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Unsafe gas meter - any experience?
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A.Lee
Jan 2, 2012, 3:21:05 PM1/2/12
to
A friend has a gas meter that was moved by the previous house owner, and
has been left in a potentially unsafe condition, the turn off lever is
in the kitchen, and the meter the other side of the wall in the hallway,
as well as the meter only being supported by the 2 pipes, with no access
at all to the regulator, as it is so close to the ceiling.
Amazingly, this house had a Gas Safety Certificate 12 months ago, as
well as a new boiler fitted.
My gas fitter mate went to fit a new hob, but says he cannot do it,[1]
and the owner needs to contact Transco to either get the meter, or the
valve moved.
Has anyone any experience of what they'll do?
Would they shut his supply off immediately, or fix it at the time, and
send him a bill?
Or, could he explain he has only had the house a year, and hope they
take pity on him, and do it free of charge?
Thanks
Alan
[1] He says apart from being fitted wrongly, he cannot see how anyone
can do a leak test with the valve the other side of a wall to the meter.
On checking to see who fitted the boiler, there were no details entered
into the install log, so he thinks it was a DIY job. We didnt get to see
the GSC to see who had passed this mess.
--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.
has been left in a potentially unsafe condition, the turn off lever is
in the kitchen, and the meter the other side of the wall in the hallway,
as well as the meter only being supported by the 2 pipes, with no access
at all to the regulator, as it is so close to the ceiling.
Amazingly, this house had a Gas Safety Certificate 12 months ago, as
well as a new boiler fitted.
My gas fitter mate went to fit a new hob, but says he cannot do it,[1]
and the owner needs to contact Transco to either get the meter, or the
valve moved.
Has anyone any experience of what they'll do?
Would they shut his supply off immediately, or fix it at the time, and
send him a bill?
Or, could he explain he has only had the house a year, and hope they
take pity on him, and do it free of charge?
Thanks
Alan
[1] He says apart from being fitted wrongly, he cannot see how anyone
can do a leak test with the valve the other side of a wall to the meter.
On checking to see who fitted the boiler, there were no details entered
into the install log, so he thinks it was a DIY job. We didnt get to see
the GSC to see who had passed this mess.
--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.
tony sayer
Jan 2, 2012, 4:06:22 PM1/2/12
to
In article <1kd9epn.hhi7213ywadcN%alan@darkroom.+.com>, A.Lee
<alan@darkroom.+.com> scribeth thus
Going by past experience calling Transco usually results in the gas
supply being disconnected and a red label pointing out it is an offence
to have a Gas supply in a less then just so condition like that.
A Gas safety cert might not cover the condition of the meter and its
connecting pipes, its usually to do with the condition of the boiler
etc.....
--
Tony Sayer
<alan@darkroom.+.com> scribeth thus
supply being disconnected and a red label pointing out it is an offence
to have a Gas supply in a less then just so condition like that.
A Gas safety cert might not cover the condition of the meter and its
connecting pipes, its usually to do with the condition of the boiler
etc.....
--
Tony Sayer
Brian Gaff
Jan 2, 2012, 5:32:30 PM1/2/12
to
I think you will find they have a standard tarrif for this kind of thing.
Obviously if they feel its unsafe they will cut off the supply. Sounds like
a job for a pretty young lady on the day to me....
Brian
--
Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email: bri...@blueyonder.co.uk
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"tony sayer" <to...@bancom.co.uk> wrote in message
news:C6dTQwUO...@bancom.co.uk...
Obviously if they feel its unsafe they will cut off the supply. Sounds like
a job for a pretty young lady on the day to me....
Brian
--
Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email: bri...@blueyonder.co.uk
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"tony sayer" <to...@bancom.co.uk> wrote in message
news:C6dTQwUO...@bancom.co.uk...
Owain
Jan 2, 2012, 6:53:05 PM1/2/12
to
On Jan 2, 9:06 pm, tony sayer wrote:
> A Gas safety cert might not cover the condition of the meter and its
> connecting pipes, its usually to do with the condition of the boiler
> etc.....
It should cover the safety of the entire installation, including
> A Gas safety cert might not cover the condition of the meter and its
> connecting pipes, its usually to do with the condition of the boiler
> etc.....
operation of the emergency control valve and checking for the presence
of equipotential bonding.
