Update on Excess Flow Valves for Metered Communities
An excess flow valve (EFV) is a safety device that is designed to restrict the flow of gas automatically in the event the gas service line is damaged between the gas main and the gas meter. Damage to a gas service lines could occur during an excavation or digging accident. Restricting the gas flow after a gas line is damaged reduces the risk of property damage and or personal injuries. EFVs are not designed to protect against customer appliance leaks or other small gas leaks in the gas system that may be present indoors or outdoors.
Aero Energy installed EFVs on all its jurisdictional metered gas service lines that were connected after February 1, 2010 as required by Federal regulation. Aero Energy’s metered gas customers that do not have this device equipped within their gas system still have the option of having one installed at this time with some *exceptions.
Installation of an EFV is not mandatory, but is worth considering as an added safety feature to the gas system. The estimated cost to the customer for Aero Energy to install this device is $1500.00. Since the device is installed underground and outside of the building, grounds restoration may be necessary and would be at the expense of the customer. A more accurate cost estimate would be available to the customer upon request and if desired, a mutually agreeable date of installation could be arranged. Aero Energy will warranty the device for a period of one-year parts and labor and after the warranty period, any maintenance or replacement necessary of the EFV would be at the expense of the customer and will be at Aero Energy’s prevailing rates at the time of service.
To learn more about Excess Flow Valves or to request installation of an EFV, contact Aero Energy Metered Communities Assistant Cynthia Mancuso at 1-800-998-4311.
*Exceptions to offer of EFV installation for customers with load not exceeding 1000 SCFH
(1) The service line does not operate at a pressure of 10 psig or greater throughout the year;
(2) The operator has prior experience with contaminants in the gas stream that could interfere with the EFV’s operation or cause loss of service to a customer;
(3) An EFV could interfere with necessary operation or maintenance activities, such as blowing liquids from the line; or
(4) An EFV meeting the performance standards in § 192.381 is not commercially available to the operator.