Install and commission gas metering installations and regulators
Overview
This standard is about preparing, installing and commissioning low or medium pressure gas metering installations and regulators up to 6.0m3/hour, in accordance with approved procedures and practices.
To meet this standard you will demonstrate you can:
• plan and prepare the work area and confirming that it is in a safe condition to carry out the intended installation
• use job specifications, instructions and any tools, equipment and materials required
• determine procedures for installing and exchanging gas meters and regulators on low or medium pressure gas systems
• de-commission gas meters and regulators on low and medium pressure gas systems to industry standards
• install, exchange and remove gas meters and regulators on low or medium pressure gas systems to industry standards
• pre-commission and commission gas meters and regulators on low or medium pressure gas systems
• communicate with all customers and members of the public
• take personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work carried out.
This standard is suitable for a craftsperson or technician working in the energy supply and use sector who has to install and commission gas metering installations and regulators.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- use organisational systems and available information to identify the location of the metering work and job details
- communicate the planned work activity to all affected parties in accordance with organisational policies and procedures
- compare the customer’s job requirements with statutory and industry requirements and identify any conflicting issues
- survey the work site and consult site diagrams as necessary for any key structural features that could affect the installation and record them
- check that the proposed siting of the gas meter, meter housing, ventilation and regulator meets manufacturers' and industry standards for location, siting and clearance
- confirm the availability of input services and that the gas supply, any existing electricity earthing system and provision of ventilation meets the manufacturers' and industry standards' requirements for the installation
- obtain confirmation from the property occupier before the job starts to ensure that they agree the planned work
- carry out a site-specific risk assessment of the work, identifying hazards and the required control measures
- carry out a pre-use inspection of the tools and equipment to be used, checking condition and service information in accordance with organisational procedures
- select, inspect and wear relevant personal protective equipment for completing work activities in line with organisational procedures
- record meter readings and serial numbers, using available information
- confirm the siting of the emergency control valve is accessible, labelled and operating correctly, reporting any defects to the emergency service provider
- plan and carry out the work in accordance with relevant health, safety, environmental, industry and organisational standards throughout the installation
- protect the work site and the building fabric against possible damage being caused during the de-commissioning and installation process
- confirm whether the meter installation is supplied with low or medium pressure and not a higher-pressure tier.
- check and confirm whether the gas meter and regulator are a primary or secondary meter installation
- test for the presence of voltage at the meter installation using approved equipment
- check existing installation for any unsafe appliances and system components, applying the gas industry unsafe situations procedures, where appropriate
- check that conditions within the gas and earthing systems are suitable and will permit safe de-commissioning
- use designated safe isolation methods, tests and procedures to de- commission meters, regulators, gas installation and components
- remove and disconnect meters, regulators, gas systems and components as required in accordance with organisational procedures
- mark any live gas pipes with a notice to indicate they contain gas
- install the gas meter and regulator in line with the work plan, manufacturer's specifications, relevant regulations and standards
- check the new meter or regulator for any damage, intact seals, packaging and clear gas ways
- fix and connect gas and earthing system components to the meter or regulator installation in accordance with organisational procedures
- carry out tightness testing and direct purging procedures to confirm the integrity of the installed meter and regulator in line with industry and organisational standards
- complete and attach an emergency notice on or near the meter or, at the Emergency Control Valve (ECV) if remote from the primary meter
- take precautionary steps to prevent the unauthorised use of un- commissioned gas meters or regulators, gas systems and components by use of isolation and other warning notices
- confirm the completed installation meets and complies with the work plan and equipment specifications
- pre-commission and commission gas meters and regulators on low or medium pressure gas systems to industry standards
- record and complete all documentation for gas system de-commissioning, safe tightness testing and direct purging of system and components in accordance with organisational procedures
- communicate the technical requirements of the completed work activity to all affected parties answering any technical queries
- deal with problems safely and efficiently, referring matters which cannot be rectified to the appropriate person, including:
- deficiencies in gas and earthing input services
- where pre-commissioning checks and tests reveal defects with the gas meter, regulator, gas system and components
- when the gas meter, regulator, gas system and components being commissioned do not meet design requirements
- when the gas meter, regulator, gas system and components cannot be restored to full performance
- report relevant information including delay in work schedule, unsafe situations and required actions, and deficiencies in gas and earthing input service to the appropriate person
- confirm the customer is satisfied with the job
