guidelines for designers / builders and heat installers - Bord Gais ...

gas pipework installations for residential properties
guidelines for designers /
builders and heat
installers
2

Contents and general
information
It is a legal requirement under The Energy
(miscellaneous provisions) Act 2006 that all
“domestic gas works” must be under taken and
certified by a registered gas installer (RGI) who is
registered with the RGII (Register Gas Installers
of Ireland). This guide prepared by Bord Gáis is
intended to assist installers but is not to be used
as an alternative to the most up to date edition of
I.S.813.
Contents Page 2
The Meter box Page 3
Safety for the home
owner
Safety, certificate &
getting connected
Important notice to all installers Page 35
Steps to admitting gas to
new home Page 36
Commissioning the installation Page 37
Declaration of Conformance Page 39
The Irish Standards &
Contact Details Page 40
Natural gas pipework
Gas installation pipework Page 4
Pipe materials & sizing Page 5
Jointing of pipes Page 8
Pipework protection Page 9
Pipework from the Meter to
the building
Extended pipework runs Page 11
Installation pipework beneath
footpaths Page 12
Installation pipework beneath
roads & landscaped areas Page 12
Polyethylene pipework Page 13
Pipework within the building
Pipes laid in floors Page 15
Vertical pipe runs Page 18
Dry lined walls Page 19
Timber framed walls Page 20
Internal pipework ducts Page 23
Supports & fixings Page 24
Natural gas and electrical
considerations
Gas meters & electrical elements Page 25
Electrical cross bonding Page 26
Appliance connections
Cookers / hobs and ovens Page 28
Natural Gas Fires Page 29
Central heating boilers Page 30
Lamps Page 30
External appliances Page 31
Permitted flue termination
points & ventilation
requirements
Flue termination guidelines Page 32
Ventilation requirements Page 33
2

The meter box
Meters
Normally meters are fitted in purpose designed cabinets external
to the building, (for further details see Booklet 1 of this guide).
The meter location should be agreed with Bord Gáis in advance of
construction commencing.
Only in certain circumstances may meters be fitted inside the
dwelling and in such instances care should be taken to ensure
that the location is well ventilated accessible and protected from
possible impact.
Please go to pages 35 to 39 for details on certification of
installation and arranging for a Natural Gas connection.
Recessed meter box
Figure 1:
Gas meter box before and
after meter being fitted
Figurer 2:
Typical detail of pipe through Cavity Wall
Insulation
Recessed
Meter Box
DPC
Pipe clip
Concrete floor slab
All pipe joints must
be outside the sleeve
Ground Leve
Sleeve
25mm min.
Piping in concrete
must be protected
from corrosion with
wrap or PVC coating
Polystyrene
insulation
Foundation
3

Natural Gas pipework
Gas installation pipework
This section of the Bord Gáis Technical Manual Booklet
2 refers to gas installation pipework in a traditional
domestic building. This guide has been prepared to
reflect the requirements of I.S. 813:2002 ‘Domestic
Gas Installations and I.S. EN 1775 1998.
For guidelines to installing Natural Gas to multioccupancy
dwellings i.e. apartments, please refer to
Booklet 3.
Any person installing natural gas must be a registered
gas installer and do so in accordance with I.S. 813
‘Domestic Gas Installations’. This guide prepared by
Bord Gáis is intended to assist installers but is not to be
used as an alternative to the most up to date edition of
I.S.813.
Where gas pipework may be confused with other
pipework, it must be colour coded bright yellow
(Yellow ochre - 08 C 35), indelibly marked along its
entire length with the word “GAS”/Marking tape.
General
Gas pipework is installed in a dwelling in order to
convey gas in a safe manner from the point where
delivery is made by Bord Gáis (usually at the meter)
to connect to the various appliances, which may be
installed inside or outside the dwelling.
In designing and installing domestic pipework every
effort should be made to ensure that it forms a
robust, serviceable element constructed within the
dwelling and will continue to be serviceable and
safe for a period not less than the expected life of
other services within the building.
Typical appliances which could be provided for
when installing pipework, include:
• Central Heating Boiler
• Water Heater
• Cooker/Oven/Hob
• Tumble Dryer
• Barbeque
• Living Flame Fire
• Decorative Lighting
4

Pipe materials
Piping materials should be selected by considering
mechanical strength, appearance, corrosion potential
and cost. Copper tubing is normally used for residential
gas installation piping. Corrosion protected steel
should be considered in external locations where
impact damage is a risk.
Table 1:
Suitable materials for external and internal installation pipework
Material
Rigid Copper Tubing
Soft Copper Tubing
C.S.S.T
Mild Steel Pipe (coated)
Polyethylene Pipe
Location
Internal / External
External / Below ground only
Specifications
BS 2871 Table 4 or Equivalent
BS 2871 Table 4 or Equivalent
BS 7838
BS 1387 table 5 or Equivalent
EN 1555
Note Polyethlene Pipe may not be brought within
any dwelling. If brought above ground, polyethylene
pipework must be protected against uv light, impact
and sources of heat. (See figure 11).
Be Aware !
Polyethylene (PE) pipe has an extremely low
melting point. Take care when soldering near PE
pipe.
Pipe Sizing
Pipework for domestic installations should be sized
to meet the maximum combined flow rate for all the
appliances installed.
Be Aware !
The maximum pressure loss between the meter
outlet and any appliance should not exceed 1
mbar (with all appliances in normal use).
If the maximum consumption of
all appliances is greater than 6m 3 /hr, then a
larger meter than the standard domestic meter is
required. Please contact Bord Gáis.
Remember
• Keep elbows and tees to a minimum.
• Each elbow or branch connection is equivalent to
about 0.5m of straight pipe.
• Use machine or spring formed bends wherever
possible.
Tables 2 & 3:
Typical appliance consumption and conversion factors
Typical appliance Consumptions
Conversion Factors
Domestic Boiler
Cooker
Dryer
Gas Fire
2.00m 3 /hr approx
1.00m 3 /hr approx
0.50m 3 /hr approx
0.75m 3 /hr approx
1.00m 3 Nat. Gas = 11kW approx
1.00m 3 Nat. Gas = 37,500 Btu/hr approx
1kW = 3,412 Btu/hr
5

