Checking the water meter: who to contact and what you need to know

A water meter verification is a process aimed at measuring the accuracy of the readings of the consumable media. Determining the usability of the device is very important, since the device can fail at any time, which will lead to distorted readings. Many people are interested in questions about when it is necessary to calibrate the flow meter and by whom it is performed. In order to know the answer, you need to carefully study the audit procedure.

Verification water meter consists in measuring the accuracy of the instrument readings

Water meter verification: what is it for and by whom

The verification procedure is regulated by current legislation and is performed only by authorized utilities. At the end of the inspection, an act is drawn up, which indicates the results of the audit and the suitability of using a particular water measuring device.

A faulty water meter can both underestimate and overestimate the readings

What is water meter verification? If the meter has not passed the verification, then it will be deemed unsuitable. In this case, it is necessary to replace the measuring device. An inspection of water measuring equipment aims to determine the accuracy of the data that it records.

Most often, negative results are shown by devices that have expired. Water meters are distinguished by a complex design. Over time, their parts wear out under the influence of various unfavorable factors, which leads to a distortion of the accuracy of the readings.

Measuring instruments can have different calibration intervals. This parameter depends on the type of counter. For example, flow meters used in hot water networks require more frequent inspections.

Note! A defective device can either underestimate or overestimate the media consumption data.Thus, not only the management organization, but also the user himself is interested in periodic checks of the measuring equipment.

The meter verification procedure is regulated by law and is carried out by strictly authorized organizations

Less often, cold water meters are revised. It is recommended to observe the verification deadlines, despite the fact that the current legislation does not provide for penalties for their delay.

All water measuring devices are first checked at the factory where they are manufactured. After a successful revision, the documentation that comes with the device indicates that the meter has shown positive results and is suitable for use. The date of the repeated inspection is also indicated there.

The calibration interval of the water meter is set by the manufacturer. It is important to understand that the meter manufacturer provides a warranty for the meter, therefore, its readings are considered reliable until the next inspection.

Verification of water meters: terms of verification and operation of devices

After installing water measuring devices for cold and hot water supply networks and putting them into operation, the user does not have to worry about the accuracy of the data recorded by them. However, after a certain period of time, it becomes necessary to inspect the measuring equipment. The interval between the installation of a new device and verification, as mentioned earlier, can be different.

The period between the installation of a new meter and verification can be 4-6 years

The calibration interval for cold water meters is usually 6 years. In turn, flow meters that are installed on hot water pipes can be used for only 4 years, after which it becomes necessary to conduct an inspection.

In some cases, flow meters fail before the due date for their verification. The most common reason for this is the lack of filter elements that trap large particles in the system. This leads to rapid wear of the equipment.

The service life of hot and cold water meters is a very important indicator, which is determined by the manufacturer. The duration of operation depends not only on the quality of the water measuring device itself. This parameter is influenced by the following factors:

• flow meter type;
• material of manufacture of the body and structural elements;
• individual qualities of the carrier in the pipeline.

Increased pressure in the system and the presence of harmful impurities in the water are the main factors related to the group of individual factors that affect the premature failure of the flow meter.

The verification interval must be specified in the documentation supplied with the measuring device.

Note! Poor quality models that come into contact with the media in the system can fail in as little as 2 years after being put into service.

Calibration times for cold and hot water meters: nuances

The timing of the verification must be indicated in the documentation that comes with the measuring device. Thus, in order to find out when it is necessary to carry out an inspection, it is enough just to find the necessary data in the technical passport.

How else can you determine the period for checking the hot water meter, as well as the cold water meter? Please check your local utility website for information. The timing of inspections in some cases is indicated in the receipts, according to which the payment for utility services takes place.

It is recommended to inspect the meter before a fixed date. In addition, the user can set a convenient time for him. However, in this case it is important to remember that they must not contradict the official calibration interval.How often do you need to calibrate water meters? Inspections are permitted more often than once every 4 or 6 years, but less often they are not.

High pressure in the water supply system and the presence of harmful impurities affect the premature failure of the meter

A situation is also possible that will require an immediate unscheduled inspection of the water meter. The reason for this may be a violation of the integrity of the seals or mechanical damage to the device, which affects the accuracy of its readings.

The verification times specified in the technical passport are not always decisive. Local laws in force may change this data. Therefore, it is recommended that you study the laws that apply to your specific region of residence.

It is worth noting that the service life of a hot water meter is most often less than the calibration interval. As a result, it is much more profitable after a certain period of time to completely replace the meter.

