Why do you need a water meter verification and how to do it in 2021

Why do you need to check your water meter?

Metering devices help reduce water bills. The standards established for consumption without a meter are significantly overestimated.

But the meter may fail, its mechanism may break, and it will begin to record distorted data. Then someone will definitely lose: either the consumer (if the meter shows more than was actually used) or the utility service (if the device starts to reduce the data). It is precisely to prevent such situations from arising that verification exists.

Verification of water meters is a planned periodic procedure in which it is checked and officially confirmed that the device is working correctly.

The verification procedure is indicated by a stamp in the device passport. The passport is a mandatory document for each measuring device.

From September 24, 2021, the verification record has become digital: it is entered into the database of the Federal Information Fund for Ensuring the Uniformity of Measurements - the Arshin register.

Legislation governing the procedure:

1. Housing Code of the Russian Federation, in particular, Art. 157, which states that owners of residential premises must install meters.
2. Federal Law No. 102-FZ dated June 26, 2008 (verification law). It establishes the unity of all measuring instruments and the protection of the rights and interests of citizens from inaccurate measurements. In accordance with Art. 13 Federal Law No. 102-FZ dated June 26, 2008, devices must be periodically checked during their use. At the end of the verification interval, the meter must either be verified or replaced with a device with similar characteristics.
3. Rules for the provision of utility services to owners..., approved. Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated May 6, 2011 No. 354. They detail the procedure for calculating charges for water, the responsibility of the consumer to independently install the meter and check it.
4. From September 24, 2021, an important innovation is in effect. In accordance with Federal Law No. 496-FZ of December 27, 2019 “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On Ensuring the Uniformity of Measurements”, the certificate of verification of water, electricity, gas, and heat meters has become electronic.
5. Due to the coronavirus epidemic, by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated April 2, 2020 No. 424, changes were made to a number of regulations relating to the provision of utility services and the calculation of fees for their consumption. In particular, checking meters in 2021 until January 1, 2021 due to quarantine and self-isolation has ceased to be a mandatory procedure. The resolution prohibits the accrual of penalties and fines.

The most exciting questions about the new verification rules

The law on new rules for checking meters raises many questions from owners of metering devices. We have answered the most common ones we receive.

Which meters are affected by the new rules?

The new rules for checking gas, water and heat meters primarily concern the owner of a house, apartment or other premises, and responsibility for electricity meters lies with its supplier (from July 1, 2021). The ARSHIN system records data on all electricity meters.

At what time should the technician enter the verification results into the electronic system?

In accordance with the new rules for replacing and verifying meters, its results must be entered into the ARSHIN system within 60 calendar days from the date of the procedure. This period is established for cases when a large number of metering devices need to be subjected to the procedure.

The owner may require the master to make a record of the results on the spot, that is, in his presence. Before starting cooperation, it is worth clarifying whether this is possible. For conscientious companies this will not be a problem.

Should a master issue paper documents?

As mentioned above, a mark in the technical passport and a verification certificate are now optional. At the end of the procedure, the master must issue a certificate of work completed. It serves as a guarantee and evidence in possible disputes if the verification record is entered into the electronic system later.

How and where can I view the verification results?

All verification data is entered into the FSIS "ARSHIN" at fgis.gost.ru. You can log in using your account on the government services portal. On the website you need to go to the section “Information on the results of verification of measuring instruments”. By entering the serial number of the meter, it is easy to find the verification results.

When is it carried out and how to find out the calibration interval

For each water meter, the manufacturer sets its own official verification interval, after which such a device must be verified again.

The calibration interval for water meters is quite long, although much shorter than for electrical energy meters. The timing of verification of the water meter depends on the model.

Typically, hot water meters are checked once every 4 years, and cold water meters are checked once every 6 years. This is due to the different chemical composition of the resource, which affects equipment wear. But there are hot water appliances with 5- and 6-year intervals.

The verification date and its frequency for each device (inter-verification interval) are set separately by the manufacturer when carrying out certain tests and are prescribed in the passport for the device (Article 12 of the Federal Law of June 26, 2008 No. 102-FZ).

The passport of each water meter contains the following information:

• on the compliance of the metering device with the declared parameters;
• data on the date of initial testing;
• about the verification interval established for it;
• about operating conditions.

When purchasing a water meter, it is important to pay attention to the date of initial verification. That is, if you buy a meter with an expiring date and install it, you will still have to recheck it or replace it soon.

How inspectors will detect underfilling of gasoline

What percentage of gas stations make money by underfilling fuel?

