Gas Meter ECV means Smart Meter can't be set up

RozJC

Hello,


I had an engineer come over from my energy supplier (EDF) over the weekend to set up my smart meter with my gas supply.


They came over a couple of weeks ago and set up the electric with the smart meter just fine, but they couldn't do the gas meter that time because it needed a special part



But when they came for the second time, I was told my gas meter has a certain Emergency Control Valve (ECV) which means they're not allowed to set up a smart meter. To describe my meter...it's underground just outside my flat (it's ground floor and has it's own entrance) and the ECV is a yellow knob that you turn to stop the supply of the gas to my flat. If you want, I can get a picture when I get back home.



Apparently, I need to get a new gas meter installed by the main gas supplier before they can complete the smart meter setup.


It's not my responsibility I'm told, so they got in touch with my property manager and left them a message, so I'll probably need to chase that up at some point.


I just wanted to ask if anyone else had a similar experience as I can't find anything online about this kind of issue or even how much it would cost for a new gas meter installed just out of curiosity.

Owain_Moneysaver

Are you sure it's a new meter, or a new ECV that's required?

The ECV should be fitted with a handle orientated such that it operates to ‘fall to the closed’ position. It has been agreed that where a meter installer encounters an ECV without a handle then where reasonable the meter installers should remedy the situation. The Gas distributor should usually give the meter installers a stock of handles they can fit, but maybe in this case they haven't, or the meter installer can't do it.

If no handle is available for this type of ECV then the Emergency Control Valve is at risk, in accordance with the Gas Industry Unsafe Situation Procedures (Current edition), pass to the GDN to arrange an appointment with the consumer to rectify.

http://www.energynetworks.org/assets/files/Guidance%20on%20Gas%20Service%20Termination%20Issues%20(Issue%205%202017).pdf

Your gas distributor (probably Cadent Gas, Northern Gas Networks, SGN or Wales & West Utilities) should therefore contact you in due course to arrange an appointment to have your ECV changed. This will be at no cost to you.

MeterMan

A picture of the ecv would be great, but I think I know the one you're talking about.

They are usually the stand 3/4inch or 1inch connections. There are lots of types out there though. There could be any number of issues as to why the meter man hasn't fitted the meter, especially in a semi concealed box.

If the gas transporter deal the tap acceptable and fit for purpose, they wont change it.

They may be wrongly assuming its a Medium pressure ECV used in a low pressure system (totally fine) but the connections are different.

Post a pic

RozJC

Are you sure it's a new meter, or a new ECV that's required?

Actually, I think you're right and I may have misunderstood. It's likely to be just the ECV that needs changing.

A picture of the ecv would be great, but I think I know the one you're talking about.

Here you go: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UvSwqtgJgQ2nwcr9A

MeterMan

Thanks for picture Roz, by the looks of it, it does require a special adaptor. The standardised method for normal meter operations is to use a washer to create the seal between two fittings, that one looks to be a compression type fitting, where they metal just pushes together in a tapered joint. Its unlikely that your gas transporter would change the tap for this as they will say its fit for purpose.

My company provides fittings for these, but its not EDF and I don't know if EDF have access to these fittings.

RozJC

MeterMan wrote: »

Thanks for picture Roz, by the looks of it, it does require a special adaptor. The standardised method for normal meter operations is to use a washer to create the seal between two fittings, that one looks to be a compression type fitting, where they metal just pushes together in a tapered joint. Its unlikely that your gas transporter would change the tap for this as they will say its fit for purpose.

My company provides fittings for these, but its not EDF and I don't know if EDF have access to these fittings.

I see. Interesting.


Thanks for the insight.


I will see how I get on after speaking to the relevant people.


Regards

RozJC

Hi again,


An update for anyone interested...


So, I first tried calling Cadent as EDF suggested and they flat out told me that they're not going to change the ECV unless it's an emergency.


So I went back to EDF and told them this and then after looking through the engineer's notes from the last vist and talking to some people, they booked me in for another appointment so the engineer can come out and fit it.


Yesterday, I get another call from EDF telling me that they're going to have to cancel the appointment because apparently their engineers have been told that they are not allowed to touch meters with my kind of ECV on it (they called it a butterfly-type ECV) and that I need to speak to Cadent in order to get it changed.


I called them this afternoon and once again re-iterated that I already spoke to Cadent and that they're not going to change the ECV on the meter. They said they'll speak to some people and see what's going on.


Turns out, they sent Cadent round to my place to have a look at my gas meter.



Cadent have literally just left my property after looking at my gas meter and they've said there's nothing wrong with the ECV and they just need to get the appropriate fitting for it. Also, apparently it's not one of their meters. The visit lasted about 5 minutes max.



So, it sounds like EDF just do not have the fittings or the appropriately trained engineers to fit whatever fitting is needed in order to get me a smart meter.


So, I guess I won't be getting my gas added to my smart meter through EDF.

MeterMan

About the butterfly style ECV, its correct that we can't touch them, but the ones in reference are old iron ECVs which yours is not. I think EDF are just being finicky about it.

Change to the biggest supplier who have the fittings... if you're desperate for a smart meter.

Failing that, write to the ombudsman to highlight the issue and to find a solution.

RozJC

MeterMan wrote: »

About the butterfly style ECV, its correct that we can't touch them, but the ones in reference are old iron ECVs which yours is not. I think EDF are just being finicky about it.

Change to the biggest supplier who have the fittings... if you're desperate for a smart meter.

Failing that, write to the ombudsman to highlight the issue and to find a solution.

I'm not massively desperate for it, so I probably won't switch for that reason alone.


I spoke to EDF again after Cadent came and went and they said they're going to talk to the engineer team again to work out what next steps are, so I'll see what comes of that.

RozJC

Hi again,


Last update from me as EDF have finally told me that it is their company policy to touch these butterfly ECVs and until this gets changed, then they are not going to be able to fit a smart meter for my gas.


So, I guess that's that.


Thanks very much for all your help with this, but it looks like there's nothing more to be done here.

RandomRaven

Apologies for bumping a slightly old thread but OP you need to contact GTC (sorry can't post a link as I am not allowed, google them) as they are the gas transporter for your property and not Cadent. If you call them they can arrange to have it replaced and then your supplier can then exchange the meter