In order to make people treat natural resources more economically, legislation introduced special rules. One of them is the obligation to install water meters. In the article we will talk about water meters: about their operation, verification, as well as the service life.
Legislation
Any device that is used by a person has a certain shelf life. Water meters are also affected. Only for a certain period of time does the manufacturer guarantee their trouble-free operation. After this, technical malfunctions can occur that will entail a distortion of the recorded indicators.
Thus, the use of water meters after the expiration date may affect the amount of payment for the use of both cold and hot water. This period is indicated in the technical passport. Instrument calibration is governed by the following documents:
- Law "On ensuring the uniformity of measurements" No. 102- dated 06/26/2008 with amendments and additions.
- Government Decree dated 06.05.2011 No. 354 "On the provision of utilities to owners and users of premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings."
- Certain regional projects, for example, Government Decision No. 77-PP "On measures to improve the system of accounting for water consumption and improve payments for cold, hot water and thermal energy in residential buildings and social facilities in Moscow."
If we talk about the timing of verification of instruments that measure hot water, then they are 4 years. And cold water meters should be checked once every 6 years.
The shelf life of water meters (both cold and hot) is determined by the relevant provisions of GOST. For example, the manufacturer promises about P50601-93 devices that they will last 12 years. This indicator is different for different meters, and the manufacturer’s warranty is usually one and a half years. In addition to the period set by the manufacturer, water quality directly affects it. The counter will last longer if the water complies with GOST-2874-82.
The concept
Like other measuring instruments, the water meter has its own time span of application. The period of service is indicated in the technical passport, which is attached to it. After the expiration date, it is recommended to replace the water meter.
The verification interval is understood to mean the period of time at the end of which the device must be checked for proper operation. If everything is in order, then the specialist prepares a conclusion that the water meter can be used further. If there is a problem, it becomes necessary to change the device.
What the use depends on, causes of malfunctions
The law establishes the obligation to verify. In this case, malfunctions are revealed in which the meter readings will not be valid.
As indicated above, verification of a cold water meter is less common than a hot water meter. This is explained by the fact that the components in the first case are not as susceptible to wear as in the second embodiment.
Only due to the timely verification, it is possible to detect malfunctions that may subsequently incorrectly read the consumed water. The main reasons on which it depends on whether a water meter will work out its expiration date and how long it will last in time include the following:
- Water quality.
- The percentage of wear of the water supply pipe.
- Seasonal breaks.
- Attempts by citizens to distort real data through the use of magnets.
If the life is over
After the expiration of the water meter in the apartment has expired, it should be replaced by another. To this end, the obsolete mechanism is dismantled. This can be done independently or contact the Criminal Code.
In the first case, it is necessary to notify the authorized bodies of their intentions. Indications on the old device should be recorded. The new device must be sealed. To do this, you need to call an employee of the management company. Together with the application, documents are presented confirming the ownership of the housing, as well as a technical passport for the device. Work on such a statement is free of charge.
Replacement ahead of schedule
Replacing the meter in advance may be required in the following cases:
- At the request of the owner of the housing on a more modern model.
- In case of breakage. It can be expressed in the fact that the impeller continues to spin even when the valve is closed.
- When identifying factory defects.
- Due to the fact that the passport of the device, which is in working condition, is lost.
Verification
The procedure can be carried out in two ways, namely:
- In a place where dismantling is not needed.
- By submitting to an accredited laboratory.
Consider how the procedure is performed in one and the other case.
If there are errors in the readings or the expiration dates of the water meter from the date of manufacture have passed, you should contact an authorized organization and call a specialist who dismantles the device. In this case, the employee must issue an acceptance certificate, which contains the following information:
- Date of dismantling.
- Counter brand.
- Number and series.
You will also need to provide your ID and technical passport to the meter. The owner needs to record the latest counter information. Verification can take time from several hours to several days. Upon its completion, the device returns with the following documents:
- Installation contract.
- Act on the work performed.
- Confirmation of the inclusion of the device.
- Technical passport for the device.
- Subsequent maintenance contract.
If during the verification a malfunction of the device is revealed, then the only thing that can be done is to replace it.
If the instrument is calibrated without dismantling, then the corresponding measurements are carried out at home, and the employees report the results of the inspection to the water utility independently.
