Gas is the key to family comfort. “Blue” fuel not only helps to cook food, but also provides an apartment or house with hot water and heat. But do not forget that natural gas is extremely explosive. You can regularly hear on the news about new accidents in different parts of the country. It is not surprising that our government has become concerned about this problem, which is why laws have been passed in recent years to strictly regulate this area. Today you can get fines for gas even for inaction, and the amounts are quite high.
In this article we will tell you what gas fines there are, how to avoid them, and what liability is determined by law. In order not to fall into the tricks of gas workers, you must know your rights and responsibilities.
Is it possible to switch from gas to electricity?
It is possible to refuse gas and switch to electricity in the entire house only after a unanimous decision has been made by all its residents. But even if such a decision is made, it should be taken into account that in order to turn off the gas in the entire house, it will be necessary to reconstruct the in-house power supply and hot water supply systems (if gas water heaters are installed in the building). Replacing the power supply system is necessary due to increased loads. If an electric stove with an oven is installed in every apartment in a gasified building, the load on the networks will increase, and the system may simply not be able to withstand it.
Question answer
How often should gas stoves be serviced?
. valve
To open a cast iron or brass valve, you need to rotate the handwheel on the stem “counterclockwise”, and close it “clockwise” (Photo 9). Before closing, make sure that there is no rust on the rod, especially the steel one. Otherwise, you need to clean the rod and apply a little lubricant to it.
If the valve stem does not turn at all or with great difficulty, then you can loosen the packing nut a little and try again. And if there is no liquid in the pipeline, you can do this: remove the flywheel, completely unscrew the stuffing box nut, remove the bushing, then remove the old stuffing box and replace it with a new one. And assemble everything in reverse order (Photo 10).
At whose expense is the power cable in the house replaced?
According to Art. 39 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, owners of premises in an apartment building bear the costs of maintaining common property. The power cable also belongs to the common property of the residents. Therefore, it must be changed at the expense of the common funds of the owners. As a rule, these are funds for major repairs.
Replacement of electrical wiring can only be carried out by licensed organizations. The owners will have to negotiate with power engineers so that specialists will replace the power cable throughout the entire house and draw up a report on this. The cost of the work is determined by its complexity and labor intensity.
If you need to do this, but don’t want to pay extra money
The shutdown operation itself is very simple and can be completed within a few minutes. To do this, you need to prepare the following tools and materials:
- Two gas wrenches or wrenches of appropriate sizes.
- Thick soap solution.
- Threaded plug of suitable diameter.
- Tape fum.
Before carrying out work, you must make sure that the selected tools actually fit the dimensions of the installed fittings.
Procedure
Turning off the gas stove yourself
- Turn the central gas supply valve. Typically this device is located after the gas meter.
- Make sure that the pipeline is actually blocked. To do this, you can try to turn on the stove. If there is no characteristic hissing sound from the burners and the flame does not ignite, then the pipe is blocked.
- Using two gas wrenches, unscrew the fitting connection of the device to the main line.
- Install a threaded ceiling on the free end of the gas pipeline, having previously wrapped the thread section with fum tape for tightness.
- Using a soap solution, make sure that there is no gas escaping through the closed end of the gas pipeline. To do this, apply a thick soap solution to the ceiling and open the central valve again.
- If the soap film does not become covered with bubbles, then the overlap is reliable.
- Finally turn off the central supply valve.
Is it possible to change a gas stove to an electric one in a separate apartment?
It is possible, but such changes relate to redevelopment and must be approved by the relevant authorities with the issuance of official permission.
To install an electric stove in an apartment, several conditions must be met:
- write an application to the management company about changing the device;
- contact the power grid (in Moscow JSC Mosenergosbyt) to agree on the possibility of installation and connection (clause 1.7.1. Rules and regulations for the technical operation of the housing stock).
