Open vent under stairs with gas meter

lucas20042004

Hello,

We have an open vent under the stairs in a cupboard where the gas meter sits. It’s likely been here since the house was built in the 50s.

Does anybody have an idea of whether it would be against regs to cover it?

Or should I replace with a more modern sliding vent?

It’s particularly bad in the winter and lets a lot of cold in. 

Thanks!

twopenny

I'm thinking it's there in the event of a gas leak so preventing less going into the house.

If you block it in any way how would that impact on house insurance in case of any issue, gas or not?

Presumably the neighbours have the same. What have they done?

I think I had something similar in my 1920s house but it wasn't apparant in the house by the time I could be concerned.

My soloution was to draft proof the door from under the stairs and any pipe holes coming through into the next cupboard, so it didn't come into the hall.

Grenage

I sincerely doubt that's there for the benefit of the gas meter.  What's on the other side? It's likely just a fresh air source for old fireplaces and the like. 

If it simply leads directly outside, I would seal it (properly, with bricks on both sides.

stuart45

I'd check with a gas safe fitter to be sure. There are regs for ventilation in meter cupboards, although they are designed more for commercial buildings.
Nowadays meters are external when possible, but when that was built the regs were different. I think that for smaller domestic meters like a u6 you might not need ventilation, but it's not my trade.

Albermarle

We have a typical arrangement of a gas meter under the stairs, with no outside ventilation.
Over the years we have had plenty of work done, new boilers, new gas hob, new gas supply pipe into the house etc.
Each time a gas safe person has checked the supply, tested for leaks and not one of them has ever mentioned the lack of ventilation to the outside.
So I presume it is not a requirement.