Alexey Abramov: In 2021, 39 cases of “underfilling” at gas stations have already been identified - this is 19% of all gas stations we checked. And numerous complaints from citizens about “underfilling” of fuel continue to be received by Rosstandart and its territorial bodies in all regions - since the beginning of the year there are already more than two hundred. At the same time, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that we mainly carry out scheduled inspections, about which we notify the inspected organization by law. It is clear that, knowing about the inspection, the gas station can “prepare” for it using certain technical means and software. There are also unscheduled inspections, but they are carried out if a citizen files a complaint against a specific gas station and only with the consent of the Prosecutor General’s Office. Therefore, we have to admit that today our hands are tied in this part of supervision.

When will Rosstandart begin test purchases for underfilling of fuel?

Alexey Abramov: We are now at the stage of introducing a bill to the government that gives us this right. Another bill introducing turnover fines for underfilling has already been sent to the government, but the initiative will apparently be implemented a little differently - this approach is planned to be integrated into the new version of the Code of Administrative Offenses that is currently being prepared. Using the example of introducing such fines for counterfeit fuel, we see that discipline in the market is improving. If in 2015, violations of the quality characteristics of fuel were detected in more than 20% of cases, then with the introduction of “turnover” fines at the end of 2021 and 6 months of 2021, this figure is 8.8%. Of course, we need to continue this work, and as part of solving this problem, we are putting things in order at oil depots.

How to protect fuel dispensers from outside interference? This is primarily manipulation at the software level?

Alexey Abramov: Yes. The program can be configured so that a specific underfill percentage is set on any gun. Remember there was such a problem with the winning percentage in slot machines? It's the same here. The indicator will show you 30 liters, but in fact 29.7 liters got into the tank, and if it shows 60 liters - 59.4 liters and so on. This is not much, and the sensor in the tank will not even catch this difference.

If we arrive at a gas station in a car with the symbols of Rosstandart, we will see that the scheme is broken: we bought 20 liters, filled up with 20 liters. To see how things really are, there are two options - a secret shopper and an unexpected visit from inspectors, during which they offer to launch specific fuel dispensers and see how much fuel is actually dispensed.

Alexey Abramov: At every fifth gas station, underfilling of fuel was detected. Photo: Arkady Kolybalov.

At one time, periodic certification and independent evaluation were introduced for slot machine software, and the manipulations stopped. Here we will move in approximately the same direction. What will be tested is not a specific dispenser, but its operation as a measuring system, including in conjunction with the operator at the cash register. Today, when checking at a gas station, we are told: “Why are you going to the cashier? Test the column, and we will launch it as expected.” Only when the inspection is comprehensive and sudden will we be able to record “underfilling”.

We also plan to approve a new national standard in the first half of 2021 to replace the outdated 1989 GOST for fuel dispensers. The accuracy of measuring the amount of fuel supplied by him has a significant error, including depending on the ambient temperature. Also, the provisions of this GOST allow unscrupulous fuel sellers to use various devices and malicious software that allow them to “deceive” the flow meter. In addition, GOST does not fully regulate the safety of speakers.

As part of the development of the new standard, it is expected that fuel dispensers will be recognized as a measuring system subject to periodic verification as a whole, requirements will be introduced for software installed by the manufacturer, and requirements for methods for identifying unauthorized access, as well as for the safety of dispensers.

What will this look like technically?

Alexey Abramov: There are many tools for monitoring the integrity of digital systems, for example, electronic seals, which can be used to track whether someone has tampered with them or not.

It will not be a specific pump at a gas station that will be checked, but its operation in tandem with the operator at the cash register. Inspectors will “catch” underfilling by 1%

For the test purchase, just as in the case of an express fuel quality analyzer, there must also be a technical device so that this is not noticeable. Because as soon as someone comes with something similar to a sample measuring cup or even a canister, the cashier immediately becomes suspicious. And many gas stations, citing safety requirements, say: “No, we don’t fill containers for anyone.”

The “hidden” device that we are creating for use during control purchases must catch at least 1% of underfilling. It is difficult to catch less “in the field” - temperature, fuel expansion and measurement error affect.

How are underfill checks carried out now? Or do you not have any procedural tools for this?

Alexey Abramov: These are both scheduled inspections and unscheduled inspections based on citizens’ complaints, which must be agreed upon with the prosecutor’s office and about which the persons inspected are notified at least 24 hours in advance. We also work together with colleagues from law enforcement agencies. When they ask us, we help prove violations in terms of metrology. And we also provide them with information about the violators.

What happens after a person complains to the interterritorial department of Rosstandart about underfilling at a specific gas station?

