DISTRIBUTION CONNECTION
POLICY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction ... 3
2 Acceptance of requests for a connection ... 3
2.1 Who can request a connection ... 3
2.2 How to request a connection ... 4
3 Charges for connection ... 4
3.1 Large I&C customers - annual consumption more than 2,196,000 kWh (75,000 tpa) .... 4
3.2 Medium I&C customers - annual consumption up to 2,196,000 kWh (75,000 tpa) and more than 732,500kWh (25,000 tpa) ... 5
3.3 NIHE Developments and Refurbishments ... 5
3.4 Existing Housing ... 5
3.5 Readily Connectable Premises ... 6
3.6 The “2 Metre” Rule ... 6
3.7 The “1m clearance” Rule (domestic only) ... 6
3.8 Services at rear of Properties ... 6
3.9 The “12 Month” Rule ... 6
3.10 Premises requiring connection to the Transmission Pipeline ... 7
3.11 Additional Cost ... 7
3.12 Review of Charges... 7
4 Facilities Provided for a Connection ... 7
4.1 The connecting pipe and facilities ... 8
4.2 Supply Meter Installation ... 8
5 Maintaining, Repairing, and Renewing Connections ... 9
6 Alterations and Upgrades ... 10
6.1 Alterations ... 10
6.2 Upgrades ... 10
7 Non Standard Meters and Meters not owned by firmus energy ... 11
8 Disconnection ... 11
9 Schedule 1... 13
10 Supplier Requested Activities ... 14
11 Repair to Equipment/Protection ... 14
INDEX OF TABLES Table 1: Connection costs for Pipework to domestic/small commercial properties category 4 road surface any pressure inc. VAT ... 13
Table 2: Regulator/ Meter Installation inc VAT ... 13
Table 3: Customer Incentive (heating load) ... 14
1 INTRODUCTION
Under Condition 2.3 of its Conveyance Licence, firmus energy is required to set out a connection policy which will deal with connecting, maintaining, repairing, renewing, disconnecting pipes and removing gas fittings. This policy should also address connecting and disconnecting non-standard gas meters and connecting pipeline systems to the network.
firmus energy has developed its connection policy in accordance with its Conveyance statement submitted to Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR). The conveyance statement is a precursor to the development of a full network code which will cover all the arrangements for transporting gas through firmus energy’s distribution network.
The schedules in this document are generated from firmus energy’s period contract. These shall be updated in line with revisions to the period contract, price fluctuations and revisions other than adjustments made for Retail Prices Index (RPI). These will be referred to the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR) for approval.
Firmus energy has calculated all charges payable in this policy by rounding to the nearest £ sterling.
Notes: 1. Copies of the firmus energy Distribution Licence are available on NIAUR website: (http://www.uregni.gov.uk/gas )
2. Copies of the firmus energy Distribution Licence are available on our website: (http://www.firmusenergy.co.uk/ )
2 ACCEPTANCE OF REQUESTS FOR A CONNECTION 2.1 Who can request a connection
There are a number of different types of customers who can request a connection.
These include:
Industrial / Commercial businesses; Developers - new housing or industrial;
Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), or Private Landlord, Housing Association; Licensed Supplier of any end customer, (when appropriate);
Licensed Conveyor, (when appropriate);
Owner occupiers where gas is readily available and connectable (as defined by the Network Operator).
However, requests for connection will only be accepted by firmus energy providing the customer is:
1. located in an area where gas is readily available or is due to become available; 2. in agreement with firmus energy’s terms and conditions;
3. willing to pay any associated connection charges.
firmus energy will respond to a customer request for a connection within 28 days with a specific statement of the applicable connection charges and any other terms of connection.
2.2 How to request a connection
firmus energy will require the following from a potential customer:
(a) completed Gas Application Form;
(b) completed direct debit mandate, if applicable;
(c) estimated burn date and name of Gas Safe registered installer hired to complete the conversion work;
(d) cheque payment to firmus energy for any agreed charges, where required;
(e) agreement to any suitable meter position and meter box type, determined by firmus energy [in accordance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (NI) 2004 to ensure that appropriate access is provided];
(f) wayleave approval form, where required; (g) incentive payment form;
(h) provide full information on anticipated gas load and any planned future development.
3 CHARGES FOR CONNECTION
firmus energy’s connection charges are based on providing economical connections to the network. These charges are designed to enable firmus energy to deliver upon its licence commitments and contribute to the long term development of the natural gas industry in Northern Ireland.
A number of firmus energy’s connections will require a financial appraisal before a customer can be connected. The appraisal process seeks to achieve the appropriate balance between
encouraging customers to connect to the gas network and avoiding uneconomical connections.
