Well you are obviously better informed than the rest of us - please advise which specfic regulation demands meters be locked behind fire doors.

FYI meters belong to the supply company and they have a right of access at all times so if  you apply a lock they will simply force it open if the key is not readily available.

I do understand in communal buildings or ones with public access a desire to prevent "others" messing with the meter.

FYI the gas meter to properties where I live are in plastic boxes with a simple triangle head key

I believe meters need to be legally checked by a competent person, who usually checks every meter irrespective of provider to make sure they haven't been tampered with, etc., and confirm readings as customers generally can submit readings electronically, so it verifies consumption of gas/electricity.  Most houses have plastic covered cabinets (over a gas meter so its open to the air) and a "cupboard" for the electricity supply.  Most are fitted with a triangle "standard" utility key so that "anyone" can access it if you have a key.  You cannot prevent legitimate access otherwise your cupboard will be forced and you will have to repair/cover the cost.

Thank you Roundtuit. I guess that answers my question about the gas meter in the garden.

However, if the meter cupboard is in the escape route of a block of flats, would it still not require any sort of fire door, with a 'Fire door, keep locked shut' sign?

Now you are in the realms of BS 9991 2015 Fire Safety in the design and use of residential buidlings

Clause 43 specifically addresses Gas and electricity meters where there is an exception if the meter is of fire-resisting construction, housed in a protected compartment (of fire resisting construction) or the pipe/govenor incorporates a device to automatically cut off the flow of gas when the device temperature exceeds 95 C.

Here there is a regulatory reference to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and under the section meter housings paraphrased as "no person shall install a meter in a box/compound unless the consumer has been provided with a suitably labelled key".

So in answer to your original post it would appear a fire resistant meter box (NOT a fire Door) that can be secured is required when installed on the escape route of a block of flats when the meter is NOT of fire resisting construction nor is the supply fitted with an auto cut-off device.

Admittedly I have no experience of blocks of flats but I'm not convinced by this talk of meter readers ripping locked doors off at will like the incredible hulk with impunity.

At home, whilst my electricity meter is accessible from outside in the triangle key box thing, my gas meter is inside the house, I have yet to come home and find my front door flung across the garden by a raging meter reader.

At work both gas and electric meters are all inside and yes they are behind locked fire doors, I believe this is more due to the fact they are located in plant rooms and service ducts than anything else. Normally a nice civilised fellow turns up to read them and waits patiently whilst someone finds me to unlock the doors, seems a perfectly workable arrangement......

Personally I didn't talk about meter readers which nowadays is a sub-contracted activity.

Kevkel - if tennants have their own supply arrangements in what way does that make a management company the "consumer" and therefore key holder? Particularly where access is required to insert a pre-payment key

Edited by user 22 January 2020 10:40:01(UTC)  | Reason: Pre-payment key

A (draw) bolt is only secure when it is padlocked - if your intention was to merely use the bolt as a closure then it is less secure than a key operated device which only key holders can operate.