Gas Act 1972

Antifluctuators and valves.

18 (1) Where a consumer of gas supplied by the Corporation uses the gas for working or supplying an engine, gas compressor or other similar apparatus or any apparatus liable to produce in any main of the Corporation a pressure less than atmospheric pressure (any such engine, compressor or apparatus being hereafter in this paragraph referred to as a "compressor"), he shall, if so required by the Corporation by notice in writing, fix in a suitable position and keep in use an appliance provided by him which will effectually prevent pressure fluctuation in the supply mains and any other inconvenience or danger being caused to other consumers of gas by reason that they and the first-mentioned consumer are supplied with gas from the same source.

(2) Where a consumer of gas supplied by the Corporation uses for or in connection with the consumption of the gas so supplied any air at high pressure (in this paragraph referred to as "compressed air") or any gas not supplied by the Corporation (in this paragraph referred to as " extraneous gas "), he shall, if so required by the Corporation by notice in writing, fix in a suitable position and keep in use an appliance provided by him which will effectually prevent the admission of the compressed air or extraneous gas into the service pipe or into any main through which gas is supplied by the Corporation.

(3) Where a consumer is required by this paragraph to keep in use any appliance, he shall at his own expense keep it in proper order and repair, and repair, renew or replace it if it is not in proper order or repair.

(4) It shall not be lawful for a consumer of gas supplied by the Corporation to use a compressor, or any apparatus for using compressed air or extraneous gas, unless he has given to the Corporation not less than fourteen days' notice in writing of his intention to do so:

Provided that this sub-paragraph shall not apply to the use of any compressor or apparatus which was lawfully in use immediately before the appointed day.

(5) If a consumer makes default in complying with any provision of this paragraph, the Corporation may cut off the supply of gas to him and shall not be required to resume the supply until the default has been remedied to their reasonable satisfaction.

(6) The Corporation shall, as soon as is practicable after any person first becomes a consumer of gas supplied by them, give to that person notice in writing of the effect of the preceding provisions of this paragraph:

Provided that this requirement shall not apply in the case of any person who is a consumer of gas immediately before the appointed day, and to whom a notice has been given before that day pursuant to paragraph 27(6) of Schedule 3 to the [1948 c. 67.] Gas Act 1948 (which imposes a similar requirement).

(7) The Corporation shall have access at all reasonable times to any premises supplied by them with gas upon which the Corporation have reason to believe that a compressor or compressed air or extraneous gas is being used, in order to ascertain whether the provisions of this paragraph are being complied with.

(8) The Corporation shall have power to disconnect, remove, test and replace any appliance which a consumer of gas supplied by them is required by this paragraph to keep in use, and any expenses incurred by the Corporation under this sub-paragraph shall, if the appliance is found in proper order and repair, be paid by the Corporation but otherwise shall be paid by the consumer.