Verification of water meters at home without removal: timing and details of verification

After installing water meters, the apartment owner is obliged to monitor the operation of the devices. If the received data is inaccurate, the water meter is broken, or after the period specified in the technical documentation has expired, the user is required to submit an application to have the meter checked.

The owner has the right to independently choose the method of assessing the technical condition of the device. This can be checking water meters at home without removing the meter or dismantling it for testing in a laboratory. We will tell you how and in what order the first option is performed.

What is this check and why is it needed?

When used under the influence of external factors, the meters are subject to wear.

As a result, their internal parts may be damaged and the filter may become clogged. The consequence of wear is a failure of readings and unreliable information on water consumption.

This determines how much the owners will have to pay for it.
To determine the accuracy of the meter’s reflection of passing water, its numbers must be compared with the numbers of the reference device. Attention! Assessing the degree of deviation of the digital meter readings from the values ​​of the reference sample is its verification.
Based on the magnitude of the recorded deviations, the possibility of further use of the water meter is determined. Distortions of readings can happen in both directions. When they are overestimated, the owners of apartments with a meter themselves suffer. For example, if they actually used 5 cubic meters. m of water, and the meter shows a consumption of 7 cubic meters. m., then they overpay for water that they did not use.

If the readings are underestimated, apartment owners who do not have metering devices will suffer, since they are charged with the increased difference between the total household expenses and the incorrect figures for the underestimated water metering.

To ensure the reliability of the accounting of water consumed by residents, Law No. 102-FZ dated June 26, 2008 “On Ensuring the Uniformity of Measurements”, as well as the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 354 dated May 6, 2011, introduced the obligation to regularly check the flow rate, devices at a set time interval.

Important! If the deadline for checking the operation of meters is missed, payment for water is charged not on the basis of their readings, but according to the standards accepted in the region.

How to find a counter in the ARSHIN system?

1. General Provisions

This personal data processing policy has been drawn up in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Law of July 27, 2006. No. 152-FZ “On Personal Data” and determines the procedure for processing personal data and measures to ensure the security of personal data of OOO “DYUKS” (hereinafter referred to as the Operator).

1.1. The operator sets as its most important goal and condition for carrying out its activities the observance of the rights and freedoms of man and citizen when processing his personal data, including the protection of the rights to privacy, personal and family secrets.

1.2. This Operator’s policy regarding the processing of personal data (hereinafter referred to as the Policy) applies to all information that the Operator can obtain about visitors to the website https://eckonom.ru.

2.Basic concepts used in the Policy

2.1. Automated processing of personal data – processing of personal data using computer technology;

2.2. Blocking of personal data – temporary cessation of processing of personal data (except for cases where processing is necessary to clarify personal data);

2.3. Website – a collection of graphic and information materials, as well as computer programs and databases that ensure their availability on the Internet at the network address https://eckonom.ru;

2.4. Information system of personal data - a set of personal data contained in databases, and information technologies and technical means that ensure their processing;

2.5. Depersonalization of personal data - actions as a result of which it is impossible to determine without the use of additional information the ownership of personal data to a specific User or other subject of personal data;

2.6. Processing of personal data – any action (operation) or set of actions (operations) performed using automation tools or without the use of such means with personal data, including collection, recording, systematization, accumulation, storage, clarification (updating, changing), extraction, use, transfer (distribution, provision, access), depersonalization, blocking, deletion, destruction of personal data;

2.7. Operator - a state body, municipal body, legal or natural person, independently or jointly with other persons organizing and (or) carrying out the processing of personal data, as well as determining the purposes of processing personal data, the composition of personal data to be processed, actions (operations) performed with personal data;

2.8. Personal data – any information relating directly or indirectly to a specific or identified User of the website https://eckonom.ru;

2.9. User – any visitor to the website https://eckonom.ru;

2.10. Providing personal data – actions aimed at disclosing personal data to a certain person or a certain circle of persons;

2.11. Dissemination of personal data - any actions aimed at disclosing personal data to an indefinite number of persons (transfer of personal data) or familiarizing with personal data to an unlimited number of persons, including the publication of personal data in the media, posting in information and telecommunication networks or providing access to personal data in any other way;

2.12. Cross-border transfer of personal data – transfer of personal data to the territory of a foreign state to an authority of a foreign state, a foreign individual or a foreign legal entity;

2.13. Destruction of personal data – any actions as a result of which personal data are destroyed irrevocably with the impossibility of further restoration of the content of personal data in the personal data information system and (or) as a result of which the material media of personal data are destroyed.

