How To Move A Gas Meter

Why You Might Need to Move Your Gas Meter

Several common reasons might necessitate moving your gas meter:

• Renovations or home extensions often make relocating the gas meter to a more convenient location necessary
• Improving accessibility for reading or servicing the meter
• Constructing structures, such as fences or garages, that obstruct the meter
• Meeting updated safety standards for meter placement
• Enhancing the curb appeal of your home by strategically relocating the meter

While aesthetic considerations are valid, our service ensures that your meter relocation meets all regulatory codes and standards. Easy access ensures that your gas meter can be read regularly and relocated for any required maintenance. Apart from assessing the suitability of your preferred new location, our team also assists in contacting your gas distributor.

Safety Considerations When Moving a Gas Meter

Safety is paramount when planning a gas meter relocation. Determining who can handle gas pipes and relocate meters is crucial, as it’s a task for licenced professionals only, given the high potential for gas leaks and explosions.

There are strict safety protocols, codes and regulations for moving gas infrastructure. DIY attempts at relocating a natural gas meter can lead to fines, service loss, or severe injury.

Certified gas fitters receive comprehensive training enabling them to:

• Turn off and disconnect gas lines to facilitate their relocation to new sites
• Sever any obsolete pipes
• Cap abandoned lines
• Skilfully re-route and expand the gas pipework as necessary
• Reinstall and reconnect the gas meters
• Pressure test for leaks
• Reinstate the gas supply and relight appliances after relocation

Failing to have your gas meter moved by qualified technicians puts your family, your property, and your neighbourhood at risk of not addressing meter needs. Safety must take precedence over convenience and costs in any gas infrastructure project.

Required Permits and Paperwork

Relocating your gas meter entails obtaining several permits and completing requisite paperwork for approval.

Local councils require you to submit your applications for alterations involving your gas pipes at your home’s gas meter box or infrastructure affecting your supply. The essential documentation you can apply for includes:

• Development applications
• Gas infrastructure diagrams and plans
• Metre relocation request forms
• Plumbing and drainage work plans
• Site access permission
• Heritage impact assessment (if applicable)

For any service adjustments, You must inform your electricity and gas distributor to coordinate the temporary disconnection. They may be able to update service records based on your new meter location.

Contact your local council and gas distributor early to determine the specific requirements for relocating a gas meter. Considering potential delays due to fluctuating new connection processing times is prudent before proceeding with the project. Ensuring adherence to paperwork and approvals before relocating a gas meter is vital for a safe and legitimate installation.

Hiring a Licensed Professional

Securing a licensed and certified professional, such as a plumber, is crucial for relocating a gas meter. They have undergone extensive training and will follow strict safety protocols to complete the relocation safely and legally.

• Gas fitting licence
• Plumbing licence
• Insurance coverage
• Membership in industry organisations like the Master Plumbers Association

Mortdale Plumbing provides certified gas fitters who diligently handle gas infrastructure projects. We can manage the entire process including permits and paperwork, liaising with your distributor, extending gas lines, capping obsolete pipes, and testing for leaks before restoring supply.

Qualified professionals must carry out gas meter relocations. Attempting DIY gas work risks fines, loss of service, and hazards like fire, explosion or gas leaks. Our expertise ensures safe, compliant, and smooth gas meter and pipeline relocations.

Contacting Your Energy Supplier

It’s vital to engage with your electricity meter provider or distributor at the initial stages when planning the relocation of your gas meter. They can provide guidance, approvals for both your gas electricity meter services, and coordination to facilitate the move.

To identify your gas retailer:

• Check your electric meter and gas bills for a contact number or email
• Search online listings for gas suppliers in your area
• Contact your strata or property manager if gas supply is managed jointly

When handling your gas appliances, ensure you connect with your supplier or network operator with all relevant information at hand:

• Your account details
• Meter serial number and model
• Preferred new meter location for suitability confirmation
• Timeline for completion - they may need to attend to disconnect/reconnect

You need know that gaining the necessary approvals through your energy supplier is vital. If you choose to use our professional gas meter relocation services, we will manage all communications, including a site visit for smart meter transitions.

The Process of Relocating Your Gas Meter

Relocating a gas meter requires careful planning, coordination, and meticulous installation for safety. The typical process includes:

1. Initially, the technician will identify the most appropriate new location to ensure compliance.
2. Permits and approvals must be secured from local council and your gas distributor.
3. Disconnection - On the scheduled date, your gas distributor will manually turn off the gas at the meter to start the work.
4. Removal - Your current metre and pipes will be disconnected, removed and obsolete pipes safely capped.
5. New pipe installation involves rerouting, extending, and attaching gas lines at the approved new meter location.
6. Reinstallation - Technicians will install your new meter, affix associated fittings, and conduct a visual inspection of the setup.
7. Testing - Pressure tests check for leaks, followed by the restoration of your gas supply once the setup is confirmed safe.
8. The relighting step ensures a licensed technician reactivates gas appliances to restore full service.