Table 4:
Pipe sizing for copper tubing source: I.S.813: 2002
length
m
Tube Diameter mm - Copper
6 8 10 12 15 22 28
m 3 /h Heat m 3 /h Heat m 3 /h Heat m 3 /h Heat m 3 /h Heat m 3 /h Heat m 3 /h Heat
input input input input input input input
kW kW kW kW kW kW kW
3 0.13 1.5 0.57 6.6 1.11 12.9 1.65 19.1 3.2 37 9.6 111 19.8 230
6 0.07 0.8 0.29 3.3 0.69 8.0 1.10 12.8 2.1 24 6.4 74 13.2 153
9 0.04 0.5 0.19 2.2 0.56 6.5 0.94 10.8 1.7 19 5.1 59 10.3 120
12 0.03 0.4 0.14 1.7 0.52 6.1 0.90 10.5 1.4 17 4.3 50 8.8 102
15 0.03 0.3 0.11 1.3 0.43 5.0 0.76 8.8 1.2 14 3.7 43 7.7 89
20 0.02 0.2 0.08 0.9 0.32 3.8 0.57 6.6 1.0 12 3.2 37 6.5 75
25 0.02 0.2 0.07 0.8 0.26 3.0 0.45 5.2 1.0 12 2.8 32 5.7 66
30 0.01 0.1 0.06 0.6 0.21 2.5 0.37 4.3 1.0 11 2.5 29 5.2 60
40 0.01 0.1 0.03 0.4 0.16 1.9 0.29 3.3 0.7 8 2.1 24 4.3 50
Note: 1mBar = 10 N/m 2 = 0.1kPa
Effective capacity of a copper tube installation with 1.0
mbar difference between the ends for a gas of relative
density 0.6 (air = 1)
Table 5:
Pipe sizing for mild steel source: I.S.813: 2002
length
m
Tube Diameter mm - Mild Steel
(Natural Gas)
6 8 10 12 15 22 28
m 3 /h Heat m 3 /h Heat m 3 /h Heat m 3 /h Heat m 3 /h Heat m 3 /h Heat m 3 /h Heat
input input input input input input input
kW kW kW kW kW kW kW
3 0.32 3.7 0.88 10.2 2.31 26.8 1.65 19.1 4.7 55 14.3 166 29.7 345
6 0.15 1.8 0.58 6.8 1.54 17.9 1.10 12.8 3.2 37 9.6 112. 20.3 235
9 0.10 1.1 0.54 6.3 1.21 14.0 0.94 10.8 2.5 29 7.9 92 16.2 188
12 0.08 0.9 0.40 4.6 1.02 11.9 0.90 10.5 2.2 26 6.7 78 13.8 160
15 0.06 0.6 0.32 3.7 0.89 10.3 0.76 8.8 1.9 22 5.9 68 12.3 142
20 0.04 0.5 0.24 2.8 0.77 8.9 0.57 6.6 1.7 19 5.0 57 10.6 122
25 0.03 0.4 0.19 2.2 0.76 8.8 0.45 5.2 1.5 18 4.4 51 9.2 106
30 0.03 0.3 0.15 1.8 0.63 7.3 0.37 4.3 1.4 17 3.9 45 8.3 97
40 0.02 0.2 0.12 1.4 0.47 5.5 0.29 3.3 1.3 15 3.3 39 7.0 82
Note: 1mBar = 10 N/m 2 = 0.1kPa
Effective capacity of a steel pipe installation with 1.0
mbar difference between the ends for a gas of relative
density 0.6 (air = 1)
6

Table 6:
Pipe sizing for polyethylene pipe source: I.S.813: 2002
length
m
Tube Diameter mm - Polyethylene
(Natural Gas)
25 mm 32 mm 63 mm
Heat m 3 /h Heat m 3 /h Heat m 3 /h
input input input
kW kW kW
3 97.1 8.4 189.9 16.4 1144.9 98.7
6 65.0 5.6 127.6 11.0 774.9 66.8
9 51.4 4.4 100.9 8.7 616.0 53.1
12 43.4 3.7 85.5 7.4 523.2 45.1
15 38.0 3.3 75.1 6.5 460.6 39.7
18 34.2 2.9 67.5 5.8 415.1 35.8
21 31.8 2.7 61.7 5.3 380.1 32.8
24 30.6 2.6 57.1 4.9 352.2 30.4
Note: 1mBar = 10 N/m 2 = 0.1kPa
Discharge in a straight horizontal polyethylene pipe
with 1.0 mbar difference between the ends, for gas of
relative density 0.6 (air = 1)
Note:
1. The above tables refer to Natural Gas only.
Should an installation be on a temporary
supply from an LPG tank, awaiting
connection of Natural Gas, the above
tables must be adhered to.
2. For further details in relation to pipe sizing,
please consult the CIBSE Guide Section C4
7

