Cable in proximity to gas pipe

[s6stu]

A plumber on the last job that I was on complained that cables had been passed through the floor less than 30mm away from a gas pipe and that this was against regs, as an arc could cause a fire if there was a gas leak. I had not heard of this reg before, and also thought that if the cable and gas pipe were to have faults, 30mm would not make any difference to the potential risk of fire. Can anyone enlighten me perhaps?

 

[sparkyork]

not heard this one either, he could be thinking about min distance between lv and mains cables?? end at day so long as its not strapped to the side of the pipe i dont think it matters. more trades trying to tell you your job does my head in!! dont mind another spark saying stuff but plumbers just got on my boobies!

 

[benji]

I allways blame plumbers for putting pipes to close to cables
yours benji

 

[Cirrus]

Plumbers are almost as thick as painters and as for knowing regs - don't get me started. I regularly run cables along gas pipes if I have to.

 

[saveloy]

A plumber on the last job that I was on complained that cables had been passed through the floor less than 30mm away from a gas pipe and that this was against regs, as an arc could cause a fire if there was a gas leak. I had not heard of this reg before, and also thought that if the cable and gas pipe were to have faults, 30mm would not make any difference to the potential risk of fire. Can anyone enlighten me perhaps?

What a crock of ****. How many gas meters are located in cupboards under the stairs next to the main fuse/ consumer unit? There is far more potential for a gas explosion/fire to be caused by arcing in this situation than by having a cable located within 30mm of a gas pipe, by the arcing in a main switch or breaker.

 

[ian.settle1]

Definition of a Plumber - An electrician with his brain removed

 

[wayne]

in the 17th osg there is something about electrics in proximity to gas pipes and meter

 

[rumrunner]

What a crock of ****. How many gas meters are located in cupboards under the stairs next to the main fuse/ consumer unit? There is far more potential for a gas explosion/fire to be caused by arcing in this situation than by having a cable located within 30mm of a gas pipe, by the arcing in a main switch or breaker.

id just "flash" a neutral in con unit and pmsl as he legs it gas wont hurt you load of fuss about nowt ,

 

[saveloy]

id just "flash" a neutral in con unit and pmsl as he legs it gas wont hurt you load of fuss about nowt ,

Exactly. If you expanded this plumber,s theory to the nth degree, then you may as well refuse to install any electrics whatsoever in a property that has a gas supply on the basis that the arcing of switchgear etc may cause a fire.On the other hand maybe his gas fitting is so ---- , he covers himself by making up wiring regs!!!

 

[4x4 mark]

the only reg that i can think of is when drilling through joists and the minimum distances between holes is twice the diameter of the largest hole is the gap between two holes, but nothing else springs to mind.
so how are you going to bond his gas pipe if you have to keep 30mm away from it at all times. plumbers well back in the line for brains when they were issued, not last though cos that position belongs to boarders.

 

[s6stu]

Thanks for all the replies, he had me worried for a moment, apparently he's known for picking holes and telling people how to do their job.

Good to see a healthy hatred of plumbers - the bane of an electricians life!

 

[PAUL M]

they just jealous cause they aint smart enough to be a spark.

 

[Bane]

Thanks for all the replies, he had me worried for a moment, apparently he's known for picking holes and telling people how to do their job.

Good to see a healthy hatred of plumbers - the bane of an electricians life!

Please don't take my name in vain.

 

[montybaber]

oi you lot!!! I take offence all my family are plumbers



































































only joking they are cowboys too

 

[tony.towa]

Could have been worse, could have been plasterers!!!!!!

 

[Bright-spark]

BS 6891:2005 requires that electrical equipment be seperated from gas pipes by a minimum of 150mm and electrical cables by seperated from gas pipes by a minimum of 25mm.

Looks like the plumber knows more than you this time round.

By the way forgot to say the seperation distance does not apply to protective bonding cables.

 

[saveloy]

BS 6891:2005 requires that electrical equipment be seperated from gas pipes by a minimum of 150mm and electrical cables by seperated from gas pipes by a minimum of 25mm.

Looks like the plumber knows more than you this time round.

By the way forgot to say the seperation distance does not apply to protective bonding cables.

MMM very interesting. Can I ask what BS 6891:2005 refers to?

 

[clinger]

Check out p18 of the new on-site guide!! Mine came through yesterday

 

[sparkyork]

ditto just seen it now as well!!

 

[saveloy]

ditto just seen it now as well!!

Ahh please spill the beans. still waiting for my on site guide

 

[sparkyork]

Ahh please spill the beans. still waiting for my on site guide

gas installation pipes must be spaced:
a) at least 150 mm away from electricity meters, controls, electrical switches or sockets, dis boards or con units
b) AT LEAST 25mm from electricity cables

seperation of at least 25mm to be provided for domestic pipework up to 35mm. for pipework over 35mm then 50mm seperation is required. the seperation distance can be reduced if the gas pipe is pvc wrapped or a pane of insulating material is interposed

 

[saveloy]

gas installation pipes must be spaced:
a) at least 150 mm away from electricity meters, controls, electrical switches or sockets, dis boards or con units
b) AT LEAST 25mm from electricity cables

seperation of at least 25mm to be provided for domestic pipework up to 35mm. for pipework over 35mm then 50mm seperation is required. the seperation distance can be reduced if the gas pipe is pvc wrapped or a pane of insulating material is interposed

Oh well looks like every property in the country is going to need remedial work carried out to rectify this then.
For crying out loud do they never get fed up with inventing rules and regs.

 

[Shakey]

gas installation pipes must be spaced:
a) at least 150 mm away from electricity meters, controls, electrical switches or sockets, dis boards or con units
b) AT LEAST 25mm from electricity cables

seperation of at least 25mm to be provided for domestic pipework up to 35mm. for pipework over 35mm then 50mm seperation is required. the seperation distance can be reduced if the gas pipe is pvc wrapped or a pane of insulating material is interposed

yes but we as sparks (even though I aint a proper one) must stand our ground as well.

I am in the middle of a rewire, and it is having gas fitted from outside(should have been Monday, but the gasman could not park directly outside the house, and so refused to do the job!!!!!).

Anyway the gas is coming in through the wall into the front room, so it works both ways, I can insist he keeps HIS pipes away from MY cables, which are already laid! First come first served and all that

And why do i think that the gas fitter will claim he has precedence and insist that i move my cables Can feel a scrap coming on..........

 

[sparkyork]

yeah there a night mare arnt they! defo agree with the 1st come 1st served thang, i hate doing a new build after a plumbers been in, spesh with these new joists with knock outs in they take up all the room.

can be reversal on this tho as well, if you get in first they may pipe up to close to your cables and not tell you, then it comes to drilling 30 downlights in a kitchen and theres pipes all over!!

 

[4x4 mark]

but you are only talking about an inch of separation and less if it is pvc wrapped, most plumbers i work with buy the pvc stuff as i think it has to be identified in houses as a gas pipe, if you cant keep more than an inch away from a pipe then something is wrong.