This project is to design a meter box key that is more suitable for customer in vulnerable situations and with dexterity issues. The current standard key is small and requires a high level of dexterity to grip and turn. OGP’s new design will allow responsible engineers to attach a new collar to the current meter box locking feature. Once the collar is attached the user will be able to use an innovative, larger key to both unlock the box and use the additional grip to help open the meter box door.

This method will provide a prototype for a commercial solution, that currently does not exist within the market, to enable customers in vulnerable situations to access the ECV and/or EasyAssist and allow them to live independently.

Benefits

The aim of the project is not necessarily to see financial benefits but to impact the experience of PSR customers and to keep them safe in a gas emergency. In addition, the project has the below benefits:

Financial - Reduced P1/uncontrolled callouts of personnel to temporarily cut off gas supplies.

Health & Safety – Having an easier access to the ECV, the customer is able to make safe prior to an engineer visit. Safety impact on property & people. 

Community – Increase in PSR conversations and opportunities to discuss safety and co awareness during implementation.

Customer – empowered to make safe and increased confidence in an emergency and being able to live independently for longer. This added accessibility will allow customer to gain access to read meters more easily and therefor more often.

Business as Usual – the device is retro fit and will be simple and quick to fit.

Environmental - Less gas wasted in the event of an escape

Additional SROI can be achieved with conversations and energy awareness. Expected to reach 150,000 customer (30,000 per network). An assessment at the end of the project will be conducted to understand the true SROI.