Where to apply to seal water meters in 2022

Where should I go to get my water meters sealed? This question may well be asked by those consumers who have just installed a metering device, but not all: if the work is carried out by specialists from specialized companies, then this procedure is carried out in conjunction with the installation of devices. And in all other cases, the issues of sealing the meter will have to be resolved independently, but not literally with your own hands, but with the involvement of representatives of resource suppliers, managers and other utility organizations that have the authority to carry out such work.

It is important to note that the question of where to go to seal water meters is difficult due to the fact that consumers do not often encounter this situation, and in addition, certain changes are constantly taking place in the legislative sphere. Therefore, users show excessive anxiety, which, however, is completely justified, since it is the sealing of the meter that allows the device to be put into operation, which means its readings can be used to calculate amounts for paying for the resource received.

Is it necessary to seal water meters?

Installing a water meter in an apartment involves sealing it. The procedure is mandatory, since fixing the seal on the meter means putting it into operation. Without a seal and a written report, readings cannot be read from the device. All data on it will be invalid, and payments for hot water supply and hot water supply will be calculated according to the standards.

The seal prevents unauthorized intervention in the metering unit circuit

Law's point of view

However, the regulatory regulation on sealing electric meters does not end there, because there are several other laws that are related to it. Of the most important, it is worth highlighting the following:

1. The tenant's obligation to provide the entire premises with all electricity meters and devices. If there are none or they are broken, replace them.
2. The meter should be launched less than a month after its installation.
3. Tampering with seals: filming, breaking or tearing is prohibited.
4. All seals must be appropriately marked by the organization that installed them.

If the seal is removed or broken, then all transmitted readings are a priori considered incorrect. This entails legal consequences for the apartment owner. What is the fine: up to 300,000 rubles. — individuals; up to 500,000 - legal. The payment deadline varies from person to person.

Which persons can legally place a filling?

Officially, only people who are employees of the energy company that supplies electricity to the house are authorized to seal the electricity meter. Anyone who seals electricity meters in apartments always has an employee ID of their company. You can find out the name of the supplier from the housing company or look at the name of the organization that sends electricity bills.

Contacting a network organization can be done in all ways available to them, which often include either calling directly to submit an application, or filing it through email or government services. Therefore, there is no point in thinking about how to seal all the electricity meters in a building or apartment, because the procedure is identical everywhere and is performed by another person.

When is it necessary to seal water meters?

Metering devices must be sealed in the following cases:

• the flow meter is installed for the first time;
• the old meter is replaced with a new one (reinstallation);
• the seal was broken from the water meter;
• The meter broke down and was repaired.

Sealing of meters is also necessary in case of mechanical damage. If the meter transmits readings with a large error, it may require repair or replacement. The water meter is removed from the pipe, the integrity of the old seal is broken. After repair or replacement, the device needs to install a new seal.

Re-sealing of water meters is carried out within one month after their installation. The requirement is contained in paragraph 81 of the Government Decree of May 6, 2011, number 354.

Indications for sealing

Sealing of water meters is carried out in the following cases:

• when installing a new device . When an owner purchases a new water meter, a seal must be installed after its installation;
• in case of breakdown or replacement. If the meter in the apartment breaks down or its service life has expired, then it is necessary to change and seal the device;
• during repair work . When a pipeline is replaced, requiring the installation of new pipes, the old seal is removed. After completing the plumbing manipulations, the water meter must be sealed;
• in case of accident . If an accident occurs in public utilities, the elimination of which requires dismantling the meter, then after completion of the work, it is necessary to install the water meter in place and seal it;
• if the integrity of the installed seal is violated . If the seal breaks due to careless actions of the owner or unauthorized persons, then a new protection must be installed.

If a person has purchased a home with water meters installed in it, then there is no need to replace or reseal them.

When a person buys a secondary home that already has water meters, he should inquire about the manipulations carried out with water meters. If the previous owner did not provide the relevant documents that confirm the fact of sealing, then the new owner needs to repeat the procedure.

In addition, the lack of passports for devices can lead to many problems. For example, a specialist who comes to install a seal on a water meter has the right to refuse this procedure due to the lack of passports for the device. Does the document need to be restored? Of course yes.

