Before cutting off a gas pipe, it is important to familiarize yourself with the regulations and rules for working with gas equipment. Have you noticed how few users do this? The majority decides to look into SNiPs, already holding a grinder in their hands. Some people completely ignore the norms established by the law. Meanwhile, each stage of this event is regulated, has a certain sequence of implementation.
An improperly performed shortening of a gas pipeline is fraught with serious consequences, the most formidable of which is the leakage of an explosive. To work, you need a precise professional tool, experience and knowledge of safety techniques. Without such a set, it is not worth taking responsibility for unauthorized modification of the pipe. It is better to entrust this to the master. But how can you check if it is working correctly?
In this article, we have given all the rules regarding cutting gas pipes in houses and apartments, we have compiled an algorithm of actions, a list of tools and materials. After reading it, you will save time searching for information, you will be able to correctly plan your actions, prepare all the necessary documents on time and monitor the work of a specialist.
The content of the article:
- Reasons for cutting a gas pipe
-
Legal requirements for the customer and the contractor
- Who Should Apply?
- Who is allowed to do the job?
- Preparatory stage - obtaining permission
-
Gas pipeline installation standards
- Requirements for the location of gas pipes
- The choice of material and the way of doing the work
- The main stages of work
- Choosing a trimming tool
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Reasons for cutting a gas pipe
The most common motive is for repairs, during which a decision is made to change the position of the slab or install new equipment. All this can encourage the owners to shorten the gas pipe.
In addition, the initiator may be a representative of the gas company, who legally requires the removal of the meter into the visibility zone.
In old houses, you can observe the following picture: the outlet from the gas pipe interferes with the convenient location of curtains or kitchen units. This is also often the reason for pruning.
It may also require shortening due to the inconsistency of outdated communications with modern rules. The standards are regularly updated, and the owners of residential premises rarely monitor the changes made on their own.
Legal requirements for the customer and the contractor
Since a faulty gas pipeline is a source of danger to human life, lawmakers have identified the customer - the initiator of the cut or gas pipe transfer and the performer. The law makes special demands on the latter. Therefore, it is worth paying special attention to them.
Who Should Apply?
Until 2005, in the Russian Federation, municipal gas services were responsible for the condition of gas pipes and equipment connected to them. Later, the law shifted it to homeowners: management companies began to monitor intra-house networks in apartment buildings, and owners or tenants began to monitor intra-apartment networks.
In private households, this has also become the responsibility of the owners. Therefore, before shortening the gas pipe in the kitchen, it is necessary to determine the owner.
The figure visualizes the delineation of responsibility between the management company and residents. At the same time, payments for maintenance of indoor equipment are included in monthly receipts. But for manipulations with intra-apartment networks, including for cutting pipes, residents pay separately
A confirmation of this rule can be found in Decree No. 410 of 05/14/2013, edited by the government of the Russian Federation on October 6, 2017.
According to the general provisions of this decree, the owner of square meters or a tenant can become the customer when cutting a pipe in an apartment or private household. In this case, the lease must be formalized.
Who is allowed to do the job?
The executor is also clearly defined in the government document. This is a specialized organization that performs maintenance and repair of gas equipment under an agreement with the owners or management company. In addition, the supplying company can also take over the cutting of pipes.
The law imposes the following requirements on the performer:
- presence in the staff of certified employees with specialized education;
- availability of production instructions for carrying out gas hazardous work;
- mandatory use of control and measuring equipment.
All means and devices used by the gas service technicians must be regularly calibrated according to the schedule approved by the organization.
As can be seen from the above list, the requirements for the performer are quite high. Therefore, it is not worth shortening the gas pipes yourself or with the help of unlicensed unlicensed persons.
Preparatory stage - obtaining permission
First of all, it is necessary to determine whether, from a technical point of view, it is possible to shorten the gas pipe and how to do it. To do this, you need to apply to a specialized organization.
The application is written in free form, indicating the exact address and passport data of the owner.
Since the applicant by law can only be the owner of the premises, the gas service employee may ask for the documents of title already on the first visit.
After receiving a signal from the owner of the premises, the gas service sends a representative to the place. The foreman will listen to the wishes of the applicant, inspect the gas pipeline and the equipment connected to it, and issue a verdict. In the event that the wishes of the customer turn out to be contrary to safety standards, he will offer other options.
After finding the optimal solution, the specialist will draw up a diagram on which he will reflect the state of the pipe after cutting. Based on this scheme, the gas company will issue a permit and provide an estimate. It will take into account the cost of the upcoming work and consumables.
Gas pipeline installation standards
Even before the arrival of the master, the owner can familiarize himself with the requirements for the device of intra-apartment gas pipelines. This will save time, make it possible to quickly determine the option that is suitable for all parameters. The criteria for choosing the location of the gas equipment, as well as the installation rules, are spelled out in SNiP 2.04.08-87.
Requirements for the location of gas pipes
After shortening the pipe, free access to it must be maintained. All devices, including gas flow meter.
Particular attention in SNiP is paid to the location of the valves, with the help of which the highway is shut off. It is forbidden to disguise them, cover them with blank kitchen cabinets, stationary decorative screens.
