Communication in apartments and houses is a common occurrence. Some of them can be hidden behind the GCR. But special requirements are put forward for the maintenance of gas pipes, since the well-being and life of people depends on their condition.
Agree that the operation of gas communications should be treated as responsibly as possible. Gas pipe paint must be selected with great care as it protects the steel alloy from corrosion. However, gas pipes painted according to the generally accepted standard can disfigure the interior.
We'll tell you when guidelines are required and when they can be neglected. You will learn how to choose a paint for gas communications and carry out the main stages of painting. As a bonus, we will reveal the secret of how to accurately calculate the amount of paint required.
The content of the article:
- Reasons for staining a gas pipeline
- What is written in the regulatory documentation?
- Contractors for painting the gas pipeline
- The choice of paint for painting gas pipes
- Dyeing technology: features
- Formula for calculating the amount of paint
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Reasons for staining a gas pipeline
The painting of pipes transporting gas to the consumer is carried out not only for the purpose of imparting an aesthetic appearance to communications.
Among the reasons for painting gas pipelines are:
- color highlighting of the gas pipeline and its difference from other communications;
- protection of metal against corrosion, which significantly increases service life of gas pipes.
The Gas Supply and Gasification Department has every right to turn off the gas if the communications are out of order.
The paint is the only anti-corrosion protection, so you should not save on it, you need to paint it in at least two layers with the consumption specified by the manufacturer
According to the standards adopted at the state level, all highways of multi-storey buildings (up to the valve) are on the balance sheet of the housing and communal services management. In apartments and private houses, the owners must monitor the condition of the gas pipes.
What is written in the regulatory documentation?
Normative documents regulate only the color in which the gas pipes should be painted. According to the card file of color standards, the gas pipeline should be painted yellow N 205-206 (GOST 14202-69).
On the facades of houses and on routes passing along the street, gas pipes are painted in a single yellow color. In exceptional cases, gas pipes can be painted in the color of the facade after obtaining the permission of the operating organization. The color of communications inside private houses and apartments is not regulated.
Color marking of gas pipes is mandatory for industrial enterprises, as well as if the pipe is laid above the ground. There are no color requirements for indoor and outdoor living quarters.
Pipe color requirements are not just a whim of the gas service. This is a signal color, which indicates a substance inside its transported highway. Thanks to painting, in the event of a gas leak, emergency personnel will be able to quickly detect the problem and eliminate it.
If the pipes are painted in a different color, then in an emergency in the absence of the owner of the house the repair team may not navigate and not turn off the gas in time, which threatens with serious consequences.
Also in the regulations of the "Safety Rules for the Gas Distribution and Gas Consumption System" p. 2.3.9 PB 12-529-03 specifies that the paint should be applied in two layers. It is pre-obligatory to carry out priming and perform preparatory work.
Contractors for painting the gas pipeline
The responsible person is regulated for each specific case. It is recommended to use the contract concluded for the maintenance and inspection of the gas pipeline as a guide.
In apartment buildings, the procedure for painting the gas pipe is the responsibility of the apartment owners. The pipeline running along the facades, streets and entrances is painted by representatives of the gas service or local utility company.
Maintenance and repair of the gas pipeline in the living quarters and outside the apartments is carried out exclusively by representatives of the company with which a service agreement has been concluded
In private houses, the pipeline located within the plot and private buildings is painted by the owner of the house. Pipes located in territories with public status are painted by representatives of the gas service.
The choice of paint for painting gas pipes
For painting a gas pipeline, like other metal surfaces, alkyd paint is most often used. The name according to GOST is PF-115. Since it is made from resin, the paint is viscous and thick.
It should be noted that it has an unpleasant, pungent odor that takes a long time to disappear. Another drawback is that the paint is flammable, and the gas is a flammable element.
Among the main advantages of alkyd paint: high strength and resistance to atmospheric precipitation. It can also be applied to hot surfaces. Another advantage is low cost.
It is not recommended to use alkyd paint in frosty weather, since it is highly likely that it will not dry out on the surface, but will freeze
When choosing which paint within the apartment is better to paint the surface of the gas pipe, it is not necessary to purchase only the recommended options.