ATTENTION! If the papers are available, the owner will be provided with all services in full

Who seals water meters in apartments

The management company on whose balance sheet the house is listed can put seals on the meters. If the house is not maintained by a management company, but is managed by the HOA, then you should contact them there. Sealing of water meters is carried out within the framework of an agreement concluded by all participants of this HOA. The local housing office can also put seals on metering devices.

The consumer cannot seal the water meter independently. This can only be done by authorized organizations with the appropriate license.

In case of first installation and replacement

This event is carried out by qualified specialists of the management company that maintains the house. Often, calling an employee takes a long time. Since there is only one specialist, but there are many applications. Therefore, contacting a commercial institution becomes a way out of the situation.

When choosing an organization, you need to inquire about whether they have the appropriate license. To call a specialist, you need to write a paper that includes the following data, which must be indicated:

1. information about the owner of the premises where the water meter is located;
2. the root cause of the meter sealing procedure;
3. information about the counter;
4. information that indicates the installation of a water meter;
5. date of the next meter check.

There are no regulated standards for writing paper; everything is done in free form. However, you should adhere to a business style of writing. A copy of the passport for the water meter must be attached to the completed paper. The collected documents can be sent by registered mail or brought in person to the institution.

How to properly seal water meters

Sealing of metering devices is carried out according to the following scheme:

1. An application for sealing is written. The document is written to the management company, housing office or homeowners association, depending on whose balance sheet the house is located on.
2. Representatives of the management company review the consumer’s application and propose a time when a specialist will be sent to him to install seals on water meters.
3. A representative of the management company checks the condition of the metering device for any malfunctions. If the meter is working properly, then it is sealed by fixing special magnetic terminals.
4. After sealing, the representative of the management company draws up an admission certificate. It must be signed by a representative of the management company and the consumer. The document is made in two copies. One of them remains with the consumer.
5. The management company transfers the second copy of the water meter sealing act to the settlement center. This must be done within a month from the day the document was signed. Within a month, the meter is registered, after which payments for water supply services begin.

The procedure for sealing water meters is similar both during the initial installation of a seal on them and when replacing it.

When first installed

If it is necessary to fix a seal on the flow meter for the first time, the consumer must submit an application to the Criminal Code. According to the requirements of clause 81 of Government Decree No. 354, it must contain the following information:

• first name, patronymic and last name of the consumer, his passport details, residential address;
• the date when the consumer asks to put his meter into operation;
• number and type of flow meter, location of its fixation;
• information about the organization that installed the water meter;
• water meter readings on the day of application;
• date when the next flowmeter verification is expected;
• contact number;
• signature with date.

A passport for the water meter must also be attached to the application. It is issued separately for cold water and hot water meters when signing the act of transfer of housing in a new building by a representative of the construction company. If the apartment was purchased by the consumer from previous residents, then all passports for water meters should be taken from them upon transfer of the apartment. Below is a sample application for sealing water meters.

Sample application to the management company

If the application is written on behalf of an organization, then it must indicate the following contact information:

• Name of the organization;
• place of its registration;
• work phone.

The document must be accompanied by a certificate of state registration of the organization if it was registered before 01/01/2017. Companies registered after this date attach an extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities.

To seal water meters, many management companies simply need to submit an application. It is enough to call the management company, provide your full name, contact phone number and address of the apartment where you want to install a seal on the flow meters.

Based on the results of sealing, an admission certificate is drawn up. It contains the following information:

• date, place and time of drawing up the document;
• Full name of the representative of the management company who drew up the act;
• Full name of the consumer, address of his apartment, telephone number;
• numbers of water meters, their types, seal number, initial readings and installation location;
• date of subsequent verification of water meters.

The act must bear the signatures of a representative of the management company and the consumer.

An example of a certificate of approval of a metering device for operation

When replacing

To replace the seal on the meter, you also need to contact the management company, homeowners association or housing office. It is necessary to change the seal when it is damaged and when repairing or replacing the water meter itself. This must be done as soon as possible. Consumers are prohibited from removing seals from metering devices themselves. This amounts to deliberately disrupting them.

