"Danger Do Not Use Warning Notice" left by smart meter fitter

jumbowindows

Hi all, 

We finally had a smart meter fitted today, and as the fitter was leaving he showed me a warning notice with the header "Danger do not use warning notice", that stated the following: 

"Gas meter and pipework too close to electrical equipment unable to fit separation board suggest alterations"

As he gave it to me he told me repeatedly that it was nothing to worry about and (stupidly) I signed the notice which I now realise states that I assume legal responsibility for fixing this. 

Since he left I've been growing increasingly concerned about it and am struggling to work out what to do next. 

I called Ovo who told me to call Cadent (gas supply), Cadent told me to call the emergency gas number, they told me to call Ovo. Beyond frustrating. 

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do next? 

Can I get an regular electrician to move the electric meter? 
It's almost impossible to get a tradesman in my area and so i am likely to be waiting at least a few weeks before anything even gets looked at. Can I sleep soundly for that long ?

Any advice greatly appreciated 
Thanks

MarzipanCrumble

I googled this - it maybe that you can get a Gas Registered Engineer to fix it - and you are not the only one who has had this problem.....might be worth checking out similar threads....

https://www.google.com/search?q=gas+pipework+too+close+to+electricity+meter+uk+who+fixes+it&sca_esv=44785faec4b38403&rlz=1C1NHXL_enGB760GB760&sxsrf=AHTn8zoCq0YoJHJ204MN23-rWtFdbkwL3Q:1746635235897&ei=44kbaPLLNpi4hbIPst7F4Qw&oq=gas+pipework+too+close+to+electricity+meter+uk+who+fixes&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiOGdhcyBwaXBld29yayB0b28gY2xvc2UgdG8gZWxlY3RyaWNpdHkgbWV0ZXIgdWsgd2hvIGZpeGVzKgIIADIFECEYoAFI-19QuRdYu0RwAXgBkAEAmAGKAaABsAiqAQM0Lja4AQHIAQD4AQGYAgugAqIJwgIKEAAYsAMY1gQYR8ICBBAhGBWYAwCIBgGQBgiSBwMyLjmgB6EnsgcDMS45uAeUCQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

SAC2334

Mine did the same thing on my gas fire which I had never used since I moved in .He said the fake coals were not correctly positioned and the fire did not light so made me sign something that he had pointed it out .. He also checked that the gas oven lit and the grill lit and the gas boiler lit . This must be to cover himself against occupiers claiming their equipment stopped working after the meter exchange 

Keep_pedalling

Current regs state.

Gas pipework should be at least 25mm from electric switches, sockets, supply or distribution cables, as set out in BS 6891(1). Gas pipes should also be at least 150mm from electrical supply equipment such as electric metering equipment, service cut-outs, main isolation switches or consumer units. If these distances cannot be met, then gas pipework and electrics must be separated by a non-conductive barrier.

If it’s the actual meter that needs moving then that can’t be done by an electrician it needs to be done by the NDO who serves your area. 

https://www.energynetworks.org/customers/find-my-network-operator

jumbowindows

Keep_pedalling said:

Current regs state.

Gas pipework should be at least 25mm from electric switches, sockets, supply or distribution cables, as set out in BS 6891(1). Gas pipes should also be at least 150mm from electrical supply equipment such as electric metering equipment, service cut-outs, main isolation switches or consumer units. If these distances cannot be met, then gas pipework and electrics must be separated by a non-conductive barrier.

If it’s the actual meter that needs moving then that can’t be done by an electrician it needs to be done by the NDO who serves your area. 

https://www.energynetworks.org/customers/find-my-network-operator

thank you. is it reasonable to assume that i can move either the electric or the gas? whichever works out cheaper i guess? 

imeach

It may cost a small fortune to move either. 
As for sleeping soundly, it hasn't caused you any issues in all the years they have been in 'close proximity', nothing has changed except new regulations 

FreeBear

A photo of the problem area might help us to suggest a solution.

It might be a strip of cement board glued to the wall would provide sufficient protection.

doodling

Hi,

My suggestion is that you do nothing at all.

The notice is informing you that the arrangement doesn't meet current regulations, despite the word "danger" in the notice, so far you have given no indication that it is unsafe.  If it really was unsafe then the meter fitter should have refused to reconnect the gas supply.  I suspect that the arrangement you have might be less safe than an arrangement which meets current regulations if there was a gas leak or your electricity supply equipment caught fire but both of those things are pretty unsafe on their own without worrying about the interaction between the two utilities.

In an ideal world, yes, either the gas meter or the electricity supply should be moved, that is likely to be expensive (£500+) if the local DNO or gas supplier has to move their equipment.  If you're lucky then the issue could be addressed by rearranging your own gas pipework which might be a cheaper (£150ish) option.

jumbowindows

FreeBear said:

A photo of the problem area might help us to suggest a solution.

It might be a strip of cement board glued to the wall would provide sufficient protection.

Unfortunately they are so close that the a separation board will not fit ! see below 

QrizB

Yeah, fitting a firebreak between those is going to be a nightmare.

Reed_Richards

No help to the OP but I cannot work out what the supposed danger actually is.  What could possibly happen if your gas pipes are too near to an electricity supply?