New rules for owners of gas stoves and water heaters - what has changed when it comes into force

Standards and requirements that govern the installation of geysers in apartments

Having decided on a replacement, the first thing you should do is familiarize yourself with the rules for installing geysers in apartments and houses. Issues regarding the installation and connection of these units are covered in SNiP. The document is called “Gas distribution systems”, and its number is 01/42/2002. If distribution systems or internal wiring were made on the basis of polymer pipes, then in addition to this document there is another one - SP 42-101-2003. These are “general provisions for the design and construction of gas distribution systems made of metal and polyethylene pipes.”

The main requirement for replacing geysers in an apartment, which is described in SNiPs, states that any work related to the organization of gas supply can only be carried out by specially trained people from gas facilities or private organizations. The latter must have a license for these works. By law, any independent changes can lead to explosions. Also, independent work is punishable by serious fines.

If you are installing a geyser for the first time, then it should be located in the kitchen. However, when this unit is being replaced in the bathroom (and such an installation was previously allowed according to the standards), then there is no need to move the device to the kitchen.

The room in which the installation will be carried out must be equipped with a vertical chimney. Each apartment has exhaust ventilation ducts.

If a gas water heater is being replaced in an apartment where a chimney is not provided for in the design, installation of special turbocharged units is allowed. They remove all fuel combustion products forcibly. This equipment can be connected to horizontal chimneys with outlet to the street through a hole in the wall.

There is also a requirement for area. Thus, the minimum area must be at least seven square meters, the minimum allowable ceiling height is two meters. There should be good air flow in the room. This could be a window, a supply ventilation system, or supply valves.

The pressure in the water supply system must be no less than 0.1 atmospheres. The speaker should be mounted on a wall that is lined with non-flammable materials. It cannot be closer than ten centimeters to the stove or above it. This is strictly prohibited.

Stages of replacing a geyser

Dismantling the column.

You can do this step yourself, as it is not prohibited by documents. Here you can save from 700 to 1000 rubles, all depending on the region. Here are several price options: in Saratov it is 890 rubles, Kazan 710 rubles, St. Petersburg 950 rubles, Kaliningrad 820 rubles.

Stages:

Close the gas supply valve.
Disconnect the gas tube from the column; for this you will need an adjustable wrench. If the tube is in good condition and was not damaged during dismantling, it can be reused.
Disconnect the boiler from the pipe from which cold water is supplied. When turned off, water may flow out; you need to prepare a container for it.
Next, disconnect the chimney.
When removing the column, it is necessary to dismantle the device casing, then unscrew the fasteners.

After completing these activities, contact a specialist for further work.

Next, we will look at the installation in detail.

The installation process itself is not difficult from a technical point of view. The requirements for specialists are to ensure the tightness of the connection of all elements.

For installation you need:

Set of dowels and anchors. When choosing, consider the weight they will hold when the tank is filled with water.
Hose for connecting to communications.
Hose for connecting to water. When choosing them, determine in advance the length you need, because... Do not join several elements to avoid leakage.
Purchase flexible corrugated ductwork. These products are easy to install, and it is possible to change their length if necessary.
Mark the fastenings on the wall.
After mounting the device on the wall, connect it to the chimney.
Connect the water hose; this must be done with a sealing winding.
Next, the tightness of all connections is checked. This is done using soap foam. Bubbles will form in areas where there is a leak.
At the end of the work, the casing is mounted.

Installation is quite simple, but should be carried out exclusively by professionals.

Video of geyser installation.

Permits required to replace a gas boiler with a gas double-circuit boiler

To replace, you need to collect the following documents:

Obtain permission for replacement from the gas service.
Obtain an opinion from the fire service on the condition of the chimney system.
Make a project for installing a new device.
It is necessary to have accompanying documents for the new boiler.
Write an application for installation and completion of work from the owner of the municipal apartment.

Based on the requirements for the room where a gas double-circuit boiler should be installed in an apartment, the best option would be the kitchen; they are often designed according to the boiler room principle, so the installation will reduce costs when connecting all communications.

After receiving permission to carry out the work, a specialist from the company you have chosen draws up an estimate for the execution of the work: connection, dismantling of old and installation of new equipment, launch, adjustment of the system in accordance with the provided design of changes.

The cost of replacing equipment is as follows: St. Petersburg about 3500 rubles, Saratov 2000 rubles, Kazan 2700 rubles, Kaliningrad 2300 rubles.

If the column has already been installed before

When replacing a gas water heater due to a malfunction, you should change not only the unit itself, but also its passport. If you perform the installation yourself, the passport of the new dispenser will not include a note about putting the device into operation and inspections.