Jointing of pipes
Solder Joints
Flux should be used sparingly and only applied to the
spigot part of the joint.
The joint should not be overheated.
Residual flux should be wiped from joints after being
made.
It is known that fluxed, unsoldered joints may satisfy
the soundness test, therefore, finished joints should
always be visually examined to confirm that the solder
has run.
When making screwed joints, all threads should be
clean and undamaged.
The preferred method of jointing is to use the correct
PTFE tape complying with either. BS 4375 or BS 6974.
Be Aware !
• White lead based paste is not allowed
• Hemp can only be used with paste complying
with BS 6956.
Sources of ignition
When making solder joints extreme care should be
taken when using a blow lamp or power tool in the
vicinity of combustible materials. Adequate protection
must be used when working near timber components
and bitumised products and polyethylene pipework.
Figure 3:
Correct protection of back-ground material when
coldering copper
Hemp should only be used on threaded joints in
conjunction with thread sealing paste.
If for any reason paste is being used then it must
comply with BS 6956.
Liquid detergent should never be used when leak
testing, it can cause rapid corrosion of copper.
Mechanical Joints
The use of union joints, compression fittings or
screwed joints is ONLY acceptable where they will
be readily accessible to allow correct tightening for
a sound joint. They should not be used in concealed
locations eg. ducts, underfloor, etc.
Copper Tube
Tube ends should be cut square and any burrs, internal
or external, removed. Tube lengths should be checked
and cleared of any foreign matter before use.
Be Aware !
Breather membrane in the cavity of timber
framed houses or the styrofoam insulation in
the cavity of block / brick dwellings is particularly
vulnerable and once ignited can spread quickly
within the cavity. Rectification could involve
complete dismantling of the wall with serious
cost implications for the installer.
Screwed Joints
When making screwed joints, all threads should be
clean and undamaged.
Hemp should only be used on threaded joints in
conjunction with thread sealing compounds.
When jointing paste is used, it must comply with
B.S. 6956 and should only be applied to the external
thread. Excess paste should be wiped away on
completion of the joint. Specially compounded jointing
pastes must be used for Natural Gas - white lead based
pastes are not acceptable.
8

Pipework protection
Mechanical
Protection against physical damage and corrosion must
be provided where circumstances dictate. Copper tube
should only be considered where mechanical damage
is unlikely or where it will be enclosed in a mechanically
strong protective cover.
Corrosion
Steel pipes run externally or in damp areas will require
protection against corrosion. Copper tube will not
normally require corrosion protection when run
externally. When supporting pipework externally on a
horizontal / vertical surface the support brackets must
ensure that the pipework remains clear of the surface.
Any metallic pipework run underground, embedded
in a solid floor / wall or in any other corrosive location
should be protected against corrosion by one of the
methods shown below.
Fire
Pipework material, jointing methods and locations
should be chosen in order to minimise the risk of a fire
in the building causing a pipework failure which might
add to the extent of the fire.
Protective Wrapping
Tape wrapping is normally used at joints or on short
lengths. Any tape wrapping applied should extend at
least 25mm beyond the surface of the material likely
to cause corrosion. All surfaces should be clean and
dry before the tape protection is applied. An overlap of
50% is required to provide a layer of double thickness.
Be Aware !
Bends and joints on factory coated pipe should
be further protected by wrapping with a suitable
plastic tape.
Figure 4:
Methods of pipe protection
Place the pipe in a non-corrodible sleeve or duct (vent
to ventilated area)
Pipe with a factory bonded coating of PVC
Pipe wrapped with corrosion resistant tape
9

Protection
Sleeves
Pipes passing through external, load bearing and cavity
walls should take the shortest route and be sleeved
through the cavity.
The purpose of a sleeve is to:
• Prevent access gas entering a vulnerable space
(e.g. cavity wall) in the event leakage.
• To protect the gas installation pipe against
corrosion.
• To protect the gas installation pipe from damage
by normal building movement.
• To accommodate normal expansion and
contraction of the pipework.
Sleeve Material
Sleeves should be made of a material capable of
containing gas. Suitable materials include polyethylene,
PVC, steel and copper. The selection of the sleeve
material should reflect the need for mechanical
strength corrosion resistance and / or fire retardance
where required.
Size of Sleeve
The sleeve should be of a diameter that provides a
loose fit to the pipe allowing normal pipe expansion /
contraction.
Be Aware !
Pipes / sleeves of dissimilar metal (steel to copper)
should not contact at ANY point.
Sealing of Sleeves
Sleeves should always be sealed to the surrounding
structure with a suitable building material (e.g. mastic,
mortar, etc.).
When gas pipes enter through an outside wall, the gap
between the pipe and the sleeve should be sealed to
the pipe at the inner end of the sleeve only with a
flexible, fire resisting compound. (See figure 29, page
26).
Sleeves through internal walls should be sealed to the
pipe at entrance and exit. (See detail below).
Be Aware !
Pipework within a sleeve should not be jointed.
Figure 5:
Details of pipe sleeve through cavity wall
Insulation
Grout
Any joint must be
outside the sleeve
Sleeve
10

Pipework from the meter to the building.
Provision of customer isolation valves
on extended pipework runs:
Figure 6:
Locating isolating values
for terraced houses
Hse 1
Hse 2
Hse 3
Wall
Hse 4
Meter Box or
Cabinet
Meter Box
Figure 7:
Locating isolating values
for duplex units
Upper Duplex Unit
(See page 22)
Ground Floor Unit
Figure 8:
Locating isolating
values in apartments
6 Meter Cabinet
External Riser
Internal Rising Duct
Note:
Regardless of the route
taken by installation
pipework from meter
to each dwelling, the
pipework must be fitted
with a customer isolation
valve as soon as the pipe
enters the dwelling that
it is supplying.
Meter
Manifold
Meter
Manifold
Ground Level
See booklet 3
pages 17 and 18.
Naturally Ventilated Basement
11

Installation pipework from the meter
Pipework should be protected against
corrosion preferably by using pipes with
a factory applied PVC coating. Where
copper pipes are run externally exposed
to the elements but supported clear of
other surfaces, corrosion protection is not
normally necessary. Consult page 9 for
further considerations.
Pipework should not be installed under
the foundations of a building nor in the
ground under the base of a wall footing
or foundation.
Be Aware !
All underground pipework should be pressure tested before
initial wrapping or covering takes place.
Installation pipework under concrete paths, (pedestrian traffic only),
should have:
• Minimum cover of 25mm between sleeve / wrapping and
concrete finish, (see figure 9 below).
• Pipework must be placed in sleeve or have protective wrapping.
Figure 9:
Meter on adjacent wall
(pipework beneath footpath)
Meter Box
Protective cover
25mm
cover min.
Footpath
Buried pipework in open soil, lawns, or under gravel paths, areas
which can be accessed by vehicle should have:
• Minimum trench depth of 375mm.
• Minimum sand or fine fill surround required in trench of
150mm.
• When area can be accessed by vehicle (under tarmac,
cobblestone, etc.), the pipework must also have a protective
sleeve, (see figure 10 above).
Figure 10:
Meter on adjacent wall
(pipework beneath soft
ground or vehicular traffic)
Meter Box
375 mm
min. cover
Protective
sleeve
12