3.1 Large I&C customers - annual consumption more than 2,196,000 kWh (75,000 tpa)
connectability (i.e. is the customer site readily connectable to the gas network). Telemetry equipment may be fitted where firmus energy considers this necessary.
Each connection will be subject to a financial appraisal. Any shortfall in the economic evaluation of payback for the gas connection may be sought from the customer.
3.2 Medium I&C customers - annual consumption up to 2,196,000 kWh (75,000 tpa) and more than 732,500kWh (25,000 tpa)
Each contract will be negotiated individually with each customer, based on their usage and connectability.
Each connection will be subject to a financial appraisal. Any shortfall in the economic evaluation of payback for the gas connection may be sought from the customer. Small I&C customers – annual consumption up to 732,500kWh (25,000 tpa)
The published tariff for small I&C customers will be applied.
Each connection will be subject to a financial appraisal. Any shortfall in the economic evaluation of payback for the gas connection may be sought from the customer. New Housing
Developments
Connections to new housing developments will be undertaken where developers commit to a gas agreement for their site.
In the interest of Health & Safety, the developer will be required to excavate trenches to a depth and design agreed with a firmus energy representative.
Each development is subject to a financial review. Where it is deemed uneconomic to provide a gas connection, the revenue shortfall may be sought from the developer.
3.3 NIHE Developments and Refurbishments
firmus energy will endeavour to construct the gas network, giving consideration to the NIHE heating replacement programme.
Where an NIHE customer requires further detail about connecting to gas, they should be advised to contact their nearest NIHE office.
3.4 Existing Housing
All properties within 30 meters of a readily connectable gas main will be offered a gas service and meter at no charge.
Properties greater than 30 meters from a readily connectable main will be subject to an economical appraisal. Costs for additional lengths of service pipe can be seen in Schedule 1.Where connecting these properties does not prove to be economical, firmus energy may request a contribution from the customer.
3.5 Readily Connectable Premises
A readily connectable premise relates to any property where the curtilage of that property is 50 metres from the distribution pipeline. A readily connectable property may be connected, although only the first 30 meters will be at no charge.
3.6 The “2 Metre” Rule
Generally, a gas meter will be situated as close to the nearest connectable main as possible.
The 2m rule relates to the maximum distance that a meter box and meter can be positioned, along the gable wall of a property.
If greater than 2 metres along a gable wall, the customer may be charged the extra length on a per meter rate, see Schedule 1.
firmus energy’s engineering department must be consulted to determine whether it is possible to position the meter in the preferred location.
3.7 The “1m clearance” Rule (domestic only)
If a service is laid along the gable end of a property, the service must have a minimum of 1m clearance with the property wall. A 1m clearance must also be maintained with neighbouring properties. The width of the trench must also be taken into account.
Hence there must be a 2.3m clearance between properties when laying a service between the gable walls of adjacent properties.
3.8 Services at rear of Properties
For operational reasons, gas meters should not be sited to the rear of domestic properties where the gas main is at the front or side of the property.
3.9 The “12 Month” Rule
If the customer does not use any gas during the first 12 months after the property is connected, the customer may be required to pay the full costs of connection.
3.10 Premises requiring connection to the Transmission Pipeline
Due to the complexity of transmission pipeline arrangements, any request for a connection to the transmission system should be referred to the Transmission pipeline owner.
For transmission pipeline ownership please refer to the Utility Regulator NIAUR`s website: (http://www.uregni.gov.uk/gas )
3.11 Additional Cost
Additional costs may be chargeable to the customer, developer or Licensed Gas Supplier where there is:
Exceptional length of service on the customer’s property i.e. more than 30 metres from the nearest possible connectable main.
A need for expensive surface reinstatement materials not covered in the firmus energy contractor’s normal charges e.g. decorative quarry stone. Standard reinstatement
materials include, concrete, bitumen and brick paviars providing that the brick paviars are readily available from local suppliers.
An inaccessible meter position, for example a meter position that requires specialist equipment for installation. For example: a meter positioned on a first floor balcony. Greater than two metres along the gable wall of the property where the gas supply is
being fitted. This provision is also subject to Health & Safety Regulations.
Potential engineering difficulty en route to the meter position due to hazardous
surrounding apparatus or ground conditions determined by firmus energy, following a site survey.
3.12 Review of Charges
Charges will be updated in accordance with our period contract and licence arrangements in consultation with NIAUR.
To query any of the charges, please contact: Head of Engineering
firmus energy 4a/5a Ferguson Way Kilbegs Business Park Antrim
BT41 4NN
4 FACILITIES PROVIDED FOR A CONNECTION
A connection is the construction of pipe and facilities to interface with firmus energy’s pipeline system. Typically, a connection will include valves, pipe, pressure reduction equipment and a
metering installation (a Supply Meter Installation). This will consist of a meter, valve(s), meter regulator and filtration, where required.
firmus energy will only fit a supply meter installation once it receives an acceptance of its terms and conditions.
