Natural gas is one of the cheapest types of fuel for autonomous heating and domestic hot water systems. But you must admit that any equipment using methane from a pipe or propane-butane from a cylinder is a potential hazard. Therefore, everyone is obliged to comply with strict safety rules when using a gas boiler.
There are a huge number of models of such water heaters, but the basic operating standards are the same in all cases. Next, we will describe the requirements of SNiPs, GOSTs and safety regulations, so that it is easier for you to understand the nuances of safe installation and use of gas columns, stoves and fireplaces in your home.
The content of the article:
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Requirements from normative collections
- Air exchange and room for the column
- Combustion products removal
- Cylinders, fittings and pipelines
- Safe operation of the gas boiler
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Requirements from normative collections
All state regulations that relate to household gas equipment are aimed at its safe use and reducing the risks of emergencies. Gas as a fuel for water heaters, heaters and cooking stoves is cheap and affordable. However, if the devices are used improperly on it, it is a very dangerous fuel.
In pipes and cylinders, the gas for the boiler is under pressure. At the slightest depressurization and / or damping of the burner, methane or propane begins to flow into the room with the formation of an explosive gas-air mixture inside.
When it accumulates in a room to dangerous concentrations, natural gas ignites from the slightest spark, exploding with serious consequences for people and premises where the gas appliance is located
It is possible to determine such an abnormal flow of "blue fuel" into the room by the specific smell in the air. Then you should immediately close the gas valve, ventilate the house and call the gas specialists. And no use of matches or lighters, as well as turning on electrical switches, bells, telephones, etc. until complete ventilation.
All gas boilers, heaters and stoves fall into two categories - electricity-dependent and not. The former are more practical, safe and effective. But the latter will work even in the event of a power failure.
Plus, when connecting volatile models, in addition to the general rules, the rules of the PUE should also be taken into account. Without RCD it is prohibited to connect them to the electrical network.
A household wall-mounted gas boiler weighs 30-50 kg. It is allowed to hang such a device only on deaf concrete or brick walls without windows and doors with rigid fixation to them with special fasteners
It is prohibited to hang a wall-mounted version of a gas boiler, a column, on a wall made of plasterboard or other soft material. Proper fastening reliability wall mounted gas equipment in this situation, it is impossible to provide. And any sagging or falling of the device on gas is a burst of pipes and an explosion accident.
In individual and apartment buildings with a height of up to 5 floors, it is allowed to install atmospheric gas boilers with an open combustion chamber. If a building has a higher number of storeys, then gas equipment may be installed in it only on condition that it is equipped with a closed sealed combustion chamber.
Air exchange and room for the column
In order for a gas boiler to work smoothly, it needs a constant flow of new air. Without oxygen, methane, propane and butane will not burn. Gas fuel alone is not enough for the proper and safe operation of the equipment in question.
Ventilation in the room for the gas heater must ensure sufficient air exchange. For a boiler with a capacity of up to 25 kW, there is enough natural air flow through windows, vents and doors. But if the equipment is more powerful, then it will have to build a supply ventilation system forced.
For the complete combustion of natural gas through the burner of a boiler, column, fireplace or stove, about 10 cubic meters of air is required for each cubic meter of methane
The generation of 1 kW of thermal energy in a gas boiler requires about 0.12 m3 natural gas and about 1.2 m3 air. These figures should be taken into account when calculating the required oxygen demand, as well as the fuel itself.
GOSTs for a boiler room or a room with a gas boiler establish the following rules for the operation of equipment:
- At least 3 times air change / hour.
- The inflow of about 10 cubic meters of air for each cubic meter of combusted gas for its complete combustion.
The more powerful the gas equipment, the more air it needs to operate efficiently and with high efficiency.
The room for the gas boiler must be:
- non-residential - boiler room, kitchen, utility room, basement, room in the basement;
- with a ceiling height of 2.2 m and a volume of 8 m3 with a closed combustion chamber (height from 2.3 m and volume from 9 m3 when the camera is open);
- with a window that has an opening sash or window;
- with a natural ventilation system.
At the same time, it is allowed to install and use a gas boiler in the kitchen only if it has a power of less than 60 kW.
Combustion products removal
The boiler flue must not be routed through living quarters. Ideally, the pipe from the speaker should go through the outer wall directly to the outside. But with a low power of the heating device and when using a cooking stove, it is permissible to organize ventilation through an ordinary common house ventilation duct.