Consider the calibration intervals for the most common meter models. Domestic devices most often have a standard revision interval, which is 4 years for DHW flow meters and 6 years for water measuring devices mounted on a cold water supply network. These include products of such companies as:

• Pulse;
• Meter;
• IED;
• Pulsar.

Typically, the service life of a hot water meter is less than the calibration period

Helpful information! The service life of water meters varies from company to company and can reach 15 years (under normal conditions of use).

There are foreign analogues of measuring equipment, which have a longer interval between inspections. For example, for Maddalena flow meters this figure is 10-15 years (depending on the model).

Those water measuring devices that have not been verified within the specified period are subject to deregistration. It is also important to note that payment for services in case of ignoring the inspection will be calculated in accordance with the established state standards. Thus, the meter reading will not be considered valid.

Checking a water meter: how to apply for an inspection

There are several ways to submit an application for an audit of equipment used to measure water consumption. The first option involves the direct submission of an application in writing to the organization providing the services. This method is more comfortable for users, since it does not require dismantling the measuring device.

The verification of the water meter can be carried out both at home and in the laboratory of the public service

The second option is less convenient, since it involves dismantling the device. Delivery of the meter to the utility service is carried out by the user himself. Verification of a hot water meter or a cold water meter requires all the necessary documents.

It is important to remember that some meters cannot be checked at home. This point should be considered when choosing a flow meter. If the device fully meets all the necessary requirements for conducting an audit at home, then the management organization has no right to refuse to provide such a service.

The application is drawn up in accordance with a specific form and must contain all the necessary data relating to a specific device. Contacting the utility service is made in advance (before the expiration date set by the manufacturer). Checking the meter requires drawing up an application, which indicates:

• Full name of the user;
• the exact address of the individual;
• meter type, as well as its model;
• meter serial number;
• the name of the manufacturer;
• user's phone number.

Verifications can only be carried out by organizations with licenses confirming the right to this activity

Only organizations that have a license confirming the right to carry out such activities have a permit to inspect a water meter. If the device has not passed the verification, then the water meter is replaced.

After the inspection (if the verification was not carried out at home), the managing organization is obliged to provide a specialist who will insert the device back into the line.

Note! At the end of the work, the master is obliged to provide an act certifying the serviceability of the equipment.

The user is obliged to pay the cost of the cold water meter inspection. The same applies to the verification of hot water meters. After how many years is the second revision of the water measuring equipment carried out? The date of the next verification is indicated in the documentation provided to the owner after this procedure.

An application for verification is drawn up in accordance with the form and must contain all the data regarding a specific water meter

The certificate confirming the audit must contain an imprint containing the serial number. And also the document must be signed by a specific specialist. After the inspection, documents confirming the suitability of the water measuring device must be handed over to the utility company providing services to the user.

Checking the water meter at home without removing: important points

It is recommended to study in advance the sequence of actions that allow you to verify the water measuring device. This will avoid various unforeseen situations. First of all, the user is obliged to submit an application for calling the master, who will conduct the inspection. As a rule, it takes from 3 to 5 days to satisfy the application.

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Utility employees must notify the user of the date of arrival of a specialist. Before the start of an audit of a water measuring device, an agreement is concluded between both parties, which specifies the nuances of the verification and its cost. The price of checking the water meter can be different (from 450 to 1500 rubles).

The specialist of the communal organization is obliged to carry out an inspection in accordance with this contract. During the check of the device, the master has no right to violate the integrity of the seal. The document confirming the audit, after its completion, is sent to the ZhEK.

Before starting the verification of the meter, an agreement is concluded between both parties

This procedure is carried out taking into account the frequency of calibration of the water meter. The operation itself does not take much time. An experienced master needs 30 minutes to audit the water measuring device, since this procedure is not difficult.

How is the verification of the water meter at home: stages

The first stage of the audit involves connecting to the mixer in the system of special equipment for carrying out verification. A shower hose (with the watering can removed) may be suitable for such work. The outlet of the device must be directed into a previously prepared container, the volume of which should be approximately 2-3 liters. This tank is located on the balance.

Note! When checking the cold water meter or device for the DHW network, a utility employee is obliged to check the remaining water intake points. They must be covered. Before you start testing the meter, you need to fix the preliminary readings on it. This is a necessary point to avoid confusion.

Then the container is filled with tap water. After that, the volume of water in the tank is calculated.At the end, it is necessary to compare the obtained figure with the readings on the measuring device. This procedure must be repeated several times. This is done in order to keep the error in the calculations to a minimum. If it meets the necessary standards, then the master indicates in the inspection report that the device is in good working order.