In accordance with fire safety requirements in residential buildings, gas equipment is inspected annually. It will not be possible to hide a gas water heater yourself from specialists. In this case, the equipment will be forcibly turned off, and the pipe will be sealed.

After the notice is received, you will have to reinstall the water heater. But this is done with the involvement of certified companies and specialists. They will conduct a study of the ventilation ducts. In old buildings, the channels are often clogged with various debris. Operation of such passages can be dangerous.

Contents Instructions

The new Instruction of the Ministry of Construction will come into force on May 9, 2021.
It provides the basic rules for using gas in apartments. They allow you to safely use this natural resource. After May 9, citizens using different gas equipment will have an increase in the number of different responsibilities associated with servicing these devices.

Additionally, there will be many other tasks that will have to be performed regularly. Otherwise, equipment owners will face large fines and other negative consequences.

The obligation of citizens to regularly check gas appliances has been established by the government since 2013, but previously it was ignored - see the details in this video:

Passing the briefing

According to the new Instructions, each owner of a gas device located in a residential area must undergo special instructions. The rules for implementing this process include:

instruction is provided free of charge by gas service employees;
initial training is required when concluding an agreement on the basis of which equipment is serviced;
additionally, during a routine inspection of the device, secondary briefings are carried out;
Every year, equipment owners must listen to lectures from gas workers regarding the correct and safe use of devices, after which they sign in a special journal.

The owner of a residential premises must have a good understanding of how to use the equipment correctly, as well as what actions can create a danger to the life and health of other people. Basic knowledge should be available not only to the owner, but also to other members of his family.

In the article Which buildings on a summer cottage will taxes be levied on, you can find out a list of all taxable objects.

Timely repairs and maintenance

The direct owner of the apartment must ensure the ability to carry out repairs or maintenance of equipment within the established time frame.

To do this, it is important that the owners are present in the apartment when the gas service specialist arrives. They must not create any obstacles to gaining access to existing equipment.

Additionally, citizens must preserve the integrity of documentation related to maintenance or repairs performed. This includes an agreement drawn up with the gas service, an inspection report, as well as various notifications or instructions.

If equipment owners violate these requirements, they may face the need to pay fines or even face administrative liability.

New rules for payment for housing and communal services are being introduced - details of all changes and the timing of their entry into force can be found in our new article.

What safety rules must be followed? Photo: pmnet.spb.ru

Compliance with safety regulations

The use of devices connected to gas must comply with numerous regulations. Therefore, the following requirements are taken into account:

if there are no people in the apartment for 24 hours or a longer period of time, then the gas tap must be closed;
Before lighting the oven, you need to ventilate it for about 5 minutes;
the ventilation duct in the apartment must be clean;
periodically it is necessary to check the presence of draft in the ventilation system channel;
all gas equipment must be kept perfectly clean;
It is important to always check the condition of devices, which will allow you to quickly identify breakdowns and malfunctions;
It is not allowed to install interior items or various elements that are easily flammable near gas stoves or water heaters;
the room where this equipment is located must have a good ventilation system;
If the draft deteriorates or a gas leak is detected, then this must be promptly reported to gas service specialists.

If people follow these rules, they will be able to preserve the health and lives of all members of their family.

What to do if there is a gas leak

If apartment owners detect a gas leak, they must take certain actions to protect people and property from possible fire and explosion. To do this, the following steps are implemented:

the gas valve is closed;
all gas equipment is turned off;
windows open to ventilate the room;
all people must leave the living space;
Emergency service specialists are called.

Based on the new Instructions, it is the owners or tenants of the apartment who are responsible for the use and maintenance of gas equipment located inside the residential property. The management company is responsible for gas-powered indoor equipment.

In the article How the rules for connecting gas to a private home have changed, all the innovations are discussed in detail.

What are the dangers of self-installation?

Even if an old gas water heater is replaced with a new one, this is not a guarantee that everything will be fine. If during installation a gas pipe was inserted past the meter, then this falls under an article of the administrative code. There is a fine for this.

In addition to the provision of administrative penalties, there is also an article from the law “On Fire Safety”. According to it, the owner of the property may even incur criminal liability (depending on the severity of the consequences).

Solution of the problem

Contact the housing department with a request to provide certified photocopies of the design of your apartment in terms of gas supply, smoke ventilation, water supply, installation location and parameters of the gas water heater.

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This means you are replacing the speaker in the same place and in the same room. The parameters of a new gas water heater in terms of gas consumption should not exceed the same parameters of the existing one.

