Gas meters introduction
Gas meters
The use and performance of gas meters is governed by Section 17 of the Gas Act 1986 and supporting legislation in the form of Statutory Instruments. The key documents are:
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The Gas (Meters) Regulations 1983, SI 684 (as amended)
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The Measuring Instruments (Gas Meters) Regulations 2006,SI 2647
The provisions set out in the Gas Act 1986 have the effect that ‘no meter shall be used for the purpose of ascertaining the quantity of gas supplied through pipes to any person unless it is stamped either by, or on the authority of, a meter examiner appointed by the Secretary of State (i.e. NMO)’. In addition, a meter cannot be stamped unless it is of an approved pattern and construction.
This requirement applies to all meters for domestic, commercial and light industrial billing (i.e. meters up to a maximum flow rate of 1600 m3 per hour at standard conditions of temperature and pressure).
Prior to October 2006 gas meters were approved under UK national legislation by NMO and previously Ofgem. Since this date gas meters may also be approved under the European Measuring Instruments Directive (MID 2004/22/EC).
Meters approved under the MID can be identified by their prescribed markings. These include the CE marking as well as the metrology “M-marking”, which consists of the capital letter ‘M’ followed by the last two digits of the year of manufacture in a box, for example:
If your meter does not display such markings, it is likely to be a UK nationally approved meter.
Once you have checked your gas meter, click on the relevant link on the left-hand side of the page for more information.
