When installing a water meter which type of fittings should be used?

• A. Compression
• B. Soldered joints
• C. Flare fittings
• D. Push fit

Answer: (A)

For a water meter installation, the connection needs to be reliable, serviceable, and not require heat near the meter. Compression fittings meet this need by using a nut and olive to clamp the copper pipe into a brass or copper fitting, creating a tight seal as you tighten the nut. This makes the joint both leak-proof and easily disassembled later if the meter needs to be removed or replaced, without cutting pipes or applying flame. Soldered joints require a torch and can risk heat damage to the meter or nearby components and are not as straightforward to undo for maintenance. Flare fittings and push-fit connections may be used in other scenarios, but they are not the standard, universally accepted method for service connections to a water meter and may not meet code or long-term reliability requirements in many systems. Therefore, compression fittings are the best choice for installing a water meter.