Polyethylene pipework
Polyethylene (PE) Gas installation piping -
Underground
PE piping can be used for underground supply of gas
to a premises and is a convenient alternative to metallic
pipes when used externally.
External buried PE pipework shall be constructed as
follows:
• Mechanical fittings in accordance with I.S. 265
can be used on buried PE pipework.
• Any metallic joints must be wrapped with a
minimum of two layers.
• PE pipework must be tested to ensure it is gas
tight before being covered.
• Pipework in soil should be bedded in sand or fine
filling to a depth of 150mm above and below the
pipe. The minimum depth of cover of the pipe
required is 375mm.
Any installer engaging in
• Welding
• Electrofusion
• Pipework insertion by mole or horizontal drilling
in compliance with I.S. 265 should be suitably trained
and certified (GDF1 or equivalent).
Be Aware !
PE pipework should not be laid above 375mm
dept of cover regardless of cover material.
• Pipework, which may be subject to vehicular
loading eg. under cobble lock driveway, should
be, in addition to the minimum depth of cover
of 375mm, enclosed in a protective sleeve.
Be Aware !
• Polyethylene pipe is not allowed within a
building.
For correct method of entry into building above
ground level, see figure 11 below.
For correct method of entry into building below
ground level, see figure 12 over-leaf.
Figure 11:
Polyethylene-metal transition
(supply entering building
above ground level)
GRP cover
fixed to wall
Above ground
fitting
Capillary
soldered elbow
Suitably sized
copper pipe
GRP sleeve
GRP sleeve bend
GRP sleeve
bend
Note:
PE from
meter
Both GRP sleeve and GRP cover
must be used on this section.
13

Figure 12:
Polyethylene-Metal transition (supply
entering building below ground)
External Leaf
375mm minimum
dept of cover
PVC coated copper
Anti-shear sleeve
300mm min.
PE
from
meter
PE pipe
Polyethylene / Metal
transition fitting (Two
layers of protective
wrapping required)
Figure 13:
Below-ground transition fitting with anti-shear sleeve
Below-Ground transition
fitting
Below-Ground transition fitting with
Anti-shear sleeve.
Note:
The polyethylene-metal transition must be suitable
for below ground applications, always consult the
supplier.
The anti-shear sleeve must be fitted at all times
when placing transition beneath the ground.
14

Pipes laid in floors
Where the piping is to be laid on a solid floor slab, the
finished floor screed must allow 25mm minimum cover
over the installed pipe.
Figure 14:
Pipe run on solid floor slab
Floor covering
Screed
25 mm
minimum
Solid or screeded floors
Pipework laid in solid floors should be:
• Tested for soundness before any
protective coating or cover is applied.
• Protected against corrosion e.g. factory bonded
PVC. see fig 15
• Adequately embedded by at least 25mm below
the final floor finish.
• Sleeved and taken the shortest practicable route
when passing vertically through a solid floor. see
fig 16.
Floor slab
Figure 15:
Pipe with factory bonded PVC
Be Aware !
Compression fittings, screwed joints shall
not be used on internal buried metallic
pipework.
All joints should be kept to a minimum
Figure 16:
Sleeving pipework vertically
through floors
Fire resistant
mastic
Sleeve
Fire resistant
mastic
15

Pipes laid in floors
Suspended floors
Prior to running pipework below suspended
floors, a visual inspection should be carried
out to note the position of any electrical
cables, junction boxes and ancillary
equipment, in order to safely route the gas
pipes.
Figure 17:
Compression fittings.
Be Aware !
Compression fittings can not be used when pipes are
placed beneath / within floors or in inaccessible positions.
Where pipes are installed between joists, they
should be correctly supported in accordance
with the following table:
Table 7:
Support distances for horizontal runs of
pipe in suspended floors.
Material Normal size (mm) Interval Horisontal Run (m)
Copper Up to 15 1.2
22 1.8
28 1.8
Mild Steel Up to 15 2
20 2.5
25 2.5
Where pipes are laid across joists fitted with floor
boards or flooring grade chipboard, the pipe should
be located in purpose made notches or circular holes
drilled through the joists.
Figure 18:
Notching or providing holes in joists
Max. D/7
Min. S/14
Max. S/4
Timber Joist
Depth (D)
Span (S)
Support wall
Support wall
Max. Diameter d = D/4
Min. S/14
Max S/4
Depth (D)
C L C
Support
wall
Min. distance between hole centres - 3d
Span (S)
Support wall
16

Pipes laid in floors
Timber floors
Notches should not be made in joists of less than
100mm depth. The depth of any notch should be
sufficient to accommodate fully the pipe or fittings, but
should not exceed 15% (approximately one seventh)
of the joist depth. The notch should be located not
further than one quarter of the span from an end
support; it should be U-shaped when possible and
no wider than necessary to accommodate the pipes.
Notches should not extend across the joint between
the floor boards.
Be Aware !
Care should be taken when re-fixing floor boards
to prevent damage to the pipes by nails or
screws.
Location of under floor pipes should be marked on
floor boards using pencil / marker or rotary stamp.
Figure 19:
Marking areas where pipes are laid
Laying pipes
Care should be taken to prevent the ingress of dirt and
water etc. into the pipes. The bore should be examined
before installation and the open ends temporarily
sealed or plugged prior to running the pipes through
dirty areas, for example, below floor boards, (see detail
below)
Figure 20:
Preventing the ingress of dirt / water within feeding
pipework though concealed spaces
17