Alexey Abramov: We can include this organization in a scheduled inspection or contact the Prosecutor General’s Office for approval of an unscheduled inspection. But there is little chance of catching violators by the hand when there is a “button” that turns off underfilling at the right moment.

So there’s really no point in complaining about underfilling now?

Alexey Abramov: On the contrary, there is. Firstly, it is important for us to know how often consumers experience underfilling. This is an argument in favor of both control purchases and substantial fines. Secondly, even just the arrival of inspectors at a gas station has a preventive, disciplinary effect. And the results of our work are already noticeable in terms of the quality of automobile fuel.

Is your water meter “cancelled”?

The responsibility to monitor the timing of verification of water meters and to look for a verification company is still assigned to apartment owners. Calls and leaflets in mailboxes call for urgent verification or replacement. Fraudsters threaten with charges based on the readings of a common house meter and administrative liability, etc. What you need to know to avoid becoming a victim of deception.

The inspection interval is indicated in the water meter passport and it begins from the date of verification of the device at the manufacturer, and not from the date of its commissioning. On average, the inspection interval for cold water meters is 6 years, for hot water meters - from 4 to 6 years.

If the device passport or certificate of previous verification is lost, you can contact the management company to find out about the next verification date. This information may also be contained on utility bills.

If, according to the documents, the warranty period of the meter has expired, this does not mean that it needs to be changed; it may be in good working order.

Please note that this water meter verification procedure takes at least 1.5 hours.

Carefully read the package of documents for signature that are offered after verification. This may be a work acceptance certificate and a verification certificate. The “Water Meter Maintenance Agreement” for the duration of the inspection interval is a “wake-up call.” No additional maintenance of the meters is required after verification.

What to do if verification is overdue

Due to quarantine and self-isolation, the authorities allowed no verification from 04/06/2020 to 01/01/2021. Follow the link for details about verification during coronavirus. If the verification interval ended at this time, and the meter did not pass the procedure, then it was still considered valid.

On January 1, 2021, the moratorium ended. Now, if the procedure is not completed, the device is considered faulty. For three months you will be paid according to your average readings, and then according to the standards, with an increasing factor.

Therefore, if verification is overdue, you must, without wasting time, call metrologists and go through the procedure.

What happens if you don't check

The consumer learns about the expiration of the verification interval from the receipt for water consumption, or from the passport of his device.

There will be no fines; they are not provided for by current legislation. But you will have to pay more for water. If you do not check the meter on time, the utility company supplying water will independently change the calculation scheme automatically. And it's legal. Reason - clause 59 of the Rules, approved. Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated May 6, 2011 No. 354.

If the calibration interval for cold and hot water meters expires, such a device is considered out of order. The meter's exit from the verification interval is equivalent to its absence.

The calculation in this case is carried out based on the average consumption for three months in this apartment. And after three months it is transferred to calculation according to the standard with an increasing factor of 1.5.

Often, conscientious companies inform their consumers that the calibration interval for individual metering devices will soon expire and charges will be made in a different way. Typically, they call, send flyers, or place this information on the back of the consumer's receipt.

However, this circumstance does not mean that the resource supply (management) company is obliged to monitor the expiration of the service life of water meters and inform its consumers about this. This is the right of such a company. But the consumer, by virtue of the law, is obliged to carry out timely verification of metering devices (clause 34, part “D” of the Rules, approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of May 6, 2011 No. 354).

The expiration of the verification interval will not affect water consumption, its quality and quantity. Only the fee for it will change, which, when calculated according to the standard, can be much higher than the fee for the resource calculated according to the readings of the meter.

That is, answering the question: is it necessary to carry out verification, we can say yes, if you don’t want to overpay.

Confusion: verification of which metering devices is still suspended

Clause 1 of the RF PP No. 424 suspended the validity of paragraphs until January 1. “d” clause 81(12) of the Russian Federation Regulations No. 354, according to which a metering device is considered to be out of order if the permissible error of the metering device readings and the calibration interval are exceeded.

And this is where the confusion arose. In the specified paragraph of resolution No. 354 we are talking about all metering devices, while in paragraph 81 of the same document it is written about PU in residential and non-residential premises. So for which meters are verifications suspended until the end of this year?

The answer to this question is given in the letter of Rosstandart No. AA-275/04, RosAccreditation No. NS-73 dated 04/21/2020. It clearly states that the provisions of clause 81(12) apply only to household meters.

Individual consumers of utility services can use all household metering devices, including those with an expired verification period, until January 1, 2021, without undergoing another procedure. Indications from such PUs will be accepted for calculating payment for consumed utilities. There will be no fines or penalties.