3.The Operator may process the following personal data of the User

3.1. Full Name;

3.2. Email address;

3.3. Phone numbers;

3.4. The site also collects and processes anonymized data about visitors (including cookies) using Internet statistics services (Yandex Metrica and Google Analytics and others).

3.5. The above data below in the text of the Policy are united by the general concept of Personal Data.

4.Purposes of processing personal data

4.1. The purpose of processing the User’s personal data is to inform the User by sending emails; providing the User with access to services, information and/or materials contained on the website.

4.2. The Operator also has the right to send notifications to the User about new products and services, special offers and various events. The User can always refuse to receive information messages by sending the Operator a letter to the email address marked “Opt-out of notifications about new products and services and special offers.”

4.3. Anonymized data of Users, collected using Internet statistics services, serves to collect information about the actions of Users on the site, improve the quality of the site and its content.

5.Legal grounds for processing personal data

5.1. The Operator processes the User’s personal data only if it is filled out and/or sent by the User independently through special forms located on the website https://eckonom.ru. By filling out the appropriate forms and/or sending his personal data to the Operator, the User expresses his consent to this Policy.

5.2. The Operator processes anonymized data about the User if this is allowed in the User's browser settings (saving cookies and using JavaScript technology are enabled).

6.The procedure for collecting, storing, transferring and other types of processing of personal data

The security of personal data processed by the Operator is ensured by implementing legal, organizational and technical measures necessary to fully comply with the requirements of current legislation in the field of personal data protection.

6.1. The operator ensures the safety of personal data and takes all possible measures to prevent access to personal data by unauthorized persons.

6.2. The User's personal data will never, under any circumstances, be transferred to third parties, except in cases related to the implementation of current legislation.

6.3. If inaccuracies in personal data are identified, the User can update them independently by sending a notification to the Operator to the Operator’s email address marked “Updating personal data.”

6.4. The period for processing personal data is unlimited. The User may at any time withdraw his consent to the processing of personal data by sending a notification to the Operator via email to the Operator's email address [email protected] marked “Withdrawal of consent to the processing of personal data.”

7. Cross-border transfer of personal data

7.1. Before the start of cross-border transfer of personal data, the operator is obliged to ensure that the foreign state into whose territory it is intended to transfer personal data provides reliable protection of the rights of personal data subjects.

7.2. Cross-border transfer of personal data to the territory of foreign states that do not meet the above requirements can only be carried out if there is written consent of the subject of personal data to the cross-border transfer of his personal data and/or execution of an agreement to which the subject of personal data is a party.

8.Final provisions

8.1. The user can receive any clarification on issues of interest regarding the processing of his personal data by contacting the Operator via email [email protected]

8.2. This document will reflect any changes to the Operator’s personal data processing policy. The policy is valid indefinitely until it is replaced by a new version.

8.3. The current version of the Policy is freely available on the Internet at https://eckonom.ru/politika-konfidenczialnosti.

Will it be cancelled?

Responsibility for timely checking of meters is assigned by law to the citizens themselves. Therefore, residents should monitor the timing of the inspection.

However, according to the management of Rosstandart, the population should not be concerned with issues of proper operation of meters; this responsibility should be assigned to management companies.

This is due to the fact that the costs of verification are now borne by citizens themselves. This is often used by commercial firms that do not have a license for such activities. The quality of their verification is not at the proper level, and they demand a lot of money for their services.

If the inspection of meters is transferred to management companies, this will greatly streamline the process of checking them, since it will be possible to use devices with the same characteristics, and their verification will be carried out by reliable accredited specialists.

In addition, there will be no problem with non-compliance with the deadlines for completing these works, and therefore with the accuracy of payments made for consumed water. The situation with the abolition of verification of water meters by citizens themselves is still at the draft stage.

Interesting! In some regions, a new organizational verification scheme has already been introduced as an experiment.

Read more information on the issue here.

Table

Periodicity

According to Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 354, the need for verification was legalized, and its frequency must correspond to the instructions in the technical passport for the device.

