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gas pressure regulator

Ensuring Engineering Quality and Meter Shop Control

Enhancing Quality Assurance and Control in Natural Gas Utilities

Peter Klock recently presented a technical paper at the Western Gas Measurement Short Course (WGMSC) in Boise, Idaho. His insights delve into the critical roles of quality assurance and quality control within natural gas utilities, emphasizing how thorough testing in the meter shop can significantly impact the performance and reliability of pressure regulators.

Commitment to Excellence

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Manufacturers strive to produce quality products, and their commitment is further enhanced when they know their products will undergo rigorous testing upon delivery. This in-testing process in the meter shop not only assures the quality of each unit but also encourages manufacturers to maintain high standards of precision and safety.

Regulator In-Testing -
Quality Management and Reporting

The meter shop plays an important role. The fact is that the regulator manufacturers make quality products, but when they know that the utility buyer in-tests to verify that the product meets specific procurement specifications, they are more careful.

Elements of Quality Management​

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In general terms, quality refers to whether a product consistently meets customer-established requirements, specifications, performance, and safety standards.


Quality management includes three basic steps;

  1. Planning

  2. Quality assurance and

  3. Quality control

Planning​

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​In the utility, planning begins with forecasting and understanding the needs of the customers being served. This translates into requirements for new installations, expansions, periodic change-out and repair. As well as work orders for the meter shop to assemble meter sets.

Quality Assurance (Expect)​

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Quality assurance reinforces that the utility is in the lead when telling the manufacturer what it expects regarding the procured products and alerts the manufacturer to potential inspections.

Quality Control (Verify)

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Quality control involves testing by the manufacturers and in-testing by the utility meter shop for performance, compliance, 2 safety, and other requirements, and making sure the products meet the agreed-upon standards
and expected deliverables.

gas pressure regulator

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