National Grid - Built-over Service pipe in Porch

AcidHouse

Hi all,

I wonder if you can shed any light on this situation please.

My parents are both retired and are on pension credit.

Last week they noticed a small gas leak coming from the fire in the lounge.
They called out the gas serviceman, who fixed the leak.
On the way out of the house, the serviceman noticed that in their front porch, the gas service pipe is against the wall, and runs into the ground.
He said it would probably need to be moved, and my parents have since received this letter from National Grid:

A Built over Service has been identified at your property, this is where a service pipe or 'part of' a service pipe is under a permanent structure that is habitable or used for commercial or public gathering.

The service pipe affected is located in the Porch.

Following a site inspection, a risk assessment has been carried out and whilst the situation is not classed as an emergency, it may be necessary to divert the service pipe to ensure that it is sound and fit for purpose.

As a result of this, a Site Survey will need to be carried out so please contact us to arrange.

You should be aware that charges may apply for any subsequent works carried out after the completed survey.

If you are not the homeowner (they are), please forward to your Landlord or Managing Agent.

My dad built the porch himself about 35 years ago.
The service pipe in question is against the garage wall, and goes down into the ground.
Before forming the concrete porch base, my dad put sand and a barrier around the pipe, so it wasn't affected or in contact with the porch structure in any way.
The pipe is 4 inches inside the porch entrance door.

Obviously my parents are now concerned that following a survey, they will be left with the cost of knocking down / reducing the size of their porch and possibly the cost of moving the service pipe, or both.

While we understand that access to service pipes is required, they feel penalised that it's been picked up by someone who was called out to sort a gas leak & could now cost them money - because most homes in the same street have built-on porches, and we know of several that have their service pipes located inside the porches...

Anyone got any experience of service pipes being over by extensions? Can National Grid legally force them to pay for any work required / carry out the work?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice on this.

As of yet we have not arranged the survey, we are awaiting a callback to sort.

chanz4

AcidHouse wrote: »

Hi all,

I wonder if you can shed any light on this situation please.

My parents are both retired and are on pension credit.

Last week they noticed a small gas leak coming from the fire in the lounge.
They called out the gas serviceman, who fixed the leak.
On the way out of the house, the serviceman noticed that in their front porch, the gas service pipe is against the wall, and runs into the ground.
He said it would probably need to be moved, and my parents have since received this letter from National Grid:

A Built over Service has been identified at your property, this is where a service pipe or 'part of' a service pipe is under a permanent structure that is habitable or used for commercial or public gathering.

The service pipe affected is located in the Porch.

Following a site inspection, a risk assessment has been carried out and whilst the situation is not classed as an emergency, it may be necessary to divert the service pipe to ensure that it is sound and fit for purpose.

As a result of this, a Site Survey will need to be carried out so please contact us to arrange.

You should be aware that charges may apply for any subsequent works carried out after the completed survey.

If you are not the homeowner (they are), please forward to your Landlord or Managing Agent.

My dad built the porch himself about 35 years ago.
The service pipe in question is against the garage wall, and goes down into the ground.
Before forming the concrete porch base, my dad put sand and a barrier around the pipe, so it wasn't affected or in contact with the porch structure in any way.
The pipe is 4 inches inside the porch entrance door.

Obviously my parents are now concerned that following a survey, they will be left with the cost of knocking down / reducing the size of their porch and possibly the cost of moving the service pipe, or both.

While we understand that access to service pipes is required, they feel penalised that it's been picked up by someone who was called out to sort a gas leak & could now cost them money - because most homes in the same street have built-on porches, and we know of several that have their service pipes located inside the porches...

Anyone got any experience of service pipes being over by extensions? Can National Grid legally force them to pay for any work required / carry out the work?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice on this.

As of yet we have not arranged the survey, we are awaiting a callback to sort.

They cant make you pay, however they have the power to remove the supply at the road until recitified

rogerblack

chanz4 wrote: »

They cant make you pay, however they have the power to remove the supply at the road until rectified

It was my understanding that this work would be chargeable.
(disconnecting)

C_Mababejive

Those undertaking construction work whether professional builders or otherwise, should take care not to damage,enclose or apply loads to parts of the gas network. The building work has enclosed the gas service pipe. The notice is the standard notice which is sent out. What should really happen is that if construction work will enclose a gas main or service, then an application should be made and paid for to re-route the pipe so that it isnt enclosed or affected by the building work.

AcidHouse

Thanks that's interesting - as they are both on pension credit the National Grid will have trouble trying to make them pay for any costs at all. I can't wait for the survey to be booked in - I'm going to make sure I'm there as well to see what happens next.

I can't see them paying for the National Grid deciding to turn the gas off, either. This could turn sour depending on what's decided at the survey. Will keep you posted.

Ich_2

I can't see them paying for the National Grid deciding to turn the gas off, either.

Generally they won't charge up-front. Rather they will disconnect it and add it to any bill to re-connect it

AcidHouse

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Those undertaking construction work whether professional builders or otherwise, should take care not to damage,enclose or apply loads to parts of the gas network. The building work has enclosed the gas service pipe. The notice is the standard notice which is sent out. What should really happen is that if construction work will enclose a gas main or service, then an application should be made and paid for to re-route the pipe so that it isnt enclosed or affected by the building work.

Thanks for this - from dad's memory, 35 years ago this wasn't the case (he was a builder at the time), so will be interesting to see if the date the porch was built affects the survey decision.

Cardew

If they do 'dig in their heels', how difficult would it be to by-pass the length of pipe buried under the porch?

chanz4

AcidHouse wrote: »

Thanks for this - from dad's memory, 35 years ago this wasn't the case (he was a builder at the time), so will be interesting to see if the date the porch was built affects the survey decision.

Wont effect it at all, the supply must be upto a standard. Forget how suppliers are, the networks are a different ball game.

AcidHouse

Cardew wrote: »

If they do 'dig in their heels', how difficult would it be to by-pass the length of pipe buried under the porch?

Good thought - would have to dig out the paving slabs, as the driveway runs downwards towards the garage and the very front of the house.

MeterMan

If your parents can prove the porch was in place before they bought the property, there will not be a charge. If the porch was built after they moved in, then unfortunately they must foot the bill.