Meter Overboxes & Meter Box Covers

A meter overbox, also known as a meter box cover, is a protective enclosure installed over existing gas or electricity meter housings to provide fire protection, security and a clean finish. Whether you need a gas meter box cover or an electric meter box cover, meter overboxes maintain the integrity of fire rated walls and compartment barriers where utility meters penetrate the building envelope. They are commonly required in blocks of flats, communal areas, corridors, risers and any location where Building Regulations Approved Document B requires fire compartmentation around metering equipment. The R16 Metal Fire Rated Meter Over Box is Warringtonfire tested for two hour fire resistance up to 1070×650mm, manufactured in the UK from steel and supplied surface mounted with a 25mm picture frame.

Last updated: February 2026 · Reviewed by Rapid Access Technical Team

Range Capabilities

Meter Overboxes Performance
at a Glance

Surface mounted, fire rated meter overboxes with two hour integrity up to 1070×650mm (R16 range, Warringtonfire tested).

HR Fire Rated

Independently tested

1070

mm Max Width

× 650mm height

Mounting

Wall

Fire Certification

Warringtonfire tested

Door Faces

Metal

Frame Detail

Picture Frame

Lock Options

Budget Lock (8mm triangular)Others on Request

Door Configurations

Single

Product Range

The Full Meter Overboxes
Product Range

Browse our curated selection grouped by performance tier. Click any product for full specifications, datasheets and CAD downloads.

R16 Range

Metal Fire Rated Meter Over Box (per PIM). Warringtonfire tested to two hours up to 1070×650mm. Surface mounted, made to measure.

Variant data in PIM pending

R16/MD/PF (made to measure up to 1070×650mm)

R16 Metal Fire Rated Meter Over Box, 2hr

Meter cupboards · Communal compartments

2hr

Variant data awaiting

Our Meter Overbox

R16 Fire Rated Metal
Meter Overbox

One product engineered for every meter enclosure requirement, fire rated to two hours and made to measure as standard. Manufactured to your exact specification.

3/4 View

Back View

R16 Range

Fire Rated Metal
Meter Overbox

UK manufactured steel meter enclosure for fire compartmentation around gas and electricity meters. Warringtonfire tested with two hour fire resistance up to 1070×650mm. Surface mounted with a 25mm picture frame (70mm depth standard) and powder coated RAL 9010 (30% gloss) as standard, other RAL colours available on request.

120min Fire Integrity Warringtonfire Tested Steel Construction Powder Coated Bespoke Sizing Any RAL Colour

Made to Measure

Any Dimension Multiple Lock Options Custom Colour

Explore Full Range Get a Quote

Benefits

Advantages of Meter Box Covers & Overboxes

Purpose built protection for gas meter box and electric meter box installations, maintaining fire safety standards and providing secure, accessible metering enclosures.

Fire Compartmentation

Maintains the integrity of fire rated walls and barriers where meters penetrate the building envelope. Tested with ratings up to 120 minutes, meeting the requirements of Building Regulations Approved Document B.

Secure Meter Access

Standard fit is a budget lock with an 8mm triangular electrical cabinet insert (per PIM), designed to allow easy meter reader access while preventing tampering. Other lock options are available on request for communal and high security applications.

Made to Measure

Every overbox is manufactured to the exact dimensions of your existing meter housing. No standard sizes, no compromise. Precise fit eliminates gaps, ensures fire seal integrity and delivers a clean, professional finish.

Quick & Easy Installation

Surface mounted onto the wall structure, installed over new or existing meter apertures. Doors fitted with concealed steel hinges and outward opening operation (per PIM). No specialist tools or skills required.

Powder Coated Finish

Standard finish is RAL 9010 (30% gloss) Pure white per PIM. Other RAL colours available on request to match building decor. Can be over painted on site to suit communal corridors, plant rooms or apartment risers.

Retrofit & New Build

Designed to fit over both new and existing meter housings. Ideal for remediation projects, fire safety upgrades and new build developments where fire compartmentation around metering is required.

Sectors & Environments

Where Meter Overboxes Are Used

Meter overboxes are specified wherever gas or electricity meters require fire protection, security or a clean enclosure, from residential blocks to commercial developments.

Commercial & Office

Meter cupboards, plant room walls, communal service areas and reception lobby meter enclosures.

Residential

Blocks of flats, communal areas, apartment risers and corridors.

