01508 522400
This web page is to give information about why the union gauge was created and to show you how it works. For all enquiries please email enquiries@continental-uk.com
UNION GAUGE
An efficient and highly cost-effective method of identifying missing
washers and loose unions during gas meter exchanges
The Union Gauge Purpose
The Union Gauge is a product that has been designed in order to tackle the high percentage of gas escapes within the metering world. The facts are staggering:
· 23% of RIDDOR justified gas escapes are related to washers not being fitted
· A further 12% are down to loose unions
THESE ARE HIGH RISK STATISTICS THAT YOUR COMPANY SHOULD NOT IGNORE
This simple yet very effective tool will help encourage meter technicians to make sure they have fitted a washer as the Union Gauge simply won't fit between meter and the unions if one is not present. If a company decides to use this product it can easily be implemented into process with post completion photos which will prove that a washer has in fact been fitted.
SO HOW DOES IT WORK?
The concept is simple. The gap between the meter inlet or meter outlet and the outlet union itself is approximately 3.7mm thick. If a washer is not placed into either the inlet or outlet of a gas meter the gap closes to approximately 2mm. The union gauge is manufactured at 3mm thick. It is designed to sit comfortably between the gap of the meter and the union. If it cannot fit then a washer has not been placed into either the inlet or outlet. This will then prompt the technician to loosen the union and check. The gauge fits every meter on the market with a new union if a washer is in place and won't fit any meter with a new union on the market if one is missing.
If a company decides to invest in this gas escape reduction tool it would be advised that they are used on all post installation photographs so that the company itself can reference the job in relation to complaints or gas escapes should one occur.
THE BENEFITS OF THE UNION GAUGE
This product is designed to reduce gas escapes within the metering industry. The Union Gauge has a variety of benefits such as:
Compatible with all industry gas meters (L&G, Itron, Aclara, Secure, etc) against newly fitted unions
It can be kept in situ for post installation photos to demonstrate a washer has been fitted
Very durable. Stored in a technicians tool box without any damage occurring
It will encourage meter technicians to tighten the unions prior to taking the photo and therefore help eliminate 12% of RIDDOR justified gas escapes
It will help companies challenge the emergency service providers should they claim gas escapes have been left at a customers property with no photographic evidence
If a washer hasn't been fitted by a technician the gauge simply won't fit and therefore the technician won't leave site without that crucial photograph being taken
The Union Gauge will fit all newly installed unions fitted to the meter outlet (standard 22mm union, 28mm external - 22mm internal or the 'dogbone' style). There are a very small percentage of existing outlet unions that this product won't work on
Compatible with all domestic low pressure regulators on the inlet side of the meter
Can be used on Sperryn ECV's
WHAT LOOKS GOOD AND WHAT LOOKS BAD
The Union Gauge is designed to be fitted between the meter and the unions with companies maximising its potential by having their meter technicians taking post installation pictures to demonstrate that washers are fitted and unions are tight.
Strive for a safer gas industry with Union Gauge
EXAMPLES OF THE UNION GAUGE BEING USED ON A VARIETY OF METERS AND UNIONS WHEN A WASHER IS CORRECTLY FITTED INTO A UNION
EXAMPLES OF WHEN A WASHER IS NOT FITTED INTO A UNION. THE GAP BETWEEN THE METER AND UNION WILL SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASE AND THE UNION GAUGE WILL NOT SEAT CORRECTLY
Disclaimer
There may be a small percentage of existing outlet unions that this product may not work work on. This product has been trialled extensively and proved to be very beneficial. All meter technicians are still encouraged to carry out robust checks in addition to using the Union Gauge
CONTACT
Continental Product Engineering Ltd
Prospect House
Loddon Industrial Estate
Loddon
Norwich
Norfolk
NR14 6JD
01508 522400
