Natural Gas Pipework Installation to Multi-Occupancy Dwellings

guidelines for designers /

builders

Contents
Definition of multi-occupancy dwellings

Merer locations:

n General Requirements

n Installation up to the Meter

3
3

External Locations

n Meter Cabinets (Pre-Fabricated)

n Meter Banks (Purpose-Built)

4
4

Internal Locations

n Meters in a Common Area

n Meters in Underground Car-Park / Open Basement Area
Marking of Meters

5
6/7
8

Installation Pipework (from Meter to Riser)

n External Underground Pipework

n Internal Underground Pipework

9
10

External Riser Options

n Pipework concealed in Rain Water Down-pipe

n External Risers behind Cladding / Brick

11
12

Internal Riser Options

n Open Riser

n Gas Pipework in Protected Shafts

n Internal Ducts - Continuous

n Internal Ducts - Stopped

n Internal Ducts - Filled

13
13
14
15
16

Installation Pipework - (from riser to welling)

17

n Pipework within the Screed

n Pipework at Ceiling Level

n Bringing Installation Pipework beyond one Apartment to Another

Appendix

n Pipes in Voids

n Isolation Valve

18

Terminology

n Terminology & Useful References

19

Gas pipework and other services

20

Irish standards

20

n Your Next Residential Scheme

20

Definition
Piped natural gas can be supplied safely and efficiently
to multiple dwellings and the requirements relating to
the installation are to be found in the current edition of
I.S. 813, Domestic Gas Installations. A multiple
dwelling of 5 or more floors including a basement
but excluding any plant housing on roof is regarded
as a multi storey building and construction and use
should comply with the Local Government (Multi-Story
Buildings) Act of 1988.

A multi-occupancy dwelling is a building containing

more than two
dwelling units.
A multiple dwelling can be any of
the following:
n A purpose built apartment building
n An existing single dwelling modified to
accommodate a number of separate dwellings, or

NOTE:

n Dwelling units contained in a mixed use building

e.g. shops / offices downstairs with dwelling units
above.

This Booklet is intended for guidance to

the requirements of I.S.813.
This Booklet should not conflict with or
be substituted for I.S.813

Meters locations
All meters must be earth bonded in accordance with
the current edition of the ETCI regulations. Refer to
Booklet 2 for further details.

General Meter Requirements

Provision must be made for easy access to, reading or
removal of a meter.

Installation up to the Meter

Design and or location must protect the meter and its

connections against the possibility of corrosion.

Bord Gis provide and lay all external underground gas

mains, and service pipework up to the point of a meter
location.

Meters must not be located where they may be

exposed to extreme temperatures or ignition sources
(e.g. switch gear).

For trench requirements relating to gas mains and

services, consult Booklet 1 of the Bord Gis Technical
Manual pages 2, 3 and 4.

Meters must not be located where they may be

exposed to accidental damage.

For details of external installation pipework

requirements from the meter to the dwelling, please
consult pages 9 & 10 of this booklet.

Meters may not be located in a position open to a

stairway unless contained within a compartment per
detail on page 5. Meters must not occupy a space in
any part of a multi-occupancy building which may
hinder escape in the event of an emergency.

All downstream installation pipework, fittings and

auxiliaries of the meter, should be designed so to
operate normally at pressures up to 20mbar.

External meter locations

Meters may only be located within the building when

site design cannot facilitate them externally.

The preferred location for meters supplying units in a

multi-occupancy building is in an enclosure, external to
the building.

The structural housing of externally located meters may

be either pre-fabricated or purpose-built (See page 9
- 12, booklet 1 of this guide, and information below).

Dimensions of each six meter cabinet:

1160mm high x 750mm wide x 300mm deep.

Isolation Valve
positioned 2m
minimum from
external Gas
Meters
Fig. 1 Pre-fabricated Meter Cabinet

600mm
min.
cover

Outlet Pipework

63mm P.E. service

pipe

Fig. 2 Purpose-Built Meter Manifold (Suitable for numerous

meter arrangements, See Booklet 1 page 12)

Note:
Pre-fabricated Meter Cabinet:

The compartment must meet the structural and

fire resistant requirements applicable to that part
of the building. All voids within and around
the compartment must be fully sealed
and fire proofed to prevent the ingress
of air or gas to the cavity wall or other
voids.