The exhaust ventilation duct from the room with the boiler and the chimney from it itself must go out into the street, it is prohibited to take them out to other rooms of the cottage
A gas boiler in a residential building, according to the rules of use and fire safety requirements, is allowed to be operated only if it is factory-made. Homemade products cannot be connected to a gas pipeline and an LPG cylinder.
The chimney from the gas water heater is done:
- made of non-flammable materials that are not subject to active corrosion;
- without constrictions along its entire length;
- with a maximum of three turns;
- with a hatch for cleaning and a tap at the bottom for draining condensate;
- with an outlet above the roof ridge for traction.
For powerful boilers, supply ventilation with additional air injection is usually equipped. But if the device is designed to work with a coaxial smoke exhaust pipe, then it is permissible to refuse the forced inflow. The two-pipe chimney is already designed for sufficient air exchange in both directions - both into and out of the firebox.
Cylinders, fittings and pipelines
Before you start using a newly installed gas boiler, you should check the tightness of all joints of the gas pipeline. To do this, it is enough to moisten the joints with soapy water, and then slightly open the gas. If it seeps into the room, the soap will bubble.
The hoses and pipes for connecting the gas boiler may only be used that are designed for gas operation. It is categorically impossible to use ordinary analogs for a water supply system.
It is important to ensure that gas hoses are not pinched or unnecessarily stretched. Unused cylinders (empty and filled) are prescribed by safety standards to be kept outdoors with a gas appliance. And the used one should be placed so that direct sunlight does not fall on it.
Inside a private house, the rules are allowed to place LPG cylinders with a capacity of up to 50 liters. If a gas tank is installed, then it must be at least 10 m from the cottage.All pipes from it must be in sight, cover them with decor or lay hidden in the selected walls with strobes for finishing forbidden.
Also, the boiler itself cannot be installed in niches or in a hard-to-reach place. It is possible to close it with non-combustible decorative structures, but access to the device, gas valves, meters and elements of the control system must be unimpeded.
Any work near the column, cylinder, gas pipeline or chimney should be done after shutting off the gas. And then it is allowed to turn on the equipment again for heating only after it has been thoroughly checked.
Safe operation of the gas boiler
Methane is lighter than air, and propane (LPG), on the contrary, is heavier. When a leak occurs, the first rises to the ceiling, and the second drops to the floor. In order to exclude a dangerous concentration of gas and to avoid an explosion, it is necessary to provide for natural ventilation in the first case with an exhaust opening at the top, and in the second with a vent at the bottom of the wall.
In winter, when the heating boiler is turned off for a long time, the water from the device and pipes must be drained so that it does not freeze and, when expanding, does not damage the heating system
When cleaning, use only non-aggressive detergents to clean and wash the outside of the column. Also, do not use abrasive powders and coarse brushes.
To avoid problems during the operation of a gas boiler, you should:
- Purchase the device and fittings for it only from a trusted company.
- All equipment should be installed exclusively of factory production.
- To entrust the primary installation and connection of the column to the masters from the gas service serving the house or village.
- Regularly inspect the boiler for corrosion and deterioration, and at least once a year carry out a full technical check.
- Ensure sufficient air exchange (with low air flow or poor exhaust air, the burner in the combustion chamber may go out).
- Avoid placing various foreign objects on the gas appliance.
- Continuously, to avoid overheating of the unit, monitor the level of the coolant and water in the boiler.
- For a volatile boiler, provide an uninterruptible power supply with a capacity of at least 12 hours and a separate line with an RCD.
- Be sure to connect any gas equipment to the ground loop.
Also, in addition to built-in automation, it is recommended to install various security systems that shut off the gas supply when certain problems are detected.
By law, the mandatory installation of methane (propane) leak sensors in rooms with a boiler is not fixed. But by all safety rules, their installation is highly recommended.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Rules for using gas in everyday life:
Requirements for the operation of gas appliances:
On the safety of using gas powered equipment:
Even in the slightest degree, building codes, operating rules and fire safety requirements cannot be neglected when using a gas boiler.
To avoid emergencies, it is necessary to constantly monitor both the technical condition of the column and the tightness of the gas pipeline connections and the absence of blockages in the chimney. Only if all the above recommendations are observed, it will be possible to talk about the safe operation of the gas heating system.
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