It is necessary to submit an application to the Criminal Code, additionally indicating the reason why the device is required to be re-sealed. If it is necessary to replace a previously installed seal, then it is necessary to attach to the application a document confirming that the flow meter has passed the previous verification.

Unsealing the meter yourself is prohibited. Only a management specialist has the right to do this. He comes to the consumer’s apartment on the agreed day, inspects the device and records in the report the reason for its unsealing. First, the specialist must unseal the old seal, remove it, and then install a new one.

The specialist must then perform the following actions:

1. Remove the seal that needs to be replaced. If the flow meter itself needs to be replaced, then it itself is removed along with the seal. Previously, the available readings are taken from him. They are then recorded in the admission certificate.
2. Install a new seal on the water meter. Or completely replace the meter along with the seal.
3. Draw up an approval certificate indicating that the water meters have been re-sealed.

Within 30 days, the management specialist sends the certificate of admission of the new flow meter to the settlement center, signed by him and the consumer. In the future, payments for cold water and hot water begin to be made using a new meter, taking into account the transmitted readings from the old water meter.

Necessity of the procedure

Installing liquid consumption metering devices provides some advantages. The most compelling argument is that payment will be made exclusively for the volume of water used. Those owners who do not have water meters pay for water according to the average.

The specified data consists of several indicators: housing area, number of residents.

Most often, apartment residents overpay about 400 rubles monthly. Accordingly, a decent amount accrues in a year. Because of this, installing water consumption meters is a useful and necessary action. Until 2012, this procedure was voluntary.

However, on July 1, everything changed. Installation of water meters is a mandatory procedure. The water meter must be sealed in a timely manner.

It is important to understand that it is not the meter itself that is subject to sealing, but the place where it is fixed to the water supply. A properly placed seal does not interfere with the operation of the meter. You can also easily shut off the water supply if necessary. But you won't be able to change the readings.

How much does it cost to seal a water meter?

Whether this procedure is carried out for a fee or free of charge is indicated in Government Resolution No. 354. Clause 81(9) directly states that water meters are put into operation without charging any fees. Clause 81(14) contains clarification regarding the installation of seals on flow meters. It says that sealing of metering devices both during their initial installation and during replacement and repair is free. The same rule applies to sealing water meters.

In paragraph 5 of Art. 20 of the Law dated December 7, 2011, number 416-FZ, also states that no fee is charged for sealing hot and cold water meters.

At the same time, the law specifies cases when consumers have to pay for sealing of water meters. This applies to cases where the consumer or other persons have torn the seal from the metering device. In this case, the management company fixes a new seal on the flow meter and charges the consumer a fee for this service. The cost of re-sealing water meters is set by each company independently. On average, the range fluctuates around 300-2000 rubles for one water meter. The number of meters on which seals need to be installed plays a role.

Payment required

The legislation provides for situations in which the sealing of water meters is paid for by consumers, these include:

1. Failure to notify the service provider about failure of the control device in a timely manner.
2. Equipment dismantling and re-installation carried out without the presence of the service provider.
3. Violation of seals or verification marks by the consumer or third parties.

In addition, the consumer is obliged to provide access to the contractor to check the device at least once every six months. The official checks the correct operation of the device, as well as signs of unauthorized interference in the operation of the measuring equipment. These signs include:

• lack of presence and safety of seals;
• mechanical damage to the device, violation of its integrity;
• the presence of holes not provided by the manufacturer;
• tight fit of the device glass to the working panel;
• availability of free access to the elements of the meter, allowing interference with its operation.

If the above signs are detected or the contractor is not given the opportunity to carry out an inspection, then a report is drawn up and payment for the services provided is recalculated from the date of detection of unauthorized intervention or for the last three months, in the event that a specialist is not admitted to the inspection or is not notified of the malfunction.

What to do if you are denied free sealing

If the management company refuses to seal the meter for free without reason, then the consumer can complain about it to a number of institutions, including:

• housing inspection;
• prosecutor's office;
• municipality;
• Rospotrebnadzor.

The refusal to seal water meters free of charge must be reported to the management of the management company or homeowners association. If it does not respond properly to the complaint, it is recommended to contact the authorities listed above. In all cases, a written complaint is sent. It indicates the person applying with his contact information. The complaint also states the reason for the management company’s refusal to seal the water meter free of charge.

