspected at their operational location through the use of sampling procedures. The sampling procedures referenced in the Notice were those contained in Measurement Canada’s Departmental Instructions for Inspection of Gas Meters and Auxiliary Devices whose issuance, in 1976, preceded promulgation of the current Statute. In short, the sampling metholodgy contained in the Departmental Instructions, if it were to be considered against current sampling plans, is more appropriately described as a form of meter performance monitoring rather than a program designed to ensure minimum performance quality levels.
Current Marketplace Status
In order for the Notice’s provisions to achieve their intended objective as concerns volume conversion devices, Measurement Canada was required to devote significant inspection resources towards the accompaniment of utility personal for the purposes of conducting in-service meter reverifications. Over the eighteen years which have past since the release of this specific Notice, Measurement Canada’s abilities to perform the in-service reverifications needed to support such a program has continually declined as a result of resource reductions. Currently, only a small number of such reverifications are being performed by Agency personnel nationally.
Statutory Requirements and Sampling Plans
Under the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act meters are required to be subjected to reverification within a specific period of time. In the case of gas meters, the Act prescribes the default reverification period to be seven (7) years unless an alternative period has been established by the Director or Minister (as may be applicable). Measurement Canada has communicated its concerns to the gas industry relative to the need for ensuring that meter reverification occurs. Bulletin G-18 has been issued as a provisional measure to address the need for satisfying the default reverification period requirements of the statute and for ensuring that the reverification practices are standardized on a national basis.
Sampling Plans Joint Working Group Initiative
Measurement Canada is currently working with representatives from the Canadian natural gas industry in order to develop and introduce performance based methodologies for establishing appropriate meter and device reverification periods as well as the proper statistical sampling plans required for verification and reverification. It is expected that, upon introduction, the programs developed by the sampling joint work group will supersede the provisional requirements which are currently prescribed under Bulletin G-18.
Bruce Lyne
Manager, Utility Metering Division
Measurement Canada
Tel.: (613) 952-0636
Fax.: (613) 952-1736
E-mail: lyng.bruce@ic.gc.ca
To view Bulletin G-18
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Measurement Canada
