Outside gas pipe

[ALH]

Have recently had a length of copper gas pipe fitted on outside wall. Is it OK to 'split' a hose or some other flexible pipe and cover the copper pipe with it?


Thanks,
Al

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

as in to insulate it?

 

[justlead1]

Hi. Is that to deter metal thieves?

 

[ocentric]

No regulation springs to mind saying you can't do this but what are you trying to achieve? The copper will tone down in time.

 

[ALH]

Insulation - we are getting a little condensation on the pipe inside the house where it leaves the meter. A bit of protection against accidental knocks and also to 'blend' it in a bit. We shouldn't have any problems with metal thieves as it's at the rear of the house behind locked gate.

Al

 

[smillsey]

Is the pipe going through the wall behind the meter sleeved (possible with one size bigger pipe) and sealed with what will look like epoxy mastic (ish)?

It should be sealed on the outside wall between the gas carrying pipe and the sleeve, and open in your house.

But the sleeve should be sealed both ends to the wall material with mortar etc....

If not this will halp stop the spreading of condensation - Ie cold pipes!

 

[ALH]

Yes, it is sleeved and sealed as you say.

Al

 

[wheeto]

It should be sealed on the outside wall between the gas carrying pipe and the sleeve, and open in your house.

Please forgive a silly question from a non-GS person:

Why would you seal it that way, so a leak within the sleeved section would end up inside your house?

 

[smillsey]

Its not silly, you are right. Normally you should seal on the inside so any escape form inside the sleeving would escape outside.

Whereas the chance of a leak in a meter housing, which includes a control valve, regulator and loads of unions and washers etc, far outweights the chance of a leak in a 10 inch bit of pipework which is sleeve for protection.

It makes sense if you think about it.

 

[Bernie2]

No you can decorate it if you like, but usually a gas pipe should be clearly marked as such with gas identity tape. The idea being somebody years later may just cut into it thinking its a water pipe.

 

[GQuigley67]

True True should be clearly marked

 

[ALH]

Understood - thanks very much.

Al

 

[GQuigley67]

External gas pipework shall be protected against corrosion and damage in accordance with​

BS 6891.

hope that helps