Zhek is the balance holder of your house and is required to have such documents. The administration of the housing estate can safely refuse, citing privatization, change of ownership, lack of an archive, etc.

Then you will have to agree to walk around the offices of the city gas department.

Materials and tools

To replace a gas water heater, you will need a hammer drill with a concrete drill. You should also prepare a set of open-end wrenches for 27/30 and 32/36, a gas pipe wrench, sealant, and FUM tape.

In addition to the speaker, you should purchase an outlet. This is a decorative element used to decorate the chimney inlet on the wall. Need an oblique water filter. Alternatively, you can buy a water softening system. To connect the water heater to the water supply system, various bends, tees, hoses, and taps are purchased. Experts advise purchasing flexible wiring. It is easier to work with due to the absence of the need to seal connections.

To connect to the gas main you will need a gas hose. It must be of sufficient length and have a thread for connection to the gas unit. It is worth making sure that the thread on the hose matches the one on the column. To connect the latter to the chimney, buy a galvanized pipe with a wall thickness of at least one millimeter. Such requirements are due to high gas temperatures. Thin-walled pipes burn out quickly.

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How much does it cost to install a geyser? Dismantling and replacing a geyser by the hands of specialists will cost an average of 3,000 to 4,500 rubles. This is in Moscow, in the regions it will be cheaper. The amount is not astronomical, but, nevertheless, it is still a pity to give it for work that you can easily do yourself. And everything would be fine, but in this matter there are a great many nuances, ignoring which can greatly hit the user’s pocket.

What are these nuances? What kind of rules and regulations generally govern these types of work? And you simply must know the basic provisions, because this is not a plumbing system with which you can experiment. Gas is gas, negligence and carelessness in dealing with it ends very badly. In this article we will look at the procedure for replacing and installing a gas water heater. Let's look at step by step how and what you can do yourself, and what is best left to a gas industry representative.

Content

Standards and requirements governing the installation of a geyser
Removing the old column
Installation and commissioning of a gas water heater

Tools and materials
Installation and testing of a new unit

Standards and requirements governing the installation of a geyser

Note! Let’s immediately make a reservation that all types of work related to gas supply, i.e. supplying a gas pipe, installing tees, shut-off valves on the gas pipe, etc. carried out only by organizations that have the appropriate special license. Ignoring this provision will, at best, lead to a hefty fine and a severe headache.

All work on installing a geyser can be divided into two categories:

installation from scratch, i.e. it wasn’t there, but you decided to put it in;
replacing the old column with a new one.

In the first case, a design and supply of a gas pipe to the location of the future water heater is required. All this work is the responsibility of the gas industry in your area or a company that has a license for the corresponding type of activity. It is impossible to do without this. In this case, do not try to do anything yourself. This is not smart, because... You yourself risk your life and property, and when installing a gas water heater in an apartment, you endanger other people. And it’s not easy to play such games with the state, it’s not the right weight category. Therefore, entrust this work to people authorized by law for this type of activity.

If the project is ready, everything is agreed, then by completing part of the work properly you can save a significant amount. Any work that you decide to carry out yourself must be carried out strictly in accordance with the requirements of the approved project; if this is not done, the gas industry will not accept this gas water heater for operation.

Note. All work on the installation of gas units begins only when you receive a project with all the necessary permits and approvals.

All standards for installing a geyser are regulated by the following acts:

— SP 42-101-2003 “General provisions for the design and construction of gas distribution systems made of metal and polyethylene pipes”

— SNiP 42-01-2002 GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

In order to bore the reader with many clever words, we present the basic standards for installing a gas water heater, which apply to the intended installation location:

The room in which the column is installed must have a volume of at least 7.5 m3.
The room must have ventilation (vent, window, etc.).
The ceiling height in such a room must be at least 2 m.
The room must have a chimney with a diameter of at least 120 mm (at the same time, “smotherers” in apartments do not qualify as such).
The pressure in the water supply must be at least 0.1 atmosphere.
It is prohibited to install geysers in bathrooms.
The column is installed on a wall made of non-combustible materials; installation above a gas stove and at a distance closer than 10 cm to it is prohibited.

At the same time, those speakers that are installed in bathrooms, in accordance with the technical standards in force at the time of installation, are allowed to be used in the future. That is, the law does not clearly prohibit its further exploitation. This means that replacement with a new one does not prohibit. And does not require transfer at the user's expense.

If all these requirements for installing a geyser are feasible, then you can order a project. The exact installation location and other details will be displayed in the project.