4.1 The connecting pipe and facilities
To ensure the safety of operations and to meet the various statutory and commercial needs, certain facilities are required at a connection:
Connecting Pipe:
Any main or service pipe will be constructed of either polyethylene (PE80 or PE100) or steel depending upon the operating pressure requirement.
Isolation Valve:
All connections to domestic premises with a service pipe, having a diameter greater than 50mm, should require the installation of a service isolation valve in addition to the customer control valve. In addition, all connections to buildings containing several separately metered domestic premises, special risk premises and all industrial and commercial premises will require a service isolation valve. Medium Pressure domestic connections having a diameter less than 32mm have a flow limiting device and therefore do not require an isolation valve.
Pressure Reduction Equipment:
For very large installations an area of land together with planning permission may be required for pressure reduction equipment.
Operational additional facilities for Connections: The following can be supplied at extra cost:
Pressure regulation (twin streams for additional security); Additional Line Valves;
Additional housing for Pressure Reduction Equipment and service rise covers; Service Riser Covers (including House Entry Tees).
4.2 Supply Meter Installation
Filtration Equipment:
On large Supply Meter Installations (normally over 40 scmh) separate additional filtration is normally required to protect the metering equipment and any pressure reduction equipment.
Pressure Regulation Equipment: Supplied at all sites.
Meter Outlet Valve:
Meters with a capacity of more than 40 scmh will be fitted with an outlet valve.
Dataloggers:
Fitted as standard where the load is over 7,325,000 kWh (250,000 tpa) and elsewhere, or where deemed as an engineering requirement.
Volume Correction Equipment:
Required to convert to the measured volumetric consumption to a volume corrected for
temperature and pressure at Supply Meter Points using more than 2,196,000 kWh (75,000 tpa).
Optional Extras:
The following can be provided at extra cost:
Meter Housing; Meter by-pass;
Dataloggers for customers use;
Additional over / under pressure protection devices; Non return valves;
Interface for Energy Management Equipment Chatter box at remote location;
Interface for Energy Management Equipment Chatter box (within 2m of meter installation);
Interface for Energy Management Equipment (Chatter Box within 2m of meter installation)
Cost Inc VAT
Providing a pulsed output from the gas meter (excluding
domestic meters) £600
5 MAINTAINING, REPAIRING, AND RENEWING CONNECTIONS
As the network operator, firmus energy will carry out any maintenance, repair and renewal that is considered necessary and recovery of such costs will be through the distribution tariff.
6 ALTERATIONS AND UPGRADES 6.1 Alterations
Requests for alteration of any mains, services or meters, where there is no technical reason and no additional gas load, will be charged to the customer, in full, based on the estimated costs below. Estimated costs will be the expected cost including contingencies and overheads.
Alteration Cost Inc VAT
Move service pipe and meter up to 15m – excavation by party other than Period Contractor
£632
Move service pipe and meter per meter over 15m – excavation by party other than Period Contractor
£75
Move service pipe and meter up to 15m
15m – excavation by Period Contractor £1,657 Move service pipe and meter per meter
over 15m – excavation by Period Contractor
£75
The above is only for domestic service 6 scmh meter costs. All service and meters above this will be site specific cost based on tendered rates.
firmus energy will carry out an estimate of the work and provide the end user with a quotation based on the figures contained within this document. The end user must pay the estimated amount in full before the work can commence.
If alterations are necessary to meet the needs of customers that, occasioned by their physical condition arising from their age, chronic sickness or disability, are eligible for the firmuscare scheme, this work will be carried out free of charge.
6.2 Upgrades
Upgrades of service connections, mains and meters may be required for technical reasons or because of increased gas load.
If an upgrade is required for technical reasons e.g. to improve gas pressure, the cost of any works will be covered by firmus energy. (This does not include diverting network due to a gas
emergency.)
will follow the same basis as for connections, but only taking into account the additional load.
firmus energy will carry out an estimation of the work and provide the customer with a quotation. The customer must pay any amount in full before the work can commence.
7 NON STANDARD METERS AND METERS NOT OWNED BY FIRMUS ENERGY
Connection charges referred to in this connection policy are for complete service connections, including the provision of a standard meter.
Where a supplier wishes to have a non standard meter installed, or wishes to have his own meter installed, firmus energy’s Conveyance Licence Condition 2.5.3 will be applied.
Indicative costs of meter connection/ disconnection are shown in Schedule 1.
8 DISCONNECTION
For the purpose of this section “Disconnection” means the interruption of the gas supply, other than due to a system outage.
Disconnection can occur by:
locking/ disablement of the meter box; physical removal of the meter;
cutting and capping the service pipe.