How many times can you do the verification? For example, for imported devices the procedure should be carried out after 10 - 15 years, for Russian-made meters intended for hot water, the check will have to be carried out after 4 years, for cold water - after 6 years.

Reference! The choice of water measuring devices is left to the discretion of the residents themselves.

What happens if the procedure is not carried out?

If a tenant ignores the order of checking water meters and continues to transmit their data to the management company, hoping to calculate water based on these readings, he may subsequently encounter trouble , since the readings of unverified meters are considered unsuitable.

If the Management Company discovers that a tenant has missed the verification period, the amount of payment for water will be recalculated according to the standards adopted in the region for the entire period of using readings from unverified meters.

The law allows the Criminal Code to do this within three years from the date of required verification. The longer the tenant delays verification, the greater the amount of underpayment he may be charged. The maximum amount of debt can be generated over a three-year period.

Positive and negative aspects of diagnosis

The method of testing a water meter at home has a number of advantages over the dismantling method:

• 
  testing is carried out on a suitable day and time interval for the customer;

• you don’t have to pay for the services of a plumber, there is no need for an inspector;
• Water charges are calculated according to meter readings;
• the safety of plumbing units is ensured and the control seal is not broken;
• the work is carried out within the next few days after submitting the application, the event is carried out within half an hour;
• not a burdensome cost.

There are also negative points:

• lack of control of all parts, which does not allow identifying possible defects. There is no guarantee of long-term service of the unit;
• the likelihood of falling into an unscrupulous organization.

How is it done?

The inaccuracy of water meter readings can be determined in different ways.

Two methods are used:

1. The device is dismantled and sent to the laboratory for testing.
2. The device is checked at the place of its installation.

In the first case, when the device is transferred to the laboratory for examination, before removing it, it is necessary to call a representative of the Criminal Code to record the readings and remove the seal.

It is important to know! The owner himself must worry about calling the management master. After returning the certified device to its original place, it must be sealed and the readings must be taken again, reflecting them in the Certificate.

So, how is verification carried out? The laboratory procedure is the most complete and includes the following steps:

• First, an external inspection of the device is carried out: the integrity of the constituent elements and the condition of the flow metering unit are determined;
• then the filter is cleaned if it is clogged;
• then secure all loose connections to prevent water leakage during operation;
• and finally, the readings are recorded and adjusted with the readings of the reference device.

If, after the applied restoration work, the device readings still fall outside the permissible standards, it is considered unsuitable for further use. If there are minor deviations in the testimony, he is considered an attorney.

During the process of checking the meter in the laboratory, a spacer is temporarily installed in its place.

When checking without dismantling the meter from the water pipe, the metrology service master uses a portable standard device to compare readings. It is connected directly to the meter installed on the pipe and the readings of both devices are compared.

After completion of the work, the inspection specialist is obliged to transfer to the user a package of all required documents:

• Certificate of verification of the device;
• verification certificate;
• a copy of the accreditation of the service of which he is a representative.

The listed documents must be submitted to the Criminal Code to enter information about the performed verification of meters and the date of its conduct.

Read a detailed article about how long and where to submit verification documents here.

Fundamental differences

The difference between verification and verification is the purpose. In the first case, this is control over the correctness of accounting and measurements. In the second, this is a check of safe use in compliance with the safety requirements specified by the manufacturer in the instructions for use.

Metrological control is entrusted to state bodies and accredited legal entities. Technical inspection is carried out by state technical control bodies and technical services at the enterprise or organization.

Who performs the procedure?

The accuracy of meter readings is checked only by organizations that are accredited in this area. This can be done by both public and private companies.

State companies usually have their own laboratory , which allows for a comprehensive check of metering devices after they are removed.

Private firms work primarily in residents' homes. The owners themselves must decide on the choice of organization and who exactly will carry out the verification.

Reference! The Criminal Code has lists of accredited companies that cooperate with it on the issue of servicing water meters. For example, in the North-Western Administrative District of Moscow, their inspection is carried out by Housing and Communal Services - Service, and other organizations.

You can apply for verification directly to the selected organization or company, or you can also make an application through the management company or MFC , geographically located nearby.

A list of accredited meter verification organizations can be found here.

