Moving gas shut off, whose responsibility?

Moving gas shut off, whose responsibility?

Author
Discussion

HotJambalaya

Original Poster:

2,026 posts

181 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
quotequote all
Just wondering, I have a flat with a gas shut off in the dead space in a kitchen corner. From memory thats also where the gas meter is, which means every time it needs reading the washing machine needs to be pulled out. Since I'm demolishing the kitchen now, it might be a good time to move it to the entry hall cupboard. I just don't know if I can go ahead and do that, or if it needs me to get Transco or someone like that involved?

richatnort

3,026 posts

132 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
quotequote all
So transco doesn't exist anymore. I had a problem with my gas meter being unsupported. As from as I'm aware national grid are responsible for the pipe up to the meter so from the meter to wherever is your responsibility. I think if you phone them up they might move it for you but I'm really not sure sorry! Worth a phone up and see what they say.

Megaflow

9,434 posts

226 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
quotequote all
National Gird will move the isolator and the meter for you, I will need to get the meter moved in our new house and investigated it. Costs about £1500, but that depends on how far you are moving it, how much underground pipe work they have to lay, not a lot in your case by the sounds of it, etc

dickymint

24,379 posts

259 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
quotequote all
HotJambalaya said:
Just wondering, I have a flat with a gas shut off in the dead space in a kitchen corner. From memory thats also where the gas meter is, which means every time it needs reading the washing machine needs to be pulled out. Since I'm demolishing the kitchen now, it might be a good time to move it to the entry hall cupboard. I just don't know if I can go ahead and do that, or if it needs me to get Transco or someone like that involved?
"If you’re a priority customer and you need to move your meter because you’re finding it hard to read or access it, tell your supplier this - they should move it for free."

worth a try wink

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/...


2lefthands

400 posts

140 months

Sunday 28th August 2016
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Flat you say? Primary or secondary meter in your flat (you will need to read the yellow info label attached to the meter).

The resiting will be your responsibility to pay for, unless you can demonstrate that the ECV (or AECV in event of secondary meter) is in an inaccessible position in the event of an emergency. If this is tucked behind a washing machine presently, I'd contact the supplier to your property who will point you in the right direction. Don't mention the renovations though, otherwise you could find yourself being told to pay for the work to be done.

Siting of meters in flats is heavily controlled, so I'm scratching my head as to how it has ended up where you say.

ETA - unless you're gas safe registered, you cannot touch gas pipework at all. It does not fall under the competence in work in own property guidelines.

anonymous-user

55 months

Sunday 28th August 2016
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I suppose the alternative is to get your supplier to install a smart meter so no more manual readings are required.

karona

1,918 posts

187 months

Sunday 28th August 2016
quotequote all
2lefthands said:
Don't mention the renovations though, otherwise you could find yourself being told to pay for the work to be done.

.
The renovations are, of course, being done to improve the access or facilities for a member of your family with a disability.
Relocation of the meter will then be free.

HotJambalaya

Original Poster:

2,026 posts

181 months

Sunday 28th August 2016
quotequote all
thanks, some good lines of thought there. In fact, the washing machine has to be pulled out, you then have to crawl into the space and shine a torch through a little gap. The shut off itself pokes into the area the washing machine is in, so previously after a few loads and a shaking machine it would slowly close the gas off!

2lefthands

400 posts

140 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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Well if the machine vibration can close the ECV, there's nothing to stop in shaking the pipework until a solder joint breaks and you have an uncontrollable gas leak. If I went anywhere near the property, I'd cut and cap until resolved! Get sorted ASAP, as you may be in breach of leasehold agreement by endangering life and property knowingly.

dickymint

24,379 posts

259 months

Monday 29th August 2016
quotequote all
Do meter readers not get any basic training on this?

2lefthands

400 posts

140 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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In house, yes. G4S and other outsource companies, couldn't give a monkeys, paid per read.