Old gas/oil light pipes - Victorian Property

[vlingham]

On most rooms (on just one wall) in my Victorian house there is a small bump that turns out to be some kind of bolt or 'end' to a pipe. We think it may be from the old lighting system - to supply either oil or gas (probably gas) to the lights fitted on the walls. Can anyone shed any light on this?
many thanks

 

[Penners]

If they're around head height or a little above, then a gas supply for lighting would seem the most likely explanation. Although if they're higher, then perhaps sheaths for pullcords for bells in the servants' quarters can't be ruled out.

Can you post a picture?

 

[vlingham]

Yes they are head height/bit above. I can post a picture later today or tomorrow. I need to remove them as unable to hang pictures and mirrors so i guess i need to check they are not 'live'...thanks

 

[Penners]

Yes - they sound like gas pipes for lights.

As you have said, do be sure that they aren't connected to the gas supply any more, and that there's no residual gas in the pipe.

 

[Moo]

do be sure that they aren't connected to the gas supply any more, and that there's no residual gas in the pipe.

To my inexperienced and technically illiterate mind, that sounds easier said than done. Please elucidate, Penners.

 

[NT]

Cutting through them with an angle grinder will soon tell you whether theyre live or not, and the shower of sparks will quickly clear all remaining gas.

Of course that doesnt necesarily make it a good idea...


NT

 

[Penners]

do be sure that they aren't connected to the gas supply any more, and that there's no residual gas in the pipe.

To my inexperienced and technically illiterate mind, that sounds easier said than done. Please elucidate, Penners.

Ask a Corgi plumber!

 

[middi]

Ask the man from Corgi, he will draw upon his knowledge and expertise and make a well educated guess as to the presence of gas in old pipes.

Ask the man with the angle grinder , if he is stiil alive, he is more qualified to answer the question.


I haven't got a clue.

 

[GK]

Here's a four foot diameter gas pipe Murphy has just installed near me

 

[biffvernon]

My brother bought a flat in an early 20th century block a few years ago and was surprised to find that the sealed off gas lighting system was very much alive with gas. I suppose the first cubic foot or two to escape when he discovered this must have been town gas from the days before North Sea gas.

 

[middi]

Sorry, can't ask the man with the grinder if he also tried to cut the pipe in GK's photo, he is definetely a gonner.

 

[Aidan]

On most rooms (on just one wall) in my Victorian house there is a small bump that turns out to be some kind of bolt or 'end' to a pipe.

Gas lights. Have a look at the pipework coming from the meter outlet. If it's copper, it's fairly new and the lights have probably been disconnected. If it's steel pipe, they might still be live.

You'd need to expose one and take the blanking plug off the end of the pipe to deteremine if they are live. You don't necessarily need to be Corgi registered to do this, but you need to be competent. If you need to ask whether you're competent, then you're probably not.

They may be live. Old gas lights have been found boarded up in voids before, still lit!

 

[Penners]

Here's a four foot diameter gas pipe Murphy has just installed near me

Clearly you have adventurous plans for your kitchen, GK.

 

[middi]

A very sensible answer from Aidan, the grinder man must have copped it.

 

[GK]

Here's a four foot diameter gas pipe Murphy has just installed near me

Clearly you have adventurous plans for your kitchen, GK.

There's no gas in't village...

 

[middi]

That's not an excuse to go overboard GK, tell the villagers there is a shortage of the bl**dy stuff.

 

[Sue Wilkinson]

Old gas lights have been found boarded up in voids before, still lit!

Is that really true? How could it be?

Sue

 

[NT]

Old gas lights have been found boarded up in voids before, still lit!

Is that really true? How could it be?

Sue

Yes! I forget the when and where, but old lights had been burning away quietly for years when they were eventually discovered through removing of some wall board. Had the house owner had a supply interruption they may not have survived.

NT

 

[vlingham]

Thanks for all your contributions!! I think we will avoid the grinder option!!!

 

[thiambal]

You'd need to expose one and take the blanking plug off the end of the pipe to deteremine if they are live. You don't necessarily need to be Corgi registered to do this, but you need to be competent.

Is this stricty true? I thought that you needed to be corgi registered to do this. How is this different from connecting a gas cooker or gas fire which need a corgi chap or chap'ess.

Or have I been labouring under a costly misaprehension all these years?