Natural gas is the cheapest source of energy that is supplied to the public. This substance is characterized by high heat transfer and environmental friendliness. At the same time, a violation of applicable safety standards in the gas sector is fraught with such serious consequences as poisoning by combustion products, fires and explosions, which turn entire buildings into ruins. Knowing and following the rules for the safe operation of gas equipment, you can avoid and prevent the occurrence of an emergency in a city apartment or in a private house.
Basic rules for using gas at home
Understanding and remembering the rules for operating gas equipment in residential buildings will not be difficult. They are simple, to achieve and maintain the proper level of security you need to put a minimum of effort.
- Using serviceable factory-made appliances. Equipment should only be connected by an experienced gas service specialist.
- Providing controllers and inspectors with free access to equipment and communications at any time of the day. Fulfillment of all requirements of authorized persons.
- Regular cleaning of ventilation grilles from dust, and channels from dirt, deposits and foreign objects.
- The use of gas only for its intended purpose, in accordance with the attached instructions - heating water in the circuits, cooking on the burners.
- Timely payment of bills for spent fuel. Prevention of debt formation.
- Cleaning appliances with minimal physical pressure, without the use of active chemicals that can cause metal corrosion and gasket damage.
- Use of products only with constant presence to prevent accidental fire or extinguishing of fire by spilled liquid.
Safety requirements stipulate that only specialists authorized and certified by the company have the right to intervene in the gas supply system of the house, including household appliances.
What you need to know about carbon monoxide
Natural gas is flammable and explosive, has toxic properties. At high concentrations in the air, propane and butane cause severe toxicosis. But it is not difficult to detect a gas leak, since a substance having a pungent odor (odorant) is added to it. In such situations, just turn off the device and open the window.
The situation is worse with carbon monoxide. It is formed during the combustion of fuel and has no smell, since additives burn in a fire. Carbon monoxide is heavy and spreads across the floor, gradually rising up. Inhalation of this substance causes an almost instantaneous loss of consciousness and death from asphyxiation. The reason for carbon monoxide to enter the room is the lack of an effective natural or forced ventilation system.
Representatives of gas services regularly check the condition of home exhaust systems. Safe handling of household gas involves weekly cleaning of the ventilation grilles, in the cold season, monitoring the condition of the tips of the chimneys to prevent them from freezing.
The formation and accumulation in a dangerous concentration of carbon monoxide can occur both when the ventilation is clogged and when it is in good condition. The phenomenon of reverse thrust is observed in strong winds, when the external pressure exceeds the internal.In order to protect yourself and your loved ones from accidents that could lead to tragedy, it is recommended to install a carbon monoxide alarm. This inexpensive device will warn people in time about a dangerous situation. Installation of the alarm is possible with your own hands, but it is better to entrust it to a qualified worker.
How to check traction
A draft is called air circulation in the room and its outflow. Natural ventilation works on the principle of the difference in pressure on the street and inside the room. This is achieved by the difference in height between the levels of gas equipment and the head of the chimney pipe.
The enforcement system works more efficiently. The air movement is provided by fans that perform the functions of blowers, hoods or are installed at the entrance to the room and at the exit from it in the wall or collector on the roof.
The rules for the safe handling of household gas oblige equipment owners to check for draft in the ventilation system before using it. It should be borne in mind that, according to sanitary norms and rules, the air exchange rate in rooms with gas appliances should be at least 10. The atmosphere in the room should be updated so many times per hour.
Traction performance can be checked in the following ways:
- A sheet of paper. When the system is in working condition, the sheet is pressed tightly against the grate and does not fall down under its own weight. However, this option does not allow to determine the rate of air exchange, but only indicates that there is draft.
- A special device that determines the strength of the wind. It must be brought as close to the grate as possible and wait until the indicators on the scoreboard become stable. After this, it remains to convert the speed to cubic meters per hour.
- By steam or smoke from a scented candle. A bowl or candle is brought to the hole. The intensity of absorption of released substances determines its effectiveness.
The idea of checking traction using fire is not the most successful, but rather even dangerous. Flammable substances settle on the grate, dust accumulates in the channels, which can ignite and explode from the flame. In addition, a mosquito net may burn out from contact with fire.
Responsibilities for using gas in the home
Safe use of gas is the responsibility of residents of apartment buildings and owners of private mansions. This is because the spread of fuel and carbon monoxide through general ventilation is fraught with mass poisoning, a major fire and a devastating explosion. The same applies to individual houses. Fire can spread to neighboring buildings, and fragments and a blast wave can seriously damage the health of neighbors and their property.
Household gas handling rules:
- There should not be combustible objects or substances emitting toxic smoke when heated near the stove. This applies to kitchen towels, gloves, plastic utensils, furniture and other household utensils. Clean the area regularly next to the hob to prevent fires.
- First you need to light a fire and bring it to the burner, only then open the gas supply. When using the oven, wait until the relay, which is responsible for the fuel supply, is heated.
- The combustion process must be constantly monitored. The flame should be even, stable, with a characteristic blue color. If it is intermittent, red or there is a strong soot, the device must be turned off.
- The condition of the equipment must be checked regularly. Revision dates are indicated in the user manual. For the stove, the recommended frequency is every three years, and for the boiler and column annually.
- You should immediately contact the emergency service if you find in the apartment or entrance odor odor, malfunctioning devices and communications, a sudden stop of gas supply.
- When using a flexible hose, use products whose length does not exceed 500 cm. When connecting, make sure that there are no twists and creases.
Equipment must be disposed of in accordance with current regulations. It is not allowed to install it next to heating appliances.
What is strictly prohibited when using gas
Gas appliances are a source of increased danger and this must always be remembered, bringing safety rules to your immediate surroundings, especially to children.
Gasified property owners are prohibited from:
- Use faulty equipment. We are talking about household appliances and a ventilation system.
- Use stoves as heaters in the cold season. This is fraught with the risk of a high concentration of carbon monoxide in the room.
- Independently repair equipment. It is not allowed to disassemble devices, change taps, change the configuration of pipes.
- Allow children and adults in inadequate condition to use stoves, boilers and columns.
- Check for possible gas leaks with an open flame. For this there is a soap solution and analyzers.
- Use gas pipes as a support for clotheslines, as well as tie electric cables to them from hoods and lighting fixtures.
- Cover with patch panels or furniture places that need regular inspection - cranes, welds, meters, control sensors and safety devices.
- Seal, suppress ventilation ducts, arbitrarily change their configuration.
In the event of an emergency with gas, it is necessary to shut off its supply, turn off the power to the house, call the rescue service and leave the premises, not forgetting to warn the neighbors.
