Meter safety

Always keep the area around your meter clear. It helps protect it from being damaged and allows crews to reach it safely at all times. From keeping it clear of snow and ice to safe planting in the spring, it’s important to give your meter room to work.

What should you do if your meter is damaged?

A meter can be damaged by almost any type of impact. If it’s located near your driveway, be careful not to bump it with a garbage bin or vehicle. In the winter, make sure not to hit the meter when shoveling snow.

If your meter is damaged in any way, contact us. We’re here to help.

Call FortisBC’s gas emergency line right away at 1-800-663-9911 (24 hours) to report damage.

FortisBC electricity customers should call 1-866-436-7847 (24 hours) to report damage.

How can you keep your meter accessible?

Give your meter room to work by keeping a clear path to it at all times. Don’t block it with stored items like boxes or garbage bins, built-up snow or plants. Don’t build anything around or over a meter or pipes, like a shed or deck. Building too close to a meter can be a safety hazard and prevent our crews from completing meter exchanges or maintenance, or during an emergency.

Seasonal meter maintenance

How you keep the area around your meter can change depending on the time of year and where you live. You want to protect not only the meter but also the shut-off valve and surrounding pipes.

  • Keep the area around your meter clear of plants, bushes and landscaping.
  • Don’t tie or hang anything on a meter, like clotheslines, ropes, leashes or hoses.
  • Don’t store or lean things against a meter, like bikes or garbage bins. 
  • If your meter is in a driveway or parking area, put up posts to protect it from cars.
  • Don’t build anything around or over a meter or gas pipes, like a shed or deck.
  • Make sure the gas meter shut-off valve, which is next to the meter, isn’t covered with dirt or buried.
  • If you’re adding windows, doors or vents to your building, make sure they’re not too close to the gas meter. For more information, call us at 1-888-224-2710 or talk to a licensed gas contractor.
  • Remove built-up snow from meters by hand. Make sure the regulator and shut-off valve on your gas meter are not covered.
  • Never kick or hit a meter to break ice or snow. If ice builds up on a meter or regulator, call us at 1-888-224-2710 and we’ll remove the ice for you.
  • Don’t use a snowplow or blower near a meter.
  • Keep a clear path to each meter—don’t shovel snow onto it.
  • If your meter is being upgraded to an advanced meter, we’ll book an appointment to help minimize any interruption to your heating during colder months. In most cases, the technician will need to shut off your gas service to safely complete the exchange. If you're home at the time, they’ll relight your appliances once the work is done. If you’re not home, they’ll leave information about who to contact to have your appliances relit.

What is an overbuild hazard?

An overbuild hazard is when third-party construction impacts gas meters or service lines. If we identify an overbuild hazard, we may need to visit your property to clear the hazard. We may also need to replace your meter if it no longer complies with current safety standards. If work is required, we’ll contact you directly.

What should you do before planning a tear down?

Gas and/or electricity service must be disconnected before any demolition work begins. This is important for your safety and that of workers, contractors and the public. If you’re planning to demolish a house or building, contact us first to request removal of gas service or disconnection of electricity service.

What should you do if your gas has been shut off?

DON’T try to turn it back on. Only a FortisBC technician or licensed gas contractor can turn the gas back on safely. Call FortisBC (1-888-224-2710) or a Technical Safety BC licensed gas contractor to restore gas service at the meter.

Frequently asked questions

Keep an area of three feet (one metre) in any direction of your meter clear from debris, snow, structures and landscaping. The more space, the better.

Yes. Always keep the area round a meter clear of plants, shrubbery and landscaping. Before you plan to dig, remember to always click or call BC 1 Call first to find out the location of buried gas service lines and other utilities.

Ice doesn’t necessarily damage your meter but it can stop it from functioning properly. Never kick or hit a meter to break ice or snow. If ice builds up on a meter or regulator, call us 1-888-224-2710 and we’ll remove the ice for you.

You should contact FortisBC if:

  • you are starting a construction project close to your meter
  • your gas has been shut off
  • there is ice built up on your meter
  • your meter is damaged

If you experience any of these or have any concerns at all, we’re here to help. Call us at:

  • Gas: 1-888-224-2710
  • Electricity: 1-866-436-7847

For emergencies, call:

  • Gas: 1-800-663-9911 (24 hours)
  • Electricity: 1-866-436-7847 (24 hours)

Tip: Always click or call before you dig to find out where gas lines and other buried utilities are. Dig carefully by hand near your meter and/or gas line. If you damage this equipment, you may be responsible for the cost of repairs.