GEN-28—Provision of electricity or gas, equipment and facilities for the inspection and testing of meters and other apparatus

Category: General
Issue date: 2023-01-16
Effective date: 2023-01-16
Revision number: 2
Supersedes: GEN-28 (rev. 1)


Table of contents


1.0 Scope

This bulletin applies to all applicants seeking type approval (e.g. manufacturers) and all contractors who have undertaken to supply electricity or gas to any purchaser.

2.0 Purpose

This bulletin aims to clarify the obligations of applicants and contractors to supply electricity or gas, equipment and facilities for the inspection and testingFootnote 1 of any meter or any other apparatus used in the supply of electricity or gas.

3.0 References

4.0 Background

Applicants and contractors are sometimes reluctant to provide Measurement Canada (MC) with the necessary test equipment, such as computer software, because the high-tech industry is particularly vulnerable to software piracy. As a result, MC staff have had difficulty obtaining the equipment required to inspect and test meters and other apparatus. MC recognizes this concern and ensures that all computer software and equipment provided for the purpose of inspection and testing is protected.

There are also inspections and tests for which MC equipment may not be suitable. For example, the currently accepted test method for the inspection of compressed natural gas (CNG) dispensers is the gravimetric method, which requires the use of test cylinders and calibrated scales. In some cases, MC's test equipment may have insufficient capacity, and inspectors are then required to use test equipment provided by the contractor. In addition, post-test disposal of the dispensed gas contained in the test cylinders can be problematic due to the ever-increasing capacity of CNG dispensers and changing environmental regulations and restrictions.

5.0 Responsibilities

5.1 Applicants and contractors

In accordance with section 19 of the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act (EGIA) and section 14 of the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations (EGIR), any applicant seeking type approval or contractor must provide MC with electricity or gas (if required), equipment and all reasonable facilities necessary to inspect or test meters and other apparatus, free of charge.

5.2 Measurement Canada

In accordance with the Access to Information Act, MC is responsible for complying with the provisions regarding the disclosure of any information that could be prejudicial to the owner of that information.

6.0 Equipment required for meter inspection and testing

6.1 General

All equipment and facilities required to conduct inspections and testing of meters pursuant to the EGIA and EGIR must be provided free of charge by the applicant or contractor. The equipment required include operating, communication and monitoring software, connection cables, technical manuals and support, and any other measuring apparatus or equipment as deemed necessary.

6.2 Compressed natural gas dispensers

Unless otherwise specified by MC, provisions must be made at CNG fuelling stations for the safe and timely return of the test medium to storage or disposal during or after inspection or testing of CNG dispensers.

Notes:

  • Such provisions may include return lines, or where not feasible, cylinders of sufficient design, size and number to permit the inspection or testing.
  • For CNG stations built after the issuance of this version of this bulletin, return lines are the preferred approach.

At the time of type approval, MC's Engineering and Laboratory Services Directorate (ELSD) will determine if such provisions are required for the performance evaluation of a CNG dispenser.

7.0 Revisions

The purpose of revision 2 was to:

  • add applicants seeking type approval to the scope of the bulletin,
  • add subsection 6.2 to clarify and summarize MC's policy regarding provisions to be made at CNG fuelling stations for the inspection and testing of CNG dispensers.

The purpose of revision 1 was to:

  • remove references to revoked bulletin GEN-11,
  • issue the bulletin under the President's signature.