Vertical pipe runs
Particular care is required to ensure that pipes hidden
in walls do not become a risk due to accidental
damage or structural damage due to building
settlement. The ingress of gas into voids or cavities
must be avoided.
Protection
Where pipework is to be chased into a solid wall, it is
of particular importance that high quality corrosion
protection is applied, preferably factory bonded PVC.
This is to ensure that high levels of moisture within the
wall do not have any detrimental corrosive effect on
the pipework.
Vertical Pipe Runs (Only)
It is not acceptable for pipework to be run horizontally
or at any angle other than vertically in a wall chase.
Figure 21:
Permitted direction of wall chase (vertical only)
Pipes in solid walls
Vertical pipes should be placed in ducts on the wall
surface with convenient access. If this is not practical,
the pipework may be chased into the wall provided
that the depth of the chase does not exceed one third
of the depth of the block or brick. In this situation, the
pipe should be protected against corrosion.
Be Aware !
Such chasing is unlikely to be achieved in walls
constructed of ‘hollow’ blocks.
18

Gas pipework behind Dry lined walls
The installation pipework within dry lined walls should
be run within purpose designed channels providing
adequate protection, ie. metal protection where
required.
Where it is not possible to do this, then it is acceptable
to run the pipe on the wall surface behind the dry
lining provided that the pipe is:
Be Aware !
Compression/mechanical fittings can not be
used when pipes are placed behind plasterboard
or in inaccessible positions.
• Securely fixed and supported.
• Joints are kept to an absolute minimum.
• The pipe is protected against corrosion.
• The pipe is protected against mechanical damage,
(see details below).
Figure 22:
Details of pipework behind dry lining
PVC Coated Copper
Protective 18 swg steel cover
Pipe in wall behind dry lining
PVC Coated Copper
Protective 18 swg steel cover
Pipe in channel behind dry lining
19

Timber framed walls
The following issues need to be addressed when
considering running gas pipework within the walls of
timber framed construction:
• Possible interference with or weakening of
structure members of the house frame.
• Possibility of inadvertent damage to pipework
when using plasterboard or other fixings to the
inner timber leaf.
• Possibility, in the event of a gas escape that:
• a dangerous accumulation could occur or
• the gas might migrate into the
outer cavity, before the escaping gas is
smelled by the occupant.
• Possibility that natural movement of the structure
could damage the pipe.
One of the following options, chosen at design stage,
can be used to ensure the avoidance of the possibilities
listed above.
Option 1
Run pipework (* rigid or flexible) in floor slab and exit
from the floor to the appliance in front of the finished
plasterboard face of the wall - see figure 23 below.
Be Aware !
*Compression joints are not permitted in slab.
Option 1A
Run pipework as above but exit from the floor into a
separately constructed channel to exit at the appliance.
This channel must not allow gas to move into the
timber frame or cavity. Termination must be in front of
the finished plasterboard face of the wall.
Option 2
All pipework to be run on exposed internal wall
surface or in plastic ducting on wall surface or within
cupboards.
Figure 23:
Appliance connection in front of timber leaf
Plasterboard
Recessed Gas Meter Box
Concrete floor slab
External
Brick / Block Leaf
25mm min.
Piping in concrete
protected from
corrosion with wrap
or PVC coating
Sleeve
Ground level
Polystyrene insulation
Copper joint must be
outside sleeve
20

Timber Framed Walls
Option 3
Run pipework in timber frame walls using continuous
plastic coated soft copper or stainless steel - see
figure 24. If copper is used, a protective metal cover
must be placed in front of the pipework.
Timber framed construction of the inner wall requires
particular consideration when it is proposed to run
gas installation pipework within it. This should only
be considered as a last resort, prefered options are
described on the previous page.
Where there is no other option, gas installation
pipework may be laid within the timber frame
construction provided the following is adhered to:
• Any gas pipe run should be kept to a minimum
and run vertically within purpose designed
channels.
• Channels should be fitted with insulation and
covered with the vapour barrier and plasterboard
to the same standard as the rest of the wall.
• Gas pipes should be adequately supported on the
studs.
• Pipe joints should be kept to an absolute
minimum.
• Compression fittings must not be used.
• Studs should not be notched. Holes in studs
and holes and notches in horizontal timber /
membranes should be kept as small as possible.
• Pipes should be coated copper or steel to avoid
corrosion.
• Where copper pipes are used, they should be
enclosed within a 18 swg steel sheet or equivalent
metal plate. (See figure 24). Alternatively,
mild steel pipes may be used without further
mechanical protection. But full corrosion
protection is required.
• Provision should be made for the pipe to
accommodate any normal movement of the
building.
• Where the gas supply point is to be positioned on
a separating (party) wall, the pipe should rise in
front of the finished plasterboard face.
Be Aware !
• Pipes must not be laid within separating
(party) walls dividing individual dwellings.
21

Figure 24:
Full storey height riser in timber framed walls
Full storey height riser
Continuous PVC
Coated Copper
No mechanical
fittings permitted
100 mm
Metal cover
A
A
Section A-A
Figure 25:
Appliance connection point to the front of timber
framed walls
Appliance connection-point riser
PVC Coated
Copper
Appliance
connection point
Additional noggins
required for support
100 mm
A
A
22

