New consumer unit close to gas pipe/meter

[sidekick]

When replacing a consumer unit. If the current rewireable board is only 80mm from gas pipe/meter can the new board be fitted there or does it have to be moved to comply with the minimum distance of 150mm.
Not possible to fit close if so and would need to be moved over a meter to find space meaning existing cables no chance of reaching.

 

[malcolmsanford]

It may well be a court case after Jan 2012 as the BGB makes it's first ever reference to the gas regs in 528.3.4 and once that comes into force I will certainly take those regulations into count.

As you say the building regs do refer to the BS 7671-2008 and deem adherence to them as compliant to electrical installations is dwellings and non dwellings, but not solely preclude other standards. In my mind then as the BS 7671-2008 before the amendment never referred to BS 6891 it was something that did not concern me overly, but as from Jan 2012 it will.

 

[Des 56]

This has always been a chicken and egg question
What came first the fuse board or the pipe
If there was some sort of safety issue with close proximity,where lies the guilty party to answer for this terrible danger



Does anyone know,what precisely is the danger that a gap of 150mm from a gas pipe makes in comparison to a gap of say 25mm or less for a consumer unit and furthermore, what danger is there perceived to be in the first instance



Its got me stumped

 

[Rockingit]

25mm is the distance for just cable, but it's things that make sparks and arcs like breakers that is the threat of igniting an explosive leak.

Having witnessed first hand what happens when the spark from a kettle switch meets gas...and the complete disappearance of the house that used to contain them both before they met, I have no issue on erring to caution.

As to who to blame: That's easy. It was the plumber. Always. What was the question again??

 

[Des 56]

Thank you Rockingit,it was the answer I anticipated to be honest,because now I would like to ask the question

If the proximity of the pipe to either cable or electric arcs is necessary to reduce or eliminate gas explosions,then first we have the permitted problem of the usual shared room or position where indeed an explosive atmosphere can indeed exist
With the air and gas of that room mixed to perfection the proximity of an arc to cause explosion may possibly be irrelevant


With this in mind i am sorry but I am still looking to understand the reason for the particular gap mentioned


Flameproof enclosures for consumer units anyone

 

[Knobhead]

I think it’s to give natural ventilation a chance to dilute the gas air mixture to below the LEL. In a cupboard that reasoning goes out the window, (along with the rest of the house). It’s some figure picked out of the air by the know-nothings. If the two services were in a sealed cupboard then the gas air mixture could be above the UEL and be perfectly safe.Crazy Crazy world!I was lucky in being sent as an apprentice to the BASEEFA test site for training, I had a fantastic time finding out about gas explosions!

 

[Octopus]

Ok, lets get contriversual.

Its a board change in an older property, do these "proximity" values actually apply. Lets say the property is 30+ years old, is it a real problem!!

Tin hat on!

 

[telectrix]

old board been there years. not caused a fire yet. stick a bit of scrap asbestos next to the gas pipe.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

This has always been a chicken and egg question
What came first the fuse board or the pipe
If there was some sort of safety issue with close proximity,where lies the guilty party to answer for this terrible danger



Does anyone know,what precisely is the danger that a gap of 150mm from a gas pipe makes in comparison to a gap of say 25mm or less for a consumer unit and furthermore, what danger is there perceived to be in the first instance



Its got me stumped

Love it!

 

[SPARTYKUS]

old board been there years. not caused a fire yet. stick a bit of scrap asbestos next to the gas pipe.

make sure you have full Nuclear, bio and chemical suitage on of course .....(just kidding what aload of cobblers eh)

 

[sidekick]

Thanks to all replies on this thread and interesting reading.
In the meantime the plot thickens - The property has had a visit from the gas supplier who advises gas meter now needs changing but having seen consumer unit at 80mm gap from incomming gas pipe and meter will not proceed and say best they can do is put new supply tap in street with some sort of sub meter in house. Not sure exactly untill customer calms down and explains better as they are in shock from gas supplier advise cost for above would be £1000+.
Only other options non combustable barier which would apparrently prevent closing cupboard containing both meters and consumer unit or move consumer unit.

 

[Knobhead]

Who’s writing this script? It’s getting like Monty Python!

 

[telectrix]

so, it was gas that killed the parrot then

 

[topquark]

If it was proximity to the gas meter I could more understand it (due to the small amount of gas leaked when pressure testing the gas system). But not to a pipe. Just makes the bonding easier

 

[sidekick]

Think I'll pay another visit tomorrow and find out exactly what gas supplier has said and have another look myself but sounds as though its getting a little complicated, so now moving the consumer unit might be the best bet. Will update later.

 

[Thomas123]

cut that pipe out, those damn plumbers and their pipes