The disconnection of a gas supply to a customer premises may be required under a range of circumstances i.e. unoccupied premises, site redevelopment etc. The costs to be charged in the event of disconnection are as follows:
Disconnecting from Network Cost Inc VAT
Cap & remove meter (Disable gas flow to meter
by removing it or cap the gas service pipe) £58 Cap service at main and remove meter
(Disconnect gas service pipe from the meter and downstream pipework)
£538
Lock Meter (Disconnect the gas meter and lock
the customer meter box, preventing access) £58
be site specific cost based on tendered rates.
firmus energy will adhere to the following process to maintain consistency in its approach to disconnection.
Notice of Disconnection
The customer will be given adequate notice of disconnection from firmus energy. The reason for disconnection and adequate opportunity to remedy this will be provided by firmus energy.
Validation
firmus energy will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the disconnection is valid and it is the appropriate course of action.
Informing the Customer
When firmus energy’s representatives arrives on site, they may seek payment from the customer. However this cannot be undertaken where the premises are vacant, the customer refuses entry or the operative deems it to be an “at risk” situation.
Handling the Disconnection
If firmus energy discovers that a customer is vulnerable, i.e. person over 60 who is chronically sick, disabled and living alone or with someone else who is vulnerable or who is a minor, the operative shall have the discretion to withdraw the disconnection between 1 October and 31 March.
Reconnection
A request for a reconnection can only be invoked should the customer settle any reconnection fee with firmus energy. Costs associated with reconnection are specified in the table below:
Costs for Reconnection Cost
Unlock Meter/Reconnection fee (Reconnect the gas meter and unlock the customer meter box)
£76
The above is only for domestic service 6 scmh meter costs. All service and meters above this will be site specific cost based on tendered rates.
Customer Service
firmus energy will monitor the status of disconnected properties, where its apparatus is in situ, on an ongoing basis.
Safety related work
There will be no charge for a service cut – off in relation to safety as deemed by firmus energy. This does not remove the responsibility of property owners to ensure that the gas installation does not contravene gas safety regulations.
9 SCHEDULE 1
Connection to Distribution Pipelines
Total Connection Costs are made up of the following.
1. Actual Connection to the main.
2. The service pipe work – see Table 1.
This is dependent upon the length of the service and the peak flow rate, as well as the type of main (low or medium pressure). All costs specified include the cost of excavation and
reinstatement, except rare types of paving stone or expensive surfaces.
Domestic services require a flow rate of up to 6 standard cubic meters per hour (scmh). Offices, restaurant small hotels etc. would typically require a flow rate in the range of 6-65 (scmh), and large commercial and industrial supplies would be greater than this.
3. The regulator, the meter and their installation – see Table 2.
Table 1: Connection costs for Pipework to domestic/small commercial properties category 4 road surface1 any pressure inc. VAT
Dia. Length: 0 – 15 Add. £ / m Up to 32mm (domestic only) £934 £62 32mm (IC only) £1,407 £62 63mm £1,991 £83
Up to 32mm (domestic only) costs includes connection costs, pipe, domestic meter box and domestic regulator. 32mm (IC only) and 63mm costs include connection costs, pipe and valve.
Table 2: Regulator/ Meter Installation inc VAT
Peak flow (scmh) LP internal inside LP external outside MP
6 (credit) £96 £96 £96
6 (prepayment) £210 £210 £210
16 £634 £1,115 £765
25 £1,107 £1,688 £1,802
40 £1,312 £1,894 £2,270
For internal LP, the 6 scmh meter costs include supply and fit. The 16, 25 and 40 scmh costs include supplying and fitting meter with regulator.
1
For external LP and MP, the 6 scmh meter costs include supply and fit. The 16, 25 and 40 scmh costs include supplying and fitting a meter with a meterbox and regulator.
Table 3: Customer Incentive (heating load)
Customer Type Typical Incentive
I&C
Domestic O/O £300
NIHE -
New build -
Table 4: Domestic meter exchange
Option Charge
Credit meter to prepayment meter (one off) - Prepayment meter to credit meter £76
Meter test (in situ) £95
10 SUPPLIER REQUESTED ACTIVITIES
As part of their commitment to customer service, firmus will read all meters (credit and card meters), at least once a year.
Any special reads requested by the customer of the supplier will be charged as follows
Special Meter Reads Cost Inc VAT
Read within normal working hours (9.00-17.00
Mon-Fri) and included 2 attempts) £58
11 REPAIR TO EQUIPMENT/PROTECTION
Repair to service pipe will be at no cost to the customer unless the damage is due to third party interference or action by the customer. In these instances the costs will apply as per a quotation or as a result of an emergency response.
All costs to fabricate and fit a cage around a meter or protect a meter with other measures (e.g. bollards) will be passed to the customer on an individual quote.