The cabinet may be concealed with walls at either

side as shown in figure 1. It is not permitted to
recess a multiple meter cabinet into the external wall
of the building, unless all of the requirements below
are met.
Purpose-built Meter Compartment:

If the enclosure opens to the outside but is set

within the building structure then all pipe sleeves
or entries into the building must be sealed with an
approved fire sealing material. Access doors should
not be lockable.

This meter arrangement may be located away from

the building or recessed into the outer leaf of the
building structure.

Ventilation must be provided to atmosphere in

the form of a fully louvred door or in the case of
a solid door, vents must be located at the top and
the bottom of the door. Each vent must provide a
minimum of 5,000mm2 free area or 0.5% of the
compartment floor area, which ever is greater.

If recessed into the structure of the building or to

be placed within the building line, meters must be
in a completely sealed compartment with
the exception of access and ventilation provided by
louvred doors to the outside air. This arrangement is
only permitted on a low pressure site
i.e. service pressure 100mBar.
4

Internal meter locations

Meters in Common Areas:

n Access doors to the cabinet / compartment

must be lockable and meters must remain
accessible at all times

If the meters supplying the units in a multi-occupancy

building cannot be located externally then they may
be located within the building line subject to the
following:

n The enclosure, including access doors,

must meet the structural and fire resistant
requirements applicable to that part of the
building.

n Low pressure gas network must be available i.e.

service pressure 100mBar.

n The ventilation to the outside atmosphere

must be provided through suitably sized
and constructed ducts, provided at high and
low level. Ducts should be protected and
constructed to prevent fire damage.

n If the compartment is above ground level, each
vent should provide 5,000mm2 minimum free
area or 0.5% of compartment floor area, which
ever is greater. Separation between the exits of
each ventilating duct to atmosphere must be at
least 450mm apart. If the compartment is to be
positioned below ground level, Bord Gis must
be consulted for ventilation requirements.

n Meters should be positioned in an area of free

ventilation as close as possible to the external wall
where the gas service pipe enters.
n Meters may not be located beneath a
stairs, unless they are placed within a minimum
two hour fire resistant and sealed compartment
ventilated directly to the outside of the building.
This compartment must not obstruct exits from
the building.
n Provision should be made for a steel service to
enter into the building through a suitable sleeve
where traversing a cavity or void. (See figure 3
below).

n The dimensions required for different meter

arrangements, are available on page 12 of

Booklet 1.

n Care must be taken when locating

the external isolation valve where it

Ducts are required to

provide ventilation for meter
compartment. Ducts should
be sleeved through cavities,
suitably fire rated and provide
minimum air openings as
detailed above.

is freely accessible, e.g. not in a parking area

where vehicles may restrict access.

The enclosure, including access doors, must meet the

structural and fire retardant requirements per Building
Regulations.

Minimum
compartment
dept of 400mm
must be provided
for the manifold,
not including
provision for
enclosure or
protective barrier

External
Isolation
Valve

Area Isolation Valve

600mm
min

Steel Manifold

100mm min cover

From
Mains
At early construction provide Sleeve for Steel Service Pipe.
(Service pipe and manifold provided by Bord Gis)
Fig. 3
Multiple Meter
Enclosure - within building
5

Note:
Polyethylene pipework is not
permitted inside the building.

Meters located in the

underground car park /
open basement area
Meters located in an underground car park or open
basement area must have direct access to natural
ventilation. Mechanical ventilation may not be relied
upon.

Top-entry cabinets pre-fabricated off site.

Option A:
External
Isolation
Valve

600mm
minimum
cover
required

Dimensions of each six meter cabinet:

1160mm high x 750mm wide x 300mm deep.

Area Isolation Valve

300mm
min.

Contains
Six Meters

Contains Six
Meters

P.E. Pipe
Top-entry cabinets open to
naturally ventilated area
At early construction provide
suitable sleeve for Steel Service
Pipe (Service pipe and manifold
provided by Bord Gis)

1800mm
max.

