New Business Services
Welcome to New Business Services. This section is dedicated to builders, architects or conversion customers who are involved in new construction, adding a load or have questions about gas conversion. We offer a convenient way for you to inquire about gas availability or request a gas tap or meter set. In order to assist you in your particular energy needs, we have provided a series of forms for you to request the products and services you need.
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Guidelines for Establishing Natural Gas Service for Small Commercial Customers
If you have any questions about our guidelines, please call our New Business Team at 1-800-440-6111. The New Business Team can also answer questions regarding guidelines for establishing service for larger Commercial Customers.
Applications
Establishes an account for natural gas service with Columbia Gas.
Natural Gas Availability
Establishes whether natural gas service is available to serve your area.
Conversions
Changing out current equipment/appliances on alternate energy sources to natural gas.
Consults
Available upon request.
Visuals
Available upon request.
Gas Tap and Meter Process
- Prior to calling for a tap and/or meter the Customer owned service lines and meter settings shall be sized, installed, inspected, and tested by the customer/contractor in accordance with Columbia's "Standards for Customer Service Lines, Meters and Regulators" (Plumbers Guide), Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation Part 192 (DOT 192), and additional information identified in the Columbia Gas provided Approval Packet.
- The meter set assembly shall be as indicated on the Meter Diagram provided in the Approval Packet. Modification of the setting may result in delays to the tap installation.
- A plastic service line installed in a trench may be back filled for protection; however, the end connections and all fittings shall remain exposed for visual inspection. A steel service line shall be visually inspected before any portion of the trench is filled.
- Department of Transportation Operator Qualification card (DOT Op. Qual. card) shall be attached to meter set area and protected from weather. (Requirements for becoming DOT Operator Qualified)
- Columbia Gas will not install the tap in the event the preceding criteria have not been completed.
Note: All material used for the service line and meter setting must be on Columbia Gas' Materials Manual. Gas Pipeline Installation Standards (Plumbers Guide), Materials Manual, and Meter Setting Drawings are available at on this website. When installation is complete, inspected, and tested, Customer/Contractor may call our New Business Team at 1-800-440-6111 to schedule a tap and/or meter installation. Columbia Gas will tie in, visual, and test at the time of the tap installation.
Company Taps - The service owned by Columbia Gas that runs from Columbia's main line to the customer service line (normally up to the property line vicinity)
The customer service line & prefab, with DOT Op. Qual. card attached, must be installed before calling for a tap installation.
- Prior to calling for tap order, builder will install customer service line and pre-fab, with DOT Op. Qual. card attached to the prefab.
- Area near tap and customer service line needs to be clear of obstructions in order for tap to be made.
- Tap crew will test customer service line up to the pre-fab, pick up DOT Op. Qual. card and leave gas off.
Meter Sets: in order to have a meter installed you must do the following:
- If your construction is located within an area requiring a city inspection prior to gas service being established in the building, a city building inspection sticker or report needs to be available at your site prior to requesting a gas meter being set.
- If your construction is located outside an area requiring a city inspection prior to gas service being established in the building, a house line with at least one appliance drop must be installed before you contact Columbia Gas for a meter. All appliance drops and branch connections shall terminate with approved shutoff valves that are properly capped or plugged.
In addition to the above requirements, the following existing requirements must be met to have a meter installed:
- House line(s) and appliance(s) must have been installed in accordance with the "National Fuel Gas Code"; and manufactured home installations shall be in accordance with Title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 3280, Subpart H.
- IMPORTANT: All piping and appliances must be visible and accessible. Where piping enters the building, access to the building is required.
When the house line(s) and equipment, if applicable, have been installed, inspected, and tested, the party responsible for the payment of the gas bill should call our New Business Team at 1-800-440-6111 to schedule a meter and/or tap installation if the tap has not already been requested for installation. The required Columbia Gas inspection and testing for the meter will be done at the time the meter is installed.
*Important note: Customer Charges
The first inspection and/or test are done at no charge to the customer. If a return trip is necessary due to the failure to comply with the requirements detailed above, a tag will be left at the premise stating the reason for the return trip and $60 will be charged for each subsequent return trip.
We highly value your business and believe that this process will result in better scheduling efficiency and improved response time. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact our New Business Team at (800) 440-6111.
When requesting the installation of a tap and meter, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. will comply with the process set forth by Ohio Minimum Gas Standards implemented by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on January 1, 2007. To learn about the Ohio Minimum Gas Standards please click on the link below.
PUCO Minimum Gas Service Standards
JobSite Readiness for Main Line Installation
New Construction Customer (Commercial)
- Commercial (Strip Centers, Shopping Malls, etc.)
- Are the foundations completed and/or the building corners staked?
- Is the complex ground near final grade (within six inches of final grade)?
- Are you aware of the proposed pipeline path and is the path clear of debris or any physical obstruction?
If you have any questions about our guidelines, please call our New Business Team at: 1-800-440-6111.