Clause 81(2) of Government Resolution No. 354 states that if the owner of a flow meter applied for its sealing, but on the agreed day the management specialist did not install the seal and did not appoint another day, then the meter will be considered delivered and sealed with the day when its owner sent an application to the Criminal Code.

Where to go and what is needed to seal water meters?

Sealing is carried out only by specialized organizations that have the right to carry out this activity. The homeowner must write an application to the management company or the organization providing the service for sealing. A photocopy of the technical documentation for the devices is attached to the application.

Before sealing and registration, a specialist checks the device and checks its correct installation. In some cases, the invited person independently installs the meters. The owner must provide access to the installation site of measuring instruments and technical documentation for them.

Based on technical passports and inspection, a commissioning report is drawn up. The act contains information about old and new water measuring devices.

Organization carrying out sealing:

• must have a license for this type of work;
• must repair meters in case of breakdown;
• must prepare documents for all types of work performed.

From the moment of commissioning, payment is made for the resource consumed according to the provided indicators.

Responsibility for the absence or failure of a seal

If the flow meter is not sealed, then its owner pays for cold and hot water according to the standard. In the future, the settlement center may recalculate for the service and charge an additional fee if seals are installed on the water meter. For an unsealed meter, the consumer faces a fine. It is established according to the Administrative Code.

For breaking the seal, liability is also provided for under Art. 19.2 Code of Administrative Offences. For this action, the consumer may be issued a warning. Also, breaking the seal may result in a fine. Its size ranges from 100-300 rubles.

In some cases, the consumer may face more serious liability. Intentional damage to the sealing device on the flow meter may be considered petty theft. Then the consumer is fined up to 5 times the value of the property (water) that was stolen by him due to the fact that there is no seal on the meter.

approximate cost

• In Barnaul they will charge 500-600 rubles .
• In Severodvinsk, sealing a product will cost 590 rubles .
• In Ussuriysk you will need to pay 630 rubles .
• Secondary installation of a filling in Moscow and the region varies from 400 to 800 rubles .
• In the Leningrad region, the tariff varies between 300-600 rubles .

What will happen if the inspectors are not allowed in?

Vodokanal and the management company have the right to check flow meters in apartments for the presence of seals. They are obliged to notify apartment owners about this in advance. This must be done two weeks before the inspection date. On the agreed day, the owner must allow inspectors into the home or notify them in advance of their absence from the apartment on the agreed day.

The main consequence of not admitting inspectors is the subsequent recalculation of water supply services. Payments for hot water supply and hot water supply will be charged according to the standard. This will happen until the owner of the apartment provides access to inspectors to check the condition of the seals on water meters.

Tips for purchasing and registering water meters

mechanical apartment meter.

All devices intended for metering water consumption must have a certificate of conformity. If they entered the retail chain, certification has been passed

You should not focus on this, since after installation and sealing, the company that carried out all the work will be responsible for the devices

The exception is cases when users break meters due to negligence

Devices for metering hot and cold water differ in design. It is difficult to make a mistake when purchasing - the meter for cold water is marked with a blue stripe, for hot water - with a red stripe. If you buy and install two devices with a red stripe, nothing will happen except that the purchase will be more expensive. But it is not allowed to put a device with a blue stripe on hot water. The inspector simply will not allow it to be used.

Before purchasing, you must make sure that the devices are fully equipped. Together with the meters, connectors with nipples, a filter, a check valve and nuts with gaskets are sold. In markets, meters are sometimes sold separately, and components are sold separately. Therefore, to purchase such important devices, it is better to choose a specialized retail outlet.

As for the stopcock, it must have an eyelet for a seal. If it is not there, it will not be possible to seal the knot. Without an eyelet, you can turn off the water tap, disconnect a section of pipe and draw as much water as you want with zero consumption. Both a metal and metal-plastic stopcock are suitable for the meter. Experts recommend simultaneously purchasing and installing an additional faucet on the toilet cistern to ensure the ability to use it during renovations in the bathroom or kitchen.