Owain
Onetap
Jan 2, 2012, 9:25:55 PM1/2/12
to
On Jan 2, 8:21 pm, a...@darkroom.+.com (A.Lee) wrote:
> A friend has a gas meter that was moved by the previous house owner, and
> has been left in a potentially unsafe condition, the turn off lever is
> in the kitchen, and the meter the other side of the wall in the hallway,
> as well as the meter only being supported by the 2 pipes, with no access
> at all to the regulator, as it is so close to the ceiling.
> Amazingly, this house had a Gas Safety Certificate 12 months ago, as
> well as a new boiler fitted.
I can't see why National Grid/Transco would charge him. It is their
> A friend has a gas meter that was moved by the previous house owner, and
> has been left in a potentially unsafe condition, the turn off lever is
> in the kitchen, and the meter the other side of the wall in the hallway,
> as well as the meter only being supported by the 2 pipes, with no access
> at all to the regulator, as it is so close to the ceiling.
> Amazingly, this house had a Gas Safety Certificate 12 months ago, as
> well as a new boiler fitted.
installation and they cannot prove that it has been altered by the
previous owner. I've seen several Transco meter installations that
were unsafe; they're tossers.
I'd imagine they'd disconnect it from the distribution pipoes and
amend their pipework. He'd have to employ a Gas Safe bloke to
reconnect to the meter.
tony sayer
Jan 3, 2012, 4:54:50 AM1/3/12
to
In article <635dd712-9d3e-4201...@u6g2000vbc.googlegroups
.com>, Owain <spuorg...@gowanhill.com> scribeth thus
Perhaps it should 'tho the number of times I've seen these inspections
on the go and it just seems to apply to the boiler . I don't recall
anyone looking at the meter for instance?...
--
Tony Sayer
.com>, Owain <spuorg...@gowanhill.com> scribeth thus
on the go and it just seems to apply to the boiler . I don't recall
anyone looking at the meter for instance?...
--
Tony Sayer
stuart noble
Jan 3, 2012, 6:55:33 AM1/3/12
to
> I can't see why National Grid/Transco would charge him. It is their
> installation and they cannot prove that it has been altered by the
> previous owner. I've seen several Transco meter installations that
> were unsafe; they're tossers.
>
A.Lee
Jan 3, 2012, 6:56:46 AM1/3/12
to
tony sayer <to...@bancom.co.uk> wrote:
> In article .. Owain <spuorg...@gowanhill.com> scribeth thus
> >It should cover the safety of the entire installation, including
> >operation of the emergency control valve and checking for the presence
> >of equipotential bonding.
impossible, as the valve was not in reach of the meter, so could not in
any way have been tested properly.
> In article .. Owain <spuorg...@gowanhill.com> scribeth thus
> >It should cover the safety of the entire installation, including
> >operation of the emergency control valve and checking for the presence
> >of equipotential bonding.
> Perhaps it should 'tho the number of times I've seen these inspections
> on the go and it just seems to apply to the boiler . I don't recall
> anyone looking at the meter for instance?...
You cant do a GSC without doing a pressure drop test, and this one was
> on the go and it just seems to apply to the boiler . I don't recall
> anyone looking at the meter for instance?...
impossible, as the valve was not in reach of the meter, so could not in
any way have been tested properly.
John Williamson
Jan 3, 2012, 8:06:53 AM1/3/12
to
A.Lee wrote:
>
> You cant do a GSC without doing a pressure drop test, and this one was
> impossible, as the valve was not in reach of the meter, so could not in
> any way have been tested properly.
>
"Fred, turn the tap off"
>
> You cant do a GSC without doing a pressure drop test, and this one was
> impossible, as the valve was not in reach of the meter, so could not in
> any way have been tested properly.
>
<Check pressure for drop>
"Thanks Fred, you can turn it back on now"
--
Tciao for Now!
John.
js.b1
Jan 3, 2012, 9:44:37 AM1/3/12
to
Transco handle meter work based on the nature of the work.
Grid Supply.
This appears to be only their people for domestic, efficient &
competent, not outsourced to local contractor. ECV correctly
positioned ready to go.
Meter & Internal Hookup.