Meter overboxes in healthcare facilities

Healthcare & Hospitals

Meter cupboards in corridors, plant rooms and utility intake walls.

Meter overboxes in educational buildings

Education & Schools

Plant rooms, boiler houses, utility cupboards and meter intakes in school and college buildings.

Infrastructure

Transport hubs, data centres, utilities and public buildings.

How It Works

From Enquiry to Delivery

A streamlined process designed for speed and precision, from initial consultation to site delivery.

Consultation

Discuss your project requirements, including meter dimensions, fire ratings, lock types and finishes with our technical team.

Specification

We provide a detailed specification sheet, technical drawings, and a competitive quotation within 24 hours.

Manufacture

Every overbox is CNC cut, formed, assembled and powder coated in our UK facility with full quality traceability.

Delivery

Nationwide delivery within 3 to 5 working days. All units palletised and protected for safe transit.

Made in Britain

Formed, Welded, Coated & Tested
Under One Roof

Every meter overbox is manufactured at our own facility in Nuneaton — steel forming, welding, powder coating and despatch, all under one roof.

Formed steel profiles on the fabrication bench — 01Steel profiles formed

Welder MIG welding a frame with sparks — 02Welded in-house

Operator in the powder coating spray booth — 03Powder-coated finish

Packed boxes ready for despatch — 04Packed for despatch

See inside the factory

Common Questions

Meter Overbox Frequently
Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about specifying, ordering and installing meter overboxes.

What is a meter overbox and what is it used for?

A meter overbox is a protective steel enclosure installed over an existing gas or electricity meter housing to provide fire protection, security and a clean finish. Meter overboxes maintain the integrity of fire rated walls and compartment barriers where utility meters penetrate the building envelope. They are commonly required in blocks of flats, communal areas, corridors, risers and any location where Building Regulations Approved Document B requires fire compartmentation around metering equipment.

Are meter overboxes fire rated?

Yes. The R16 Metal Fire Rated Meter Over Box is Warringtonfire tested for two hour (120 minute) fire resistance up to 1070×650mm (per PIM). Steel construction maintains the fire integrity of the wall or barrier it is installed in. Test reports and certificates are available on request.

What sizes of meter overbox are available?

Every meter overbox is made to measure. The minimum size is 300mm x 200mm and the maximum size is 1070mm x 650mm. Provide the internal dimensions of your existing meter housing and we manufacture a precisely fitted enclosure. There are no standard sizes, every unit is manufactured to order for an exact fit.

What lock options are available for meter overboxes?

The standard lock is a budget lock with an 8mm triangular electrical cabinet insert (per PIM). Other lock options are available on request, contact our technical team to discuss specific access control requirements for communal or external installations.

Can meter overboxes be used externally?

The R16 is documented in PIM as a surface mounted wall enclosure for fire compartmentation around meters. PIM does not currently document an external / weather rating, for installations exposed to weather, please confirm requirements with our technical team so we can advise on suitability or a bespoke specification.

How quickly can I get a meter overbox?

Meter overboxes are manufactured and delivered within 3 to 5 working days. Because every unit is made to measure, there is no difference in lead time between standard and bespoke orders, all units are manufactured to order.

What colour options are available?

The standard finish is powder coated RAL 9010 (30% gloss) Pure white per PIM. Other RAL colours are available on request to match the building facade or interior colour scheme.

Do meter overboxes fit over existing meter housings?

Yes. The R16 is designed to be surface mounted over both new and existing meter apertures. It is ideal for remediation projects, fire safety upgrades and new build developments where fire compartmentation around metering is required. Doors fitted with concealed steel hinges (outward opening) for future meter access.

When are meter overboxes required by Building Regulations?

Under Building Regulations Approved Document B (Fire Safety), wherever gas or electricity meters penetrate a fire rated wall, barrier or riser, the fire integrity of that barrier must be maintained. A fire rated meter overbox is the standard solution for maintaining compartmentation around metering equipment. They are commonly required in blocks of flats, communal corridors, service risers and any fire compartment wall where meters are located.

Do you offer BIM objects and technical documentation for meter overboxes?

Yes. We provide technical data sheets, fire test reports, BIM objects, CAD downloads (DWG and DXF), NBS specifications and installation guides for all meter overbox types. All documentation is available for download from our technical resources section.

Built for Performance, Made to Measure.

Meter Overboxes Performance
at a Glance