Before starting the verification, you need to fix the preliminary readings of the counter

Too large an error indicates that the device is not suitable for use. Such a device must be replaced without fail. Some flow meters fail ahead of the replacement date. A water meter wears out too quickly when used under severe operating conditions.

Advantages and disadvantages of meter diagnostics at home

Carrying out a home inspection of a water meter has its pros and cons. The main advantage, of course, can be called the fact that such a procedure does not require much time. In addition, such verification saves not only time, but also finances.

An inspection that requires disassembly of the flow meter involves the cost of re-installing and sealing the meter. The period for checking a water meter in a laboratory lasts on average 2 weeks. In any case, such a revision is not user-friendly.

If the meter is being checked in the laboratory, then the service provided by the utility company is paid at the average rates. This also entails unnecessary financial costs.

The advantage of checking a water measuring device at home is that the procedure does not take much time.

Another advantage of checking a water measuring device at home is the impossibility of damaging plumbing units. Dismantling the flow meter can affect the performance of the plumbing in the home. Before starting the verification, be sure to consider the service life of the water meter.

Helpful information! Citizens who belong to the preferential categories are most often provided with reduced rates for inspection work.

Doing a water meter inspection at home also has negative aspects. The main one is the impossibility of a detailed assessment of the device. Home revision does not allow for the identification and prevention of implicit problems that may develop over time. Thus, the exact service life of cold water meters, as well as devices for hot water supply, cannot be calculated. The owner can only be content with approximate data.

The rights and obligations of consumers when checking water meters

During the calibration of water measuring devices, various misunderstandings may arise. In order to exclude them, it is necessary to familiarize yourself in detail with the rights and obligations of consumers. This will allow you to inspect this equipment as competently as possible. The owner's responsibilities include:

• verification;
• installation of measuring equipment;
• repair of the meter and its replacement (if necessary).

It is allowed to check the device ahead of time, but the expediency of this action must be taken into account

The audit is carried out taking into account the frequency of calibrations of cold and hot water meters. It is allowed to carry out an inspection ahead of time, but it is worth considering the expediency of such an act.

Residents of apartment buildings should not prevent employees of the management organization from checking the correctness of the data that is recorded by the meter. To give an answer to the question of how to verify cold and hot water meters, it is recommended to study the legislative acts, which can be easily found on the network.

The submission of information registered by the meter must be carried out no later than the 25th. This rule is necessary.If you ignore it, then payment for the service after 90 days will be made in accordance with the standard set by the utility.

The period for checking the water meter should be indicated in the relevant documentation. The user is obliged to carry out an audit before the expiry of the calibration interval. The inspection date is most often determined by the utility company. However, the owner can also influence this moment.

The consumer must carry out verification before the end of the calibration interval

It must be remembered that an audit of the water measuring equipment confirms its operational suitability. Thus, the user himself is interested in compliance with the above provisions. Ignoring the verification may become a reason for recalculating the cost of the service.

Note! People who rent housing also have the right to choose how they test their water measuring equipment.

How much does it cost to check a water meter at home and in the laboratory

All work on installation, maintenance, inspection, as well as replacement of water measuring equipment is carried out taking into account legislative acts and an agreement that is drawn up between the owner and the public service. Inspection of metering devices can be carried out both at home and in a specialized laboratory.

The first option implies the arrival of a specialist at a specific residence address. Such verification will cost an average owner 650 rubles. The minimum cost of this service is 400 rubles. It is important to remember that it is possible to check the water meter in the laboratory, but in this case its cost will increase.

The average cost of checking the meter at home is 650 rubles

As a rule, laboratory tests are carried out when there are suspicions that the device is out of order. The breakdown of the measuring device must be eliminated after its diagnosis in the laboratory. During the verification, a temporary metal or polymer tube is installed in place of the meter. After repairing the flow meter, the utility company is obliged to provide a warranty statement. The cost of a laboratory audit is from 500 to 2000 rubles.

The expiration of the service life of the water meter in the apartment is a signal that the device must be replaced. However, in some cases, such devices work out for several more years in excess of the established norm. The accuracy of the readings and the correct operation are the only factors that should be guided by when determining the need to replace the device.

When to change the water meter? Some breakdowns of metering devices are fatal. In the event that there is no possibility of repair, the user is obliged to purchase a new device. The cost of a working instrument in this situation is summed up with the price of a laboratory inspection.

Is it possible to check a water measuring device free of charge?

