Who is responsible for gas pipes and meter box

disco_diva1982

We have recently moved into an older property and in order to upgrade the boiler we need to move the current gas meter box from half way down the garden to just outside the house.

We have had a quote from Scottish Gas Network for £4,200.00 to replace the pipes from the main road to the property and move the box.

Surely this is the resonsability of the SGN to ensure that the meter box is properly located on the property and the pipes are adequate for the house's needs.

Any information i can arm myself with would be greatly received. (planning on phoning them to query why it is our responsability!!)

echoecho_2

I am in no way an expert or have any knowledge. BUT, i guess their response would be that you can get gas at the moment into your property perfectly ok. It's because of other work you are having done that you need changes made which is why i guess they are you charging you. I would definitely push it though because it's a hell of a lot of money.

Is it only SGN that can do the work or can a private company do it too? Perhaps they could beat the quote.

Hopefully, someone with a bit more knowledge will be along soon.

Gman0365

I find it difficult to see why it would be SGN's responsibility to move the meter. The existing supply must be adequate for the current boiler to operate. The fact that you are upgrading the boiler is your choice.

I've had a look on SGN's website and I cant see a registered charity number anywhere so perhaps you should just pay for the work that your asking them to do.

Failing that, you could ask your gas safe registered installer to size the outlet pipework appropriately so that sufficient gas reaches the boiler.

SGN is only going to replace their assets for free if there is something wrong with them. In this case I cant see that there is.

disco_diva1982

The exsisting boiler is 20 - 30 years old and insufficient to heat the house, last months gas bill was £234 for 40 days!!!

No Corgi plumber or Scottish Gas will touch the property until the gas box is moved as it is deemed unsafe and unsuitable to give us enough gas to power a combi boiler.

I have no idea if anyone else can do the work, Scottish Hydro, who deal with my area, gave me SGN number as they deal with the gas supply to the area

timbo58

Almost always the householders responsibility I am afraid.
I looked into this as I wanted the box moved just 5 metres and the cost was horrendous so i'm not going to bother!
If the gas main comes in from past the house -can't they just cap off the existing box and fit an new one?
However: i'm guessing the gas main must come in from further along the garden: just wondering why the box ended there? any reason?

withabix

This work will be chargeable to the homeowner.

The meter location and pipework will have complied with the Regulations which were current at the time the supply was originally installed.

Depending on where you are in Scotland, it is likely that Scotland Gas Networks will be the network operator for that area and you will have to use them.

gas4you

Only thing I can possibly suggest is that you dig the garden up yourself, lay the yellow gas pipe (as per regs) then ask SNG for a price to just connect the ends to the mains and the new meter.

utility_csa

If your in the highlands, do you have a low / med pressure pipework or meter installation at your property. if you do this is prob the reason why its costing so much.

disco_diva1982

Thanks for the replies, does anyone know if we HAVE to move the meter box in order to upgrade the boiler? We believe that the pipe from the meter box to the exisiting boiler is 22mm and estimate that the meter box is 24 meters away from the boiler.

spiro

disco_diva1982 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, does anyone know if we HAVE to move the meter box in order to upgrade the boiler? We believe that the pipe from the meter box to the exisiting boiler is 22mm and estimate that the meter box is 24 meters away from the boiler.

I dont see why a meter box would be 24 metres away from the house. Was there originally another building near were the meter currently is?

The issue may be the distance between the meter and ECV and the house in the even of an emergency.

Just found this in a boiler manual:

IMPORTANT.

Installation pipes MUST be fitted in accordance with BS. 6891.
In IE refer to I.S.813:2002. Pipework from the meter to the boiler
MUST be of an adequate size, i.e. no longer than 20m and not

less than 15mm O.D.


Looks like there is a 20m limit from meter to boiler.

Farway

spiro wrote: »

Just found this in a boiler manual:

IMPORTANT.

Installation pipes MUST be fitted in accordance with BS. 6891.
In IE refer to I.S.813:2002. Pipework from the meter to the boiler
MUST be of an adequate size, i.e. no longer than 20m and not

less than 15mm O.D.


Looks like there is a 20m limit from meter to boiler.

In which case it may be easier & cheaper to move new boiler location 3 + metres towards the meter?