Making Meters Internal

[Lupus]

We're having an extension built at the front of our house. Our meters are currently external and would be made internal with the extension. The plan was to box in the meters in the new WC without moving them. Lots of house have internal meters.

Building control have suggested that it's fine for BC signoff, however next time the man comes to read the meters they may make us move them. Gas in particular may be a problem.

Obviously moving them later on will be far more disruptive than at this stage, but it's a lot of money I don't want to spend and it will probably make the extension look ugly.

I've had a few conversations with our power company and after a lot of faffing around and waiting weeks they've now directed us to the gas network company and electric distribution network operator.

Could anyone please advise on this?

Thanks

 

[^woody^]

You can leave them in place, but there are rules for their internal location - eg internal supply pipes for gas meters should be metal, not plastic and the meter needs to be ventilated, and electric meters and cut out can't be in wet rooms.

Contact your DNO and gas transporter.

www.energynetworks.org/customers/find-my-network-operator?hl=en-GB

Find My GDN

Find your Gas Distribution Network

findmygdn.co.uk

 

[Old Salt]

Utility companies put them outside in newer build so they could read the meter whether you are in or not. Now, with smart meters it may not make much difference. Only the network operator will be able to tell you, it wont necessarily be your supplier.

 

[Lupus]

Thanks, that is what I thought. However when I spoke to the first person they 'made out' it was for safety so they can switch it off during a Fire. Felt a bit like they're pushing for it to be moved external for easier meter reading under the guise of safety. Currently the pipe looks like its a plastic pipe.

The builders rather annoying have since covered it in concrete, despite BC saying to speak to the gas transporter first.

The blue line is where a new meter would have to go.

 

[cdbe]

The builders rather annoying have since covered it in concrete,

That's unfortunate, looks like they could have been "swung" across. Gas will have to be moved outside - the plastic melts in a fire and then you have an internal flamethrower.

 

[noseall]

Thanks, that is what I thought. However when I spoke to the first person they 'made out' it was for safety so they can switch it off during a Fire. Felt a bit like they're pushing for it to be moved external for easier meter reading under the guise of safety. Currently the pipe looks like its a plastic pipe.

The builders rather annoying have since covered it in concrete, despite BC saying to speak to the gas transporter first.

The blue line is where a new meter would have to go.

View attachment 405442

Gas should NEVER be covered by new construction. Your builders need to install external boxes (gas and leccy) on the new outside wall in line with the services. Your energy provider can then make the switch whilst your plumber and electrician can repair the domestic side. Take photos and measurements of the services before back filling. Back fill with sand, where you will be digging back out later (after the new meter boxes are installed).

 

[Lupus]

I'll call the Gas and Electric people today.

At the moment, they're cemented over and the new wall is largely constructed.

The blue box is roughly where the blue line is on the previous photo.

I see there being several things that need to happen:
*new meter boxes installed
*supply altered to reach the new meter boxes
*fitting the meters in the new boxes
*running a new gas pipe from the new meter position to the old supply (in the garage - roughly the other side of the wall where the ladder is *behind the wall.
*running a new electric cable from the new meter to the consumer unit

With all the above step, in a lived in house with 2 children. How on earth does that work?

I know you can get semi-submerged gas meter boxes, can you do this for electric? I thought I saw somewhere that you can't in case it floods, but I'm sure I've seen them before.

Thanks again guys.

 

[thomp1983]

What's the room where they currently are going to be?

I can't see the dno having an issue with them being left where they are, when you said internal the natural thought is somewhere further inside the house.

 

[Lupus]

It will be a WC in front of the round window, accessed through a door where the round window is now. The rest of the extension is a porch.

 

[mrrusty]

Personally, I think you are going to have a problem, particularly with the gas. When I had a new outside box installed by my builder ready for a new connection, the gas provider made a huge song and dance about the builder even drilling the back box for some securing screws, in case they leaked gas in to the cavity! Got away with some sealant, but they were very pedantic. If you have plastic pipe internally, I expect you are in a "situation".

Also, electrics in a WC with water may be a challenge, but I have nothing to add on that as I don't know for sure.

 

[noseall]

At the moment, they're cemented over and the new wall is largely constructed.

Oh dear.

Get the Stihl out.