17.5mm Dead Service Insertion for ¾″ Metallic Services
Details
In the 1970s, block renewals led to an increasing number of ¾″ steel gas services still in use today. Traditionally, replacing the steel ‘tail’ involves relocating the gas meter to an external box, which can cause significant disruption. This method often requires running copper pipework inside the property—under floorboards, along skirting boards, and sometimes through PVC door frames.
The 17.5mm Service Insertion Technique provides a more efficient solution by allowing a new service to be installed back to the existing meter with minimal disruption. Homeowners avoid invasive drilling, exposed copper pipework, and unsightly earth bonding cables, while reconnection is faster, leading to fewer complaints.
The Gas Service Insertion Toolkit enables existing ¾″ metallic gas services to be relined with Radius 17.5mm PE pipe from a small excavation outside the property, eliminating the need to relay the service or relocate the meter. The system has been developed by Radius Systems in partnership with Steve Vick International (SVI), ensuring the PE pipe is installed correctly while minimising stress and potential damage during installation. The installation utilises a push and guide technique.
The 17.5mm technique has been successfully used for several years, renewing hundreds of gas services with a proven track record. It is specifically designed for ¾″ metallic low-pressure services with no more than two bends and a maximum length of 8 metres.
The kit includes an 8.4m length of 17.5mm PE pipe with formed dome which seals the pipe in the pipe and wire hoop for removal after insertion. Using the SVI hand pushing machine, the PE pipe is carefully inserted and guided with a tensioner and cable to avoid undue stress. The final connection is made using a bespoke draw-lock service head adaptor, and SVI’s specially formulated 17.5mm FULLSEAL™ sealant is injected to fill the annular space between the PE pipe and the existing service.
17.5mm FULLSEAL™ comes pre-mixed for ease of use, requiring no on-site preparation. It is completely inert, odourless, and environmentally friendly, with any spills easily cleaned away.
The Gas Service Insertion Toolkit offers a cost-effective and efficient method for renewing ¾″ metallic gas services, reducing disruption for homeowners while ensuring a high-quality, long-lasting installation. Approved by NGN, Cadent, and SGN, the system combines innovative design with proven reliability.
Benefits
- Increased Supply Capacity – Being able to insert 17.5mm PE directly into an old ¾″ metallic service significantly increases the supply capacity compared with the traditional 16mm PE.
- Compatibility – Pipe manufacturers designed 17.5mm PE specifically to offer adequate clearance for insertion through a ¾″ metallic service whilst offering the largest possible internal bore for gas flow characteristics.
- Speed – utilities who have used the technique found that they were able to achieve service renewals in just 30-40 minutes per property which compares very favourably with relaying the service or re-siting the meter.
Technical Specifications
- The technique for inserting existing ¾″ steel services with 17.5mm PE is suitable for low pressure services that have no more than two bends.
- The maximum service length is 8 metres and the termination of the steel service pipe in the garden area should be a minimum of 2 metre distance from the property boundary although it is possible to terminate the existing service closer to the main at the discretion of the network manager (increasing the service pipe length will result in a greater pressure loss between the main and the meter).
- As with all newly inserted service pipes, the annular gap needs to be filled in accordance with network/ GISLC14 specification. For this technique, 17.5mm FULLSEAL™ sealant is injected via the service head adapter and comes premixed, removing the need for any preparation on-site.
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