Similarities

Both types of control have regulations that indicate their frequency, requirements for performers, rights and obligations of controlling persons and organizations.

Sequence of actions during organization

General rules for organizing the verification process are provided.

These include:

1. 
   Preparation of an application to evaluate the operation of the device, containing the following information: full name, address, contact phone number of the consumer; name and model of the metering device, information about the manufacturer. A photocopy of the technical passport for the device must be attached to the application.

2. Submitting a prepared application to the management company, municipal or commercial service selected for verification of meters.
3. Drawing up a contract with this organization for the performance of work and specifying the time of arrival of the specialist (if the verification is carried out at home).
4. Before performing an inspection, you should check the specialist’s documents confirming his authority to perform them.
5. Receiving from the inspection employee all the necessary documents for presentation to the Criminal Code after the inspection.

Attention! An application for verification work should be submitted in advance, before the verification period specified in the technical passport expires.

If you contact a commercial company, you can make a request by phone. It can be found on the company's website.

What do passports for water meters look like?

The device passport contains complete information about the functions, characteristics and address of the manufacturer. In addition, a photo of the meter can be displayed.

The passport of the water meter contains the following data:

• average service life;
• time of manufacture of the device;
• possible measurement errors;
• technical data;
• time of first verification of the meter by the manufacturer;
• pressure in the water supply network;
• warranty card;
• name and address of the manufacturer.

Each water meter has a personal number, which must be written on the meter and in documents. The first 2 digits indicate the year of manufacture, and the next 6 digits indicate the device number.

The main point in the passport is the note on the initial verification of the water meter. The date is indicated, as well as the name of the employee who carried it out. The procedure is confirmed by a seal. From the date of the first verification, the next date will be set.

ORDER A SERVICE FROM ACCREDITED COMPANIES

How much does it cost and where to order?

Payment for work to assess the accuracy of instrument readings depends on several reasons:

• depending on the type of the meter itself, it is indicated in the technical data sheet;
• on the degree of wear of the device, which affects the method of testing (with dismantling or at home);
• on the choice of the company performing the work (commercial organizations have higher prices for verification services).

The price range for verification services is significant. Prices also depend on the consumer’s region of residence.

In the case of a laboratory test, taking into account filter cleaning and correction of the internal structure of the device, a verification service on average can cost from 1,500 to 2,000 rubles , including work on dismantling the device and reinstalling it.

In state-owned companies, working from home on average usually costs 500 - 650 rubles. Commercial organizations may request more.

Reference! Usually, verification is carried out inexpensively by accredited government organizations from Vodokanal.

Even more information about the cost of verification and at whose expense it is carried out can be found here.

Is it possible?

The removable control method is a rather expensive method in terms of both time and financial resources.
An alternative is home testing, but not everyone is aware of this possibility.

In 1999, the regulatory document GOST 8.156 MI 1592-99 was adopted in the Register of Measuring Instruments for verification of water metering devices. Section No. 2 of this act states that periodic inspections can be carried out without dismantling, at home.

Such diagnostics are carried out by organizations involved in inspections based on a portable testing installation.
These can be both legal entities and individual entrepreneurs. Any delay is not grounds for refusal to perform a control test .
The user is given an additional 30 days to undergo testing of the device. The tariff for the use of water resources is calculated at this time according to the average readings for the previous six months. After a month, if the inspection of the device has not taken place again, the amount of the fee will be determined based on the round-the-clock operation of the throughput of the water pipe.

Is it possible to recalculate after completion of work?

If verification work is overdue, residents are transferred to pay for services according to the established standard. This is unprofitable for them, since payments increase by 1.5 - 2 times.

Due to untimely checking of meters, consumers often wonder whether they can hope to recalculate payments for water if, after verification, the correct operation of the device is established. Consequently, his readings were correct and can be taken into account in the calculations.

According to the law, the problem looks different, since a device that has not been verified on time is considered unfit for work, and if it is determined during a subsequent check that it is in good working order, this is not a basis for recalculating payments. If the consumer himself missed the inspection deadline, then he should not hope for compensation.

Attention! There are situations when the inspection was missed for reasons beyond the tenant’s control, or the reasons were valid. Then, through the court, you can obtain a refund of the overpaid funds.

