GIRS accredited metering specialists

Gas Meter Installations & MPRN Setup

From meter box specification to MPRN issue and supplier registration. We manage the full metering process so your plots complete on schedule.

GIRS accredited MPRN managed SMETS2 ready
The Process
1
Meter position design
2
Meter box installation
3
GDN adoption & MPRN
4
Supplier registration
From Design to Supplier Registration

The Process Step by Step

Every metering installation follows a clear, auditable sequence. Here is exactly what happens at each stage.

1

Meter Position Design and Specification

The position of the gas meter on each plot must meet GDN technical requirements before the service connection can be installed. Standard Cadent Gas requirements specify that the meter must be on the front elevation of the property or no more than 2 metres along the side wall, accessible from outside, and at the correct height. Meter boxes must be of an approved type for the construction method: bolt-on, semi-concealed, or built-in. USP specifies the meter position and box type during design, incorporating this into the site layout drawings submitted for GDN approval. Non-compliant positions result in abortive GDN inspection visits and programme delays.

2

Meter Box Installation

Bolt-on and semi-concealed meter boxes can be installed by USP as part of the service connection programme. Built-in meter boxes must be installed by the developer or main contractor at the appropriate construction stage, typically before external masonry or render is complete. USP provides detailed specification drawings and coordinates with the site manager to ensure built-in boxes are installed to the correct dimensions and orientations before the walls are closed up. An incorrectly positioned or sized meter box aperture cannot be corrected without significant remedial masonry work.

3

GDN Adoption and MPRN Issue

Once the gas main, service connections, and meter boxes are installed and pressure tested, USP submits the adoption package to the GDN. This includes pressure test records, as-built drawings, welder qualification records, and all quality documentation. The GDN carries out a site inspection and, once satisfied, formally adopts the infrastructure into its asset register. Adoption triggers the MPRN issue process through Xoserve: each adopted supply point receives a unique MPRN. USP tracks the MPRN issue for every plot and reports progress on a weekly basis so the sales and legal teams know which plots are ready for supplier registration.

4

SMETS2 Smart Metering Readiness

SMETS2 smart meters are mandatory for all new domestic gas installations in Great Britain. They communicate via the national DCC (Data Communications Company) wireless network. During the design stage, USP carries out a signal assessment to determine whether DCC network coverage is adequate at each plot. For sites in dense urban areas, within steel-framed buildings, or in basement locations, the DCC signal may be insufficient for direct meter communication. In these cases, USP specifies a communications hub as part of the meter installation, allowing the meter data to be relayed via an alternative path. Addressing this during design avoids expensive remedial work after occupation.

Gas meter installation work on a residential development
Proof on the Ground

See it in action

Every meter position we specify is GDN compliant and adopted before handover. MPRNs are tracked and reported weekly so nothing blocks a plot completion.

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Gas connections delivered
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Industry accreditations
Key Technical Considerations

Technical Specifications

The critical parameters that govern every gas meter installation and MPRN registration.

MPRN
Unique identifier issued by Xoserve after GDN adoption. Required before a gas supplier can register the supply or arrange meter installation.
Meter position
Front wall or maximum 2 metres along side wall. Must be accessible from outside. GDN minimum distance requirements from openings must be met.
Meter housing
Cadent approved types: bolt-on (surface mounted), semi-concealed (part recessed), and built-in (fully recessed, installed during construction).
Multi-occupancy
Apartment blocks use meter arrays with a shared governor and individual meters for each flat. Each supply point receives its own MPRN.
SMETS2
Mandatory for all new domestic gas installations. Communicates via the national DCC network. USP assesses signal coverage during design.
Signal issues
Dense urban areas and concrete basements may have insufficient DCC coverage. A communications hub can be specified to relay meter data where needed.
Why Choose USP

What USP Can Do For You

End-to-end capability from a single GIRS-accredited provider.

Manage GDN adoption and MPRN tracking for every plot, with weekly progress reports to keep sales and legal teams informed.
GDN-compliant meter position design incorporated into site layout drawings at the outset, avoiding abortive inspection visits.
Apartment meter array design and installation, including shared governor specification and individual MPRN coordination.
SMETS2 DCC signal assessment carried out during design, with communications hub specification where needed.
Coordinate meter readiness with developer sales and legal teams to ensure MPRNs are in place for plot completions on time.
Certified Provider

Fully Accredited & Committed to Safety

Every meter installation we manage meets the highest industry standards. Worker safety, public safety, environmental responsibility, and project compliance from planning to sign-off.

WaterSafe accredited
WIAPS accredited
LRQA WIRS certified
LRQA NERS certified
LRQA GIRS certified
ISO 9001 certified
Achilles UVDB Silver Plus
Constructionline member
SSIP accredited
Acclaim accredited
What Our Clients Say About Us

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Gas Meter Installation FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

An MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number) is a unique identifier allocated to every gas supply point in Great Britain. It is issued by Xoserve following formal GDN adoption of the connection infrastructure. Without an MPRN, a gas supplier cannot register the supply, arrange meter installation, or activate gas to a property. On housing developments, USP tracks MPRN issue for every plot and proactively chases the GDN to ensure numbers are available in time for each plot completion.
The gas meter itself is installed by a meter operator appointed by the gas supplier chosen by the occupier or developer. USP's role is to ensure the meter box, governor, and pipework are all installed, adopted, and MPRN-registered so the meter operator can complete their visit without any missing prerequisites. Getting this sequence right is critical to plot completions on time.
Cadent Gas approves three principal meter box types for domestic installations: bolt-on boxes (surface mounted to the external wall), semi-concealed boxes (set partly into the wall cavity), and built-in boxes (fully recessed into the wall at construction stage). Built-in meter boxes must be installed by the developer during construction. The meter box type affects the approved meter positions, so USP specifies the correct type during the design stage before groundworks begin.
SMETS2 smart meters communicate via the national DCC (Data Communications Company) network. For new build properties, USP carries out a signal assessment during the design stage to establish whether the DCC network provides adequate coverage at the site. Where signal is marginal or absent (common in dense urban areas or concrete basement developments), a communications hub can be specified to relay meter data. Identifying this during design avoids costly remedial work after occupation.
Multi-occupancy buildings typically use a meter array arrangement, with individual meters for each flat grouped behind a shared governor at a single location (usually at basement or ground floor level). USP designs the meter array layout, specifies the shared governor and regulating assembly, and coordinates the MPRN issue for each individual supply point in the array. This is a more complex process than single dwelling metering and requires careful coordination with the GDN from the outset.
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