Excess Flow Valves (EFVs) are mechanical shut-off devices that can be installed in the natural gas pipe running to the gas meter at your property (the “service line”). An EFV is designed to shut off most of the flow of natural gas automatically if the service line breaks, for example, due to an excavation accident. Stopping the flow of gas from a broken service line significantly reduces the risk of natural gas fire, explosion, personal injury and/or property damage.
Pursuant to new federal regulations, you may now request that the City of Sugar Hill Gas Department install an excess flow valve on the service line to your property.
If an EFV can be installed on your service line and you choose to have this done, we will set up a mutually agreeable date when we will install an EFV on your service line.
You will be billed $1,000 to cover the cost of installing the EFV.
If it becomes necessary to maintain or replace the EFV on your service line you will be billed for this cost. Maintenance and or replacement of an EFV can range in cost from $500-$1,000, but the actual replacement cost will depend on the difficulty of replacement.
EFV replacement may be necessary if you add additional gas appliances, such as a pool heater or emergency generator that exceeds the capacity of the EFV. EFV replacement may also be necessary if the EFV malfunctions (sticks open or closed). Industry experience is that EFVs rarely malfunction.
EFVs cannot be installed on some service lines due to high gas flow, low pressure or other factors. EFVs are not designed to close if a leak occurs beyond the gas meter (on house piping or appliances). EFVs also may not close if the leak on the service line is small. And, if you add additional gas appliances, for example, a pool heater, emergency generator, etc., the additional gas flow may cause the EFV to close.