Fig. 4 Top-entry cabinets in Underground Car Park / Open Basement Area

Read in conjuncion with pg 7.

n Meters must always be positioned so to avoid the

possibility of impact.

n Provision should be made for the steel service to

enter into the building through an appropriate
sleeve where traversing a cavity or void.

n If it is required that the meters or gas service be

located in a dedicated room within the basement
or in a basement lacking natural ventilation, Bord
Gis must be consulted for specifications and
ventilation requirements.

n The gas service must pass through a ventilated

area that is publicly accessible (i.e. providing
access for Bord Gis maintenance at all times).
The gas service may not pass through a protected
corridor / stairway / shaft, refuse area or private
premise (i.e. dwelling or commercial unit).

n Care should be taken when locating the external

isolation valve so it is freely accessible at all times,
e.g. not in a parking area where vehicles may
restrict access.

n Electrical current carrying equipment or cables

must not be in contact with or suspended from
gas equipment or plant.
6

On-site fabricated meter manifold.

Supply pipework supported at ceiling level.

Option B:
External Isolation Valve

600mm minimum
cover required

Area Isolation
Valve

300 mm min

From
Mains
P.E. Pipe

Steel manifold open to

naturally ventilated area

At early construction provide

suitable sleeve for Steel Service
Pipe (Service pipe and manifold
provided by Bord Gis)

If manifold is at a level exposed to

possible impact, additional provision
must be made with a protective
barrier.

Manifold located
at high level,
minimum depth
required is
400mm.

Fig. 5 Meters in Underground Car Park / Open Basement Area

Read in conjuncion with pg 6.

n The meter installation must not be located directly
beneath a ventilation grill or in a position liable to
cause ingress of water, unless weather protected.

n For the dimensions required for differing meter

manifold arrangements, please consult Booklet 1,
page 12.

n If required at low level a protective barrier must

be placed around the meters. Sufficient impact
resistance provided by the builder.

Top-Entry Cabinets vs
Steel Manifold:
The top-entry cabinet is tailored for better
on-site co-ordination as the heating installer
can connect directly to the cabinet. The steel
manifold offers greater flexibility in available
meter configurations, but requires on-site
fabrication.

n In the case of the steel manifold protection from

tamper and impact may be provided by the
provision of a suitable steel cage. The use of a
steel mesh casing will allow for ease of meter
reading. The area isolation valve must remain
accessible at all times.
7

Marking of meters
All meters in a multiple meter installation must be
clearly marked to indicate the dwelling number and
floor number supplied by that meter.

Apartment: 1
Floor: Ground

Apartment: 2
Floor: Ground

Apartment: 3
Floor: 1st

Apartment: 4
Floor: 1st

Apartment: 5
Floor: 2nd

Apartment: 6
Floor: 2nd

Fig. 6 Marking of Meters

The marking of meters is essential for safe

operation, maintenance and accurate billing
of gas consumed.

Note:
Meters will not be fitted if the supply pipework
is not brought to within 450mm of the meter
position, or pipework is not labeled indicating
the dwelling or premise it is to supply.
8

Installation pipework (from meter to riser)

External Underground

n Minimum sand surround or fine fill cover in

trench of 150mm.

Should the meters be located a distance away from the

building, all pipe runs should travel underground up to
the base of the external wall. Pipework from the base
of the external wall may travel externally (See figure 7)
or pass directly into the building (See figure 8).

Polyethylene pipework can only be used

externally and must not be taken into the
building.

All metallic underground pipework must be suitably

protected against corrosion and galvanic action.
Metallic pipework may not be jointed mechanically
underground.

Jointing P.E. pipework underground by mechanical

fittings, electro fusion or butt fusion is acceptable. A
competent operative must perform jointing.
P.E. pipework must, if taken above ground for any
distance, be protected against:

All underground installation pipework should be

covered to sufficient depth to minimise the risk of
impact, or loading damage.

n Exposure to high temperature

Installation pipework from the meter under soft

ground or under vehicular traffic must have:

n Exposure to sunlight
n Impact or abrasion damage

n Minimum trench cover of 375mm (additional

protective sleeve required when placing

supply pipework beneath vehicular traffic).

Consult Booklet 2 pages 12, 13 and 14.

