WHY INSTALLING AN EXCESS FLOW VALVE IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY DECISION
WHAT IS AN EFV (EXCESS FLOW VALVE)?
An Excess Flow Valve (abbreviated as EFV), is an important safety device installed on natural gas distribution pipelines to automatically close and restrict the flow of natural gas if an underground pipe is damaged. The EFV also shuts off the gas flow if there is a significant and/or rapid increase in the flow of natural gas to the meter. These conditions are typically caused by digging or construction but can also be caused by damage to your natural gas meter.
WHAT DOES AN EFV DO?
An EFV can reduce the risk of explosions, fires, and personal injury because they stop or restrict any unplanned or excessive natural gas flow. Installation of an EFV will not protect a customer from household appliance malfunctions, small punctures in underground pipelines, and pipeline damage from earthquakes or flooding. It is important to understand that an EFV does not shut off the flow of natural gas completely. Some leakage may still occur resulting in a hazardous condition.
WHERE IS AN EFV INSTALLED?
An EFV is installed on the service pipeline that runs underground between the natural gas main (usually located in or near the street, alley, or easement) and the natural gas meter on the customer’s property.
CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG!
The best way to prevent damage to a natural gas pipeline due to construction or digging is to call 811 (the Underground Service Alert program) at least two working days before digging. Underground Service Alert will coordinate with Navitas Utility Corporation to mark the locations of buried utility-owned lines.
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
If you are interested in having an EFV installed on the natural gas pipeline serving you, please call Navitas Utility Corporation at 1-866-797-3342. Navitas Utility Corporation will first check to see if your service already has an EFV installed and, if not, an estimate to install the EFV will be provided. The cost to install an EFV can vary widely depending on site specific conditions and can range from $2,500 to $5,000 or more.
If you decide to have an EFV installed, we will coordinate with you to schedule the installation (note that it is possible that natural gas service will be interrupted to install the EFV). The construction crew will dig around the natural gas line in order to install the EFV and when the job is complete natural gas service will be restored (if it was shut off). If paving or concrete needs repair that work will be scheduled at a later date.