A very important point is passports for meters. You should not buy devices for which a passport printed at the printing house is not provided (a photocopy is not suitable)

In addition, it is important that the serial number on the device matches the serial number indicated in the documents

When installing meters, some problems may also arise:

• the taps that shut off the water supply to the apartment are out of order;
• it is impossible to get into the plumbing closet;
• the pipelines have reached the end of their service life.

To solve the first problem, you need to order taps from the company that will install the devices and turn off the water during the work. The problem with the cabinet is also most often solved by a specialist who arrives to install the meters. And the old pipeline is best replaced (at least partially).

To register meters, you need to submit an application and information about the owner of the living space: full name, passport details and contact numbers. If the devices are installed at an enterprise or organization, then you need to indicate the name, state registration address and contacts. In the application it is also advisable to indicate the desired timing of filling. It is also necessary to make copies of device passports in advance. If for some reason it is impossible to carry out the work within the specified time frame, the service company must agree with the customer on a new date, but no later than 15 days after submitting the application.

A country house may also have a central water supply. There, too, it is best to install a cold water meter. If there is hot water, it comes from the boiler or boiler. When installing the device outside the city, it should be taken into account that it can only be installed in a room in which during the cold season the air temperature is not lower than +5°C. Otherwise, insulation of pipes, the meter and the room itself will be required. The second option is to install a special camera for the counter

The second important requirement relates to lighting. It must be sufficient to allow maintenance and readings from the device.

Who can avoid installing water meters?

In some cases, owners of apartments and houses do not have to install water meters. This applies to those dwellings where there is no technical capacity to install metering devices. If the house requires redevelopment to install flow meters, then they may not be installed in it.

Also, fixing water meters is not necessary in emergency buildings, since they are subject to resettlement. There is no need to install devices in houses with dilapidated pipelines. You can refuse to fix water meters in houses with complex pipe designs. In such cases, it is not possible to properly install a seal on the device, since this may compromise the integrity of the plumbing system.

Choosing a reliable and professional contractor.

For most citizens, one of the first questions is how to seal a water meter and where to go if necessary.

It is important to note that the sealing of water meters is delegated to specially accredited companies that:

1. Granted permission to perform technological metrological work.
2. They have specialized equipment.
3. Mandatory availability of warranty and after-sales service, a wide range of services in plumbing and troubleshooting and carrying out current and major repairs, replacement and installation of consumption metering units.
4. Provide a complete package of documents for completed work.
5. Guarantee the proper fulfillment of their obligations.

Before deciding where to seal the water meters, you should take an individual approach to finding a contractor and pay attention to the duration of the company’s work or its rating among all participants in the modern plumbing market

Types of fillings

Power engineers can use various types of seals in their work.

Lead seals

This type is used most often. A special wire is threaded into the unit to be sealed, and a lead seal is attached to it, pressing it with a numbered sealer.

Plastic number seals

Such seals have an individual number, so the electricity supplier keeps strict records. The seal is closed on a rotor system; it is impossible to open such a seal unnoticed; if you try, the special latch will be broken.

Seals clamps

These fillings are rarely used. This seal looks like a plastic clamp. The tip of the clamp is threaded into the bracket, in which it can only move in one direction. The seal can only be opened by breaking the clamp.

Sealing stickers

These are brightly colored stickers with the words “sealed, do not open.” If you remove this sticker, the inscription “tamper attempt” will appear on the seal.

Who should seal the water meter?

To seal a meter, you need a license; you must contact the following organizations:

1. Management company or homeowners association. When charging for the supplied water resources, it is these structures that carry out the sealing. Exceptions are situations where the owners of an apartment building or cooperative at a general meeting agreed on direct interaction with the supplying organization.
2. MUP "Vodokanal" or MUP "Water Supply Service" (depending on the region). If the company acts as a resource supplier, then it is the company that is responsible for resealing.

In accordance with clause 81(8) of the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 354, the installation of seals is carried out by a representative of the utility service provider who has access. In some regions, the presence of an employee of the resource supply organization is also required.

Documents defining the sealing procedure

This is Federal Law No. 416, which came into force in 2013. It is called “On water supply and sanitation.” Government Resolution No. 167 is also used, which defines the rules for the use of water supply and sanitation.

The rules for the provision of public services are also presented in Law No. 354 of 05/06/2011.

