What is law on position of gas meter?

kab10

We have had a 2 year headache with GTC with position of gas meter. First letter 2010 saying they wanted nearly £900 to re-position meter, but did after a week go down to nearly £400, due to us putting porch on our house and contains the meters for electric and gas. After speaking to a not so friendly person at GTC he did agree that we was classed as 'not to standard' and that we would possibly have people's with house insurance and should a anything happen that GTC would be to blame.
So we heard nothing else until July 2012 when another letter came through door telling us unless we had work done they would turn our gas off by end of August, which since after more letters, phone call and countless times asking for law not regulations about the meter, different regulations thrown at us and people to talk to as gtc never tell us same thing twice!! they have given us to 24th September. At one point they agreed they can't turn gas off now keep getting threats of dates.
They only gave us option and price for re-positioning of meter no other option of fact it will cost extra £120 for reconnection of gas and more cost to put porch walls back to normal.:mad:

Can anyone help with law and if they can actually turn gas off when not classed as 'at risk'?:mad:

spiro

We need more information before we can help. I am guessing that the meter are outside the front of the house and that since they were installed you have built a new porch so the meters are in the porch. Is that correct?

Given were the gas meter is situation can you easily get to the meter and operate the Emergency Control Value (ECV)?

kab10

Yes meters are outside the front door, And can get into both meters with no restrictions opening door to box fully.
GTC won't give us any other options other than re-locating we asked about making fire door the inner door, but no answer!!
It's the plastic pipe from box to floor apparently causing the issue, again after investigating a metal sleeve could be installed but wasnt told price as would have to rip up all flooring of porch even though it's concrete!!
We didnt have to have planning permission for porch so effectively boundry of house on deeds are as if porch doesn't exist. People have moved out street and nothing brought up on surveys. as well as houses like ourself converting garage into dining room and needed inspections during building work with nothing said either.
We just feel they are trying it on after leaving it with nothing from oct 2010- July 2012...........we're totally confused!!

chanz4

It may be the builders to blame though about the gas meter position, as they would of put the meter box where it is. Its all down to safety

jalexa

kab10 wrote: »

countless times asking for law not regulations about the meter, different regulations thrown at us and people to talk to as gtc never tell us same thing twice!!

First of all it is the "regulations" which count not "law" because often regulations either have the force of law or are drafted to comply with law. "Law" is a dead-end for you because the costs of challenging "law" would soon exceed the £400.

To get meaningful comment here you need to post more information about exactly which regulations are being cited. And here is another point, never get bogged down in telephone calls because there is no proof. You need to "set a trap" by asking a clear question in a letter and demanding a response by letter.

I'm not familiar with the relevant regulation but I could understand a possible concern about a plastic pipe on an "escape route" being a risk in the event of fire. Is that the issue? Would 30 minute fire protection on the pipe and a linked fire alarm mitigate the issue?

spiro

Just been doing some reading on gas regs, is the outer door of your door locked? If so it is not readily accessible to emergency services. There is also regs about the meter being in a vented area and others bits about being on fire escape route.

You find it all here: http://www.hseni.gov.uk/l56_safety_in_the_installation_and_use_of_gas_systems_and_appliances.pdf

Sounds like they are just trying to ensure nothing untoward happens to you in the event of anything going wrong.

jalexa

spiro wrote: »

Sounds like they are just trying to ensure nothing untoward happens to you in the event of anything going wrong.

Good info from Spiro.

(1) No person shall install a meter in any premises unless the site where it is to be installed is such as to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that the means of escape from those premises in the event of fire is not adversely affected.

This confirms my "concern".

Technically that clause refers to "install". Not sure what clause GTC are citing in pursuit of retrospective effect. The fire brigade break down locked doors to gain access so I don't think that is a problem.

It is clear (to me) that you have created a significant risk on an "escape route". You have been badly advised by your porch builder/provider. I would say the £400 plus your remediation costs are just part of the cost of benefiting from a porch. And it would be an investment against future house selling problems in a buyers market.

Your call.

spiro

jalexa wrote: »

It is clear (to me) that you have created a significant risk on an "escape route". You have been badly advised by your porch builder/provider.

The document I linked to makes reference to considering all the regs before doing any building work. It is obvious that the builder failed in his duty of care when undertaking the work by not advising the OP that they should check if the meter needed to be moved.

r32

I have a similar issue at the moment with Northern Gas Supplies relating to a built over service pipe under our house extension.

My question is that in my case the work was signed off by a building inspector who was present two or three times during the groundworks.

So are the gas regulations actually law and as such someone (the builder or building inspector) has broken a law?

rogerblack

r32 wrote: »

I have a similar issue at the moment with Northern Gas Supplies relating to a built over service pipe under our house extension.

My question is that in my case the work was signed off by a building inspector who was present two or three times during the groundworks.

So are the gas regulations actually law and as such someone (the builder or building inspector) has broken a law?

They may have contravened the gas regulations.
Does this have the force of law in some manner, yes.
Can they be prosecuted in criminal court for it - probably not.

Actions could in principle be taken against them for negligence in performing their duties, or you could invoice them for the work.

Paying the 400 will be far, far cheaper.

kab10

We've had the pleasure of a GTC project manager at the door today. They have agreed that the regulations the transporter company will 'look' for work to be done it doesn't say 'needs' to be done. basically GTC are saying they want the work done to be at standard. So they are not taking any notice of regulations and just making things up as they go along and after the money in the process!!
Health and safety executive local office had no record of GTC and this situation despite what gtc's letters say.
We have no logged a complaint with the energy ombudsman with their network department who have had this before.
Fingers crossed ombudsman find something as they are investigating its legit or not that that can force and bully us to do it.