Hi, could one or more experts in this field please answer this? .
The gas main where I live, which is currently under the pavement, is being replaced/upgraded with a new main run under the road. Consequently, all the houses supplied from the existing main are being reconnected to the new main. The gas service pipes to ALL the houses, were at some time in the past replaced with yellow mdpe, which was pulled through the old steel pipework. Along with the new road gas main, we were told, that ALL the existing service pipes would have to be replaced again, even though they were already in yellow mdpe.
The work has progressed, and indeed on some houses, the existing yellow mdpe service pipes were pulled out completely, and a new length of mdpe pulled in. But on some it has been left in place going to the house, and joined to a new length going to the new gas main in the road.
Most of the houses (detached and semi) have an integral garage, and in 99% of those, the gas meter is in the garage. In most, the meter sits at about 5' off the floor and is fed with steel riser. So presumabley the yellow mdpe is connected to the steel pipe, below the concrete in the garage floor.
I have been trying to get a clear answer to exactly what criteria is used to decide if the existing yellow mdpe is to be replaced. I've been given various answers by the people digging the road and replacing the main, and running the new service pipes. But not a clear reason about why some service pipes are replace, and why some aren't. A new team has just started, and they seem to favour not pulling the existing service pipe out, but are happy to dig up a section of the drives and run a short length to the house.
In my house specifically.
The gas meter is 5'5'' off the concrete floor in my garage. It is fed with a yellow plastic sleeved steel riser, at the bottom of which, I'm told is some kind of "trans" ?? coupling/collar, that connects to the yellow mdpe below the concrete. The steel pipe is in very good condition with no sign of rusting or any gas leak when tested.
My next door neighbour's house is exactly the same, or was until 2 days ago. He was told that the service pipe had to be replaced. They were going to dig a hole in his garage floor to do this. They actually started to dig the concrete, but then having shattered the floor in a small area, changed their minds, and said they had to dig up drive instead, just in front of the entrance to the garage. They then cut the existing mdpe short, put an elbow on it, and ran a new length to, up, and through the external wall to the garage. They then ran a length of steel pipe up inside the garage, and copper pipe to the gas meter which they moved from it's existing position.
In my garage, I've been told several times that all they are going to do is replace the existing mdpe service pipe, to the gas meter in the existing position. But now they are being vague about exactly what they are going to do. I cant get a clear answer about why the existing service pipe has to be replaced or altered.
I don't want my drive dug up, I don't want an external pipe, and I don't want my meter moved, unless there is a specific regulation that says there is something wrong with my existing installation.
It's estimated that the existing underground yellow mdpe service pipes, have been in for around 25/26 or so years. Does is degrade in that time?
Can someone with the expert knowlege, please tell me exactly what connections to the mdpe service pipe, are allowed in an integral domestic garage? And if not, please point me to the correct written regulation/text, that describe the allowed connections?
Many thanks. ( sorry for the long post )
The gas main where I live, which is currently under the pavement, is being replaced/upgraded with a new main run under the road. Consequently, all the houses supplied from the existing main are being reconnected to the new main. The gas service pipes to ALL the houses, were at some time in the past replaced with yellow mdpe, which was pulled through the old steel pipework. Along with the new road gas main, we were told, that ALL the existing service pipes would have to be replaced again, even though they were already in yellow mdpe.
The work has progressed, and indeed on some houses, the existing yellow mdpe service pipes were pulled out completely, and a new length of mdpe pulled in. But on some it has been left in place going to the house, and joined to a new length going to the new gas main in the road.
Most of the houses (detached and semi) have an integral garage, and in 99% of those, the gas meter is in the garage. In most, the meter sits at about 5' off the floor and is fed with steel riser. So presumabley the yellow mdpe is connected to the steel pipe, below the concrete in the garage floor.
I have been trying to get a clear answer to exactly what criteria is used to decide if the existing yellow mdpe is to be replaced. I've been given various answers by the people digging the road and replacing the main, and running the new service pipes. But not a clear reason about why some service pipes are replace, and why some aren't. A new team has just started, and they seem to favour not pulling the existing service pipe out, but are happy to dig up a section of the drives and run a short length to the house.
In my house specifically.
The gas meter is 5'5'' off the concrete floor in my garage. It is fed with a yellow plastic sleeved steel riser, at the bottom of which, I'm told is some kind of "trans" ?? coupling/collar, that connects to the yellow mdpe below the concrete. The steel pipe is in very good condition with no sign of rusting or any gas leak when tested.
My next door neighbour's house is exactly the same, or was until 2 days ago. He was told that the service pipe had to be replaced. They were going to dig a hole in his garage floor to do this. They actually started to dig the concrete, but then having shattered the floor in a small area, changed their minds, and said they had to dig up drive instead, just in front of the entrance to the garage. They then cut the existing mdpe short, put an elbow on it, and ran a new length to, up, and through the external wall to the garage. They then ran a length of steel pipe up inside the garage, and copper pipe to the gas meter which they moved from it's existing position.
In my garage, I've been told several times that all they are going to do is replace the existing mdpe service pipe, to the gas meter in the existing position. But now they are being vague about exactly what they are going to do. I cant get a clear answer about why the existing service pipe has to be replaced or altered.
I don't want my drive dug up, I don't want an external pipe, and I don't want my meter moved, unless there is a specific regulation that says there is something wrong with my existing installation.
It's estimated that the existing underground yellow mdpe service pipes, have been in for around 25/26 or so years. Does is degrade in that time?
Can someone with the expert knowlege, please tell me exactly what connections to the mdpe service pipe, are allowed in an integral domestic garage? And if not, please point me to the correct written regulation/text, that describe the allowed connections?
Many thanks. ( sorry for the long post )