connecting on to existing lead pipe

Status
Not open for further replies.
the_d_o_t

the_d_o_t

Gas Engineer
hia people, im installing a new combi boiler in a old house and im upgrading the lead gas pipe to 22mm copper from the meter to the boiler but the cooker is tee'd off the old pipework in lead also, i told the customer to replace with copper running to the cooker, but they dont want to, so i told them i was unsure if you are allowed to connect onto lead and i would find out first, anyone shed some light on this for me please?
also if i can connect on to it can lead locks be used for gas?
 
You cant connect onto lead, if you come across it your supposed to rip it out i think.

Stress how rubbish lead is and how better it will be replacing it with copper lol
 
i think the stripping out of all lead only means for water pipes but i stand to be corrected
 
You can't connect back on to it.

Lead isn't approved to be used on gas anymore, installations with lead already should be classed as NCS.

Your installing a new gas run, so should therefore install it to current regulations.
 
Not being GSR but from my own view I wouldn't want to see a lead lock on a gas line, that is even if it is legal to use. I'm sure somebody will be along with the correct answer. Although I am surprised that somebody planning on doing this work does not know the answer already.
 
Last edited:
Thank you ans 🙂
and Simon G, it's people like you on this site that do my head in, do you really think I came on this forum because I didnt have anything better to do! This site is about asking questions and finding the correct answers to do the job rite, ive got the answer and now can do my job safely so nice one to everyone bar Simon g "the guy who was born with all knowledge and never had to ask a question in his life"
 
the_d_o_t said:
thank you ans 🙂
and simon g, it's people like you on this site that do my head in, do you really think i came on this forum because i didnt have anything better to do! This site is about asking questions and finding the correct answers to do the job rite, ive got the answer and now can do my job safely so nice one to everyone bar simon g "the guy who was born with all knowledge and never had to ask a question in his life"
Click to expand...

lol 🙂
 
Last edited:
the_d_o_t said:
Thank you ans 🙂
and Simon G, it's people like you on this site that do my head in, do you really think I came on this forum because I didnt have anything better to do! This site is about asking questions and finding the correct answers to do the job rite, ive got the answer and now can do my job safely so nice one to everyone bar Simon g "the guy who was born with all knowledge and never had to ask a question in his life"
Click to expand...

Dont take anything to offence mate, ive felt angry at some of the comments in my post, however these guys know their stuff. Mayb the other blokes where just clarifying their way on the situation. End of the day, your work, sure you'll make the correct way 🙂 good luck
 
why are you even on here simon if your not gsr ? the guys ask a question no need for you to get him stick for it pal
 
Koogatubac said:
Dont take anything to offence mate, ive felt angry at some of the comments in my post, however these guys know their stuff. Mayb the other blokes where just clarifying their way on the situation. End of the day, your work, sure you'll make the correct way 🙂 good luck
Click to expand...

There was absolutely no offence meant in my reponse, just wary on people being given gas advice on an open forum.

To the_d_o_t, you may find it useful asking for entry into the GSR only forum, where the mysteries of gas installations can be discussed without us non gassies seeing.
 
plumbdoctor said:
why are you even on here simon if your not gsr ? the guys ask a question no need for you to get him stick for it pal
Click to expand...

On where? That's the trouble, it's an open forum where any tom dick harry or diy'er can see advice being swapped with regard to gas installations. Just looking at the bigger picture and as I said, somebody would be along with the right answer.

So to reiterate, I was rightly voicing my concerns over gas advise on an open forum. Appreciate that a lot of people may not realise that fact though.
 
Yes I am GSR but untill you face a problem you are not going to no the correct answer and it's clearly not common knowledge as you didn't have the answer, and I'm all for non GSR people to not go anywhere near gas but this is not the magic circle!
 
Simon g - i didnt see any offence what this member said, he just commented on the situation, am i missing something ?!

