Gas installation: Inspection and Safety

If your home is connected to gas, there will be a gas meter and a gas pipeline network. Neither you as the consumer nor we as building inspectors can visually inspect the gas meter and gas installation. During an installation inspection, gas pipes are pressure-tested.

If there are any defects in the main shut-off valve, this is absolutely unsafe! The system must be able to be completely shut off at all times. In that case, the defect must be repaired by the grid operator. We recommend contacting your grid operator regarding the gas meter. The gas meter's wall mounting must also be in good condition; otherwise, it must be repaired. The meter must be secured to the wall so that it cannot move or be moved. Extensive movement of the meter can cause loose connections, posing a risk of leaks.

• Improving the meter's mounting is the responsibility of the grid operator. Therefore, please contact your grid operator to discuss this further.

Older, rusting pipes may be found in the basement/crawlspace. If this is the case, we recommend an installation inspection, including pressure testing of the gas system. A local plumber can usually assist you with this. In the worst-case scenario, the pipe can be taken out of service and replaced quite easily and quickly with a plastic gas pipe (yellow pipe).

• Please note that a plastic pipe in the meter cupboard must be fitted with a protective sheath.
• Also read this related article about some of the dangers of an older central heating boiler .

If the gas pipeline system in your home was (partially) installed unprofessionally, you can't be completely confident that it will function properly and long-term. In that case, we recommend a safety inspection for the installations. With such unprofessional installation, no risks can be taken.

Correctly connecting your gas and electrical system is essential for your own safety and that of others. Therefore, requirements apply to the location and layout of your meter room and the inlet facilities, among other things. A gas pipe must always be routed to the gas meter in a protective conduit; this is unsafe and unprofessional.

• The gas connection pipe (yellow colour) must have a diameter of 63 millimetres and a wall thickness of 3.0 millimetres.
• In the meter room, the conduits for gas, electricity and other utilities must protrude at least 20 millimeters above the finished floor.
• The NEN2768 specifies in detail the requirements and regulations for protective conduits and meter cabinets.
• During a building inspection , the inspector will check some basic functionalities.