With regard to the indoor use of nonmetallic gas hose connectors, an equipment shutoff valve shall be installed where the connector is ________.

The installation of an equipment shutoff valve at the location where the nonmetallic gas hose connector is attached to the building piping is crucial for both safety and regulatory compliance. This requirement ensures that in the event of a gas leak or any emergency, the flow of gas can be quickly and safely stopped at its source, minimizing the risk of gas accumulation indoors, which could lead to hazardous situations like explosions or poisoning.

By placing the shutoff valve at this junction, it facilitates easy access for operators to shut off gas flow without needing to reach other potentially hazardous or less accessible areas, thus simplifying response actions to prevent accidents. Furthermore, this practice aligns with standard safety protocols found in gas installation guidelines to safeguard against equipment malfunctions and to provide a clear method for emergency response.

The other scenarios, such as a leaking connector or a connector that is being repaired, would typically require immediate action regardless of whether a shutoff valve is present, emphasizing the need for proactive measures, like the installation of the valve, before such situations arise. Connecting a hose to the gas meter would not comply with the best practices related to gas safety and would represent a potential point of hazard, negating the fundamental purpose of having shutoff controls at strategic locations in the gas piping system