If it turns out that the house’s electrical network may not be able to withstand the load from the operation of the electric stove, it will be necessary to install new wiring to the apartment. As a rule, in houses where gas stoves are installed, the permissible load on the electrical network is limited. When replacing a gas stove with an electric one, even the connected power may not be enough to install a standard four-burner stove. Therefore, the owner can install a stove with lower energy consumption (for example, a two-burner stove (2-2.5 kW each).
Why are gas stove flames orange or yellow? More details
How does it happen in reality?
The gas stove is usually connected to the pipe in the kitchen using a flexible hose, in front of which there is a shut-off valve. That is, to disconnect a gas-using household appliance from the gas pipeline, it is enough to close the valve and unscrew one nut on the outlet with a wrench.
To disconnect a gas stove from a gas pipe, you only need to know how to handle a wrench and have a head on your shoulders
The operations of temporarily disconnecting and then connecting back are extremely simple. However, before you turn off the gas stove yourself, you should think again. If everything is put back in place after the repair and the stove is properly reconnected, the gas guy won’t even notice anything. It is enough to tell him that no one touched the stove, it was simply moved to the side.
The inspector will not be able to make any claims against such a house owner for arbitrariness. The stove is in its old place, there are no gas leaks - everything works properly.
But every time the gas worker has to pay about 500–1000 rubles simply for the fact of coming. However, no one here wants to pay extra. How much such savings are justified - you will have to decide personally.
Yes, and we should not forget about the dangers of such manipulations. It’s one thing that this is illegal, and another thing is that by deciding to disconnect the stove from the gas pipe yourself, you are endangering your life and that of your household.
Often kitchen renovations go like this:
- the owner of the house unauthorizedly disconnects the gas stove from the pipe with a wrench;
- then repair work is carried out on the premises;
- then the owner again independently connects the stove back to the pipe.
No extra costs for calling a gas technician. And everything is basically completely illegal.
Then the master comes with an annual inspection, sees arbitrariness, but cannot do anything. There are no gas leaks, and it is impossible to prove unauthorized actions.
Seals are placed only on meters. Moreover, if problems are discovered during the inspection, then the employees of the inspection organization will certainly issue an invoice for disconnecting/connecting and correcting the identified deficiencies.
What is needed to turn off the gas not in a separate apartment, but in the entire house?
The procedure for turning off gas in an apartment building consists of several stages:
1. Obtaining the consent of all residents. The decision is made at a general meeting and is confirmed by a protocol in which all citizens registered in the house sign.
The minutes of the general meeting (starting from March 05, 2021) have a complicated form. The document should be provided to the resource supply company.
2. Next, you need to develop design documentation and obtain permission for redevelopment. Project documentation is developed by an organization with SRO approval (certificate of admission to construction or design work). The redevelopment project with the abandonment of gasification will also need to be pre-approved by the gas supply company.
3. The project will need to be shown to the company that supplies gas to the apartment, and permission must be obtained from them as well. Or you will need to attach Mosgaz’s consent to carry out such work to the package of documents.
4. If the allocated power is not enough, residents can contact the energy sales office at their place of residence and find out how much it is possible to increase the power output. If it turns out that a large load is impossible, then you will have to negotiate with power engineers about laying a new power cable.
6. After approval from the gas service and power engineers, gas appliances are dismantled. To disconnect an apartment from gas supply, you must leave a request on the Gorgaz website. Employees will draw up a sketch for cutting the gas pipeline, issue an invoice and conclude a contract for the work. The cost of work is calculated on the basis of territorial estimate standards.
7. After dismantling the gas equipment and installing electric stoves, it is necessary to conclude and sign an agreement with the management company and the resource supply company (energy sales) on payment, maintenance and servicing of the building, which has received a new status.
According to Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy Valery Vasilyev, it is difficult today to transfer apartment buildings from gas supply to electricity, primarily for financial reasons. As the senator noted, in Khakassia alone, a region with a low population density, this will require 100 million rubles. According to Vasiliev, it is more expedient to upgrade gas networks and strengthen control over the operation of gas equipment.
