MEB Queries

[securespark]

To cut a long story short, I need references to regulations etc that say that you cannot ME bond a water pipe, then tap off further down the line for the gas MEB.

I have looked through OSG. Obviously, I am aware of the diags showing how you can link the MET to the pipework and either use one cable unbroken or run two cables, but can anyone provide any further hard evidence that the above is not allowable?

Thanks.

 

[ricicle]

Doesn,t that constitute the same as not having the cable unbroken??

 

[securespark]

ME bond a water pipe, then tap off further down the line for the gas MEB.

So you're saying you CAN run the MEB's like this?

 

[RF Lighting]

No, I think he is saying this is the reg that says you can't.

 

[securespark]

What is the reg, Rob?

 

[RF Lighting]

I going through me books.

Give me chance

 

[securespark]

Cheers matey!

I'm at a bit of a loss to find anything concrete.

I know that you can use the pipework in supp bonding, but not in MEB surely?

 

[RF Lighting]

It would seem we are all wrong

You are not allowed to use a gas or oil pipe, but a water pipe is infact allowed providing it has sufficient CSA.

(Although I do not know the CSA of a 15/22mm copper pipe.)

543-02-06

Also I can't find the reg which specifies if you are using one conductor to bond two services, then it must be an unbroken cable.


BTW Simon, do you have MSN?

 

[Adam_151]

(Although I do not know the CSA of a 15/22mm copper pipe.)

A quick calculation would suggest that 22mm² and 33mm² would not be unreasonable sizes to assume, assuming a copper thickness of 0.5mm, and assuming the requirement to be 10mm² of copper, the pipe passes by miles , I'd not like to try and factor in any solder joints (It would however be safe to suggest that the plastic pushfit variety should be avoided at all costs!), but I'd suggest that if you are taking it past any of them and/or for a considerable distance then you may well be in breach of the part of the reg in question which calls for the future integrity of the connection to be assured....

 

[securespark]

You are not allowed to use a gas or oil pipe, but a water pipe is infact allowed providing it has sufficient CSA.

543-02-06

Must look up this reg, must have missed it...

Also I can't find the reg which specifies if you are using one conductor to bond two services, then it must be an unbroken cable.

This is in the OSG, not the regs.

BTW Simon, do you have MSN?

No. Only e-mail. Look in my profile.

 

[securespark]

you may well be in breach of the part of the reg in question which calls for the future integrity of the connection to be assured....

Which one is that?

 

[RF Lighting]

you may well be in breach of the part of the reg in question which calls for the future integrity of the connection to be assured....

Which one is that?

543-02-06 (iii)

 

[Adam_151]

543-02-06 Except as prohibited in Regulation 543-02-01, an extaneous-conductive-part may be used as a protective conductor if it satifies all the following requirements

(i) Electrical continuity shall be assured, either by construction, or suitable connection, in such a way as to be protected against mechanical, chemical or electrochemical dterioration, and

(ii) the cross-sectional area shall be at least equal to that resulting from the application of Regulation 543-01-01, and

(iii) Unless compensatory measures are provided, precutions shall be taken against its removal, and

(iv) it has been considered for such a use and, if neccessary, suitably adapted.

I was getting at (iii), my point is if its used as a protective conductor for any reasonable length, and/or it has joints off it, etc... who knows what a plumber might do with it in future

 

[securespark]

Cheers, guys!

That should give me enough ammo. to be going on with. But feel free to add to this, please!

 

[securespark]

Made lots of phone calls today. Called the IEE. This practice is fine, as long as you adhere to the regulation quoted above (543-02-06).

However, the NIC say that you should "permanently attach" the conductor to the metalwork (ie not via a clamp).

The IEE also say that it is very common with steel-framed buildings to ME bond the framework, then attach the gas/ water pipes to thenearest point on the frame as ME bonds.

Bit like grounding on a motor (car, that is....)