Meter reader/nPower say mandatory "Gas Safety Check" needed every 2 years

2912pwil · 21 February 2009 at 6:24PM

Gents/Ladies & thanks in advance...

Recently I had to arrange meter readings at my mum-in-laws house after she'd had to go into a residential home... Mum-in-law's house is her own, so no Landlord Corgi certificate needs for it (as far as I know).

(Apart from the fiasco of arranging it & nPower incorrectly advising the time of reading...) when the very nice bloke from (?) Lowri Beck (?) turned up he had said he needed to do a "Gas Safety Check" as well as read the meter.

I'd never heard of such a thing - called nPower and enquired... they said yes there MUST be one done every 24 months, their records showed no check in't last 24 months (so why hadn't they been in contact to arrange it. before I called.) and quoted the "Gas Act 1996" as the legislation requiring it.

Meter reader when he came just checked the on/off tap/lever by the meter worked...

Anyone know if there IS a legal requirement for a "Gas Safety Check" by supplier/meter reader and if so what is the legislation?

(I fully accept the need to be very careful with Gas and take all reasonable steps.. Just not convinced nPower were being entirely straightforward...)

Cheers guys!

Phillip

Magentasue · 21 February 2009 at 6:29PM

I've read on this board that meters need to be read once every two years as a minimum, and that it is the safety check that is the reason for the regulation, rather than the meter reading.

Cardew · 21 February 2009 at 7:06PM

It is a requirement for the meters to be read at least every 2 years.

The term safety check is really a euphemism for checking that the meter hasn't been tampered with - seals intact etc.

spiro · 22 February 2009 at 9:33AM

There is a requirement to do a 'must inspect' every two years. Suppliers have to go as fas a obtaining a warrant to do this.

2912pwil · 22 February 2009 at 1:12PM

Cardew stated "
The term safety check is really a euphemism for checking that the meter hasn't been tampered with - seals intact etc. "... hmmnnn - I think you are right....

I've asked nPower executive.complaints what the act is & if there is a "Safety Check" requirement. - We'll see what the answer is.

If Cardew is right (I'm pretty sure he is..) then it's daft.. any fair-minded (we all are aren't we..) person would support the need for checks to be made to ensure people aren't tampering with meters.. so why not state that...

Thanks everyone,

Cheers!

ex-energywatch_adviser · 22 February 2009 at 3:46PM

See page 8 in the link below - Licence Condition 12 Inspection of Gas Meters:

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/MARKETS/RETMKTS/COMPL/SLR/Documents1/GAS%20-%20SLC%2017%20Consultation%20Letter2%20(2).pdf

2912pwil · 22 February 2009 at 9:14PM

'sfunny - ex-energywatch adviser - the .pdf you give the link to seems to be headed

"
Proposed modification to Standard Licence Condition 17 of the Gas Supply Licence
"

so until/unless the PROPOSED modifcation was ratfied and turned into Law (more likely a regulation I think) then it will remain just that, a PROPOSAL.. so having no legal force - or did I miss something ??#

Cheers!

SwanJon · 22 February 2009 at 9:23PM

Yes, meters need to be checked every 2 years. It's called a Gas Safety Check because they are checking the safety of the gas equipment around the meter.
Checking for fiddling is pasrt of it as that is unsafe, but it also includes other issues - accidental damage, rust etc.
It is not a check of the gas work inside the house as that is the responsibility of the owner.

savers_united · 23 February 2009 at 12:11AM

Mine was carried out 12mths ago when I was with Npower, guy came in for literally 5 mins and said everything was ok.
I think it is a quick check for illegal activity and to ensure that readings submitted by the homeowner tie up

ex-energywatch_adviser · 23 February 2009 at 12:50AM

2912wil

Why don't you just ring Ofgem and they can confirm the 2 year gas meter inspection rule that has always been in place if you think any posters are trying to mislead you?

ex-energywatch_adviser · 23 February 2009 at 1:16AM

Or you could try this link that doesn't say proposal. Either way this has how it has been for years.

http://epr.ofgem.gov.uk/document_fetch.php?documentid=13022

Meter reader/nPower say mandatory "Gas Safety Check" needed every 2 years

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