FAQ’s
A GT1 provides Distribution Network confirmation that the service pipework is safe and capable to supply the required gas demands.
A GT1 also helps determine the gas pressure on site. If a gas meter is external this would indicate that the site maybe medium or intermediate pressure, which will require a further test called a GT2 to be carried out to measure the tier.
When arranging a gas meter install the Suppliers may request a GT1 for U16 meters and above. All gas services are capable of a U6 gas demand, however, not all gas services are capable of larger capacities without changes to the gas infrastructure.
DB Group has a dedicated Siteworks division that can help arrange the GT1 on your behalf with the relevant Distribution Network and provide guidance depending on the outcome of the check.
There are three levels of gas – live, dead or capped.
Live is as you’d imagine, there is a live gas supply on site. Dead means the services is dead and has been lying dormant for a period of time. The Distribution Network have an obligation under the Gas Safety Regulations 1998 to disconnect/terminate the supply for safety reasons. Capped can mean there may be a live supply on site which has been capped. We would need to determine if there is a live supply by arranging a live or dead check. If the service is live, it can easily be re-activated, however if found to be dead then a new gas connection would be required.
DB Group has a dedicated Siteworks division that can help arrange Live or Dead check on your behalf with the relevant Distribution Network and provide guidance depending on the outcome of the check.
To arrange a new gas connection, we need to ensure all the required information is collated to allow us to apply for a connection via the Distribution Network (DNO).
To submit an application, we need to know the Peak hourly gas load (kW) which will help determine what size of the gas meter is required. The Peak load is the amount of gas used if all equipment was running at once. The estimated annual gas load (kWh) and a site plan clearly marking the meter location. When the quote is received and agreed the DNO will create a new MPRN number which allows us to contact suppliers for contract and meter install pricing.
At DB Group we have a dedicated Siteworks division that can manage the whole process for you, helping you to collate the above information and liaising with the relevant DNO and supplier to ensure timescales are met and delivered.
To arrange a new electricity connection, we need to ensure all the required information is collated to allow us to apply for a connection via the Distribution Network (DNO).
To submit an application, we need would require a Site Location Plan highlighting the site address and meter location - Number of connections required - Electrical Load requirement (for each connection) - Heating Type - Details of any disturbing loads (heat pumps, large motors or welding equipment) - Is there any microgeneration, such as solar panels - Photographs of existing equipment
Once this information is available DB Group Siteworks team will submit the application to the DNO who will carry out a site survey prior to producing a quote.
When the quote is received and agreed the DNO will create a new MPAN number which allows us to contact suppliers for contract and meter install pricing.
At DB Group we have a dedicated Siteworks division that can manage the whole process for you, helping you to collate the above information and liaising with the relevant DNO and supplier to ensure timescales are met and delivered.
A property becomes de-energised when the main fuse is removed.
DB Group would review the property and liaise with the Distribution Network to identify if the property is a simple re-energisation or if additional investigations are required.
If the re-energisation is a straightforward the process would be to find out the properties MPAN and Meter Serial Number. Contact Distribution Board to confirm the site is live. Find out if there is a supplier assigned to the MPAN. Contact the relevant supplier requesting for the site to be re-energised. Some suppliers charge a fee to re-energise. Arrange a suitable date between the site contact and the supplier/meter operator to have the fuses replaced. Once the fuse is in place the property is energised. If you have taken over a de-energised property, the above steps will be required along with a Change of Tenancy (COT). When the MPAN is allocated to a supplier and the account is registered to a different company a COT is required to be completed before we are able to arrange for the property to be re-energised.
DB Group Siteworks Team can arrange the above on your behalf and out allocated Account Manager along with our dedicated Pricing Team can help obtain the best supply contract once site is energized.
MPAN stands for Meter Point Administration Number and refers to your electricity. It can also be known as an electricity supply number and is 13 digits long. The MPAN is a unique number to the property and can be found on the electricity bill and used by electricity suppliers to decide electricity rates.
MPRN stands for Meter Point Reference Number and refers to your gas. The MPRN is used to identify different gas meters, and like MPANs the number is unique to each property.
Distribution Network Operators are responsible for creating an MPAN/MPRN when gas pipework or electricity cables are laid.
On occasions, the infrastructure is laid without an MPAN/MPRN being registered.
DB Group Siteworks Team can work alongside the network operator to arrange the relevant site visits to enable them to produce a new MPAN/MPRN and once a new MPAN/MPRN is received our dedicated Account Manager and Pricing Team will ensure the best supply contract is found.
A gas or electricity meter may need to be removed due to the building not being used for a long period of time, refurbishments or the property could be being demolished.
For meter removals, the existing supplier needs to remove the meter and close the billing account.
To arrange a meter removal we need to contact existing supplier and request meter removal and arrange a suitable date and time between supplier/meter operator and site contact. Once the meter is removed await the final invoice from the supplier. Some suppliers still apply the standing charge even if the meter is removed.
DB Group’s Siteworks Team can liaise with the relevant supplier to arrange for the meter removal and ensure the account is updated and closed.
If the property requires the full site to be disconnected you would have to arrange for the cables/pipework to be taken back to the property border, which can be arranged via the Distribution Network.
To arrange a disconnection we would contact the relevant Distribution Network Connections Team requesting a quote for the disconnection works by completing the required application and submit to the DNO along with a site plan. The DNO will assign a Project Manager to manage the works and provide timescales and will provide a quote for the works and finally liaise with DNO to carry out works
DB Group Siteworks Team can manage the above on your behalf ensuring the required information is provided which in turn will assist with the project going to plan liaising between the DNO, Supplier and Customer.
“KVA or Kilo Volt Amperes is the amount of electrical power that a meter can feed to your site. You would typically find KVA within the charging structure of your supplier invoices and listed as a maximum available capacity charge.
Managing your KVA is a great first step towards reducing overheads. For example, should you be exceeding the KVA limited on your site then penalties are applied, and should you use less than your allocation then you may be paying a premium for a service that is no longer required.
With KVA, what is important is to consider future changes to site. Have you outgrown the building and may be considering extending? Are you moving your fleet to electric and require Charging Points on site? Will solar meet your Net Zero? Will occupancy increase as covid restrictions are lifted? Or will occupancy reduce as we operate a share of Working from Home & office Based?
All these factors will have an Impact to your KVA.
At DB Group we have a dedicated Siteworks division that can help you to manage reductions or increases to your KVA with further built-in systems via our bill validations process that will highlight where we may need to review and investigate changes to your KVA.
