Gas meter regulations

[Chris]

I wonder whether anyone here knows about the requirements for the position of domestic gas meters. I have a meter on the outside of my (ex) garage wall. In 1989, the previous owner of the house built a lean-to shed against the garage, enclosing the gas meter. At the same time, the garage was coverted into a living room.

Recently, Transco came to change the gas meter because the previous meter, though only a few years old, was being recalled. The Transco person said that there were two issues:

1. He could not see that the electricity consumer unit was earthed to the pipe from the gas meter. I know the earth connection is there but it is on the other side of the wall, behind plasterboard.

1. He said that the gas meter should be moved outside the shed. The plastic gas service pipe enters the shed under a concrete floor, then rises about two feet to the meter on the wall.

Are there specific legal requirements for either of these features? I have tried searching on the internet but can't find anything directly referring to them.

I'd appreciate any help or pointers to relevant information.

Thanks, Chris

[Ed Sirett]

Electrical cross bonding is necessary. By the book he could draw up a notice informing you of the need to have it checked/installed. The connection should be made within the first 60cm of the gas pipework on the outlet side. If it is to standard that's the end of the matter.

The meter was installed outside it's now inside. The plastic pipe might add to a fire in the shed (and the gas inside even more so!). I'm unsure as to who would be responsible Most likely the freeholder rather than Transco.

[IMM]

They may accept a removeable metal 3 sided trunking over the gas main pipe up to the meter, open at the top when entering the meter cupboard, and the a cupboard around the meter with a self closing door (sping on door).

Then the plastic main and meter are protected.

[Dave Stanton]

Its called bonding and the gas supply pipe directly after the meter is bonded to the consumer earth point, not the other way around. I believe it is requirment that the connection is visible and marked as a safety earth.

HTH

Dave

[Peter]

The cable is marked then as to which way round it goes ? only conducts one way like a diode ?

[MikeS]

Where did you get this information and where can one purchase one way continuity wire?!! I thought a diode is the component that rectifies electricity not the cable and why is it necessary to rectify the earth continuity? Also if the gas inspector wanted to know if the meter was wire for earth continuity could he test it with a meter?

MikeS

[Lurch]

On 13 Nov 2004 03:56:55 -0800, dyoll [e-mail] (Chris) strung together this:

The earth bond should be accessible and clearly marked with a 'safety electrical connection, do not remove' label.

[Bob Eager]

The point is...the gas pipe has to be bonded to the installation earth. i.e. the gas pipe is bonded to the consumer earth point.

This is completely different to the situation where the entire installation is earthed via the gas pipe (which is not allowed, anyway).

That's what he meant by 'the other way around'.

[Dave Stanton]

Thanks Bob

Dave

[Andy Wade]

Any hi-fi shop, surely? :-0)

[Chris]

Thanks for this suggestion and thanks to everyone else who helped. I'll keep searching for any regulations specific to this. Chris

[Transco_Boo_Hiss]

Right-e-ho.

If your meter is bonded per the IEE regs and tested dont worry.

Plastic gas service pipes are not permitted inside a building. Transco DO NOT enforce this but are obliged to make you aware that th service/meter needs relocating.

It is a contravention of building and fire regulations.

Ring Transco or your gas supplier and reuqest a "gas service alteratio pack

-- Transco_Boo_Hiss