The dot - dont worry mate, every GSR engineer cant know EVERYTHING off by heart, thats why we keep our books close 🙂 stress about the lead mate to the customer and state new regs claim any lead on Gas lines are supposed to be noted NCS 🙂
 
the_d_o_t said:
Yes I am GSR but untill you face a problem you are not going to no the correct answer and it's clearly not common knowledge as you didn't have the answer, and I'm all for non GSR people to not go anywhere near gas but this is not the magic circle!
Click to expand...

Well said and very true.

It just seemed a basic question but I stand corrected and apologise. Drop a pm to Dan or Dave for entry into the GSR only bit.
 
anz said:
You can't connect back on to it.

Lead isn't approved to be used on gas anymore, installations with lead already should be classed as NCS.

Your installing a new gas run, so should therefore install it to current regulations.
Click to expand...

+1. You will need to tell customer that it needs to be replaced.
 
do you know 100% that the lead is in good condition? do you know how to correctly join onto the lead pipework? if you answer no to one of these questions then you will want to remove the lead and replace.
 
They use a lead to copper coupler. I am unsure if you can connect to gas lead now days though. If you can, you will have some fun when you solder it. Gas lead is like tissue paper and get the heat wrong and it just runs like water. Once again its so long since I did any gas lead, we used a low melting point stick solder and where required to work quick to prevent heat spread. However you have to consider the age of the lead. it is probably old and weak disturbing it can cause problems, especially stress fractures.
 
You can join to it if you know how (which i doubt).

You could find this information in any of your gas books or BS6891 if you care to read through them.
 
Surely it won't cost much extra to run copper to the cooker - is it an easy pipe run?
 
Probably easier than melting 6ft of compo trying to do a joint then renewing it anyway :lol:

Best practice would be replace it.
 
Talk about touchy! Simong may not be gsr but as a plumber raises a good point about the legality a lead lock coupling on gas lines. The seal is only a rubber o ring and therefore not permissible. As stated before you can't connect onto old lead for a new gas line.....basic stuff get it renewed

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
 
Last edited by a moderator:
BS6891 - Regulations 1998 [1] state that lead or lead alloy pipes supplying gas are not to be installed.
However, historically, lead pipes were used to install gas meters and lead alloy pipes (known as lead
composition pipes) were installed as installation pipes and can still be found in old housing stock. Providing
this material is in good condition, sound, well supported and is of adequate size, connection may be made to
steel or copper pipework using appropriate fittings (see Clause
7)
Click to expand...

Taken from the document tamz posted. However id do my upmost to explain to the customer the benefits of a renewal especially when dealing with gas, then a choice is to be made on weather or not you feel comfortable coupling on to the lead work if they decline. The likes of philmacs are not sanctioned as safe with use for gas in this instance connecting to lead, so the correct soldering couplings must be used and thats only when you haver determined that the lead pipe is completely sound and fit for purpose.

Like the other lads have said if at all possible better practice to renew.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
the_d_o_t said:
Simon G, it's people like you on this site that do my head in, do you really think I came on this forum because I didnt have anything better to do! This site is about asking questions and finding the correct answers ive got the answer and now can do my job safely so nice one to everyone bar Simon g "the guy who was born with all knowledge and never had to ask a question in his life"
Click to expand...

I didn't see Simon G's reply as reason to be upset, he openly said that he was not GSR but that the idea of a leadlock fitting on gas didn't sound right and was dubious about the question being asked, rightly so.

this site is about asking questions, but it only functions because of the effort put into by members who no doubt do have other things they could do, but still give the time to answer questions.
you would struggle to build up a post count of close to 4000 only ever asking questions and not contributing.
 
I also think but can't remember that there is a bit of problem with the sort of rubber used in the likes of led locks and gas. Apparently it dries out and cracks when exposed to gas. As Tamz says you can't be sure with old lead gas pipe it can go hard and brittle and its very easy to break
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Featured Content

Back
Top