Modern legislation contains all the necessary information that describes the procedure for the inspection of water measuring devices. The relevant law states that utilities are not responsible for the audit. This service is ordered only by the owner, taking into account the service life of the water meter. Payment for the work also falls on the shoulders of the consumer.

The verification of the water meter can be carried out by both utilities and private organizations.

Note! The management organization and the local water utility have the legal right not to notify the user about the expiry of the calibration interval. There is simply no legal basis for the information that verification can be carried out free of charge.

Inspection of water measuring devices can be carried out either by public utilities or by private organizations that have an appropriate license. This information is contained in regulatory documents. The terms for calibrating hot and cold water meters are also determined by current legislation.

Some individuals may encounter unscrupulous organizations that are not allowed to check measuring devices. Before ordering a service from a particular company, the customer is advised to check the availability of the appropriate license.

How to identify unscrupulous performers? The determining factor may be the cost of services provided by a private firm. For example, a price lower than RUB 400 usually indicates that the company does not have the appropriate permit.

The verification order is made only by the consumer, and only he pays for the work of specialists

What to do if the deadline for checking the water meter has expired

This problem is quite common. Many users are not even aware of the need for periodic inspections of water measuring equipment. In addition, an individual may simply forget to complete this procedure on time.

If the device is not inspected in time, then its readings become invalid by default. What is the reason for the delay in the verification of the hot water meter and cold water meter? In case of failure to fulfill his obligations, the consumer pays by making payment for the service at the general rates.

Late inspection penalties sometimes imposed by utilities are not legal. When imposing any sanctions, the owner has every right to challenge the decision of the management company by sending a complaint to the appropriate authorities. It is important to remember that the user is not required to pay any fines. If any, the owner is obliged to send a complaint to the managing organization.

If the service life of the water meter has expired, then it is necessary to replace the device with a new one. Payment for services at general rates will be made until the user inspects the water meter. Therefore, experts do not recommend delaying the solution of this issue.

If you do not verify the device on time, then its readings become invalid and the consumer will pay at the general rate

Where are the documents sent after checking the water measuring equipment

Before answering this question, you need to understand the list of documents that should be in the hands of the user. Let's consider the list of documents in more detail:

• device passport;
• delivery and acceptance certificate;
• verification certificate.

The passport, which is attached to the flow meter, must contain the following information: date of manufacture, time when the device was put into operation, as well as the expiration date of the water meter.

Helpful information! In the act of delivery and acceptance, the serial numbers, the date of insertion of the device into the line, data about the user and the managing organization are indicated. This document must necessarily contain the signatures of both one and the second party.

The acceptance certificate must indicate the number of the device, the date of installation, data of the consumer and the managing organization

The verification certificate lists all the necessary data confirming the serviceability of the device. This act must contain the date of the inspection. In addition, it indicates the deadline for the re-verification. Hot and cold water meters have different calibration intervals. It is on them that the user should be guided when performing this operation again.

All of the above documentation should be sent to the managing organization. In addition, the HOA deals with such issues, so you can register a metering device in this organization.The next step is to submit documents to the EIRTS.

Verify or change: the appropriateness of the verification procedure

Domestic operating conditions are often unfavorable, which leads to rapid failure of meters. The most vulnerable structural elements of water measuring devices are parts made of polymer materials. Many flow meters fail before their service life expires. Water meters, the vulnerable parts of which have worn off during operation, cannot be repaired.

Checking water meters is not always a viable solution, sometimes it is cheaper to install a new device

Even if the device has passed the inspection, there is a high degree of probability that it will fail before the next revision takes place. The actual service life of hot water meters and flow meters that are installed on the cold water supply network is lower than that indicated by the manufacturer. The installation of a coarse filter in front of the water measuring device helps to increase this indicator.

From all of the above, it follows that after a certain time interval, it is necessary to inspect metering devices. However, they wear out rather quickly, as they often have direct contact with water, which is contaminated with foreign particles. As a result, the user risks wasting money on an audit that reveals that the device is unusable.

Thus, checking hot water meters and cold water devices is not always a viable solution. After all, the cost of a new device is not that great. Inexpensive models can be purchased for only 500 rubles. It is cheaper to replace an old device with a new one than to spend money and not get the desired result.

Inspection of water measuring equipment is a necessary operation, which is carried out in accordance with the terms established by the manufacturers of metering devices. Meters for cold water and hot water supply have different calibration intervals. You need to know this to avoid confusion. The verification procedure is carried out in accordance with the step-by-step instructions.