Cover or Sheath Metal may be used for

Aesthetic Purposes (See Section 4)

PVC Coated Copper

Road (vehicular traffic)

375mm

min cover

From Meter
PVC Coated Copper

Foundation

Protective sleeve
Fig. 7
Installation Pipework - Rising on External Wall
9

Installation pipework under concrete paths, (pedestrian

traffic only, See figure 8) should have:

n Minimum cover of 25mm between sleeve /

wrapping and concrete finish.

n Pipework in sleeve or protective wrapping (See

Booklet 2 for further details)

n All underground pipework should be pressure

tested before initial wrapping or covering takes
place.

Protect exposed
pipework from
possible damage

Sleeve

Path (Pedestrian
traffic only)

25mm min screed

cover
25mm
min cover

Concrete

FROM
METER
Protective sleeve

Foundation

Fig. 8 Installation Pipework -Entry Through Outside Wall

Internal Underground Open Basement / Car

Park Area:

n be coated / protected against corrosion

n avoid structural beams where possible
n be adequately supported (See Booklet 2,
Bord Gis Technical Manual)
n be sleeved through any void or cavity
n be colour coded per pg 18.

Pipework from the meter should be brought to ceiling

level immediately. Pipework travelling along ceilings
of an open basement / car park area (See figure 9),
should:
n take the shortest path practical from the meter to
the rising duct

See Internal
DuctContinuous
pg.14

See Section 4 and Internal DuctStopped pg.14

FROM
METER

Sleeve

and Fire Stop

OPTION 1

Fig. 9 Installation Pipework - From Meters in Open Basement / Car-Park to Riser.

10

OPTION 2

External riser options

Pipework concealed in Rainwater Down-pipe
Individual units can be supplied by installation
pipework constructed as external risers on to an
outside wall. For aesthetic reasons such risers can be
hidden within an enclosure outside the fabric of the

building (See figure 11B) or within a false rainwater

down-pipe, behind pre-fabricated expanded metal
duct, suitably weather proofed (Note
details below).

Fig. 10 External Risers - Hidden

If placing installation pipework behind a false PVC

rainwater down-pipe (backing removed), the downpipe should be left open top and bottom and secured
to the wall. The pipework within should also be
adequately supported.
External Riser Behind Cladding / Brick (See
figures 11A, 11B & 11C)
If an external riser is to be hidden within an enclosure
in the outer fabric of the building, it should be itself
sealed from entry to the building and open to the
outside air. Openings to the outside air should be
provided at the top and bottom of the riser (additional
ventilation openings can be provided at intermediary
positions if desired). The minimum free area of each
opening must be 5,000mm2 or 1/500th the cross sectional
area of the enclosure, which ever is greater.

Concealed
external riser

11

View A-A

Ventilation Opening

Possible Meter Location

(See Figure 11C below and
Booklet 1 page 11)

External Cladding or
Brick Construction

Ventilation Opening

Fig. 11A Installation Pipework behind Cladding / Brick

Outer Fabric of Building

Dwelling 2
Dwelling 3

Dwelling 1

Sleeve and Seal

Rise 1

Rise 2

Rise 3

External Cladding or
Brick Construction

Fig. 11B Plan View of Brick or Cladding.

View A-A

Lintel

Isolation Valve &

Service perpendicular
to Building Line

600mm
min
100mm min slab
Fig. 11C
Meter Compartment Detail
12

Internal riser options

Open Riser
Installation pipework rising vertically and left open
to the room through which it passes, is acceptable
from a standards compliance point of view, however
it is unlikely that such a method of piping would be
aesthetically acceptable to the designer or occupants.

Supporting
bracket to be
of plastic or
same material as
pipework

In the case of an open riser the pipework should

only pass through a common area or the dwelling or
premise it is supplying.
Should internal open pipework be used it should be:
n Sleeved through and fire stopped at each floor
(per fig. 19) and,
n Constructed of welded steel or continuous /
brazed or solder jointed copper tubing and,

Fig 12
Support of pipework required so as to prevent corrosion
caused by contact with aggressive surfaces

n Protected against corrosion.

Rising Pipework within Ducts

The routing of gas installation pipework through
ducts is the most frequently applied solution. This may
be achieved in one of the following ways, selection
dependent on the configuration of the building, the
building programme and the aesthetic parameters set
out by the designer (See pages 14, 15 & 16).