The departments also noted in the letter that upon receipt of an application for verification of household metering devices, legal entities and individual entrepreneurs performing such work must inform applicants - individuals that there is no need to carry out verification before January 1, 2021.

At the same time, the commissioning of metering devices has not been suspended. If a person has installed a household meter, the organization is obliged to come and put it into operation.

Incorrect transmission of IPU testimony: when the court is on the owner’s side
35849

1

What is more profitable - to believe or replace?

There is no clear answer.

To determine what is more profitable to do - replace or verify water meters - you need to analyze all the information.

Checking the water meter is simple, but there are some nuances:

1. Suitable for large cities or large settlements where there is at least some competition among accredited metrology companies. In small towns, due to the lack of competition, the cost of the study may be equal to or higher than the cost of purchasing and replacing the meter.
2. The check can be done with or without removing the device. If it is planned to hand over the device with dismantling, then the owner will face additional expenses:

• dismantling the water meter at your own expense;
• delivery of the device to metrologists, including travel costs and research fees, also at your own expense;
• installation of a water meter in place at your own expense if the results of the study are positive.

According to statistics, only less than half of the meters are tested for compliance with the information stated in the passport. The remaining metering devices are considered unsuitable for use because they distort the data. It turns out that their owners wasted their money on verification. True, now some (not all) meter verification companies do not take money from the consumer if the device turns out to be faulty during testing.

The replacement procedure follows almost the same scenario, starting from the moment of installation, but in a shorter time.

Everyone has the right to decide what is more profitable to do on their own. For residents of large settlements, verification is preferable, but before that you will need to check your water meter for:

• no damage or fogging;
• presence of all fillings;
• rotation of the star indicator when opening a water tap.

Procedure for the apartment owner

The procedure is as follows:

1. Choosing a company that provides services. Studying the company's permitting documentation and checking accreditation for testing water meters.
2. A specialist with equipment comes to your home and carries out the procedure (if verification is not carried out). Or he dismantles the meter, checks it and returns it after a while.
3. The metrologist enters data about the meter into the Arshin federal register. By law, he is required to make an electronic recording within 60 days. But we advise you to play it safe and also get a paper certificate.
4. This document is presented to the resource supply (management) company. Without an electronic record, it has no legal force, but will help you avoid sanctions until the metrologist enters all the data into the register.

Choosing an organization

Choosing an organization that should check water meters is not so easy. You can run into scammers. The following recommendations should be followed:

1. Study the period of the company’s operation in the services market.
2. Check it on the website of the Russian Accreditation Agency. Follow the link for more information on how to choose a verification company.
3. Monitor the adequacy of prices.
4. Study reviews about the company.
5. Apply for verification of your water meter.

Without removal and with removal

There are two ways to verify water meters:

1. No dismantling.
2. With dismantling.

If the water meter is checked at home without removal, the technician comes to your home with special equipment.

1. The hot or cold water tap opens, depending on which water meter is worth checking.
2. The testing unit is connected to the tap using a flexible hose.
3. The reading on the meter is set.
4. The error is calculated. The verification procedure is carried out several times to determine the average error.
5. A document confirming the completed test is drawn up.
6. New papers are presented to the resource supply company.

Verification with removal is longer and requires dismantling the water meter, which can be tested for several weeks in the service center, and the procedure is as follows:

1. Dismantling the meter at your own expense (call a plumber).
2. Shutting off the water for a while and laying a temporary flexible pipeline. The calculation for this time will be based on the average consumption.
3. Delivery of the device to metrologists, including travel expenses.
4. Payment for the study.
5. Waiting for several days.
6. A trip to collect the metering device and the results.
7. Installation of the water meter in place if the results of the study are positive.
8. Calling representatives of the resource supply company to accept the meter, check the readings and seal it.

Price

Services for checking water meters are paid. Current legislation does not define either the minimum or maximum amount that a consumer will have to pay for a water meter study.

Typically, checking a water meter without removing it costs from 500 rubles.

When testing with dismantling, you need to be prepared for additional expenses:

• plumbing services for dismantling and installation;
• delivery of the metering device;
• payment for water meter testing.

What to do after receiving the act

After verification, the consumer will be issued the following documents:

1. Contract for services.
2. Certificate of completion.
3. A paper certificate (this is an optional document, but we recommend requiring it to be on the safe side).

Documents should be submitted to the resource supplying organization (management company).

Is it necessary to install meters?