Removing the old column

Since the basic requirements and standards have been reviewed in general terms, if everything complies, you can begin replacing the gas water heater. And we should start with dismantling. You can do this yourself and save from 300 to 800 rubles.

We start by shutting off gas access to the column by closing the tap at the end of the gas pipe. Using an adjustable wrench or an open-end wrench of the appropriate size, unscrew the fixing nut of the hose (rarely, but there is a method of supplying gas using a metal pipe). It is quite difficult to damage the gas pipe when unscrewing the hose, but with the “ancient” connection method, i.e. a piece of metal pipe, quite realistic. Especially if the joint has been painted over for years. In this case, do not use excessive force; to remove paint, use a modern solvent specifically for this work. When unscrewing, hold the gas pipe with a second adjustable wrench, this way there is less chance of damage.

After disconnecting from the gas pipe, it is necessary to remove the hose (pipe) from the point of entry into the column. If the hose has recently been changed and its condition is satisfactory, then it can be reused when connecting a new column. If you have any doubts about the reliability of the hose, purchase a new one. When purchasing, take a certified and tested hose; after all, this is gas and buying a cheap hose from an unknown manufacturer is not appropriate here.

The next dismantling step is to turn off the water supply system. If there are taps to turn off the column, turn them off. If this is not possible, shut off the supply to the apartment. In the case of the latter option, before installing a new column, purchase two taps for the inlet and outlet of water from the column and install them on the pipes in the place where the connection will be made. This will make it easier to maintain in the future.

After disconnecting the column from the water supply, remove the connecting pipe from the outlet of the column and remove it from the chimney. The speaker is disabled and can now be removed from the wall mount. The installation site is free, you can begin installing the new unit.

Installation and commissioning of a gas water heater

During the initial installation, it is better to entrust the connection and verification, with the registration certificate of the gas water heater, to gas specialists. If you change the old column, you can do all the work yourself. But there are two nuances, if you doubt your ability to correctly install a gas water heater - trust the specialists, your wallet will be somewhat thinner - but the nervous system will remain unaffected and, ultimately, the benefit will be yours.

If you decide to do everything yourself, you will succeed, the main thing is to do everything slowly and progressively. But even in this case, you cannot do without a representative of the gas industry; he must register the dispenser. The best option, perhaps, is the situation when you do all the connection work yourself, with the exception of gas-related work. In this case, you will save a significant amount and there should be no problems with the gas service, because connection to the gas main will be carried out by their representative. We will consider this option.

Tools and materials

Before starting work, you must purchase and have the following materials:

Galvanized pipe or corrugation, no thinner than 1 mm. If it comes with a speaker, great. If not, measure the diameter of the outlet of the column boiler or look in the instructions and purchase the appropriate pipe.
Purchase a ring-socket for arranging the entrance to the chimney, also according to the size of the corrugation.
If you plan to install a gas water heater in your house and you need chimney equipment, you will need an asbestos or metal pipe with a diameter of at least 120 mm, or more. The length is at least 2 meters, more is possible - the traction will be better.

The gas hose is standard, the size of the hose will depend on your conditions, i.e. distance from the end of the gas pipe to the inlet into the column. Pay attention to the type of thread at the inlet to the column, the hose tip must be suitable, there must be a match in the type of thread external/internal and a diameter of ½" or ¾". The diameter of the fixing nut on the hose is ½" and if the inlet to the column is ¾" you will need an adapter (coupling).

It is better to prepare the water supply connection point in advance, so you only need two connecting hoses of the required length. You can make connections using metal-plastic pipes, whichever is more convenient for you. In the latter case, determine whether couplings are needed to match the dimensions of the pipe and the connection location and thread (external/internal).
Dowels for mounting the speaker on the wall.
If your home does not have a coarse filter installed, we recommend installing one. The service life of the new unit will directly depend on the quality of the water.

Tools you will need:

Depending on the complexity of the work and the material - a hammer drill with a set of drills and chisels, a drill with a drill for ceramic tiles.
Adjustable wrench (2 pcs.).
Open-end wrenches 27/30 and 32/36.
Tow and sealant type "Unipak".

Installation and testing of a new unit

This description assumes that the water supply and the presence of a chimney have already been implemented. At the location where the gas water heater is installed, mark the points for installing the fasteners. You must calculate the height of the water heater so that the connecting pipe (corrugation) has a vertical length from the outlet of the water heater to the outlet of at least 50 cm, if the height of the room exceeds 2.7 m - 25 cm. At the same time, the installation height of the gas water heater is not should give children free access to the device. Also measure the distance between the mounting holes on the speaker body. After you calculate the installation locations for the dowels using a hammer drill or drill, depending on your conditions, make holes and install hooks. The speaker can be hung on the wall.