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Features of verification of metering devices

The procedure for checking water flow meters appeared relatively recently, and only a small proportion of apartment owners with installed meters performed routine checks of the meters.

Many people will be diagnosing devices for the first time. In the process of assessing the accuracy of a water meter, controversial issues may arise.

Point No. 1 – verification or replacement

When checking devices at home, the technician cannot assess the condition of all parts subject to wear, especially in the SGV. Therefore, after assessing the accuracy of the water meter, it may not work for long or may not be allowed into operation at all.

In any case, money will have to be paid for the procedure, and if the device is faulty, the owner will have to spend money on installing a new flow meter. Therefore, consumers have doubts about the need for verification. Many people prefer to immediately replace meters and not pay for an examination.

This nuance was resolved at the federal level by amending GOST and technical regulations for the manufacture of water meters. Modern devices are made of wear-resistant materials and only 20% of them break down by the time of verification.

Thus, most individual water consumption metering devices last 10-14 years and are subject to double verification without changing the original characteristics. Therefore, metrology engineers recommend carrying out diagnostics rather than changing the device.

After verification and other interventions in the operation of the meter, it is required to be sealed. Payment by check will increase by approximately 500 rubles

Point No. 2 – fine for late payment

Attracting clients to check meters from unscrupulous companies can be expressed in sending a warning letter. Then a letter is placed in the consumer’s mailbox threatening to impose a fine.

Particularly suspicious owners of devices will certainly turn to the company that, using threats, imposed a verification service. The prices for services in such companies are often inflated. Such a threat is considered unauthorized due to the fact that no law provides for fines or any liability.

The only consequence of untimely checking of the meter is the calculation of the volume of water based on average values ​​in the region. But to save the family budget, it’s better not to delay verification

Point No. 3 – avoid overpayments

Tempting offers from companies about checking meters at a discount or about express checking meters at home, when a specialist needs 15 minutes to determine the serviceability of the devices, sometimes work.

A metrology engineer appears in an apartment without a license to provide services and carries out a metrological procedure. After the inspection, the necessary documents are issued, but the owners of the devices forget to ask for a copy of the title documents.

When contacting the water utility to register the date of verification, the owner will be refused, since the company that carried out the diagnostics has not been accredited for this type of service. In this case, the meter must be verified again.

Firms imposing services may recognize a working device as defective and offer its replacement, although in fact the old device gives accurate readings and can serve for several more years

Point No. 4 – choosing an organization

Consumers believe that water meters should be verified by the company that installs the devices. What if the company’s license has expired?

According to Resolution No. 354, any company that has state accreditation can carry out verification of individual water meters.

If the procedure was carried out by a third-party company, not by water utility specialists, then the documents are transferred to the resource supplier to extend the period of use of the device.

The owner of the apartment can choose a verification company based on his interests: favorable prices, terms of service, etc.

You will learn how to verify a gas meter without dismantling it and sending it to a laboratory in the following article, which describes in detail the process and order of work.

How many times can you do it?

Verification of meters cannot be carried out endlessly. We should not forget about their expiration date indicated in the passport.

Each water meter model has its own service life (for example, DHW water meters are often set at 10 years, and for cold water meters - 15 years).

For example, meters used for hot water tend to last less.

This is due to the peculiarities of their internal structure and the influence of high water temperatures, from which some parts lose their characteristics and become unsuitable for work.

Important! There is no point in checking a device that has reached the end of its service life and has exhausted its service life; it needs to be replaced completely.

You will have to replace not only a meter whose service life has expired according to its passport, but also if it is discovered to be unusable during the verification process. This can happen before the end of the deadline as a result of exposure to unfavorable factors: hard water, the presence of impurities in it, etc.

More information about the timing of verification can be found in this article.

Calculation of fees for a resource, taking into account the delay

If the consumer does not take care of checking the water meter in time, then if the period has expired, the device will be considered faulty.

If the procedure was not carried out on time, then the consumer will be charged utility bills for water over a 3-month period based on average monthly consumption . This rule is fixed in paragraphs. “a” clause 59 of the government decree of May 6, 2011 number 354.

If during the specified period the consumer does not take care of checking the flow meter, then after the period has expired, payment for water will be carried out according to the standard. In this case, a multiplying factor will be applied.