This appears to be outsourced quite a lot, the one who did my mother's
turned up in a van with Connaught removed from it. He was extremely
inexperienced, basically "just out of school" and work was "short of
compliant to the letter" in terms of not really knowing why things
were done and just going by some checklist with hints of poor
supervision during training.
If the ECV is on the other side of the wall I recall you need a second
ECV by the meter. Transco will fix it only if you make the task of
doing so simplistic - ie, it is a simple dissassembly task & solder a
new piece in. They are not going to do any wall work, they will do
remedial on their physical components. I was told by a Transco
Inspector they end up doing a lot of this - it varies around the
country. He also said they prefer to do remedial than chase, because
the paperwork never stops and they can not keep up with doing
remedials.
So yes, there is a lot of variable work - it need not be DIY. Someone
may have blagged the wall was being removed or there was a cupboard in
the way preventing normal location. The ECV must be accessible also to
the occupant re age etc. Make sure the Anaconda (stainless flex hose)
is not in any way damaged, because that is Grid flow & pressure and
they DO age and DO require replacement even when superficially looking
ok.
Grid Supply.
This appears to be only their people for domestic, efficient &
competent, not outsourced to local contractor. ECV correctly
positioned ready to go.
Meter & Internal Hookup.
This appears to be outsourced quite a lot, the one who did my mother's
turned up in a van with Connaught removed from it. He was extremely
inexperienced, basically "just out of school" and work was "short of
compliant to the letter" in terms of not really knowing why things
were done and just going by some checklist with hints of poor
supervision during training.
If the ECV is on the other side of the wall I recall you need a second
ECV by the meter. Transco will fix it only if you make the task of
doing so simplistic - ie, it is a simple dissassembly task & solder a
new piece in. They are not going to do any wall work, they will do
remedial on their physical components. I was told by a Transco
Inspector they end up doing a lot of this - it varies around the
country. He also said they prefer to do remedial than chase, because
the paperwork never stops and they can not keep up with doing
remedials.
So yes, there is a lot of variable work - it need not be DIY. Someone
may have blagged the wall was being removed or there was a cupboard in
the way preventing normal location. The ECV must be accessible also to
the occupant re age etc. Make sure the Anaconda (stainless flex hose)
is not in any way damaged, because that is Grid flow & pressure and
they DO age and DO require replacement even when superficially looking
ok.
Another Dave
Jan 5, 2012, 4:54:22 AM1/5/12
to
On 02/01/2012 20:21, A.Lee wrote:
>
> Has anyone any experience of what they'll do?
> Would they shut his supply off immediately, or fix it at the time, and
> send him a bill?
>
I can't speak for you friend's situation but when I had a smart meter
>
> Has anyone any experience of what they'll do?
> Would they shut his supply off immediately, or fix it at the time, and
> send him a bill?
>
fitted recently the E.ON fitter said the meter was not up to standard in
that the lever of the main valve could fall to the on position. I could
have got this wrong - at no time did I understand what they were talking
about.
He said he'd call Transco and they'd fix it FOC.
Having been a denizen of this group for many years, I dreaded what would
come next. Two Transco men arrived, said it was more serious than the
E.ON guy had said and that the stop washer at the back of the valve was
broken. By now I was having kittens.
They rang somewhere and a third Transco man came from 30 miles away with
a spare valve which they fitted. I was without gas for 20 minutes - it
was now 10pm on Friday night. I was reconnected and they left - NO CHARGE.
They were unfailingly courteous and professional and did the job as fast
as possible.
On the way out they said "The electric power cable to your garage goes
through the same hole as the external gas pipe; this could lead to your
gas pipes becoming live. You will get it seen to won't you sir?".
Another Dave
Tim Lamb
Jan 5, 2012, 5:29:16 AM1/5/12
to
In message
<bccfa15e-a7a0-4499...@z17g2000vbe.googlegroups.com>,
js.b1 <js...@ntlworld.com> writes
There appears to be quite a conflict between BG and National Grid.
Some years back, I had a long running saga which highlights this.....
Our domestic gas is from a medium pressure main (no low pressure
conveniently available). The gas meter fitted is electrical and has a
battery to supply power.
About 10 years after the original installation, I began getting letters
from BG saying they needed to change the meter. Various appointments
were made but no new meter fitted. Eventually a senior engineer called
in on his way home from work. By torch light we examined the
installation and he agreed that the replacement meter could not
physically fit!