Unfortunately, some management companies order an inspection of them before installing new water meters, which is carried out for a fee. In doing so, they are guided by paragraph 41 of Decree No. 167, according to which the device must be checked before being put into operation. As a result, installing a device and a seal on it leads to significant expenses; the cost of sealing differs in different regions.

These legislative acts put forward different requirements for the procedure for installing a seal, but it is important for the consumer to know whether they need to pay for the service. The main document is Federal Law No. 416, which prohibits charging for fillings

If the Criminal Code puts seals only after a paid inspection of the device, you can file an application with the court. In most cases, attempts by utility organizations to extract payments from consumers for unnecessary services are stopped by the court.

Procedure

Process diagram:

1. A water meter is purchased and installed. Self-installation is allowed provided all the details are followed.
2. An application for re-sealing is submitted. It is advisable to indicate the expected installation date.
3. An invited employee will check the correct installation of the meter and documentation.
4. The device must be sealed with a special plastic element or a lead seal. It is imperative that the wire passes through the holes of the two screw-on nuts.
5. An act is drawn up. The document indicates the date, full name and address of the subscriber, the name and position of the representative, the purpose of the survey, installation location, number, verification date, service life, cubic capacity of the water meter, seals for meters. If there is an old device, its parameters are overwritten. All indicators are checked and confirmed by signature.

The act must be drawn up in two copies, one remains with the owner. Most often, the contractor’s employee independently transfers documents to the resource supply organization.

Important! If after a month the line indicating the water meter number in the receipt has not changed, then you need to immediately contact the municipal unitary enterprise.

In what case do you need to pay?

Existing legislation stipulates that sealing is performed free of charge if a new device is installed or a certified verification of water meters has been carried out.

Paid sealing is possible in the following cases:

• If the element is damaged due to the transfer of the connection point. The exception is the reconstruction of communications, which is carried out by the management company or HOA. But if the management organization does not have the right to put a seal, then before tearing off the old one, it is better to coordinate the actions.
• If the wire has rotted and the locking device has come off. Many performers restore this element only for money, since it is the consumer who is responsible for the safety of the meter. In such a situation, it is necessary that when carrying out control checks, the owner himself inspects the seal in advance and points out possible violations that have arisen due to the failure of the wire. The sealing element may fall off due to the fact that the contractor used low-quality and unsuitable fixing material.
• If the seal is damaged. Exceptions are the actions of employees of a management company, homeowners association or resource supply organization.

Attention! The element may fly off due to the fault of pets, so it is necessary to limit the area of ​​their influence.

Legislative acts on installation of seals

The obligation to install meters for energy consumption is determined by Federal Law No. 261 (November 23, 2009, as amended on July 26, 2019) in Article 13, clause 1. At the same time, the requirements of the article do not apply to dilapidated, emergency-type facilities, where gas consumption is less than 2 cubic meters per hour, apartment buildings with wear of 70% and not included in the capital construction program, as well as those subject to demolition and reconstruction.

According to Article 9 of the Federal Law of June 26, 2008 N 102-FZ “On Ensuring the Uniformity of Measurements ,” meters must be equipped with limiters that prevent unnoticed interference in their operation, leading to distortion of readings.

Various types of seals can be installed on the gas meter. On a new one there are at least 2 of them, factory-made and installed during commissioning by gas service employees. Their presence is mandatory

For gas appliances, these are as many as 2 seals, which is indicated in PP No. 549 - a factory indicator and installed by the supplier at the point where the IPU is connected to the gas pipeline. Only if both are intact and from the day of installation of the second one, the meter readings are taken into account.

What to do with the seal when replacing the meter?

If you are going to change the meter or when sending it to the laboratory for verification, do not rush to dismantle the device, even if all deadlines have already expired.

Before signing the desealing act, be sure to check the correctness of the specified data, that is, the condition of the seal, its integrity and the latest gas meter readings

Replacement if its functionality is impaired or simply choosing another model is carried out by specialists from the organization with which the subscriber has an agreement. In this case, it is necessary to take the latest readings and check the integrity of all seals. For this procedure, you will also need to draw up an application and sign an inspection report.

The re-sealing procedure is carried out similarly to the primary one. In this case, do not forget to take a receipt for payment for the sealing.