National Grid meter replacement

Mnc0309

National Grid are replacing the old pipe in the road that delivers gas to the properties down my road and involves moving my gas meter from beneath the stairs to the front on my house.

They told me that I could run the pipe from the side of the meter box, over the porh step, around the brick porch and then under the door, OR straight from the meter box into the house but will need the wood flooring lifted and then reinstated. The original brick porch is only 30in wide and perhaps projecting pipes on 1.5 inches would not be a compliant entrance aperture to conform with building regs or a trip hazard?

I would prefer the latter pipe route option for the main reason being that I do not want pipework in my porch which is unsightly, prone to be kicked/ knocked, and potentially a trip hazard.

The latter pipe route option was also done for a neighbour because they had carpet which could be easily lifted.

I was then told that I could keep my old meter and connect the new pipe, which I would be delighted with (no ugly box or piping outside front of house) but then said if the Engineer isnt happy with the gas pressure then we are back to square one.

Am I within my rights to insist that the latter option is how I want it installed? They have told me that they can do it but I would have to pay for the flooring to be lifted etc but I dont understand why I have to settle for noticeable pipework within my porch, or have to pay associated costs for the latter option.

Gas is being cut off shortly and NG have not provided a response as the phone operater is "seeking advise" and can see that it will be left to the last minute when the gas is cut off and I will have no option but to accept the former option.

Any advice or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

C_Mababejive

Without seeing the job i would speculate that your old steel pipe emerges somewhere in the middle of the house hence the possibility of having to reroute a new pipe to the front of the house and reconnect your installation to it.

Now the option they are talking about where it wouldnt need altering is that they may possibly be able to thread a special type of plastic flexible pipe or plain plastic pipe up the old steel pipe so that it emerges in the orignal position,,a process called service insertion.

Sometimes if this is done and the gas pressure tested under load, the pressure is inadequate due to resistance losses in the inserted pipe.

This is particularly noticeable with high demand appliances such as a combi boiler.

If this is found to be the case they would have to abandon that approach and refit it at the front of the house anyway.

So maybe rather than go through that and maybe having to have it redone, option A should be considered from the start?

Sometimes it just isnt possible to insert the pipe (option 1) due to bends/fittings in the pipe,,and sometimes the pipe gets kinked thus restricting flow.

My personal recommendation is that you have it rerouted to the front in a box and negotiate the best route for the position and outlet pipework.

[Deleted User]

Its about the only time when you can get your gas meter moved outside for free when N.Grid decide to renew iron piping.Normally its a few hundred pounds at least and much more in many cases.If you start laying down extra rules I m sure they will do what you suggest but maybe the free move for the gas meter will then face N.Grids very high prices. If you are going to request this work then write and ask N.Grid, don t leave it to the workmen to decide on the day.