I attended the next attempt when a National Grid fitter was present. He
was adamant that BG should simply fit a new battery as no job
number/payment had been raised to cover his work.
And that is what was done! I look forward to the 20th. anniversary when
I guess it will start over:-)
regards
--
Tim Lamb
<bccfa15e-a7a0-4499...@z17g2000vbe.googlegroups.com>,
js.b1 <js...@ntlworld.com> writes
Some years back, I had a long running saga which highlights this.....
Our domestic gas is from a medium pressure main (no low pressure
conveniently available). The gas meter fitted is electrical and has a
battery to supply power.
About 10 years after the original installation, I began getting letters
from BG saying they needed to change the meter. Various appointments
were made but no new meter fitted. Eventually a senior engineer called
in on his way home from work. By torch light we examined the
installation and he agreed that the replacement meter could not
physically fit!
I attended the next attempt when a National Grid fitter was present. He
was adamant that BG should simply fit a new battery as no job
number/payment had been raised to cover his work.
And that is what was done! I look forward to the 20th. anniversary when
I guess it will start over:-)
regards
--
Tim Lamb
A.Lee
Jan 31, 2012, 4:42:10 PM1/31/12
to
A.Lee <alan@darkroom.+.com> wrote:
> A friend has a gas meter that was moved by the previous house owner, and
> has been left in a potentially unsafe condition, the turn off lever is
> in the kitchen, and the meter the other side of the wall in the hallway,
> as well as the meter only being supported by the 2 pipes, with no access
> at all to the regulator, as it is so close to the ceiling.
...
> A friend has a gas meter that was moved by the previous house owner, and
> has been left in a potentially unsafe condition, the turn off lever is
> in the kitchen, and the meter the other side of the wall in the hallway,
> as well as the meter only being supported by the 2 pipes, with no access
> at all to the regulator, as it is so close to the ceiling.
> Has anyone any experience of what they'll do?
> Would they shut his supply off immediately, or fix it at the time, and
> send him a bill?
As a follow up to this, Transco went round today, told him what he knew
> Would they shut his supply off immediately, or fix it at the time, and
> send him a bill?
already - that a DIYer had moved the meter, they then said it would
cost near to a £1000 to move it back to the correct place, or make it
safe, but, they didnt disconnect him.
That seems strange to me, it is either unsafe, or OK. If unsafe, they
should have cut the supply off, or maybe there is a 3rd option, where
they know it is not up to standard, but is no immediate danger?
Alan.
Onetap
Jan 31, 2012, 6:29:58 PM1/31/12
to
On Jan 31, 9:42 pm, a...@darkroom.+.com (A.Lee) wrote:
> As a follow up to this, Transco went round today, told him what he knew
> already - that a DIYer had moved the meter, they then said it would
> cost near to a £1000 to move it back to the correct place, or make it
> safe, but, they didnt disconnect him.
Possibly, but it wasn't your friend.
> As a follow up to this, Transco went round today, told him what he knew
> already - that a DIYer had moved the meter, they then said it would
> cost near to a £1000 to move it back to the correct place, or make it
> safe, but, they didnt disconnect him.
He became the owner of all the defects in the house (woodworm,
subsidence, dodgy electrics, etc) when he bought it, but he didn't
buy the meter installation from Transco. If they want paying, they
should take it up with the previous owner(s). I hope they don't expect
him to pay for their making their meter installation safe Their meter
reader should have seen it on the takeover.
the_constructor
Feb 1, 2012, 2:22:49 PM2/1/12
to
"Onetap" <One...@talk21.com> wrote in message
news:1ae320cc-4ca0-46ad...@z31g2000vbt.googlegroups.com...
charge, far less than £1000 put the meter back where it should be.
I had a similar problem at my old house a few years ago. The previous
occupier hjad the meter taken from the Gas box outside and put on the
opposite side of the wall inside because he had a card meter installed and
it saved him going outside.
I contacted Transco who told me that it would cost several hundred pounds to
put it back outside. I contacted the chap who serviced my boiler who said it
was an easy job and would cost me £45. As long as it is done by a GaqsSafe
engineer it is OK.
Transco are a bloody rip off
Jim G
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