You can use other coloring compositions:
- polyurethane paint - has an elastic structure, good adhesion and durability;
- epoxy - characterized by durability, but not elastic;
- electrically conductive substance - recognized as the most reliable coating due to its high anti-corrosion properties and durability.
Although there are paints that can be applied to rust, it is advisable to pre-treat gas pipes: clean the surface from the old coating and rust, degrease the prepared surface, then cover with a primer.
For painting pipes indoors, it is allowed to use interior paints. The only thing is that the coating should not be vapor-permeable, because the main task of the paint is to isolate the surface of the pipes from oxygen compounds and moisture
Modern dyes for gas pipes have specific names. Most often, the word “paint” itself is absent on the label, so a common man in the street faces difficulties at this stage.
To apply a protective and decorative coating on a metal pipe, use special compounds modified with anti-corrosion additives
The most popular paints for gas pipes today:
- Epostat - epoxy primer-enamel for metal with anti-corrosion properties, heat- and frost-resistant, quick-drying;
- Zincconol - protects metal in any climatic conditions, has excellent adhesion and protects against corrosion;
- Nerzhakhim - protects metal, can be applied to rust, protects against corrosion, dries quickly;
- Polyuretol - does not need preliminary priming, is resistant to acids, water, oil products.
The technology for applying paint to a gas pipe is no different from painting any other metal material. The only caveat is that when removing old paint, it is forbidden to use heating devices.
Dyeing technology: features
Before you start painting gas pipes, you need to carry out preparatory work.
Dry the pipes before cleaning them. Otherwise, the new paint will last no more than two years. You also need to shut off the gas supply in the pipeline by turning the valve. Static stress may build up during pipe cleaning and ignite.
Cleaning of pipes is carried out with a wire brush, which removes traces of rust and corrosion. Using solvents will make the job easier. For safety reasons, it is recommended to use a respirator to avoid inhaling harmful vapors.
Degrease the surface after cleaning. Degreaser consumption rates per 1 sq. m are indicated on its label. The next step is to coat the surface with a primer in two layers. The mixture is applied with a brush.
The second layer of primer is applied to smooth the surface of the pipes and remove all roughness.
The primer dries within 24 hours. If the temperature is below 15C, then the drying time increases. You must wait the same amount of time before painting. The paint is applied in an even layer. Avoid dripping.
Thick coat must be applied. After the paint is dry, you can start applying the second coat. This ensures maximum protection of the metal surface.
The gas service recommends painting communications yellow. However, this requirement is not regulated for apartments and residential premises of private houses. The color of the gas pipe in the apartment can be matched to the interior.
Since gas pipes are painted to protect them from corrosion, it is advisable to purchase paint with a margin
It is recommended to paint with a small brush, applying in small portions to avoid smudges. The brush should be held perpendicular to the pipe. To paint the back, you need to bend the brush. It is advisable to cover the pipe with paint before the walls are finished.
When using alkyd paint, re-coat after 4-6 hours. Modern types of paint dry much faster. The exact time is indicated by the manufacturer on the package.
Formula for calculating the amount of paint
Having figured out how to paint gas pipes, you need to calculate the amount of paint. There are no norms for the consumption of paint for coating gas pipes. On each can, the manufacturer indicates how much material is required for painting 1 sq. m. surface.
It should be borne in mind that the application should be done in two layers. Formula for calculation:
S = π × D × L
D is the pipe diameter;
π is a constant (3.14);
L is the length of the pipe.
This method is used for painting most pipelines.
The selection criteria and the best heat-resistant colorants for coating metal will be introduced to next article, in which all sides of the issue are discussed in detail.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Painting a gas pipe in the private sector
In GOST 14202-69, it is clearly regulated with what color gas communications should be painted. In this case, the repair team can quickly identify the source of the problem and eliminate it without putting people in danger. In addition to signaling properties, the paint protects metal pipes from corrosion.
If you had to paint gas communications in an apartment or a private house, share your experience with site visitors. Did you have a precedent with the gas service? Tell your story in the comments. Write reviews, ask experts questions, and participate in discussions.
