Gas service bonding.

[SSE]

Whilst looking over a job for someone as a favour I was asked something which I wasn't to sure about, I'm sure the good folk from here can clear it up. There's a local shop that has gas heating in it, the gas meter is located in a shed a few metres away from the shop. There is no 10mm earth at the gas meter within the required distance on consumer side, there is however a 10mm earth at the first accessible point to the pipe in the shop. It's maybe about 4-5 metres inside the shop. There's no access to the pipe under the floor as it's a raised floor. There was no way of getting a 10mm earth to the gas meter in the shed until now as the owner has cut a channel in the concrete outside for a duct to run an 6mm 3-core SWA for power in the shed. My question is, would a 10mm earth need to be run to the gas meter in the shed or is it ok currently as it is? I'd have thought the answer would be yes but one of my mates opinion differs, he says no & to just take a 6mm earth from shed cu to gas pipe in shed.

 

[telectrix]

for an external meter, the criteria for bonding is inside the building within 600mm of point of entry or as close as practicable. so you're right that it's OK.

edit: it's only plumbers that think the bond should always be to the meter, but do plumbers ever read BS7671?

 

[davesparks]

If the electrical installation has been extended in to the meter cupboard then yes the gas pipe needs a 10mm bond in the meter cupboard.

Before the electrical installation was extended in to the meter cupboard the current setup was correct.

 

[valleybilly]

GasSafe regs require bond B4 first elbow / tee reguardless of location or BS 7671 .

 

[baldsparkies]

GasSafe regs require bond B4 first elbow / tee reguardless of location or BS 7671 .

Its there regs so let em bond as they like.
We are Electricians and as such we work to BS7671 so as Telectrix as said in post 2.
We don't tell Gas safe plumbers how to install or comply with gas regs.
So why tell electricians or the IEE how to install electrical related connections.
In the meantime, let the two governing bodies get together and sort there differences.
After all the 600 mm rule as been around, and thrashed about so much I'm sick to the teeth hearing about it !!

 

[Flanders]

As Telectrix and davesparkes says. Didn't know about the gas Regs though valleybilly so should the gas be also bonded in the outbuilding I see a lot of installations with outbuilding and the gas has always been bonded on the entry to the building and I excepted that as satisfactory , I have been ask by the gas guys to bond outside metal gas tanks to an earth rod but never been ask to bond remote meters.

 

[Leesparkykent]

As Telectrix and davesparkes says. Didn't know about the gas Regs though valleybilly so should the gas be also bonded in the outbuilding I see a lot of installations with outbuilding and the gas has always been bonded on the entry to the building and I excepted that as satisfactory , I have been ask by the gas guys to bond outside metal gas tanks to an earth rod but never been ask to bond remote meters.

Other rules come in to play with regards to Bulk storage lpg tanks. Things like installing a rod/s which I think has to have an Ra sub 10Ω. It's to do with the loading/transfer of the liquid when being delivered and static charge.

when it comes to bonding gas with external meters, bonding at point of entry is what is required from us but wet pants have their own rules, before first "T" etc.

In the case of the OP the meter will also require bonding in the shed now as the equipotential zone is being extended out there.

 

[valleybilly]

GasSafe regs require bond B4 first elbow / tee reguardless of location or BS 7671 .

The reasoning given by Gassafe is due to failed joints/cut pipe work prior to an internal bond rendering the bonding useless even if gas is not in use ( Meter capped & left in place ) .
Come across a DNOs Earth not in service with water on plastic many times therefor gas bond is acting as sole earth with customers totaly unaware as usual . When replacing a gas meter they are required to temp bond (Load / Supply sides so to speak ) b4 its removal due to the above scenario .
Non Statutory regs v Statutory ' make your own mind up.

 

[Flanders]

Other rules come in to play with regards to Bulk storage lpg tanks. Things like installing a rod/s which I think has to have an Ra sub 10Ω. It's to do with the loading/transfer of the liquid when being delivered and static charge.

when it comes to bonding gas with external meters, bonding at point of entry is what is required from us but wet pants have their own rules, before first "T" etc.

In the case of the OP the meter will also require bonding in the shed now as the equipotential zone is being extended out there.

Yes your right the op will have to take a 10mm bond from the met to the gas meter in this case , i did not notice earlyer that there is power to be run to the shed

 

[davesparks]

GasSafe regs require bond B4 first elbow / tee reguardless of location or BS 7671 .

I don't think there is any such thing a Gassafe regs, are you possibly referring to the gas installation and use laws?
Either way please can you provide a specific reference to which regulations/law and part of it to which you are referring? If not then kindly stick it where the sun shineth not, the electrical installation will be done in accordance with 7671 and the has monkeys can go whistle.

 

[SSE]

Forgot all about this thread! Thanks for your help guys.