Gas pipe question

Sunnyday

Not a supplier problem but something a bit different, i'm not really sure if this is the right place to post this but here goes.

Is it possible for a gas pipe to be compressed and restrict the flow due to weight being placed on it and then for the pipe to return to normal and allow normal flow when the weight is removed?

I'm asking this for someone else and i've googled it and found nothing.

I think that its a bit unlikely but i'm hoping that someone will be a bit more knowledgeable or that the question will be moved if there is somewhere else that it should be posted.

SD

Wywth

Sunnyday wrote: »

Not a supplier problem but something a bit different, i'm not really sure if this is the right place to post this but here goes.

Is it possible for a gas pipe to be compressed and restrict the flow due to weight being placed on it and then for the pipe to return to normal and allow normal flow when the weight is removed?

I'm asking this for someone else and i've googled it and found nothing.

I think that its a bit unlikely but i'm hoping that someone will be a bit more knowledgeable or that the question will be moved if there is somewhere else that it should be posted.

SD

Yes it would be possible.

Unlikely, but definitely possible.

SwanJon

Are you looking for a cause for something you can see happening?
I seem to remember that if the gas pressure is fluctuating it should be reported to the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

Do you have a reason to suspect that weight on a pipe is causing this? It might not be squeezing the pipe, but affecting a joint.
There was a case near me where lorries were turning on the pavement, and put pressure on a joint which led to an underground (ultimately under house) gas leak.

Sunnyday

Yes i think that looking for a cause is the case.

The problem does seem to be fluctuating gas pressure and the problem has gone away but so has the weight on the pipe.

From what i know there has been a spate of vandalism to some cars and people are parking where they can see their vehicles now. Not a problem because there is lots of parking ( i live on the same road) but further down.

I was asked if i'd had any gas problems which i haven't but the person who asked me this had a problem where the gas cooker would only light on a low light and the boiler pilot light stayed lit but wouldn't fire up the heating.

I think that the neighbour was worried in case the lorry parked outside her house on the verge had damaged anything. I've seen her earlier and everything is now ok but the lorry has gone early this morning.

I thought it unlikely that it could cause this but i don't know how much pressure runs thorough the pipes and if any minor damage could be put right once the vehicle is moved.

I live on the same side of the road so i would have thought that i would have had similar issues but i have had none. All the other neighbours were in bed so would not be aware of anything happening. I did wonder if the heating not lighting may be down to her having not turned up the thermostat enough.

SD

EDIT - there is no smell of gas anywhere in the vicinity - i've been along the road and everything seems normal

SwanJon

Keep checking for the smell of gas - if the lorry has damaged a joint, it might continue to leak slowly - just faster while the lorry is there and so more of a noticable pressure drop.

Are there any covers on the verge? Gas, water etc. Other structures can act as levers, focussing the pressure and causing damage at a distance to the lorry.

lemontart

call 0800 111 999 as there could be various causes for gas pressure to fluctuate some of which are a risk to safety.

I would advise you to turn off your gas at the meter and not use until checked by the emergency engineer who will attend within 2 hours of your call to the above number,

There is no way of giving a definitive answer over the phone as could be any of the following

Meter Fault,
Govenor fault which is a part on the meter that regulates pressure.
Fault on internal pipe work
Fault on pipe work outside including leak - as gas will take path of least resistance it will travel under ground and come out else where so you may not smell it
Worse case scenario is water in gas pipes outside.
Faulty appliance

All of which will be checked for and eleminated or other wise by the emergency engineer .

rogerblack

lemontart wrote: »

call 0800 111 999 as there could be various causes for gas pressure to fluctuate some of which are a risk to safety.

To expand - while in principle a gas pipe could be compressed without damage, leading to reduced flows while something heavy is over it, and later recover, under absolutely no normal condition would this be something that is designed to occur, and it recovering safely would be luck.

It is as likely to cause a continuing leak, and possibly a dangerous condition.

lemontart

op please let us know out come of emergency call as it would help inform others as to what to do.

Sunnyday

HI Everyone,

thanks for your advice which was passed on before i went to work.

The lady called the gas helpline who asked lots of questions and they don't think that there is a problem.

I think the fact that everything has been fine since was probably the deciding factor but if there are any future problems or if anyone smells gas she has to call them back straight away.

I must admit that i was a bit worried myself after reading some of the posts above but feel much better now that i know that it has been passed on.

Thanks again peeps!

SD

atrixblue.-MFR-.

it could be possible that the pipe isnt very deep in the ground, and being in the verge with added wieght of the lorry may have compressed the MDPE or uPVC pipe, once the lorry shifted the pipe returned to natural shape but doing this repeatedly can cause a weakness in a high pressure pipe and result in a rupture or a supply ferrule to pop off at the main to supply connection due to back pressure whilst compressed.

the gasboard shouldnt take this lightly, they should check their pipe line map to see where the pipe is laid, and check the errosion to the verge and added wight hasnt done some severe damage to their pipe.

lemontart

gas help line? or do you mean the national gas emergency service? Is just one appliance effected or more than one. It all depends on what other information there is such as is there more than one appliance, if so are others fluctuation or have discolored or small or large flames . There are a lot of questions asked that would give a clearer picture to the gas emergency service that cannot be answered by third party if not privee to what is happening through out property,