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igem news

before installation.
This consideration was born from
the recognition that, over recent years,
there has been a progressive increase
in the capacity of domestic boilers. The
main reason for this is the increase in
the average net heat input of domestic
boilers being supplied, largely driven by
the requirement for instant hot water
for showers and baths.

Proposed procedures for installing appliances
The following are the proposed
procedures for installing appliances.

Pre-installation
When considering installing an
appliance, confirm the pressure at
the outlet of the meter is an average
of between 18.5mbar to 22mbar as
soon as practicable, with all appliances
within the property operating at a high
operating load over a six-minute period.
A high operating load is the normal
maximum operating load for the entire Conditions for reporting low pressure supply Note 1: The ESP First Call Operative
gas installation in the property for a Engineers may encounter reports of (FCO) will test the pressure at the outlet
period of high demand. To replicate this, poor pressure or be unable to achieve of the meter, expecting an average of
operate the highest output appliance the appliance’s required inlet pressure between 18.5mbar to 22mbar with all
at its maximum load (e.g., for boilers, and/or heat input during their work. In appliances within the property operating
depending on the appliance type, by such instances, confirm the pressure at a high operating load over a six-
running two hot water taps on full flow), at the outlet of the meter is an average minute period
all other heating appliances at maximum of between 18.5mbar to 22mbar with
load and any other appliances at 50 per all appliances within the property Note 2: The customer may be required
cent load (e.g., by lighting two burners of operating at a high operating load over to contact their gas supplier. The
a four burner hob). a six-minute period. If the average details of the supplier and the means of
Note: Ensure there is enough pressure at pressure is below 18.5mbar, report to contacting them is included on the gas
the meter outlet minus the internal pipework the Gas Emergency Service Provider supplier’s invoice.
designed pressure loss to supply the new (ESP) contact centre.
appliance with adequate inlet pressure. If it is known that these pressures Note 3: The GTs need to be aware
are affecting the safe performance of an of incidents of low pressure on the
Commissioning appliance, or the appliance is deemed network in case the issue is not confined
Verify the appliance inlet gas pressure to be unsafe, then the Gas Industry to one property and action is required
as per the manufacturer’s instructions Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) to maintain the supply to a number of
and operate the installed appliance must be followed. properties.
at maximum appliance input. The
reading shall be as specified by the The process for reporting low pressure If the consumer is not satisfied,
manufacturer. The proposed reporting procedure is: after the network operator has
Maximum appliance input is as 1 If the average working pressure is concluded the investigation, the
specified by the manufacturer in outside range of 18.5mbar to 22mbar GT complaint procedure should be
the commissioning instructions. For at the outlet of the meter, the engineer invoked by the customer, whereby the
example, commissioning/chimney should contact ESP and obtain a ESP should leave contact information
sweep mode, or where not specified, the reference number. with the customer.
appliance is operating at its maximum 2 Advise the ESP of:
appliance input, e.g., hot water mode on Low pressure (or high pressure) The full proposals and industry
a combination boiler. readings comment form can be found at www.igem.
Note: Be aware of any pressure loss Engineer’s Gas Safe Register number org.uk/technical-services/comment-on-
between the inlet test point and the inlet Engineer’s phone contact number draft-standards. Those working in the gas
to the appliance isolation valve. 3 If possible, the engineer should wait industry are invited to read the proposals
for the ESP, who should call within and comment.
Post commissioning two hours (if the appliance is new, the
On completion of the commissioning engineer must wait for the ESP). Supply your comments by 26 August
process, confirm the pressure at the 4 The ESP takes responsibility for to technical@igem.org.uk or send them
outlet of the meter is between 18.5mbar investigating the pressure issues for the attention of Peter Hurst,
to 22mbar with all appliances within the and sharing the outcome of the IGEM Technical Officer, IGEM House,
property operating at a high operating investigation with the customer and 26 & 28 High Street, Kegworth,
load for a period of six minutes. installer, as appropriate. Derbyshire DE74 2DA.

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