When trying to hide a pipe in a cabinet, many users block quick access to it with food and kitchen utensils. Doing this is prohibited, since the presence of foreign objects will make it difficult to find the source of danger in the event of a possible leak
All distances prescribed in legislation must be observed. So, the gas pipe must be located at least 200 cm from the floor.
An important point is the inviolability of the horizontal segment of the branch from the common riser, on which the gas valve is located. It cannot be removed or shortened. The only exception is apartments located on the top floors of apartment buildings.
Gas services allow them to move the tap to a height of 75 cm from the floor. This does not violate safety requirements and allows you to place a pipe with a tap under the countertop of a kitchen set. For more information on how to properly disguise a gas pipe in the kitchen, read Further.
The choice of material and the way of doing the work
It is allowed to reconnect the gas pipe sections only by welding. Detachable elements are only permissible at the mounting points of pressure regulators, shut-off valves and gas stove connections. This is another argument in favor of attracting professional gas workers.
Another equally convincing argument is the need to turn off the fuel supply throughout the riser of an apartment building. This can only be done by official representatives of the gas service and in agreement with the utilities.
Before starting work, the foreman must ensure good ventilation. It is important that the air comes directly from the street. If there is not enough draft from the window openings in the kitchen, you can open the windows in other rooms.
The law also imposes strict requirements on the choice of material. Flexible hoses are only allowed for connecting the gas line and kitchen equipment. Their length cannot exceed 300 cm.
As flexible hoses rubber hoses, metal braided rubber hoses, as well as bellows hoses can protrude. All other sections of the gas pipeline must be made of metal. This should also be taken into account when shortening the pipe.
The main stages of work
Since cutting the gas pipe in the apartment is possible only when the entire riser is turned off, it is necessary to agree with the utilities not only the date, but also the exact time of the work.
Housing and communal services employees will notify residents in advance, and upon completion they will personally warn about the resumption of gas supply. The foreman, who arrives at the appointed hour, will once again check the owner's documents, turn off the gas, provide effective ventilation and get to work.
First of all, gas workers blow through the gas pipeline to free it from explosive fuel. The residual gas fraction should not exceed 1% of the total volume of the air mixture
Further work is performed in the following sequence:
- According to a scheme approved by a specialized service, the master will cut off the extra pipe segment.
- Install a dummy into the resulting hole.
- If necessary, it will weld by attaching the rotary elements.
- Install shut-off valves by sealing the FUM connection with a tape with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.25 mm.
- Check the integrity of the gas pipeline.
- Will draw up an act of completed work, which must be signed by the owner of the home.
The integrity of the joints is checked by applying a soap solution. If bubbles appear, the technician must re-iterate the compound that was in doubt and check again.
It is not recommended to check the quality of the work performed with a match or a lighter. And it's not just about safety: a low gas concentration immediately after connection will not give the expected effect. Therefore, the best way is soap solution.
After confirming the integrity, the representative of the gas service must issue an act on the provision of services and give recommendations for processing pipes with a paint composition.
Since the main task of painting is to protect the metal from moisture and rust, gas workers usually recommend vapor-proof compounds. The owner can choose the shade in accordance with the main palette of the interior.
Choosing a trimming tool
For cutting gas pipes, hacksaws and pipe cutters are often used. Less often, a grinder is used. Quite often, gas service workers use electric or gas welding. According to experts, each tool has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Let's take a closer look at them:
- hacksaw for metal. Allows you to make a neat cut without soot and other traces of processing. A significant drawback is labor intensity, duration of work;
- pipe cutter. Its use ensures the perpendicularity of the cut, obtaining a flat end and the absence of metal sawdust. Minus - the volume of the tool, which often exceeds the distance between the wall and the pipe;
- Bulgarian. The advantage is high cutting speed. The disadvantage is the formation of sparks, due to which additional protection of surfaces in the work area is required;
- gas welding and electric welding. With proper preparation, including thorough cleaning of metal from paint, dirt and rust, the tool provides a high-quality cut. But it is worth remembering that the method is fire hazardous.
An experienced specialist will determine the expediency of using this or that equipment even at the first examination. The choice of tool depends on the skills of the craftsman, the availability of equipment, the location of the pipes relative to the wall, as well as the material of the walls and floors.
Even the smallest pipe cutter can be useless if the pipe is laid very close to the wall. The only way out in this case is to try to bend it a short distance or use another tool.
In wooden houses, special protection of walls and ceilings is required when using a grinder or gas welding. Flying sparks and high metal temperatures can cause a fire.
Therefore, before work, it is necessary to cover all wooden surfaces with metal sheets.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The initiator of the shortening of the pipe can be the owner of the premises, and the contractor - a specialized organization with a staff of certified specialists with specialized education.
Trimming should be carried out taking into account the restrictions prescribed in SNiP 2.04.08-87, after turning off the fuel supply throughout the riser. Unauthorized manipulation of the gas duct is prohibited.
Please note that in the video, the master uses both a grinder and electric welding. The company focuses on checking the quality of work and issuing accompanying documentation:
If you happened to cut gas pipes in an apartment or participate in this process, we invite you to share your observations. Below is a form in the fields of which you can leave comments, ask questions to specialized specialists or other site visitors.