- store tools and equipment safely and securely, leaving the work area in a safe condition in accordance with organisational procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the principles of health and safety in the workplace, environmental legislation and relevant regulations in relation to the work to be carried out
- the organisational safety rules, policies and procedures in relation to work on or near electrical metering systems
- the correct personal protective equipment for the work and how to select , inspect and use this
- your organisation’s procedures for presenting and introducing yourself to customers
- the procedures for safe access and working at heights
- the tools and equipment necessary to provide safe access to work at heights, or in confined spaces
- how to carry out a site risk assessment, identify hazards and assess risks of the site and proposed activity
- the methods of working which protect the building décor, customer property and existing system and components
- the potential hazards that could arise from all de-commissioning, installation and commissioning activities and the checks to be carried out before work takes place
- how to plan and prepare the work to be undertaken in line with industry, organisational standards and manufacturers guidelines
- the processes and procedures to be followed for inspecting and preparing tools and equipment prior to use
- the steps to take should materials, components, tools and equipment not be available at the site to commence the de-commissioning, installation and commissioning activity
- how and where to access information relating to the installation and commissioning of gas metering installations and regulators
- how to measure and record installation and site details for prefabrication purposes
- how and the importance of identifying and recording meter readings and serial numbers
- how to confirm that the gas and earthing supply, and ventilation requirements are adequate for installation, extending and adding components to the system
- safe isolation methods, tests, and procedures to de-commission gas meters, regulators, gas systems, components and earthing systems
- the procedures for temporary and permanent de-commissioning of meters, regulators and systems including the use of continuity bonds
- the need to liaise with others whose procedures or routines may be affected by the suspension of the gas meter, regulator, gas system and components throughout the activity
- the types of gas meters and rating currently used in the industry
- how to confirm the correct operating pressures and network tiers for low and medium pressure in the gas network
- the need for, and use of, pressure regulators including factors affecting pressure loss
- how to confirm the siting of the Emergency Control Valve is accessible, labelled and operating correctly, and why any defects are reported to the network owner for rectification
- how to install and commission gas metering installations and regulators in line with the work plan, manufacturers specifications, relevant regulations and standards
- identification of gas meter installations that incorporate non-return valves and the manufacturers' and industry standards' installation requirements
- how to use pressure gauges correctly including digital and water
- the characteristics of combustion, including:
- complete and incomplete combustion including air and fuel requirements
- pre and post aerated flames
- the effects of carbon monoxide on building occupants
- identify burner faults resulting in incomplete combustion
- measures to prevent de-commissioned gas meters, regulators, gas systems and components being brought into operation utilising safety warning notices
- the different types of earthing used in properties, including main and supplementary protective bonding
- how to test for the presence of voltage at the meter installation using an approved voltage sensing device
- the actions to be taken in case of non-compliance of the meter installation
- the industry practices and work standards for fabricating and installing meters, regulators and components
- the positioning and fixing requirements for domestic gas meters, regulators and components, on low pressure installations, to comply with manufacturers specification, industry standards and regulations
- how to identify suitable and unsuitable routes within buildings for the installation of gas pipework and fittings for all of the following:
- types of pipe materials and fittings suitable for carrying gas
- jointing of materials and fittings including mechanical or non- mechanical, Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing
- suitable pipe supports and fixings including methods used for a variety of walls and brick
- concrete, thermalite block, studded, dry lined and timber frame location of pipes, route and appearance
- pipework in walls, voids, ducts or shafts and under floor
- exterior pipework
- interrelation with other services
- corrosion protection
- how to identify correct and incorrect service entries into buildings including damp proof course and other services in close proximity
- the need for ventilation and paths for gas fueled appliances and their effect upon sizes
- the routines and sequences for commissioning domestic gas meters, regulators and components in accordance with manufacturers specification and industry standards
- the procedures for checking the correct operation and performance of domestic gas meters, regulators and components in accordance with manufacturers' instructions and industry standards
- how to identify the different types and positions of open flue and room sealed chimney systems including:
- natural
- fanned draught
- rigid chimney types: brick and masonry, single and double wall, metallic and non-metallic
- flexible metallic liners
- shared (common) chimney systems
- SE & U Ducts
- who to liaise with when procedures or routines are affected by the suspension of the gas supply and the importance of this
- the gas industry and organisational unsafe situations procedure and when this applies
- how to update, report and record information in accordance with organisational procedures
- how to leave the work area secure and the importance of doing so
- how to handle and dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials in line with relevant regulations
- the extent of your own responsibility and whom you should report to if you have a problem that you cannot resolve