ECV Regs

[richard978]

I visited a house that had been converted into two flats. Downstairs flat had a cellar where both ECVs were located for both consumers. The upstairs flat had a meter and a AECV.

My take on the regulation is that the primary ECV should be accessible to the consumer. So in this case the person living in the upstairs flat would need to access their neighbor in the even of a gas emergency.

Would you agree that this is non compliant and would need the gas transportor to make alterations.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Where is the aecv located ?

 

[richard978]

It's in the floor above about 10 feet away in hallway.

 

[cjg]

both. have to be able to turn off AT THE METER>.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

So the upstairs flat has access to the aecv if yes it’s fine

 

[cjg]

AT THE METER>.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

AT THE METER>.

upstairs

 

[richard978]

So the upstairs flat has access to the aecv if yes it’s fine

Apparently not Gas Safe say the AECV makes no difference. The primary ECV must be accessible to all consumers.

With no access it must be deemed At Risk turned off and passed to the transporter

 

[ShaunCorbs]

They do have access under agreed time no difference in a block of flats with the main ecv behind a locked door

 

[ShaunCorbs]

You will also probably find it’s a secondary meter

 

[richard978]

They do have access under agreed time no difference in a block of flats with the main ecv behind a locked door

You can't lock the main ECV, simply not allowed. The ECV is the property of the company that owns the pipeline. It should be accessible to the consumer 24/7. If it's not the HSE will sanction as it falls outside the remit of gas safe and the fire service or building inspectorate will prosecute.

The AECV falls outside of the gas transportor remit, it's maintained by the owner and it's position governed by building regulations. It should be labelled and position of the primary ECV clearly shown.

Regulation 9 HSE

 

[ShaunCorbs]

They must be happy as they installed it there as I very doubt the house had two separate meters originally

 

[richard978]

God knows but it's my second this week. Just had a large apartment block where there was communal meter bank locked by the managing agent. When tenants want their meters read they have to submit a request.

I informed the local authority who instructed the fire service to conduct a building survey. The landlord was issued with a compliance notice and a 2000 pound bill to pay for the inspection.


People forget they don't own anything before the outlet of the meter. Worst case scenario is they will dig up and cut off in the street if you don't comply. I think Glenfell has placed focus on fire safety and compliance