Internal pipework ducts
For Apartment Installation Guidelines:
Please consult Booklet 3
For installation of Gas within Duplex
units:
Please use external risers as per page 11 of
Booklet 3. If an external riser can not be
facilitated, it is recommended that an internal
“filled” duct is used (as per page 16, Booklet 3).
Figure 26:
Internal ventilated duct
Internal
ventilated
duct
PVC coated copper
or steel pipework
Fire resistant
material
Gas pipes should not be fitted in lift shafts or protected
shafts or in any space where gas could migrate in
openings to those shafts.
Building services shafts containing compressed air,
steam or air conditioning ducts should not be used as
a route for gas pipes.
For further details on the interaction of natural gas
pipework and other services, please consult Booklet 3
of this guide, page 20.
Vertical or horizontal purpose-laid ducts, containing
pipework, should be ventilated at the top and bottom
with an open grille (see fig 26). These vents to the duct
must have a free area of 5,000mm2 or 1/500th the
cross sectional area of the duct, which ever is greater.
The purpose of the vents is to ensure that any escape
of gas can transmit to a non-hazardous area and be
detected by smell.
23

Pipe Supports and fixings
Figure 27:
Support of pipework to prevent corrosion caused by
contact with aggressive surfaces
All pipework should be adequately supported to
prevent the pipework from coming into contact
with surfaces that are likely to cause corrosion (e.g.
concrete, masonry, plaster). Supports made from
plastic are generally acceptable.
Be Aware !
Ferrous materials e.g. screws and support brackets
shall not be in contact with copper piping.
Table 8:
Supporting pipework (Horizontally and vertically)
Pipe Support Distance
Material Normal size Interval for vertical run Interval for horizontal run
(mm) (m) (m)
Copper Up to 15 2.0 1.2
22 2.5 1.8
28 2.5 1.8
35 3.0 2.5
42 3.0 2.5
54 3.0 2.7
Mild steel Up to 15 2.5 2.0
20 3.0 2.5
25 3.0 2.5
32 3.0 2.7
40 3.5 3.0
50 3.5 3.0
24

Gas meters and electrical elements.
Pipework should not be installed closer than 150mm to
an electricity meter. When this is not possible, a nonconductive
shield should be placed between the pipe
and the electrical equipment providing the required
separation distance.
Gas meters shall not be located above or below nor
closer than 400mm to an electrical distribution board.
Pipework should be installed at least 25mm away from
the electricity supply, distribution cables. Otherwise
an appropriate electrical insulation material should
be wrapped around the pipe to prevent arcing. Gas
pipework should always be separated by a minimum of
10mm from other metal piped services.
Note:
Subject to approval from electricity supplier.
Figure 28:
Installation in relation to electrical meters etc.
Electricity meter
150mm Min.
Non-conductive partition
150mm
min.
Electricity meter
25

Electrical cross bonding of supply
pipework
For meters installed in external meter boxes, the
bonding connection should be as near as practicable
to the point of entry. Bonding wires should not be
connected in the meter box.
Figure 29:
External Meter (Cross bonding)
Bond
Connection to
earth must be
outside meter
box
Pipework
from meter
Temperature
resistant mastic
Grout
Figure 30:
Internal Meter (Cross bonding)
500 mm
Max
Bonding
Connection
In the case where the meters are installed inside the
building, the bond should be located within 500mm of
the meter outlet pipe.
26

Electrical Cross Bonding at boiler
The current edition of I.S.813: 2002 refers to some
requirements, which can be found in current editions
of the E.T.C.I. wiring regulations including the necessity
to cross bond all ‘extraneous metal work including gas
supply, water and central heating pipes’.
Figure 31:
Cross bonding
arrangement near
boiler
Wall Mounted
Gas Boiler
Gas Supply C.W. H.W.
Be Aware !
Installers on sites should check with the
building contractor that the electrician is
completing all bonding work and the existence
of an electrical completion certificate must
be confirmed by the installer before issuing
a Declaration of Conformance for the gas
installation (see pg 39). If the contractor on
site does not confirm this, then a copy of the
notice (shown below) should be affixed to the
boiler before issue of a conformity declaration to
I.S.813: 2002.
Example of Safety Notice
Electrical safety - equipotential (cross) Bonding
Some types of electrical installations are fitted with
equipotenial bonding, which is the connection of
the internal gas and water pipes to the electrical
installation’s earth terminal. In particular those
installations with Protective Multiple Earthing
(P.M.E) should, for safety reasons, be fitted with
equipotential bonding.
*For information contact your Electricity Supplier
In the Gas Safety Installation Standard I.S.813: 2002
there is the safety information that any person who
carries out installation pipe work should inform the
user that electrical bonding must be checked (& if
necessary rectified) by a competent person*, in any
dwelling where electrical equipotential bonding may
be necessary.
Be Aware !
Risk of Electrical shock if Working on
Existing Pipework
A temporary continuity bond must be used when
carrying out any work on the pipework or fittings
which will break electrical continuity through them.
27

Appliance Connections
It is necessary to provide an appliance valve within 1
metre of each appliance supplied. Depending on the
appliance the preferred valving methods are shown
below.
Be Aware !
Plug type valves (gas cocks) are not permitted.
Cookers
Figure 32:
Cooker flexible pipe connected to self-closing
bayonet valve.
Yellow indicates
suitability for
Nat. Gas
Hobs and ovens
Figure 33:
A valve may be fitted in adjacent cupboards to the left or
right of the oven / hob.
28

Fires
Figure 34:
Valve near builders opening
Recessed valve located in chimney breast
When installed, turn on and refit cover
disk and plate
Figure 35:
Recessed valve - detail
Ball valve with casing
flush to wall surface
8mm wrapped
copper - 1m
max. run
10mm wrapped
copper - 3m max. run
Flush fitting ball valve for concealed gas installations
All pipework to be
PVC coated copper
Be Aware !
If not fitting the
fire as standard:
1. Do not connect
or leave live gas
pipework to the
builders opening.
or
2. Turn off micropoint
and cap off
the downstream
side of the valve.
29