Note:
Gas Pipework in Protected Shafts:
If a protected shaft contains a stairway and/or lift, it should not also contain a pipe intended to
carry gaseous or liquid fuels. This type of protected shaft must not contain a ventilating duct
(other than a duct provided for the purposes of pressurising the stairway to keep it smoke free).
Definition of a Protected Shaft:
A protected shaft is defined as a shaft which enables persons, air or objects to pass from one
compartment to another and is enclosed with fire resisting construction.
For further clarification, consult The Building Regulations, Section B.

13

Internal Duct continuous

Detail 1

Third floor
apartment

Third floor
apartment

Second floor
apartment

Second floor
apartment

First floor
apartment

First floor
apartment

Fire sealed
at low level
Vent to outside
air (Fire rated
construction)

Ground floor
apartment

Ground floor
apartment

Car - Entrance / exit

Detail 1

Exit

Basement Car-park

Fig. 13
Installation Pipework in Internal continuous ventilated duct

figure 16 and 17 of this booklet. Always consult the

Building Regulations (TGDs), Section B.

The construction of the Continuous Internal Duct

must reflect the fire prevention and structural
requirements of the building.

Other services may be contained within this duct (See

pg 20 of this booklet).

The duct must be constructed so to be impervious to

gas / air throughout its length. The continuous internal
duct, as illustrated above, must be supplied with
adequate circulating air directly from and to outside air.
This must be provided via openings at both extremes of
the fire rated duct. The minimum free area of each
opening must be 5,000mm2 or 1/500th the cross
sectional area of the duct, which ever is greater.

Note:

Ventilation ducts can be routed horizontally over any

distance to the base or the top of this duct. Ducts for
this purpose should be fire rated or protected against
fire.

n If the building arrangement does not

suit a Continuous Duct, Then a Stopped
Duct (Fig 14) or Filled Duct 9Fig 15) may
be adopted.

The pipework from the duct can continue its path

horizontally in an enclosure once it has exited the
continuous duct, provided the lateral duct or sleeve
is left open to the duct air, but otherwise sealed per

n Low level vents from service shaft / duct

should not terminate in the carpark /
basement.
14

Internal Duct - stopped

Flame Resistant Construction

Third floor
apartment

Third floor
apartment

Customer
Isolation Valve
Second floor
apartment

Second floor
apartment

First floor
apartment

Ground floor
apartment

Customer
Isolation Valve

First floor
apartment

Sleeved thru
& fire stopped
at each floor

Ground floor
apartment

Vent top &

bottom at
each floor

Meters

Vent to
outside air

Open Basement

Basement
Car-park

Exit

Fig. 14
Installation Pipework- Stopped and vented top and bottom within each floor.

This type of duct is essentially to hide an open riser

within the building, details on page 13. The stopped
duct should be vented to outside air or to the area
containing the duct where appropriate, but not to a
private premise. The continuous duct option (page 14)
or filled duct option (page 16) must take preference
where gas pipework travels through either a protected
shaft containing a stairs or lift, or a private premise.

Sealed sleeves and fire stops should be properly

constructed at each floor. Always consult the Building
Regulations (TGDs).
Other services may be contained within this duct (See
Section 9, Page 20 of this booklet).

Requirements
The Stopped Duct, constructed on each floor should
have fixed air openings (vents) top and bottom. The
fixed openings should be a minimum of 5,000mm2 or
1/500th the cross sectional area of the duct, which ever
is greater.

Note:
Consult page 13 Gas Pipework within
Protected Shafts.
For alternative options consult pages
14 and 16.

15

Internal Duct - Filled

Vermiculite &
Cement Mix
fill

Third floor
apartment

Second floor
apartment

Second floor
apartment

Filled
Duct

Customer
Isolation Valve

Grout
concrete
(no gap)

First floor
apartment

Ground floor
apartment

Third floor
apartment

First floor
apartment

Ground floor
apartment

Installation
pipework

Meters

Vent to
outside air

Open Basement

Open Basement

Exit

Fig. 15
Installation Pipework within soil pipe with fire-rated surround filling.

The Filled Duct is adopted where provision of

ventilation openings is not suitable. In essence, the gas
pipework is placed in a duct with the space between
the pipework and duct walls filled with a vermiculitecement mix. The installation procedure is as follows:
n

Factory coated gas pipework is suitably positioned

and supported along the service route (the factory
coating provides protection from the corrosive
effects of the filling material).

