A Voltimum user is working on a new build project and is unsure how to bond the gas main.
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Question:
On a new build house project, the gas meter is situated outside. After the meter, it splits and goes through one duct to the boiler and through another separate duct to the gas hob. My understanding is that it should be bonded within 600mm of where it enters the building or the first accessible point. Would I ...
A) Bond it both at the Boiler and the hob
B) Only need to bond it at the Boiler
C)Bond it outside - but does this not introduce a potential from inside to outside and cause problems with any metalwork close by?
Answer:
Gary Parker, ECA
Thanks for this. Obviously, without seeing the install, it is difficult to say exactly what to do, but the information below may help you make a decision.
Regulation 544.1.2 does state that 'where practical the connection shall be made within 600 mm of the meter outlet union or at the point of entry to the building if the meter is external'.
The point of this bond is to ensure that all the extraneous pipe work the same potential. With this in mind, if the pipe work is all solid and continuous copper it shouldn't make any real difference where the connection is made.
In many cases however the pipework is not extraneous as there are plastic services feeding the installation.
Personally, and this is just my opinion here not what is required, I would check to ensure that the pipe work is continuous and place the bond at the most appropriate location, probably the boiler. I say this as it would likely be more accessible than behind a kitchen cupboard where the hob is. I would write on the certificate the location of the bond too, just to be clear to the next person working in the property.
It wouldn't be wrong to run another bond to the hob, though this may well be overkill.