Central heating boilers and water
heaters
Positioning the boiler
A room sealed boiler, may be located within any room
of the dwelling. If located in bathroom / shower, in
an enclosed compartment or understairs, additional
requirements must be adhered to. (I.S.813: 2002).
Additional requirements are needed if placing a boiler
beneath stairs.
Be Aware !
Open flue boilers are permitted in a small
number of locations.
See I.S.813: 2002.
Lamps
Figure 37:
Location for valve for street lamp / garden lamp
Figure 36:
Boiler Valve
These appliances
are normally
fitted with valve
when supplied.
Wall Mounted
Gas Boiler
Gas valve on supply to boiler
30

External pipework
External Appliances
Where appliances such as barbecues, patio heaters,
and gas lights etc. are installed remote from the
dwelling and the pipes are run underground,
consideration should be given to installing an
additional isolation valve on the supply pipe at
an accessible position either internally or externally as
close as possible to where the pipe exits the dwelling.
The valve should be labelled showing “GAS OFF”
position.
Please consult figure 38 below and page 12 for pipe
run requirements.
Figure 38:
External pipework detail
House wall
Barbecue
Outside
gas valve
375 mm min.
depth below grass
and driveway
Plastic wrapped soft
copper tube
150 mm sand/fine fill
40 mm min. depth
under concrete slabs
25 mm min. depth
buried in concrete
Figures 39 / 40:
Isolation valve and Barbecue point detail
Isolation Valve
Demountable connection (flexible) with integral valve.
31

Permitted Flue terminal locations
Flue termination
guidelines
Irish standards always
take precedence over
manufacturers instructions,
unless manufacturers
instructions call for
additional or more strict
requirements.
Guttering
Figure 41:
Permitted locations
for flue terminations
Car ports shall have two
open unobstructed sides
All dimensions in mm
Typical width 100 / 125 mm.
Boiler flue
termination
32
Sample power
Flue termination

Ventilation requirements for
appliances
All appliances require combustion air.
Room-sealed appliances are provided with an air
supply from outside air through a sealed pipe to the
appliance, with products of combustion expelled
through the flue. This, more often than not, is provided
by a concentric flue arrangement.
Figure 42:
Recommended venting detail
Be Aware !
Vents must not be adjustable or capable of being
closed.
Be Aware !
The amount of free area from the airbrick
and airspace grill should be sought from
manufacturer before fitting.
Airbrick
Airspace grill
Sizing of vents
When sizing vents the critical dimension is the amount
of free area required. Physical dimensions of a vent
are not of concern, but the amount of free area that
is available so that air may pass through it is critical.
(Note table on page 34, specific requirements for one
of each type of appliance within a room).
If an extraction fan, or cooker hood with an extractor
fan, is fitted in the room containing an open appliance,
or in a connected space to this room, the size of the
vent required should be increased by 500mm2 for each
30 litre per second maximum extraction fan rate.
The manufacturer should have a stamp on their
products showing total free area. When two or more
open appliances are installed in the same compartment
or space, whether or not they are supplied as a
combined unit, the aggregate input rating should be
used for sizing the vents.
33

Table 10:
Appliance ventilation requirements
Appliance type and input
Minimum ventilation opening
(free area) required
Decorative fuel effect fires 10,000mm 2
Open-Flued appliance < 7kW 3,500mm 2
Open-Flued appliance > 7kW and < 14kW 6,500mm 2
Open-Flued appliance > 14kW and < 70kW
450mm 2 per kW
Fixed space heater
Permanent openings of a minimum of
(e.g. flueless fire - see Case Study 9) 12,000mm 2
The total ventilation required shall be equally
divided between high and low level openings
on the same wall, separated by a minimum
distance of 1,600mm.
Maximum input rate 4.2 kW
(See note 2)
Note 1: Rooms built in accordance with
the 1997 Building Regulations TDG’s have
a minimum of 6,500mm2 ventilation, or in
excess of 12,000mm2 when a room contains
a chimney. To allow this ventilation to count
towards the minimum opening required,
it must be permanently fixed in the open
position.
Note 2: As combustion products from this
appliance are released directly into the room,
additional provisions may be needed to avoid
condensation and ensure satisfactory air
quality. Advice should be sought from the
manufacturer of the specific appliance if not
included in the manufacturers instructions.
Alternative vents
Vents may be incorporated in window frames (Curtains
must not restrict air flow) and in doors in order to
satisfy the air requirement of gas appliances. The free
air requirement must be stated by the manufacturer.
Openings must not be adjustable or capable of being
closed.
34

Safety for the Home Owner
Safety, certification & getting connected
Important notice to all installers
Under current legislation Bord Gáis must be assured
that an installation is safe and complies with Irish
Standard 813(I.S 813) Domestic Gas installations
before gas can be supplied to the dwelling.
It is a legal requirement under The Energy
(miscellaneous provisions) Act 2006 that all “domestic
gas works” must be under taken and certified by a
registered gas installer (RGI) who is registered with the
RGII (Register Gas Installers of Ireland)
The Declaration of Conformance Certificate ,which
must be signed by the RGI carrying out the work, is a
declaration by the RGI that the gas work is safe. That it
has been carried out in accordance with and conforms
to the National standard for Domestic Gas Installations
I.S.813.
Only a declaration of conformance certificate obtained
from the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland (RGII) and
completed and signed by a RGI is acceptable for this
purpose.
Be Aware !
If the steps outlined are not followed, in the
interest of safety, the gas will not be supplied
by Bord Gáis.
See below.
Important Notice
A Registered gas Installer is only permitted to certify his / her own work or that of a registered Trainee
work under supervision.
The Public Listing of Registered Gas Installers is available at:
www.rgii.ie
35