Who carries out the verification
To undergo this procedure, you need to contact one of the following organizations:
- Vodokanal. In this case, the counters are dismantled, so you have to wait a while. Also, a number of documents must be submitted to this company.
- An organization certified for verification. Prices for these services are usually low. In Moscow, they take about 500 rubles for this. It is convenient to use the services of these organizations because specialists go to the address of the meter installation and carry out the required measurements at home.
If you do not complete the verification on time
Punishment for the use of the meter, in respect of which the next verification has not been carried out, is not provided. At the same time, you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to pay more for water. In addition, the water utility may begin to charge according to current regulations. And they, as a rule, turn out to be significantly higher than the payment according to the testimony of metering devices. Therefore, it is better not to delay it and carry out the procedure before the expiration date of the hot and cold water meters.
Self purchase
You need to know that it is not necessary to purchase those devices that the management company offers. The owner of an apartment or private house has the right to choose a counter in a specialized store. However, so that subsequently there are no problems, you must initially pay attention to the following points:
- Availability of technical passport for water meter. Without it, the meter will not be sealed.
- Release date. Verification is calculated precisely from the date of manufacture of the device, and not from the date of its acquisition.
- Complete with the meter should be provided with all the necessary elements for fasteners. Information on this can be found in the technical passport.
Why does the meter fail earlier?
Basically, manufacturers say that the meters are able to work for 8-10 years, and the operating time can be at least 100-110 thousand hours. But this period is valid if instrument calibration is carried out in a timely manner. However, in many cases it turns out that the shelf life of the meter (especially hot water) is lower than that declared by the manufacturer. The reason for this lies in the large contamination of the fluid entering the pipes, as well as in its high temperature.
The warranty provided by the manufacturer should be distinguished from the service life of the meter. These are two different concepts. The manufacturer’s usual warranty is 1.5 years from the date of purchase, and not from the date of manufacture or installation.
If the meter fails before the warranty period expires, the owner has the right to demand the replacement or repair of the device free of charge (usually replacement). In this case, it is necessary to present a technical passport for products with a store stamp.
But the shelf life of a water meter for cold water (as well as for hot water) depends on various factors. These include the following:
- As stated above, water quality. The more impurities in the solid state will be passed through it, the faster the wear of the device. This is the reason why it is recommended to install a filter in front of the counter.
- An important parameter is the condition of the water supply system as a whole. In old highways, water meters quickly become clogged with debris and rust that gets from the pipes into the water.
- Illegal attempts to save money can also affect the counter. This applies to those owners who wanted to stop the rotation of the device or rewind the corresponding data back. However, such actions are illegal. Administrative liability is imposed for them in the form of a fine.
How to extend the service life
After analyzing the above information, it becomes clear that by installing a coarse filter in front of the filter, it will be possible to significantly increase the shelf life of the counter of cold water and hot. But that is not all. It is advisable to purge the filter once a month and remove particles that have accumulated in it during this period.
You should pay attention to the water when filling the bath, especially in the morning. If it has a yellowish tint, then this may indicate the wear of the piping system as well as significant formations on the pipes.
Another point that increases the chances of a long working life of the meter is to purchase water meters of well-known manufacturers, for example, Meter or Valtec. The Betar water meter has a good shelf life. These companies use really high-quality components for devices. And the usability parameter of the device that interests us is the same as with all devices of this type: 4 years for hot water and 6 years for cold.
Water meter repair
The special design of the meters is usually not repairable. Therefore, there are virtually no spare parts for them on sale. Due to the affordable price, it is advisable to buy a new water meter, and not try to repair the old one. That is why when deciding to carry out verification, you can buy another meter and install it, and not check the operation of the one used, especially during laboratory examination. Then these procedures will be cheaper.
Conclusion
A water meter is a meter designed to monitor the amount of resources consumed. As for any unit, there is a certain shelf life of the counter of cold water and hot water. In order to be sure that it is working correctly, verification is established by law: for a cold water appliance - 6 years, and for a hot water appliance - 4 years. What is the shelf life of a hot water meter? The plant sets the same period. However, in practice, hot water appliances fail faster than in the case of cold water. Therefore, they should be checked more often.
As well as installation, verification is carried out by special organizations. If it turns out that the device is showing incorrect data, you will have to buy and install a new counter. It should be borne in mind that the next calibration is carried out not from the time of purchase or installation, but from the date of manufacture of the device by the manufacturer.