Coventry has rebuilt its economy around engineering, research and logistics. Vehicle development centres, battery research, machine shops and large distribution hubs now sit alongside two universities and a major hospital.
New buildings and new plant all need one thing before they can be used: a gas system that has been properly tested, purged and commissioned.
Gas Main Installation provides that service in Coventry, along with commercial gas installation, repair and decommissioning, using Gas Safe registered engineers.
What does gas commissioning involve?
Commissioning is the final stage of a gas installation. It turns a finished set of pipes into a working, documented system.
Step one: strength and tightness testing
New pipework is strength tested above its working pressure. It is then tightness tested at working pressure to confirm there are no leaks.
The acceptable pressure drop depends on the pipework volume and the gauge being used. These rules are set out in IGEM/UP/1 and IGEM/UP/1A.
Step two: purging
The pipework is full of air after testing. That air is replaced with gas in a controlled purge, vented to a safe point outdoors.
On larger systems we use nitrogen purging first, so gas and air are never mixed in the pipe. Readings are taken at the vent point until the purge is complete.
Step three: appliance commissioning
Each boiler, burner or heater is then lit, adjusted and checked against the manufacturer's data. Safety devices are proved, and the results are recorded.
Step four: handover records
You receive test certificates and commissioning records for the operation and maintenance file. Main contractors usually need these before practical completion.
More detail is on our gas testing and gas purging page.
Which sites in Coventry use these services?
Automotive, engineering and research
Whitley, Ansty Park, Binley and Bayton Road have vehicle engineering centres, test cells, paint and curing ovens, and machine shops. Gas may feed process equipment as well as heating.
Research buildings often change layout. Each change to the gas pipework means a fresh test and purge for the affected section.
Warehousing and logistics
Large units at Ryton, Prologis Park and along the A45 and A46 corridors are usually heated by gas-fired warm air or radiant heaters at high level. We install and service commercial heating systems of this type. Heaters at this height need safe access, so servicing and testing are usually planned together.
Universities and the hospital
Both universities have large estates with central boiler plant and many smaller plant rooms. The hospital at Walsgrave has critical heating and hot water loads. Work on sites like these is phased so that services stay on.
City centre regeneration and hospitality
The city centre is being redeveloped, with new retail, leisure and residential blocks replacing post-war precincts. Restaurants and hotels in these schemes need kitchen pipework tested and commissioned before opening. See our commercial catering page.
The arena and event venues
Stadiums and arenas have several kitchens and concessions fed from one supply. Testing is normally arranged between events.
When is decommissioning needed?
Older Coventry factories in Holbrooks, Foleshill and Tile Hill are being cleared or converted. Before demolition or strip-out, the gas system inside the building has to be made safe.
Gas decommissioning means isolating the pipework, purging out the gas, cutting back to a live valve, capping and labelling. The incoming service pipe itself belongs to the gas network, so its removal is arranged separately with the network operator.
Partial decommissioning is also common. When a production line or kitchen is removed, its branch should be purged and cut back, not just capped at the appliance end.
Installing commercial gas pipework
We install commercial gas pipework for Coventry businesses to IGEM/UP/2. This includes steel and copper pipework inside buildings and buried polyethylene pipework across yards and between units.
For connections to live mains where a shutdown is difficult, gas hot tapping can sometimes be used. Buried routes are covered on our underground pipework page.
Who owns the gas supply?
Cadent operates the local gas network and owns the service pipe up to the emergency control valve. The meter is owned by your supplier or a meter asset manager.
If a project needs a new or larger supply, apply to Cadent or use a registered utility infrastructure provider. Allow time for this in your programme. Our work covers the installation after the meter.
If you smell gas, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
Testing existing systems and fixing faults
Not every job in Coventry is a new build. We also carry out tightness testing and gas safety testing on existing pipework, issue commercial gas certificates, and provide emergency gas repairs.
After any repair the pipework is retested and purged before gas is restored. Our team is available seven days a week.
Covering Warwickshire and further afield
We work in all Coventry postcode districts, from CV1 in the centre to Canley, Allesley, Walsgrave, Willenhall and Longford.
Gas Main Installation also covers Kenilworth, Bedworth, Nuneaton, Rugby, Leamington Spa and Warwick, as well as Meriden and Solihull to the west. Our services are available across the UK for clients with sites elsewhere.
Talk to us about your Coventry project
Main contractors, M&E subcontractors, facilities managers and business owners are welcome to call at any stage.
Ring 08000 855 077 or contact Gas Main Installation with the site address, the size of the installation and your handover date. We will provide advice and a free, no-obligation quote.