Domestic gas installation safety
Information for Registered Gas Installers (RGI) requiring
a new meter fit.
New Housing Projects
A Registered Gas Installer must
• Complete the entire gas installation
• Issue a declaration of conformance (post
construction section)
• Leave properly completed gas supplier/network
operator copy on site with part one (post
construction section) completed
When the meter is fitted the RGI must
• Connect to the gas installation
• Purge installation in accordance with I.S.813
• Commission appliances/installation in accordance
with manufacturers requirements
• Purge installation in accordance with I.S.813
• Commission appliances/installation in accordance
with manufacturers requirements
• Complete post construction section (part 1) of
declaration of conformance
• Complete part 2 of the declaration of
conformance
• Issue customer with a copy of the declaration of
conformance
• Return green copy to RGII within 10 days of
meter fit
Be Aware !
Any person installing gas must be a Registered
Gas Installer to do so in accordance with I.S
813 “Domestic Gas Installations”
• Complete part 2 of the declaration of
conformance
• Issue customer copy of declaration of
conformance
• Return green copy to RGII within 10 days of issue
One off existing/new housing
The Bord Gáis procedure for this type of installation
allows for gas meters to be fitted pre-construction. If a
registered gas installer requires a meter to be fitted in
such circumstances then.
A Registered Gas Installer must
• Issue a declaration of conformance (pre
construction section)
• Leave properly completed gas supplier/network
operator copy on site with part one (pre
construction section) completed
When the meter is fitted the RGI must
• Complete the installation in accordance with I.S.
813
• Connect to the gas meter installation (when ready
for commissioning)
36

Commissioning of natural gas
installations
Conducting a Soundness Test
Before a declaration of conformance is issued the
R.G.I.I installer must carry out a soundness test to
ensure there are no leaks in the piped system.
The soundness test is carried out as follows:
• All work must be carried out by a Registered Gas
Installer.
• Use only a pressure gauge / manometer with
clearly marked 0.1 mbar gradations.
• Shut off all appliance valves.
• Pressurise installation with air to 100mbar (on
gauge).
• Wait for 5 minutes to ensure temperature
stabilisation.
• Check gauge / manometer and record exact
marking.
• After 5 minutes, check again.
• If pressure has dropped at all from noted mark,
the installation can not be regarded as sound
and shall not be commissioned until the escape is
repaired and the installation re-tested.
Pressure test connection at meter outlet
• If pressure remains stable, then installation can be
deemed sound.
• Any component forming part of the installation,
which was excluded from the pipework test,
shall be reconnected, gas introduced into the
installation and purging carried out. These
connections and components shall then be tested
for soundness using either a leak detection fluid
or a gas detector.
Be Aware !
Installers must be registered
see I.S.813: 2002
37
Carrying out the soundness text.

Commissioning of natural gas
installations
Purging the installation
Every installation must be cleared (purged) of air or air
/ gas mixture whenever a gas supply is made available
for the first time or when an existing system has been
shutdown and is being recommissioned.
Why is it necessary?
A gas / air mixture in the meter or pipework is
potentially explosive and it is necessary therefore to
ensure that the installation and appliances are left with
only a 100% natural gas concentration.
Whilst an appliance may initially light and burn
correctly, if there is a pocket of air in the internal
installation, the appliance flame will extinguish as the
air reaches the appliance burner.
Be Aware !
It is a legal requirement under The Energy
(miscellaneous provisions) Act 2006 that all
“domestic gas works” must be under taken and
certified by a registered gas installer (RGI) who is
registered with the RGII (Register Gas Installers of
Ireland.
Purging Method
• All work must be carried out by Registered Gas
Installers
• Purging of a new installation should not be
undertaken without completion of a satisfactory
soundness test.
• Purging from air to gas should be supervised by a
Registered Gas Installer
• Ensure the dwelling is well ventilated.
• Ensure there are no naked lights or sources of
ignition.
• Select a purge point furthest away from the meter
and in a well ventilated area.
• If it is necessary to purge from a point in a
confined area then the purge should be piped to
atmosphere.
• For most domestic installations one burner on the
cooker hob is an ideal purge point.
• When a full flow of gas is verified, for example,
by a stable burner flame, other appliances in the
dwelling should then be purged.
• Commission appliances.
38

Declaration of Conformance
All elements of the declaration must be completed and
signed for and the copies distributed as instructed in
the document.
The completed top copy (white copy) should be given
to, or left for, the householder. The Green copy sent to
the RGII. The Bord Gáis meter fitter collects and verifies
the second (yellow) copy. If you are not present, please
leave in meter box or attached to boiler.
Bord Gáis will not supply gas unless a valid, properly
completed conformance declaration is submitted for
verification in one of the ways described. See page 35
/ 36.
The installer should retain the remaining copy in a
secure place, as it may be of use in the future should
any difficulties arise as to the safety or acceptability of
the installation.
Be Aware !
Only registered installers may issue a
conformance declaration.
Sample declaration form
Figure 35: Certificate: Declaration of
Conformance
S
CERT
1
Form G01(S) Version 1
39

For gas mains and services
Bord Gáis install all gas mains and services in
accordance with the latest edition of the following
Irish Standards:
I.S. 329 “Code of Practice for Gas Distribution
Mains”
&
I.S. 265 “Installation of Gas Service Pipes”.
For downstream of the meter
Irish Standard I.S.813: 2002 “Domestic Gas
Installations” applies to installations downstream of
the meter.
This Standard is the code of practice for Natural Gas
installation requirements downstream of the point
of delivery and includes the requirements for meters,
appliances and associated pipework in single
and multiple occupancy dwellings.
All of the above standards can be obtained from
the NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland).
Telephone (01) 8073878.
or
www.standards.ie
RGII contact information
List of registered Gas Installers 01 4997998
Conformance Certificates 01 4997998
Web Site: www.rgii.ie
For your Next Residential Scheme
New Connections 1850 411 511
Construction 1850 411 511
Meter Boxes 1850 411 511
Dial before you dig 1850 42 77 47
July 2010 Document no: 25697
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers. Information correct at time of
printing. The advice above is a guide line only and based on the most authoritative information available at the date of issue and users should
ensure that it is relevant to the specific circumstances in which they seek to apply it. Professional advice should always be sought. Users should
ensure they have up to date information. © Bord Gáis
40
GSDC 2508/3009d