Gas Bonding

[Jamie]

Hi,

Does the main gas bond need to be at any specific point throughout it's run in a building? I.E Bonded at the point of entry to the house, or bonded at the actual gas box, or is simply bonding it under the floor wherever is reasonably practical complying with BS7671:2008-1?

Also, contradicting my first question, does it also need to be visible? (If it needs to be at a certain location) As for example when the plumbers/whatever come to service a boiler, they'll need to see if the gas is bonded or not, and if it's under the floor they'll just put "X" and say it's not bonded (they can't be bothered to check it seems)?

I'm reading through section 411 just now about bonding in my regs book, but if anyone can shed any light on here that would be great.


Thanks
Jamie

 

[Brightspark2]

Have a look at 544.1.2

What do you mean by visible?. It does have to accessible to see.

 

[Richard Burns]

All electrical connections that are not maintenance free need to be accessible for maintenance, testing and inspection.
Gas bonding should be at the point of entry to the building or on the consumers side of the meter (on solid not flexible pipework) and before any branch pipework.
Connection is preferred within 60cm of entry (if possible).

 

[Jamie]

Thanks for the replies that's perfect.

By visible I mean when the plumber comes to service a boiler, would he have to go under the floor to check the bond, or is that not visible enough? (if it where 600mm from the point of the gas entering the building, because that's where most we have been to are).

Thanks

 

[MDJ]

Thanks for the replies that's perfect.

By visible I mean when the plumber comes to service a boiler, would he have to go under the floor to check the bond, or is that not visible enough? (if it where 600mm from the point of the gas entering the building, because that's where most we have been to are).

Thanks

If he does then nail the board down above him lol

 

[Octopus]

Thanks for the replies that's perfect.

By visible I mean when the plumber comes to service a boiler, would he have to go under the floor to check the bond, or is that not visible enough? (if it where 600mm from the point of the gas entering the building, because that's where most we have been to are).

Thanks

Under the floor is NOT accessible, unless its in the cellar. All joints/junction boxes should be readily accessible. Hope this helps.

 

[wr1ght]

within 600mm of first branch

 

[nickblake]

Point of entry within 600mm and the first branch unless your a plumber and then its within 1 Meter of the meter but as its an electrical connection and a requirement of the electrical regs and we are electricians its as above

 

[davesparks]

A standard earth clamp is a screwed connection and is subject to the accessibility rules applicable to all other screwed connections.

 

[Badged01]

Of course you could make it permanent by welding it onto the gas pipe!

p.s. thats a skilled gas fitters/plumbers technique, so I dont advise any "electrician" doing it ...... infact I recommend you wait outside the house whilst they do it

 

[Jamie]

Thanks guys, A bit of a faff as there's already a 10mm2 just under the floor (it's at different points in each house, some are infact 600mm from entry, some more). Would it comply with the regs if we where to through crimp the current gas bond and earth tape it, then extend it to the meter outside?

If not we'll just keep doing them as we have, drilling to the outside and taking a new 10mm earth from the CU to the meter, that way everyone is happy and it's clearly visible when the guys come to check up on everything.

Jamie

 

[telectrix]

perfectly acceptable to make a permanent join ( through crimp ). though instead of tape, use heat shrink sleeving.

 

[Jamie]

Ah good idea, I hadn't thought of that! I'll tell my journeyman from now on, so it'll be a lot easier. We've just been taking it back to the CU and that's a right hassle in a flat, some don't even have under-floor space so it's a boards up job. Nightmare!

 

[Octopus]

Out of interest who ran the original cables in? or have I mis-read this!!

 

[Jamie]

I'm unsure, they are council voids so who ever had the contract last.

They are re-voided now, and we're back to do Insp & Test + rectifying this gas bonding.

 

[Geoffsd]

The '600mm.' only applies to internal meters.

Not the point of entry - where practicable - or stopcocks or anything else.



Visible means able to be seen.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Of course you could make it permanent by welding it onto the gas pipe!

p.s. thats a skilled gas fitters/plumbers technique, so I dont advise any "electrician" doing it ...... infact I recommend you wait outside the house whilst they do it

Pah!!! ......... A little job like that is a piece of cake!

 

[Badged01]

Pah!!! ......... A little job like that is a piece of cake!

Exactly, thats why it take a more skilled gas tradesman than a rough handed "electrician" to undertake it!

 

[nickblake]

If its there why move it just note it on the certificate its position

 

[Jamie]

If its there why move it just note it on the certificate its position

Is this within the regulations? Some jobs we have are solely just to move the gas bond, not Insp & Testing as well. So where would it be noted?

 

[Doomed]

I must admit to fitting a gas bond under the floor just after it entered the premises, as it was a third floor flat (converted big house) with the gas pipe running up the external wall.

 

[davesparks]

Technically it hasn't entered until it has come above the floor

 

[Had8Lives]

Is this within the regulations? Some jobs we have are solely just to move the gas bond, not Insp & Testing as well. So where would it be noted?

There is a box on certificates headed "Departures from BS 7671"