Now, using connecting hoses or PVC pipes, we connect the water supply to the inlet and outlet of the column. Using a hose is convenient because it does not require tow or FUM tape at the joints. We connect the cold water tap in series with the gas water heater inlet, indicated in blue. In the same way, we connect the hot water outlet to the tap (indicated in red). We open the cold and hot water tap and see if everything is sealed. If a leak is detected, carefully tighten the hose fixing nuts. Without unnecessary efforts, as you can crush the rubber gasket - seal. The connection using pipes will need to be unscrewed in places of leakage and the tow with a sealant or FUM tape must be twisted.

After we achieve the tightness of the water supply, you can go in two ways: either call a gas technician, or install the gas water heater yourself in full. You decide.

If the second option, then take a gas hose and screw it to the gas tap. After this, connect the other end of the hose to the inlet in the column. We clamp without unnecessary effort, so as not to crush the paranitic gaskets. We take a soap solution, generously smear the joints around the entire perimeter, open the gas supply tap and carefully observe to see if there are any bubbles. If there is, press the nut a little and apply it again. So until we achieve complete tightness.

So, we have a sealed connection between water supply and gas. The next step is to install the corrugation. Here everything is much simpler, on the one hand we put the speakers on the outlet, on the other we insert them into the chimney socket.

We insert the batteries into the column, open the hot water tap and adjust the water temperature according to the operating instructions for the column. We use it.

And one last thing. Usually, large stores also have a connection service. When purchasing, ask how much it will cost to connect them to a specialist. It will be cheaper or even free, and there will be no issues with the warranty on the column at all. And registration in the gas industry will take place without unnecessary friction.

If this is not available, I still recommend that you entrust the connection of the gas hose to a gas installer (the cost of installing a gas water heater for such a connection is several times less than for complete dismantling and installation), and he will be pleased (he will earn money) and there will be no complaints against you. Plus a guarantee of safety and integrity. But it is, of course, up to you to decide.

Removing the old heater

First of all, turn off the gas supply valve to the column. Next, use a wrench to unscrew the nut that holds the gas hose to the column pipe. The hose should be carefully inspected. If it is worn or damaged, it is better to replace it.

Before disconnecting the device from the water supply system, it is recommended to close the rack valve. In the absence of the latter, shut off the valve at the entrance to the apartment. Pipes and flexible wiring are disconnected using wrenches. All that remains is to disconnect the pipe connected to the chimney. After this, the device can be safely removed from the wall.

On some dispensers, the gas supply may be in the form of a steel pipe. The coupling that connects the pipe and the pipe is difficult to unscrew. If you apply too much force, you can ruin the pipe. The clutch does not rotate well due to paint. First, remove the paint layer and then unscrew the coupling.

Installation of a new heater

Replacing a gas water heater with your own hands should begin with the installation of fasteners. They are screwed using standard dowels. The location for the column is chosen based on the requirements of SNiPs.

When a suitable place is found, holes are marked on the wall. They must be strictly horizontal. This can be checked using a building level. Next, holes are made according to the markings. If there is tile on the wall, then you should purchase a separate drill for it.

Once the tiles have been drilled through, install a regular concrete drill. You can turn on the impact mode on a drill or hammer drill. After the holes are ready, screw in the dowels. The entire mounting kit is hung on the latter. Connection is the most important step when replacing a gas water heater. Mistakes are not allowed here. We will look at how to connect the unit to water and gas.

Background

Connection to water supply

To do this, a tee is cut into the pipe with cold water. A filter, shut-off valve and other devices are screwed to the latter. This is relevant for installing a column for the first time - when replacing, there is already a tee in the pipe. Then a hose is attached to it, which at its other end is connected to the inlet pipe on the heater. It is worth doing this carefully so as not to confuse the inlet and outlet pipes.

The output is marked in blue and the exit is marked in red. The outlet element is usually connected to the tee and faucet through a hose that is connected to the hot line.

What actions are considered illegal and penalties

Installing a gas water heater yourself may result in a fine ranging from 10,000 rubles to 15,000 rubles. And if at the same time your actions could or led to harm to human health, then you face criminal liability. The period can be up to two years.

In addition, if you independently connect a gas water heater to a source of natural gas, you may be charged with violating fire safety regulations. As a result, you may be subject to criminal and administrative liability. In the first case, the period can be up to 2 years. In another case, you can get off with a fine or administrative work.

A geyser is a blessing of modern times. However, it requires care for a long service life, as well as following all operating rules so as not to cause any dangerous incident.