The mandatory installation of meters is enshrined in Federal Law No. 261-FZ dated November 23, 2009. Simultaneously with the entry into force of this act, changes were made to the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. In Art. 9.16, fines were added for persons responsible for the maintenance of apartment buildings in terms of non-compliance with the requirements for the installation of measuring instruments for the energy resources used. This does not mean ordinary homeowners, but management companies.

Clause 1 of Art. 13 in Federal Law No. 261-FZ establishes that all energy resources, including water, must be taken into account using special measuring instruments.

Paragraph 2 of the same law states that payment for energy resources should be made based on the data obtained by such measuring instruments.

These same conclusions are contained in Chapter VII of the Rules approved by the RF Government No. 354. At the same time, the norms of this document establish the mandatory commissioning of metering devices and this must be done no later than one month from the date of installation of the metering device. These requirements also apply to water meters installed on central water supply networks.

The general rules for installing water meters and putting them into operation are as follows:

1. The water meter, like any other meter, must be put into operation. This must be done no later than one month from the date of its installation by submitting an application and the following documents:

• the application must contain: applicant data;
• type and location of installation of the water meter;
• data of the organization that installed it;
• actual readings on the date of installation;
• date of the next meter verification;

1. After the water meter is put into operation, payments for wasted water, starting from the next month, will be based on its readings.

The fact that it is impossible to install metering devices must be recorded in an appropriate act. The form of this document, as well as the procedure, are determined by the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of the Russian Federation.

Moreover, if the apartment owner does not install the meter, there will be no fines. But you will have to pay for water according to standards (which are initially too high) with an increasing factor. That is, the consumer will greatly overpay.

Electronic certificate

From September 24, 2021, the record of verification of water meters has become electronic. The metrologist inspector makes a note about verification on the website of the Federal Information Foundation for Ensuring the Uniformity of Measurements. It will be possible to track it online on the Arshin website and through the State Services portal at any time.

It was assumed that digital recording would simplify the procedure and free the consumer from the obligation to transfer documents to utility companies. The management company itself will take the data from the Arshina website. But the way this is implemented, to put it mildly, raises questions. The system has not yet been debugged. Not all management companies received access to the data.

According to the rules, a metrologist has the right to enter data into the register not immediately, but within two months.

And so that the consumer does not face sanctions during this time, the owners still have to receive a paper document and personally deliver it to the resource supplier.

What do the new rules give to owners of metering devices?

If before September 24, 2021, it was enough for the master to make a mark in the technical passport of the device and leave the owner with a verification certificate (documents are provided to the management company), then from this date it became necessary to make an entry in the electronic system - FSIS "ARSHIN". Without this, the results of metrological work will be invalid.

Marks in the technical passport and verification certificates have become optional and are issued at the request of the owner of the devices. Documents issued before September 24, 2021 remain valid until the next scheduled verification and do not require additional measures.

Simplification of the verification procedure

The establishment of new rules for verifying household meters is one of the steps to introduce digital technologies, which are designed to reduce the number of paper documents and reduce the number of actions to record results. Settlement centers will independently track information, so owners will not have to submit documentation to the management company.

As part of digitalization, the state plans that in the future all management companies will switch to such a work pattern. But today not all management companies are ready for this. Therefore, before calling a specialist, you need to check with your management company whether they need paper certificates and a mark in the registration certificate.

Consolidation of information on metering devices

The introduction of new rules for checking meters in Russia made it possible to create a single source of complete and accurate information and combine it in one place. Before purchasing, you can look at the ARSHIN system website and study the list of approved models, as well as enter the serial number of the selected device. This allows you to verify that the electricity meter offered in the advertisement is approved for use.

Increased protection against fraudsters

In the ARSHIN information system, it is possible to access not only metering devices, but also the company that will presumably be entrusted with the metrological check. If she is registered on the portal, then you can cooperate with her without fear.

Before the introduction of new rules for checking meters, fraudsters had many opportunities to deceive the population. Leaflets with proposals for checking metering devices were often placed in mailboxes, notices were hung on the walls of entrances, and some people did not even hesitate to personally call the apartments of gullible citizens and scare them with non-existent laws.

When is early verification necessary?

Premature verification of metering devices may be necessary:

1. If the water meter readings increase sharply. In this case, the research process is initiated by the consumer. After all, he is not interested in paying for an extra utility resource.
2. If, with the same number of residents, the flow rate has sharply decreased, according to the water meter data. In this case, the resource supply (management) company will insist on conducting research.

So, checking water meters is an event to check the device.
It can only be carried out by an accredited organization on a paid basis. Documents are provided to the resource supply (management) company to charge fees for the utility resource based on its readings. Useful article? Rate and share with friends!