§ 47. Inspection and examination of apparatus. 1. A duly authorized agent of a utility corporation or municipality may enter any dwelling, building or other location supplied with gas or electricity by the utility corporation or municipality, for the purpose of inspecting and examining the meters, pipes, fittings, wires and other apparatus for regulating, supplying and/or ascertaining the quantity supplied, under the following terms and conditions:

(a) the agent exhibits a photo-identification badge and a written authority signed by the president or vice-president and secretary or assistant secretary of the corporation, or by the mayor or clerk of a municipal corporation or by the chairman and secretary of a municipal board in control of a municipal utility, and

(b) any such inspection and examination shall be conducted on a non-holiday work day between eight a.m. and six p.m. or such other reasonable time requested by the customer, except when an emergency may threaten the health or safety of a person, the surrounding area or the utility's or municipality's distribution system, or except when the commission by regulation establishes a different time for the inspection and examination where there is evidence of meter tampering or theft of services. 2. Except when an emergency may threaten the health or safety of a person, the surrounding area or the utility's or municipality's distribution system or where authorized by court order, an agent of a utility or municipality, otherwise duly authorized to inspect and examine apparatus may not enter locked premises without permission of a person lawfully in control of the premises, nor use any manner of force to carry out such inspection and examination.