scope:

This Standard covers new gas installation pipework, controls and associated gas appliances including appliance connections and pipework with an OP not exceeding 2 bar installed downstream of the primary meter installation in industrial and commercial premises. It may also apply to parts of common pipework within multi-occupancy domestic premises; for example, between pipework risers downstream of the meter installation and also to the central boiler plant (see Figure 2). For hazardous area analysis of installations outside the scope of this Standard, reference may be made to IGEM/SR/25 Edition 2.

Note 1: 'Installation pipework' includes pipe joints and fittings. Appliance pipework located within appliance casings or integral with the appliance is subject to the requirements of appliance Standards and thus outside the scope of IGEM/UP/16.

Note 2: In this Standard where the term 'joint' is used, it refers to all joints other than welded, soldered or brazed joints.

This Standard covers gas installations containing predominantly methane such as Natural Gas. It applies to all gases, including landfill or biogases, with a combined proportion of methane-plus-inerts of greater than 89% by volume; a gross calorific value not exceeding 45 MJ m^-3; molecular weight not exceeding 20 kg kmol^-1; LFL of not less than 4.4%; a temperature range of -20°C to 50°C and specific gravity not exceeding 0.8. Ambient temperatures are assumed to be in the range - 20°C to 35°C.

Note: This definition does not cover Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and LPG/air mixtures. In these cases consult the fuel supplier or see EI IP-MCSP-P15.

This Standard provides basic design information which will enable designers and those undertaking risk assessments (including those required by DSEAR) to achieve a gas installation that will achieve a hazardous area analysis permitting the use of standard electrical equipment and other potential ignition sources and can be classified as Zone 2 NE (that is, not require the provision of electrical equipment suitable for areas/spaces classified as Zone 0, 1 or 2 or removal of the other potential ignition sources). The description of this topic is given in Appendix 3. A description of duties under DSEAR is given in Section 3.4.

Note: There may be areas which cannot be classified as NE, such as vent outlets.

The following are not covered by this Standard:

• installation pipework downstream of the ECV within a domestic dwelling

• any part of a primary meter installation (see IGEM/GM/7B).

Pressures quoted are gauge pressures unless otherwise stated.

This Standard considers the specific gravity of air to equal 1.

Italicised text is informative and does not represent formal requirements.

Appendices are informative and do not represent formal requirements unless specifically referenced in the main Sections via the prescriptive terms "must", "shall" or "should".