My gas supply is about to be "modernised".

I suppose it comes to most people eventually! They are replacing the cast iron gas pipes with smaller bore plastic INSIDE the old cast iron. Worse replacing the service to the house with plastic with a bore of just 15 mm INSIDE the old steel pipe.

I have two questions, firstly, what is the maximum distance from the main which is likely to be able to give 6 cu m per hour without losing pressure after the meter regulator?

Secondly, how likely are they to agree to supply an external meter and box at the front of the house which is what I really want?

Tony

You do know this is the open forum....?

I know exactly where it is, Dan!

I am hoping for some helpful comments on the second part from homeowners who have wanted an outside meter!

The first part will need to be answered by someone with practical experience of the actual work.

Tony

Agile said:

I suppose it comes to most people eventually! They are replacing the cast iron gas pipes with smaller bore plastic INSIDE the old cast iron.

Click to expand...

Here in Edinburgh, they're repairing the iron pipes from the inside using ROBOTS! Sadly not very exciting to watch from the pavement, though.

http://utilityweek.co.uk/news/sgn-uses-robot-to-repair-gas-pipes-in-scotland/1132652#.Vbb3OYikqrU

Morning, we had our service, updated last year. The roads around us and ours had new yellow pipes run and a new service pipe to replace the old iron at each house. On the switch over day, our gas was "off " for a good few hours as the fitter made all the reconnections along the road then had to test each.
I was expecting to have our service ( iron ) pipe left in place and the new yellow plastic "pushed " into it. This was not the case. Gas pipe layer said that the old pipe could not take the new and thus our meter would have to be moved from under our stairs and either replaced into a white box by the front door or inside our garage, then a new copper feed would be run to meet the old, under the stairs. The people next door were told, you can't have your meter in your garage, it will have to be moved and placed outside.
So Tony, I would wait and have a chat with the "Team" but don't be to surprised if they offer something other then you are expecting.

The insertion of smaller diameter plastic pipework inside the then redundant cast mains is common practice now. Obviously a money saving exercise, and reduces considerably excavation and reinstatement costs. I was told by a Transco (as they were then) guy, who came out to me, that new installations did not permit any service pipe within the property that cannot be isolated. (Mine falls foul of the regs, but they are unwilling to change it until it starts leaking...)

I'd speak to them when work commences, they might be quite happy to 'mole' you in a new service to the outside wall, you are clearly able to do the post meter work yourself.