Q on how much clearance is needed for fibre entry into house

So a few days ago, Openreach has finally dug in front of my house for FTTH. In order to prepare for the upcoming installation when it finally becomes live, I have question on how the actual fibre cable enters the house.

I'm assuming the cable will be blown underground, since my copper cable comes in at the side of the house under the stairs. The mains fuse box, as well as the gas meter is located there as well. The problem is, last year I replaced my gas meter to a smart meter, and the meter bracket mount has about 1 cm clearance from the ground. The phone cable entry point happens to be under the bracket.

What I would like to know, how is the cable blown into the house? How much clearance is required? Is there a need to get the gas meter moved to a different location to facilitate the fibre installation?

Thanks.

Do you mean Openreach has dug in front of your house and provided a new duct to the exterior ?

The final run in isn’t blown fibre any more, it’s a pre made length, usually run to the outside, than a junction box fitted. Then smaller pre made tails are run back to this from the ONT location.

If the current copper ducting is coming up in the utility cupboard, and this duct mouth is now obscured, Openreach will struggle to bring the fibre in. 1cm clearance isn’t nearly enough, it would also mean a sharp dog leg in the fibre which is not ideal, this increases light loss (not ideal)

They have dug in front of the house, rather they dug the pavement in front of my house but no new duct going through my garden if thats what you mean. The existing copper cable comes up from the ground inside my house. The house was built in the 80's if that makes a difference. All the houses in my area are from around this time afaik. Some houses 2 streets down are already live, it even shows up as such on tb.com broadband coverage map.

Edited by deleted (Fri 05-Jun-20 15:03:19)

Hmm, hard to say without pictures I’m afraid.

So the exist copper cable comes into the cupboard via a BT duct? and the new gas meter is sitting over that duct with a 10 mm clearance? can you link to a picture showing this in case anyone may have suggestions on how to solve this?

Maybe they have intercepted the duct outside.

It is unusual for ducts to come up inside a residential property. Although new builds appear to be starting to do this nowadays.

I think it is safer all round coming up outside due to risks of gas and water ingress.

In reply to a post by partial:

I think it is safer all round coming up outside due to risks of gas and water ingress.

Gas/water ingression is a major risk as you rightly say if the duct is not sealed correctly.

Openreach do have a couple of store items that should be used, 'New seal 25/17' (for 25mm duct) or 'New seal 56' (for 54mm duct)

Thanks. What is new about the 'new seal' kit?

In reply to a post by partial:

Thanks. What is new about the 'new seal' kit?

I wish I knew, I've only ever used a plugs duct 1A and I wouldn't risk tuppence on them stopping either gas or water

An aunt of mine moved into a new bungalow in the 1970s and the BT duct came up inside. Problem was the road was a coup[e of feet higher than her floor....

When it rained water used to pour out of the duct [blush]

I'm not sure what BT did. Whether they sealed it or intercepted outside and re-routed externally, I cannot remember.

Cheers!