Customer Responsibilities
ENSTAR inspects and maintains your gas meter and service line on a regular basis. However, there are certain actions that you as the customer are required to take. By doing these on a regular basis, you can help ENSTAR keep your gas meter and facilities safe.
- Customer-owned Service Lines
- Meter Access
- Damaging a Gas Pipeline
- Removing Snow and Ice
- Meter Protection
- Cross Bores
- Customer-Owned Pipelines
Customer-owned Service Lines
Customer-owned pipelines are gas lines installed by you or a contractor. Examples of customer-owned piping are gas lines to a greenhouse, garage, or other exterior building and gas lines to a gas grill, pool, or spa heater.
ENSTAR maintains the service line up to the meter. As the customer, you are responsible for maintaining all piping beyond the meter, including periodically inspecting for leaks and corrosion.
Private contractors can assist you in installing, inspecting, locating, maintaining, and repairing damage or unsafe conditions discovered with your customer-owned piping. If buried pipe is not maintained, it becomes vulnerable to corrosion and leakage. When digging near any buried gas
Access to Meters and Service Lines
ENSTAR employees are in residential neighborhoods throughout the year to work on meters and piping so that our customers stay safe. In addition, emergency workers need to have access to the meter in case of an emergency, such as an earthquake or house fire. Here are some frequently asked questions about ENSTAR employees entering customers yards to access ENSTAR meters:
Q. “Do I need to be at home for ENSTAR employees to access the gas meter?”
A. No. ENSTAR employees typically access the company’s gas meters during the workday when many people are away from their homes. Alaska law and ENSTAR’s tariff, which is approved by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, states that ENSTAR employees can access customers’ yards for any purpose directly related to the supply of gas service.
Q. “Does ENSTAR need to tell me ahead of time that they are going into my backyard?”
A. No. ENSTAR’s tariff allows access to its property at all times within reason. No notice is required for that access.
Q. “Is it really ENSTAR’s gas meter if it’s on MY property?”
A. Yes. Section 608 of ENSTAR’s tariff states: “These facilities will remain the property of the Company, regardless of any contribution made by the Customer, and may be repaired, replaced or removed by the Company at any time.”
Q. “Someone came to my door claiming to be an ENSTAR employee. How can I tell if this is really an employee?”
A. ENSTAR employees can be identified in several ways. Look for: 1) a company vehicle nearby; 2) ENSTAR logo on clothing or hat; 3) employee ID card. You can also call ENSTAR customer service to confirm the identity of a person claiming to be a company employee.
Care For Natural Gas Facilities
As a customer, you are responsible for exercising reasonable care to prevent damage to the metering, service line, and any other natural gas facilities located on your premises. Meters should never be located in a garage, under a deck, or enclosed in any kind of construction that makes the meter inaccessible. These enclosed spaces can cause the natural gas to pool, creating a potentially dangerous situation. Avoid stacking any material, including firewood, around the meter.
You may not build over a service line on your property. If the service line is in conflict with any additions, decks, garages, or other permanent structures, call our Marketing Department at 907-334-7770 to arrange a relocation.
Any meters located in vehicle-accessible areas, such as a wall adjacent to a road, driveway, or parking area, need to be protected by 4” bollards (preferred) or a concrete barrier. Standard curbs, curb stones, or sidewalks do not satisfy this requirement.
Bollards are steel posts that are installed in the ground and filled with concrete, thereby preventing the meter from being struck and damaged by a vehicle. If you would like information on specific bollard protection placement or design, contact our Marketing Department at 907-334-7770.
Removing Snow and Ice from The Meter
During Alaska’s long winters, ice and snow can accumulate around the meter. Meters can be buried by snow falling from a roof or by snowplows. Additionally, be aware of icicles hanging from the roof, which can damage the meter when they fall. The stress of excess ice and snow may damage your gas meter or cause a leak.
Carefully remove snow and ice from your meter throughout the winter, especially after a heavy snowfall. Not only will this help keep you safe, but it also provides emergency workers access to the meter.
If you smell gas or notice any damage to the meter, call ENSTAR at 1-844-SMELL GAS (1-844-763-5542).
