Domestic Air Ingress Mitigations

This project will help to provide assurance to UK Gas Distribution Network Operators (GDNOs) and wider industry on the safe design of domestic gas appliances in a future where hydrogen is being distributed in network pipelines. A risk to the normal safe operation of appliances under 100% hydrogen operation exists where a flammable hydrogen/air mixture is supplied to the appliance, creating the potential for flashback to occur within the gas installation pipework. This work will provide assurance that domestic appliances designed to operate on 100% hydrogen are designed in a way which do not enable flashback to occur.

The project will also investigate the long-term feasibility of installing an auto-locking Emergency Control Valve (ECV) at the end of 100% hydrogen networks to ensure that any reinstatement of supply after a period of isolation can only be undertaken by a competent gas engineer.