What are “electric stove benefits” and who receives them? More details
Expert advice
Experts in the field of energy and architecture recommend carefully approaching the issue of abandoning gasification. Omission of even a small nuance in calculations can cause major technical and administrative complications. In some cases, the competent authorities may refuse to issue a permit, and correcting the deficiencies will be too expensive.
Professionals advise not to dismantle gas pipes, but to put them into conservation mode. This will make it possible to return to the previously used method of obtaining energy.
In what cases is it impossible to switch from gas to electricity?
Switching from gas to electricity is problematic in dilapidated houses. Installing new electrical equipment may weaken the supporting structures. Difficulties with replacement may also arise if the local substation is unable to cope with the additional load that will arise if you turn off the gas and connect a house equipped with powerful electric stoves. In such cases, the project is simply not approved. To find out the allocated power, you need to contact the operating organization (in Moscow and the region - this is Mosenergosbyt OJSC).
Tools
Gas fittings for this type of work are made of alloys or bronze, this will not cause a spark, the material has good tightness. It’s definitely not worth saving on taps or hoses; you need to purchase them only in certified departments and stores. It is better to choose rubber for the hose; it will last longer. For insulation, tow made of flax impregnated with Unipack, Teflon thread or FUM tape are suitable. Suitable tools include gas wrench No. 1, No. 2. For modern gas appliances, it is necessary to make an additional dielectric gasket between the hose and the valve; this is done to avoid leakage of electricity to the riser.
How much power is needed to install an electric stove?
Each apartment in a multi-storey building is allocated a certain power, in the presence of a gas pipeline - 5 kW, and in a house without gas supply - up to 10 kW. Accordingly, due to the increase in electricity consumption, it will be necessary to install new wiring and install a special socket for the electric stove (Resolution of the State Construction Committee of the Russian Federation dated September 27, 2003 N 170 “On approval of the Rules and Standards for the Technical Operation of the Housing Stock” clause 5.6.19). If this is not done, the wiring will catch fire due to the increased load.
Article on the topic
Firewood, gas or electricity. The cheaper it is to heat a dacha
Types of penalties for heating with stoves
Our country periodically experiences all sorts of crises and disasters, which affects the quality of service. As a result, ordinary people have come up with a lot of options for using gas stoves for other purposes.
For example, stoves are used not only for heating air, but also for heating bricks, salt in the oven, and other things. All of these devices are then moved to living quarters and used to increase the temperature. You can also get information about a method such as heating a large container of water to a boil. After which the gas is turned off, and the water gives off heat to the air in the living room for a long time.
Incorrect use of a gas stove. Immediately after receiving the relevant information upon receiving a message about such a violation, for example, after a neighbor calls the gas service, a procedure can be initiated to disconnect the consumer from the centralized gas supply system
Don't deceive yourself and risk your lives. Since there are no completely safe options for heating a room using a stove. The reason is that it is not gas that causes accidents, but ignorance of safe use rules. Consumers simply leave the stoves without control (which in itself is prohibited), forget about them, and fall asleep. Which leads to incidents.
This feature has been taken into account by legislators, therefore any method of heating is considered prohibited, since this is not the intended use of the stove.
Violators of fire safety measures should remember that the law provides for various fines for their actions. For example, the Code of Administrative Offenses has more than a dozen articles under which sanctions may be imposed on them.
But the most severe types of punishment for heating with stoves and its consequences are prescribed in the domestic Criminal Code. Thus, Article 168 of which states that for a violation that led to damage to property, sanctions may be imposed in the form of a fine of up to 120 thousand rubles. In addition, the offender is allowed to restrict his freedom for a period of one year.
And in Art. 219 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation talks about penalties for violating fire safety measures that cause harm to human health. For such an act, a large fine is provided (up to 80 thousand rubles), and, if the case is serious, then the person who likes to warm himself with a stove may be deprived of his freedom. And not for the shortest period of time (up to 3 years). When the actions of a violator lead to the death of people, he may be subject to many years of forced labor (up to 5 years) or imprisoned for an impressive period (up to 7 years).
