Couldn't fit Gas smart meter. Pipework issue. Who pays for corrective work? 16 March at 2:06PM edited 16 March at 3:04PM in Energy 25 replies 1.5K views

jefaz07

MWT said:

mmmmikey said:

Hi - AFAIK the gas pipe before the meter between the gas main is the supplier's to maintain and the gas pipe after the meter is yours. If I've understood your post correctly the pipe in question is before the meter and therefore something you should refer to your gas supplier. They will organise any work needed but I'm not sure if you have to pay for it or not. Hope this helps, Mike.

p.s. if any of this is wrong, be good of someone can correct it.

Just to be clear, the pipework on the supply side is the responsibility of the gas distribution network (GDN) company, not the gas supplier (Octopus)

Only before and including the control tap. The regulator is not a GDN responsibility 

Lorian

Can you post a slightly wider angle shot showing the outside of the box with the pipe coming and going either side?

km1500

Yes a wide angle shot would help - is that lead pipe even connected ?

molerat

km1500 said:

Yes a wide angle shot would help - is that lead pipe even connected ?

What lead pipe ?  Are you referring to the copper pipe running along the back of the box ?

pfpf

pipe leaves from left then down side of house to boiler. thank you.

it would be nice if it were possible to be able to attach that flexible section on to the left side and eliminate all that pipework...i have no idea on the fitting/dimensions of the new meter though and obviously would need this one working till new meter fit.

molerat

Likely problematic having the connection to your pipe right on top of the regulator.  The easiest, but ugly, way would be to go up and around the box and join up by the downpipe.  All at your cost of course.

Or I wonder if the pipe could be routed through the front part of the box or the flex connector put on the front left of the box in front of the tap.

pfpf

like i said i am not sure how the new meter, fitting and regulator would tally with the space and current fittings....but i wondered if this may work....please forgive my lack of skill but i am sure the idea will come across.

molerat

That was my third option.  That tap ain't going nowhere so if there is room for the connector there shouldn't  be a problem.  Again for you gas man to look at and come up with a solution.  The original installer should never have routed that pipe through there.

Yorkshire_Pud

pfpf said:

like i said i am not sure how the new meter, fitting and regulator would tally with the space and current fittings....but i wondered if this may work....please forgive my lack of skill but i am sure the idea will come across.

Don’t know what the regulations are, if any, but think it would be bad practice to have a gas pipe exit the box at the front? Usually it’s best to keep pipes as near the structure/wall as possible as less likely to rupture or be pulled away from a wall.

Yorkshire_Pud

pfpf said:

so today i had my electricity meter changed to a smart but due to some pipework issue inside the gas meter box the fitter gave me 3 scenarios.

1. old meter out, new one does fit and all is ok.
2. old one out, new one in but doesn't fit so old one back in, ok.
3. old one out, new one in but doesn't fit so old one back in BUT if the regulator somehow doesn't do its job after being disturbed (its old) i would be left with no gas and require a gas fitter to do something with the regulator.

of course i didn't take the risk of 3, how long would it take to get an gas fitter, anyone knows.

basically, a length of gas pipe is the problem and taking up room that he couldn't be sure would block the fitting of new meter. he suggests re-routing the pipe to outside the box then there will be no problem with space.

is that on me to pay for that work or should the supplier be able to contribute? Octopus Energy is my supplier.

thank you.

see my further post below.
edit: for clarity, gas come from left, out of right, then loops outside box back in to attach to meter. i assume as now i'm looking at the photo i don't know what the red lever is, shouldn't that be before the gas hits the meter? now i have no idea, advice please.

Had a look at my neighbours gas smets 2 set up and it’s clear that the installer used new flexible pipe from the existing stop tap to a NEW regulator to the new meter which then exits into the old existing pipe. So it seems a new regulator is part of the new fit package!? Who is your gas supplier? Maybe ask for a different technician to survey and fit? I’m assuming the regulator is that ugly cone shaped bit between tap and meter inlet?

I believe your gas supplier is responsible for the pipe work and all bits right up to the point it leaves your gas meter. Other companies may be sub contracted by your supplier or responsible NGD? for different sections, say the pipe work pre the stop tap but it’s still their responsibility to provide safe route of all gas up to the point it leaves the meter?

Also the smets I saw has the inlet and outlet sitting apart on the top of the meter, don’t know if there are different smets positioning of inlet and outlet but unlikely to match your existing ones so maybe some scope for an intelligent installer to make the pipe work more sensible!?