Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_NGN_163 | |
| Title | Making every contact count - Enhancing protocols for disconnection and condemning in-house appliances | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | SOCIAL SCIENCES (Politics and International Studies) 25%; SOCIAL SCIENCES (Sociology) 25%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 50%; |
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| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given Northern Gas Networks |
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| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 June 2016 | |
| End Date | 01 December 2017 | |
| Duration | 18 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £113,220 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Technical Consultancy | |
| Region | Yorkshire & Humberside | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , Northern Gas Networks (100.000%) |
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGN_163 |
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| Objectives | Phase 1 Feasibility study and summary report of the findings. Phase 2 Tangible changes to the operations within NGNPhase 3 Evaluation of effect of changes. NEA/NGN have identified the following output and outcome indicators to judge whether phase 1 of the project had delivered the planned objectives*: I. Number of housing types identified which present a higher probability of a gas leak or Carbon Monoxide (CO) riskII. Number and breakdown of groups identified that may be impacted by prolonged periods without a functioning gas applianceIII. Number and extent of relevant practices identified within NGN’s distribution territoryIV. Number and extent of relevant practices identified within other GDN areas V. Number of cross tenure protocols developed verified by NGN and relevant agencies and organisationsVI. Number of opportunities provided for shared learning across GDN networksVII. Data from local authority Environmental Health departments of any increase in enforcement of housing legislationVIII. Data from local authority enforcement and licencing teams regarding any increase in action against rogue landlords that do not fulfil current dutiesIX. Number of NGN employees provided with an overview of the research findingsX. Number of third party agencies provided with an overview of the research findings The scoping and analysis in Phase 1 of the project will be built on in order that the new or enhanced protocols that have been identified could be operationalised within NGN’s distribution area through a trial with further refinements made once practical learnings have been applied. Some outcome indicators would also be assessed using the independent evaluation noted for phase 3. This may require the third party to develop additional metrics, in particular to assess: I. Any increase in knowledge and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of GDNs II. Reduced morbidity of health impacts caused by cold homes III. An increase in onward referrals for other public sector services IV. Increased local economic activity where remedial goods and services are procured locally | |
| Abstract | We are aware that there are instances when Gas Network Operators (GDNs) have to shut off or condemn an unsafe gas appliance within a domestic property. This is reasonably common in the case where a gas leak or Carbon Monoxide (CO) risk is identified by a gas engineer and the source is located inside the property. Whilst it is undoubtable that such an action is in the interests of the occupant and the surrounding properties, at present, we believe there is little standard practice when this occurs and often this can leave a costumer needing to go without hot water and space heating. If this situation is not quickly resolved this can prompt multiple issues, particularly for more vulnerable residents unable to afford to replace the affected boiler/space heaters: Health impacts caused by cold homes predominantly relate to exacerbating cardiovascular stress and low internal temperatures also diminish resistance to infection and encourage damp and mould growth in the home which causes respiratory problemsCold indoor conditions have also been linked to poor mental health resulting from anxiety and stressSocial isolation can be exacerbated where the home does not present a welcoming environment and there is evidence that cold homes can reduce educational attainmentIll health as a result of cold homes puts a huge strain on already stretched public resources and services and each winter local health services struggle to cope with cold-related hospital admissions and repeat GP visits In addition, where the property is either privately rented or social housing, tenants could be required to notify their landlord that the gas leak or Carbon Monoxide (CO) risk has been identified by a gas engineer and it can be some time until the gas appliance is either repaired or replaced. Despite being in rented accommodation, the onus can also sometimes be placed on the tenant to arrange these works or in a limited number of instances to pay the costs. These instances are particularly the case when the landlord cannot be contact or there is a dispute over the nature of the works or the cost of ancillary works. GDNs often provide small electric heaters as a stop gap measure where households would otherwise be left with no heating , but there is no consistent practice across the industry and no way of assessing how long residents depend on them, and whilst they are welcome in the short term, they are more expensive to run and provide limited heat. Phase 1 To develop an understanding of current NGN processes, those for other GDNs and then design and develop a protocol for disconnection and condemning in-house appliances which is operationally practicable and reflects wider statutory duties. With further consultation with NGN, this report would then be disseminated via an internal and external dissemination strategy. Then, provided the aforementioned success criteria are metPhase 2 of the project would look to embed the operation of these practices within the NGN network. Phase 3, over the course of two heating seasons, an independent organisation would be appointed to evaluate the impact this has made on: Forecasting gas leaks or Carbon Monoxide (CO) risksEnhancing knowledge and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of GDNsMorbidity and the health impacts caused by cold homesEnforcement of housing legislationAction against rogue landlords that do not fulfil current dutiesNote : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 12/09/18 | |