All joints must be protected against corrosion,

minimum two layers required, (welded or
soldered joints are only permitted).

A duct of suitable material is fixed around the gas

pipework, allowing adequate space for the filling
material.

All pipework from the meter to the apartments

are pressure tested by the Registered Gas Installer.

All openings in the duct are sealed and made

good, with exception of filling points.

The vermiculite-cement material is mixed at

a ratio dictated by vermiculite manufacturers
instructions.

The vermiculite-cement mix is lightly compacted

into the void with the duct capped off where
necessary.

Note:
The filled duct may not be included
within a service shaft containing
ventilation ducting or air conditioning.

16

Installation pipework
(From the service riser to
the apartment)

Pipework should not traverse a private premise to

supply another dwelling. Where gas supply pipework
is laid close to heating system pipework, provision
must be made for expansion and contraction of buried
pipework.

Supply pipework may be continued horizontally

from the service riser to travel outside the building
structure or internally within the floor screed (note
figures 16A and 17A below). The pipework should
only exit the screed in the apartment being supplied.
Pipework may traverse a corridor or common area to
arrive at the dwelling being supplied.

Pipework exposed to concrete must be protected

against corrosive elements with protective wrap or
PVC coating. Pipework placed in screed must have a
minimum cover of 25mm. Only soldered or welded
joints are permitted within the screed.

Entry from Outside Air or

Internal Continuous Duct

Entry from Outside Air or

Internal Continuous Duct

Customer Isolation
Valve (C.I.V. - See
Appendix)

Ceiling

Screed
(minimum cover
of 25mm)
PVC coated
or wrapped
copper
Fire resistant
sleeve and mastic

Fire
Resistant
Mastic

C.I.V.

16A

Fig. 16A Gas pipework entering via screed

16B
Fig. 16B Gas pipework entering at high-level

Entry from Outside Air or Internal

Continuous Duct

Dwelling 1
Screed (minimum cover of
25mm)

C.I.V.

Corridor / Common Area

Fire resistant sleeve and mastic

Continuous PVC coated

or wrapped copper

17A

Fig. 17A Gas pipework entering via screed

Entry from Outside Air /
Internal Duct-Continuous

Fire Rated Sleeve

Gas Pipework

Fire Resistant
Mastic

Dwelling 1

Ceiling

Ceiling Void
Corridor / Common Area
Specification of Plasterboard dictated by
Building Regulations (TGDs), Section B
c for alternative options, consult Appendix - Pipes in Voids
Fig. 17B Gas pipework entering via ceiling void
17

C.I.V.

17B

Appendix
Pipes in Voids
Where pipes are to be located in voids, any one of
the following should be applied:
n

n The pipe section is welded or continuous

throughout its length within the void or,

Air vents terminating in open air must be

provided. Openings must be a minimum of
500 square mm for every square metre of void
surface area or,

n The pipe should be contained within a vented,

continuous sleeve (as per figure 17B) or,
n The void filled with an inert material.

Customer Isolation Valve (C.I.V.)

Irrespective of supply route, where pipework enters
into the apartment (point of entry) a customer isolation
valve should:
n be located as close as practicable to the entry
point of gas pipework to the dwelling and must
remain accessible at all times,
n be fitted with a handle easy to operate and
capable of fully stopping flow with one quarter
turn.
n be permanently marked to show its purpose (Gas
Isolation) and show the on and off positions.
Fig. 18
Customer Isolation Valve (C.I.V.)

n The point of entry is deemed to be where the

pipework enters through the wall of the complex
or exits the screed.
n See page 11 of Booklet 2.

Fire Stop at Floor

Identification of Gas Pipework

All pipework traversing through floors should be fire

stopped as shown. This does not apply if constructing
duct as per page 14.
Fire
resistant
mastic

Fig. 19
Fire Stop through Floor

n All gas pipework should be identifiable as

containing Natural Gas, This can be achieved by
colour coding the pipework bright yellow (Yellow
Ochre 08 c 35) or by banding.

Sleeve

n The operator of the building should, on

commissioning and handover, be given a drawing
showing the location of all gas pipework in the
building.

