Gas Meter Upgrade and Relocation: Shipper vs Transporter Responsibilities and IGEM/G/4 Requirements
Quick Answer: Gas meter installation, replacement and relocation is the responsibility of the gas transporter (National Grid or regional distribution network) or meter operator, not the gas engineer on site. A Gas Safe registered engineer cannot legally install or remove a gas meter. Meter relocation requires applying to the shipper (energy supplier) who arranges with the transporter. Costs range from free (supplier obligation) to £500–£1,500+ for complex external relocation works.
Summary
The gas meter sits at the boundary between the gas transporter's network and the customer's installation. This boundary — called the emergency control valve (ECV) or meter control valve — is important because it defines who is responsible for what work. Everything upstream of the meter is the transporter's asset; everything downstream is the customer's installation and the Gas Safe engineer's responsibility.
Gas engineers frequently encounter situations where a meter needs to be moved, upgraded or replaced: kitchen refits where the meter is in the way, loft conversions where the meter room is being incorporated, or property renovations requiring the meter to move from inside to outside. In each case, the process is different from standard gas work, and understanding the correct procedure prevents abortive visits and unhappy clients.
The relevant industry standard is IGEM/G/4 (Gas Metering), published by the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers, which sets out the technical requirements for meter installations, including meter housing, pipework connections, and ventilation.
Key Facts
- Gas transporter — Owns and is responsible for the meter itself; Cadent, SGN, Wales & West Utilities, Northern Gas Networks by region
- Gas shipper — The energy supplier (British Gas, E.ON, EDF, Octopus, etc.); acts as intermediary to arrange metering work
- Meter operator — Third party contracted by shipper to install and maintain meters; separate from transporter in some arrangements
- Gas Safe engineer scope — Cannot install, remove or modify the meter itself; can install/modify the installation pipework downstream of the meter
- Emergency Control Valve (ECV) — The first valve downstream of the meter, used for emergency isolation; customer-accessible
- Meter external relocation — Requires application to shipper; shipper arranges transporter works; engineer installs new supply pipe to relocated position
- Meter box — Must conform to IGE/UP/7 (or IGEM/G/7) for external meter boxes; specified depth and ventilation
- IGEM/G/4 — Technical standard for gas metering: meter installation, pipework, pressure regulation
- Meter height — Meter control valve must be between 600mm and 2000mm above finished floor level per IGEM/G/4
- Smart meter programme — Government target for all meters to be smart (SMETS2) by mid-2020s; suppliers obligated to offer smart meters
- Emergency meter removal — If gas has to be isolated for safety: call gas emergency number (0800 111 999); transporter attends to cap off
- Gas Emergency Service — 0800 111 999 (24/7 National Gas Emergency Service in Great Britain)
Quick Reference Table
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Try squote free →| Work Type | Who Does It | How to Arrange | Timescale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart meter exchange (like for like) | Shipper/meter operator | Call energy supplier | 2–8 weeks typically |
| Meter upgrade (size increase, e.g. U6 to U16) | Transporter | Application via shipper | 4–16 weeks |
| Meter relocation (short internal move) | Transporter/meter op | Application via shipper | 4–12 weeks |
| Meter relocation (external box move) | Transporter + Gas Safe engineer | Shipper application + plumber for new supply | 6–16 weeks |
| Emergency meter isolation/capping | Transporter (Cadent/SGN etc.) | 0800 111 999 | Same day emergency |
| First time connection (new supply) | Transporter | Apply to transporter direct | 3–6 months typically |
| Downstream pipework only | Gas Safe engineer | Self-certify; Gas Safe notification | As agreed with client |
Detailed Guidance
Understanding the Boundary of Responsibility
The gas supply chain into a property has several distinct sections:
1. Transmission network: High-pressure pipes operated by National Gas Transmission (formerly part of National Grid). Irrelevant for most domestic work.
2. Distribution network (Local Distribution Zone): Medium-pressure pipes operated by the regional gas transporter (Cadent, SGN, Wales & West Utilities, Northern Gas Networks). The transporter owns all pipes up to and including the outlet connection of the meter.
3. The meter: Owned and maintained by the transporter or meter operator. Gas Safe engineers must not tamper with the meter.
4. Installation pipework: Downstream of the meter, owned by the property owner. This is where Gas Safe engineers work.
The emergency control valve (ECV) is typically the first shut-off valve immediately after the meter. Customers can operate the ECV in an emergency. Gas Safe engineers can work downstream of the ECV but must not cross into the transporter's equipment.
When a Meter Upgrade is Required
Meters are sized by flow rate. UK domestic meters are typically:
- U6 — 6 m³/hour; standard domestic meter; adequate for most homes with a single boiler
- U16 — 16 m³/hour; for properties with high-demand appliances (large boilers, multiple gas appliances, commercial cookers)
Situations requiring a meter upgrade:
- Installing a large range cooker (AGA, Rangemaster) with high BTU burners
- Converting from single to dual fuel (adding gas to LPG property)
- Adding a gas generator or large commercial appliance
- Installing commercial catering equipment in a domestic kitchen
How to identify meter size: The meter rating is stamped on the meter face. U6 meters are the standard domestic size (approximately 150mm wide); U16 meters are larger.
Requesting an upgrade: Contact the energy supplier (shipper). They coordinate with the transporter. There is usually a charge for upgrading from U6 to U16 — approximately £200–£600.
