Having smart gas meter installed-a question

LindsayT

On Friday, I am supposed to be getting a smart gas meter installed. I'm with Octopus and already have smart electric that was here when I bought the house.
My gas meter is outside but I've read they will still need access to the house, so my question is, where will they need access to?
I'm guessing possibly electric meter but do they need access to anything else, boiler, radiators etc.?
I've tried phoning twice but just kept on hold, so thought maybe I can get it answered here.
In the meantime, I've just seen a thread about smart meter (gas) and Octopus energy woes and it has rather put me off having it.

FreeBear

They might need access to the electricity meter to plug a laptop into the comms hub. They may well want access to the boiler to check that it is still working and maybe check for gas leaks. Beyond that, there shouldn't be any need to go into other parts of the house, and you can refuse permission (I would).

Alnat1

One person writes a post about their problems with a gas smart meter.

Another 500 had no problems so didn't write a post about gas smart meters.

[Deleted User]

The installer has to turn off the gas to your property to enable him/her to remove the existing regulator and meter, and to replace them with new components. Once the new gas meter installed, the installer needs to carry out internal gas safety checks. He/she will check the boiler and turn on all gas devices such as hobs and fires. He/she will take photographs of the flame pattern.

If the installer detects any safety issues, he/she has the right to take enforcement action. ‘Enforcement’ in the sense that the gas may be turned off until the defect has been remedied. This is no different to what would occur if you requested a formal Gas Safety Check.

SAC2334

FreeBear said:

They might need access to the electricity meter to plug a laptop into the comms hub. They may well want access to the boiler to check that it is still working and maybe check for gas leaks. Beyond that, there shouldn't be any need to go into other parts of the house, and you can refuse permission (I would).

I doubt a meter fitter will touch any boilers. They are not trained Gas  safe fitters .They will check for gas leaks in the normal way using the nipple on the gas meter .Any leak they find they will not fit the meter until occupier has arranged to have it fixed .Last time I had a gas man he moved the meter .They then have to purge the air from the system via the cooker hob until it burns correctly 

eastcorkram

[Deleted User] said:

The installer has to turn off the gas to your property to enable him/her to remove the existing regulator and meter, and to replace them with new components. Once the new gas meter installed, the installer needs to carry out internal gas safety checks. He/she will check the boiler and turn on all gas devices such as hobs and fires. He/she will take photographs of the flame pattern.

If the installer detects any safety issues, he/she has the right to take enforcement action. ‘Enforcement’ in the sense that the gas may be turned off until the defect has been remedied. This is no different to what would occur if you requested a formal Gas Safety Check.

Had smart meter installation done December last year. He definitely didn't go anywhere near the boiler. The only things he was at were the outside gas meter, and electric meter under the stairs. He definitely did not go upstairs, where the boiler is.

Alnat1

Had new gas and electricity meters fitted in June for Octopus. 

The guy lit each of the burners on my gas hob, lit the gas fire (not been used since we moved in 3 years ago) and asked me to make the boiler fire up (I went and turned hot water heating to constant from once daily) He was in the garage a couple of times, where the boiler and solar inverter/batteries are but I didn't stand and watch what he did.

Astria

Dolor said:

If the installer detects any safety issues, he/she has the right to take enforcement action. ‘Enforcement’ in the sense that the gas may be turned off until the defect has been remedied. This is no different to what would occur if you requested a formal Gas Safety Check.

Yes, but there's always people that interpret the rules differently - I had someone who did a gas safety check who said my supply was dangerous and said it needed fixing immediately. They ended up getting me to sign to say I was going to use it against there recommendation. I got someone else to visit about a week later and they said that although it wasn't "upto code" it was not dangerous and wasn't worth fixing until I had a major job done such as a boiler replacement.

LindsayT

Well, from the replies there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer, so maybe they all work differently but thanks for the replies.

Mstty

Sounds dodgy.......boom

[Deleted User]

LindsayT said:

Well, from the replies there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer, so maybe they all work differently but thanks for the replies.

They shouldn’t work differently. When gas meters are exchanged, gas safety checks are mandatory. The installer has to check the regulated gas pressure after the meter to check if they are any pipe leaks. They should also purge air from, and witness test all gas appliances. They are not registered gas engineers but if they have concerns about a boiler flue or see a dodgy flame pattern from a gas fire that has not been serviced in the last decade they should either issue a DO NOT USE notice or cap the supply.

I should add the installers are also required to witness test electrical wiring during the installation of an electricity meter. They may decide not to install a new meter if they can see brittle wiring or a broken earth link.

Undoubtedly, this safety first approach will lead to some false positives.