This sequence ensures that infrastructure no longer in use is rendered safe, new components meet codes, and thorough testing reduces environmental risks. Our team oversees the entire process, including communication and planning, to ensure fast and smooth meter relocations.

Preparing Your Property

To prepare for gas meter relocation, ensure clear access to the existing meter and proposed new site. Your gas fitter will ensure the new location complies with legal standards.

Standard preparations include:

• Clearing obstructions such as foliage, debris, or structures
• Tidying the work areas and surroundings
• Turning off gas appliances at the isolation valve
• Shutting off water lines to gas hot water systems
• Disconnecting gas appliances if necessary, particularly when relocating the meter point
• Ensuring safe access including clearing pets

A comprehensive checklist from your technician will outline necessary steps, like relocating fixtures to the outside wall. Advanced notice provides sufficient time to prepare your property. Proper access enables the gas fitters to work efficiently, safely reroute lines, and minimise service disruptions during your gas metre relocation.

On the Day of the Move

As you anticipate the gas meter gas service relocation, the day’s schedule includes:

• Arrange for your gas service pipe inspection by the arrival of licensed technicians
• Verification of necessary permits and documentation
• Temporary interruption of your gas service
• Removal of the existing gas metre
• Capping obsolete pipes and rerouting gas lines
• Installation of the metre at the new, approved site
• Reconnection of appliances and restoration of supply
• Pressure testing to check for leaks and ensure safety

With qualified professionals at the helm, your role is to provide clear access and avoid using gas appliances until service is fully reinstated post-testing. You’ll receive timely updates at any stage of the relocation process from our diligent technicians. Typically, the move is completed within 2-3 hours from disconnection to appliance relighting.

Contact us with any questions, but please stay clear of the work areas for your own safety. We’ll also confirm the paperwork meets regulations and your distributor’s records are updated once your gas metre relocation is complete.

Potential Service Disruptions

This is necessary to allow the gas fitters to safely disconnect, move and reinstall your metre.

To minimise inconvenience:

• Schedule appliance use like hot water, cooking or heating before or after your move date.
• Inquire with your gas fitter to learn more about the estimated timeframe, which might be less than anticipated, to plan effectively.
• Consider the impact of a 2-3 hour gas outage on medical devices and appliances like fridge/freezers.

This interruption, though temporary, is essential for ensuring safety and allows for thorough testing of new installations before gas supply restoration. Technicians will make sure to complete all tasks thoroughly on the day of your meter’s relocation. They will ensure proper reconnection and check for leaks before reinstating the gas service.

Maintain communication with your gas fitter for updates during the relocation process. While short outages are typical, don’t hesitate to ask questions to understand what’s involved when preparing to move your gas metre.

Costs and Timeframe

The costs of relocating a gas meter can vary greatly, influenced by factors such as:

• The complexity of the job
• Length of new pipe runs required
• Permit fees
• Whether road access is needed
• Your area and local labour rates

Gas meter relocations roughly cost between $800 and $2,000, though this is a general estimate and actual prices may vary. Simpler jobs usually fall at the lower end, while extensive rerouting or relocations to less accessible areas cost more.

Approval of development applications typically takes 1-2 weeks, a common query regarding timeframes. Gas distributors then require 5+ business days’ notice to schedule the outage. The relocation day requires a 2-3 hour window to safely disconnect, move, reinstall, and test the meter setup.

Keep in mind that lead times vary across council bodies and energy suppliers. Timeframes also depend on availability of qualified gas fitters to undertake the work. Discuss projected schedules with your chosen service provider for accurate planning.

While costs and timelines may vary, the focus remains on a secure and compliant installation of your new gas meter. We strive for prompt and precise service, keeping you informed throughout the relocation process.

FAQs About Moving a Gas Meter

How long will my gas be turned off when moving the metre?

Expect your gas supply to be interrupted for typically 2-3 hours during the meter relocation. This allows our technicians time to safely disconnect, cap and remove old pipes before installing the metre in the new approved position and restoring service.

Can I move my gas metre without permission?

Obtaining your gas supplier’s consent is obligatory before commencing a meter relocation. Yes, you must gain written consent from your gas supplier/network operator before moving a gas metre. Relocations without approval may lead to disconnection or legal repercussions. Our team will manage the entire approval process on your behalf.

What should I do if I smell gas during the metre move?

In the event of a suspected gas leak during the move, evacuate immediately and call the emergency line. Do not turn power or appliances on or off. Licensed technicians will swiftly and securely locate and rectify the leak before continuing.

How far can you move a gas metre?

Professionals can move your gas meter more than just several metres if necessary, extending the underground gas line to its new location. As long as the site meets legal requirements, distance often isn’t an issue. We will assess the feasibility of pipe extensions to your chosen location.

Who pays for moving a gas metre?

The property owner is generally responsible for costs when aiming to move gas infrastructure that is deemed non-essential. The cost of relocating a gas meter typically ranges between $800 to $2000.