Calculating whether a U6 is adequate: Sum all gas appliance inputs on site, in m³/hour:
- Boiler 24kW = 24,000 ÷ 10,800 = 2.22 m³/hour (using 10,800 kJ/m³ for natural gas at 38 MJ/m³ and approx 3.6 conversion)
- Hob 10kW = 10,000 ÷ 10,800 = 0.93 m³/hour
- Total = 3.15 m³/hour → U6 adequate
If total exceeds 6 m³/hour, a U16 is required.
Meter Relocation: The Process
Relocating a meter is the most common scenario Gas Safe engineers encounter as part of a building project. The process varies depending on how far the meter moves and whether it is going from internal to external.
Short internal relocation (meter stays in same room, moves <2m):
- Engineer assesses feasibility — can existing supply pipe reach new position without modification?
- Engineer notifies client to contact shipper
- Shipper arranges transporter visit; transporter disconnects meter, engineer extends/re-routes service pipe, transporter reconnects
- Sometimes the engineer and transporter visit can be coordinated to happen on the same day
External meter box installation (internal to external): This is the most common type of relocation for kitchen renovations.
- Engineer quotes for new external supply pipework route
- Client contacts shipper to request relocation; shipper logs application and passes to transporter
- Transporter arranges visit to cap off internal supply
- Engineer installs new external service pipe entry (sleeved through wall, HDPE or steel as appropriate), external meter box (to IGEM/G/7 requirements), and ECV/first pipework connection point
- Transporter returns to make final meter connection and commission
External meter box requirements (IGEM/G/7):
- Minimum 650mm × 450mm × 200mm internal dimensions for standard U6
- Front-hinged or removable door; key type or slam-shut
- Two ventilation openings (top and bottom): minimum 5,000mm² each
- Must not be located below a window (min 300mm clearance), adjacent to electric meter (min 150mm), or above drains
- Box mounted with ECV handle accessible between 600mm and 2,000mm from finished ground level
IGEM/G/4 Key Requirements for Meter Installations
IGEM/G/4 is the technical bible for gas metering. Key requirements relevant to Gas Safe engineers working on the installation side:
Clearances from meter:
- Minimum 25mm between meter and surrounding walls
- Minimum 200mm above the meter to ceiling/obstruction
- Minimum 150mm below the meter to floor
First fitting (connection fitting at meter outlet):
- Installer does not touch the meter outlet connection — this is transporter's work
- Downstream of the transporter's stop valve (ECV), engineer installs installation pipework
- First meter union is usually provided by the transporter; engineer connects downstream
Pipework materials downstream of meter:
- Steel or copper pipe both acceptable
- CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing) is acceptable in some configurations — check IGEM/UP/2i
- Flexible connections (appliance connectors): as per IGEM/UP/2i; not to exceed 1.5m length; only for final appliance connection
Pressure regulation:
- If a separate service regulator is installed (downstream of meter), it must be rated for the meter size and set correctly
- Most domestic U6 meters include an integral pressure regulator — do not add a second regulator without confirming it is needed
Smart Meters and SMETS2
The UK smart meter rollout (SMETS2 standard) is relevant to gas engineers for two reasons:
First-generation SMETS1 meters: May not work if customer switches supplier. These are being upgraded; Gas Safe engineers sometimes find them during commissioning and should note any issues.
IHD (In-Home Display): The smart meter communicates consumption data to a display unit. No action required from Gas Safe engineer — this is the meter operator's domain.
Advising clients: If a customer asks whether their meter needs to be smart, the answer is yes — it will be upgraded during the rollout programme. If they want to accelerate this, they contact their energy supplier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Gas Safe engineer move a gas meter?
No. Gas Safe registration covers work on gas installation pipework and appliances downstream of the meter. The meter itself is the transporter's asset. A Gas Safe engineer cannot legally install, remove, relocate or modify the meter. They can, however, carry out all the downstream pipework work to prepare a new position for the meter, ready for the transporter to make the final connection.
How long does a meter relocation take from start to finish?
Realistically 4–12 weeks from application to completion for a straightforward external relocation. The process involves: client contacts shipper → shipper raises works order with transporter → transporter schedules visit → Gas Safe engineer prepares new pipework → transporter makes final connection. Peak periods (winter heating season) can extend timescales significantly.
Who pays for meter relocation?
It depends on the reason. If the meter is being relocated for customer convenience (kitchen refit, renovating a room), the customer pays. Costs typically include: engineer's time for new pipework installation (£300–£800), meter operator/transporter charge (£200–£600), meter box (£50–£200). If the relocation is required due to the transporter's network works, the transporter pays. Always get written confirmation of charges before proceeding.
What happens if a customer smells gas?
This is an emergency, not a meter upgrade question. The standard procedure:
- Do not operate any electrical switches
- Open windows and doors
- Turn off the ECV (emergency control valve) at the meter
- Leave the building
- Call the Gas Emergency Service: 0800 111 999
- Do not re-enter until cleared by the emergency service
Regulations & Standards
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 — primary regulatory framework for gas installations
IGEM/G/4 — Gas metering: technical standard for meter installation and pipework
IGEM/G/7 — Meter housings for domestic and small commercial applications
IGEM/UP/2i — Installation pipework for gas in domestic premises
Gas Act 1986 (as amended) — defines responsibilities of transporters and suppliers
Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 — parallel reference for electrical/gas co-location
HSE Gas Safety Guidance — Gas Safe obligations and domestic gas safety
Cadent Gas Connections and Alterations — Cadent's process for meter moves and upgrades in their distribution area
Gas Safe Register — Checking and verifying Gas Safe registrations
cooker installation — Gas appliance installation downstream of the meter
gas smell — Gas smell emergency procedure and tightness testing