Re: Underground gas pipe

Aug 10, 2004 3 Replies


The setup:


> A gas modern gas meter in an external box at the front of the house.
> A detached garage at the side of the house.
>
> I was thinking of moving a boiler into the garage to use some space in
> the kitchen. Having the boiler, and maybe the pump, in the garage will
> also eliminate any noises from the pump and boiler, so I see many > gains in doing this.
>
> The boiler could be fitted into the roof apex supported on metal
> unistrut, so the boiler can be in the correct position for a roof tile
> termination. The garge loft space will be boarded with a light and an
> access ladder. The gas supply could easily come from the meter, drop
> under the ground and run to the garage.
>
> Can I do this? I can't see why not. I was thinking of using the yellow
> gas MDPE pipe from BES and having a gas tap as the pipe enters the
> garage. What would I need to do in sleeving the gas pipe into the
> garage? Use a plastic pipe filled with foam?
>
> The flow and return pipes to the boiler could drop under the ground in
> a 4 or 6 inch plastic pipe with both wrapped in thick insulation and
> the pipe filled with vermiculite. The flow and return could be plastic
> pipe for easy threading under the ground and extra frost protection in
> winter inside the garage. This will reduce any heat losses. I also
> need to put a frost thermostat near the boiler, in the garage, as > well. > > thanks

Any takers?

I missed this one. As your underground pipe will be after the main stop c*ck. the sleeving shouldn't be much of an issue. Only seal one end of the sleeve. If the pipe is coming into the garage direct up into the floor, see Transco about how they sleeve mains pipes. I think BES has all the equipment to do this, so look at their catalogue. try part No. 11058

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There is no reg that know of that says you can't run a gas installation pipe underground. The yellow plastic is the one to use as you have identified.

Having the boiler in the garage is a good idea especially up and out of the way with access for servicing. When these go wrong they can leave the kitchen in a mess for a while, while it is being worked on. Depending on the house it may make the place much quieter. Pumps and fans can make a noise that travels in some houses. Make sure the hot water pipes are below the frost line, or if above the sleeve well filled with insulation inside the pipe. Put underground Jablite foam insulation "over" the pipe that is taking the hot water pipes between the garage and house. This will keep the freezing air above from penetrating into the earth onto the hot pipes below.

I would run an extra pipe from the house to the garage, and extra cables. Just cap up the pipe(s) and terminate the cables at each end. You never know when you will need them and it prevents another dig up.

If there is a cylinder, ever thought of fitting it in the loft with the boiler in an insulated cupboard in the garage apex? The cuboard can be made of cheap ply sadwiching foam insulation. Cheap enough to do. The problem is that more sleeved insulated pipes will needed to be run from the house to the garage. Depending on the space available it may be worth it.

I'd want to see a platform around the boiler on which one could work safely, rather than firkling about 2m or more up a ladder.

Yes

BS6891 is the definitive standard

No, you're not allowed to use MDPE for installation pipework. Yes I know they use it for supply pipework, at higher pressures etc. Don't ask me, ask BS6891 :-)

Plastic pipe, open at more outside end e.g. garage end if other end is in house, or at the meter end if you're coming from there.

Check Ed's web pages on gas installation (check google archive of this group for gas installation threads to find it). I can't remember if he covers underground installation but the topic has come up before and I'm pretty sure I've posted a fair amount of detail about this before, which google should turn up for you)

Buried CH pipes are _supposed_ to be installed so that they can be withdrawn and replaced. This is covered in another BS (5459?) but this is not a criminal law matter as gas pipework is.

hth

This is installation pipe would not be inside the house. Are you sure BS6891 says no to all MDPE pipe after the meter irrespective of usage? I have seen it used on installation pipes, although quite a time back now. From an external meter, underground to a detached garage. That is 100% safe. MDPE is not allowed internal because of fire risks. It may melt in a fire. Fully underground whether mains or installation clearly does not apply.

If MDPE is not allowed for any reason after the meter, then sleeved soft copper is probably the best method. Run it in a plastic pipe. One end must be sealed, the other open.

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