Procedure for calculating the debt amount
The gas pipeline in an apartment or private house is shut off after the homeowner has owed payment for two calendar months.
In this case, the gas company must notify him in writing of the planned shutdown 20 days in advance. This time is given to pay off the debt and avoid drastic measures.
Many gas companies make concessions, giving permission to restore gas supply until the debt is fully repaid. In this case, the owner pays half of the debt and connects the gas, and pays the remaining amount in installments according to an individual schedule
But if this has already happened, then the total amount will consist not only of gas payment at the tariff and accrued late fees, but also of reimbursement of gas workers’ expenses for disconnecting, dismantling, connecting, and sealing equipment. Prices for services can be found in the subscriber service department.
What actions should the owner take?
If the gas was cut off illegally, the owner has the right to contact law enforcement agencies with a statement, namely:
The application must contain information about the current situation, violations by the gas service, as well as the owner’s demands to restore the provision of services at the expense of the gas supplier.
Moreover, the owner of the house has every right to file a claim for compensation for moral damage and recover moral damage from gas suppliers in the form of compensation.
If the gas shutoff occurred legally, then the subscriber has the right to do the following:
- Check to see if there was prior notice before connecting.
- Check all deadlines.
- Try to negotiate with the supplier on restructuring the agreement (dividing payments into small amounts for partial payment, in case of large debt).
- Pay off all debts in full and stop accumulating them.
More information on how to restore gas supply after a shutdown can be found here.
To summarize, it can be noted that disconnecting any utility service is an unpleasant situation. Therefore, to avoid such situations, there is no need to accumulate debt.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
A special case of gas shutdown in an individual area:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=ATR4374t1gQ
A cut of gas to an individual house for a large debt with a comment from the head of the customer service:
2 months of delay is enough to be left without gas. Owners of private houses should read the laws in more detail; they will be cut off from communications first. In the summer, shutdowns are made due to debts, the state of equipment, and unauthorized actions.
During the heating season the situation is more complicated. At this time, they have no right to cut off gas for non-payment. Gas companies sometimes rely on forced measures to circumvent the law. Consumers should remain vigilant and improve their legal literacy. Reconnecting gas can cost tens of thousands of rubles.
Write comments, gain new knowledge and share your experience. Tell us how you achieved a positive outcome and what was special about your situation. Ask your questions in the contact form. It is located below.
Safety regulations
In such work, negligence and neglect of the rules, even the simplest ones, which, at first glance, do not represent any importance, are unacceptable. However, if you follow them all, you can avoid a lot of troubles and problems.
Several points noted below will help protect yourself from troubles.
- Complete shutdown of any electrical appliances, including lighting. Even a small spark can be dangerous, so all devices are turned off, and equipment such as phones and tablets are taken to other rooms. It is best, of course, to turn off the general power supply.
- High-quality ventilation of the room, preventing the accumulation of gas. This means open windows, interior doors and a working standard home exhaust system. Remember that electrical appliances must be turned off! There should be a draft moving around the apartment or house.
- Using the right tool. The keys must be the same size (gas keys numbers 1 and 2 are suitable here). Never use steel keys (only protective ones: brass and plastic).
- Before starting work, you must turn off the valves on the riser and turn off the power to the stove completely.
- Each pipe is closed with a plug until the next operations begin.
- Checking for leaks. This can be done by applying a thick soap solution and then applying gas.
Attention! If strange noises, a strong smell of gas or hissing suddenly appear, then you must urgently call the gas service to prevent unexpected incidents from occurring.
Minimal violation of the law
It is dangerous, within the framework of the law, to connect the stove after a shutdown on your own, but if you do this immediately after carrying out the work in the same configurations specified in the contract, then the gas control will not see any changes. However, when replacing gas equipment parts, you will have to contact services and report the changes.
Attention! In some regional areas, independent disconnection from highways is strictly prohibited and is a criminal offense. For example, in the Moscow region.