Fire resistant mastic

18

Terminology:
Building Line
The outermost extent of the building structure
(archway, balcony or basement) cast vertically on to
ground level.

Sleeve
Rigid (usually non-metallic) pipe material impervious to
gas. The annulus between the sleeve and gas pipe acts
as a conduit for gas in the event of leakage.

Coating
Coating may be a factory applied light wrapping, paint
or other suitable substance applied to a pipe to protect
against corrosion.

Void
A space in a building lacking any air flow,
Any enclosed, generally inaccessible and unventilated
space.

Duct / Shaft
Purpose provided space constructed of building
materials for the enclosure of installation pipework or
other building services.

Wrap
Material used to protect pipes from corrosion and also
providing some degree of impact protection
Useful References

Fire Resistant Duct

Duct - constructed from material rated as fire resistant
(See Building Regulations).

Pipework Materials:
Booklet 2, BGE Technical Manual

Fire Stopped
Building component / material designed to prevent
the spread of fire through walls or ceilings for a given
minimum time.

Typical Appliance Consumptions:

Booklet 2, BGE Technical Manual
or the CIBSE Guide Section C4
Pipe Sizing:
Booklet 2, BGE Technical Manual
or the CIBSE Guide Section C4

Free Ventilation
Ventilation not reliant upon mechanical activation.
Installation Pipework
Refers to any gas pipework, fittings, meters or
ancillaries downstream of the point of delivery
nominated by Bord Gis. This point may be either a
combination of a regulator and valve or a meter.

Pipework Supports and Fixings:

Booklet 2, BGE Technical Manual

Mechanical Joint
Compression, flange or union type pipe joint.
Natural Ventilation
Sufficient air movement in a space to ensure one air
change per hour (minimum).
Naturally Ventilated Basement
A naturally ventilated basement is a space below
or partially below a building with air openings of
sufficient size to cause free air flow at all times. Should
gas service pipework or meter installations be required
in this space, the minimum air opening requirements
must coincide with the Building Regulations (Technical
Guidance Documents, Section B 3.5.2.4).
Open Riser
Rising pipework not enclosed as it passes through
living or shared spaces in the building.
Riser
Installation pipework rising vertically through a building
to supply one or more dwellings.

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Natural gas pipework and other services

Service shafts carrying gas pipes should be provided
with adequate and suitable means of ventilation, top
and bottom, preferably by natural means (See figures
10, 11 & 13). The ventilation should discharge in a safe
manner to the open air.

Where a vertical service shaft is divided

horizontally by fire-stops (fig.14) or other means,
each section between stops should be treated as
a separate service shaft.

Hot Water.
(<10BAR)

Permitted

Gas Pipework should be protected

against corrosion

Ventilation and Air conditioning.

Permitted

Gas pipework should be enclosed in a purpose

constructed corrosion resistant sealed duct or
sleeve with ventilation at each end direct to
outside air. Before fitting the ventilation openings
and putting into service the duct / sleeve shall be
successfully pressure tested to the normal working
pressure of the enclosed gas pipe

Cold and Chilled Water

Permitted

Gas Pipework should be protected against

corrosion

Electricity

Permitted

Adequate spacing and insulation should be

provided based upon the electrical voltage

Telecommunications and Data

Permitted

Adequate spacing and insulation should be

provided.

Appliance Flues

Not Permitted

Irish standards
FOR GAS MAINS AND SERVICES

FOR DOWNSTREAM OF THE METER

Bord Gis install all gas mains and services in

accordance with the latest edition of the following
Irish Standards:

Irish Standard I.S. 813:2002 Domestic Gas Installations

applies to installations downstream of the meter.
This Gas Standard applies to installations downstream of
the point of delivery and includes the requirements for
meters, appliances and associated pipework in single
and multiple occupancy dwellings.

I.S. 329 Code of Practice for Gas Distribution

Mains
&

All of the above standards can be obtained from the

NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland). Telephone
(01) 8073878.

I.S. 265 Installation of Gas Service Pipes.

For Your Next Development:

Phone New Connections at: 1850 411 511

GSDC 3009e

Send Development Site Drawings to: plans@bge.ie

RGII Tel: 353(0)1 499 7998

Website www.rgii.ie

Website: www.bordgais.ie
July 2010 Document no: 25698
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 Gis

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