Is it possible to keep a gas cylinder in an apartment: rules and tips for the safe operation of bottled gas

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Explosions of gas cylinders in high-rise buildings and private houses have one reason - non-observance of the rules of storage and use. All requirements are spelled out and legally approved. Nevertheless, doubts remain: is it possible to keep a gas cylinder in an apartment, how to install it correctly and who should control all this are frequent questions from users.

Let's figure out together how to properly store and use gas cylinders, as well as find out the main mistakes that users make when installing equipment.

The content of the article:

  • What does the law say?
  • Where to buy and refuel?
  • The subtleties of the location of the balloon in the apartment
  • A few expert tips
    • Equipment use rules
    • Cause for concern
  • Storage rules for empty containers
    • Checking gas cylinders
    • Outward signs of faulty equipment
  • Gas Leakage Procedure
  • Conclusions and useful video on the topic

What does the law say?

The last correction of the decree No. 390 "On fire safety" (dated 04/25/2012) is dated March 7, 2019.

The new version states that:

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  • it is prohibited to store containers with combustible gas in houses and apartments, on the territory of staircases and in basements, on balconies and attics;
  • each cylinder must be located in a special annex - a cabinet, locked with a padlock and equipped with a warning sign “Flammable. Gas".

The exception is five-liter containers that are already connected to the stove and are actively used. In this case, the plate must be of factory origin, the operation of home-made / modernized copies is not allowed.

Gas cylinder with burner

Since when using the stove there can be only one source of fuel, it is allowed to have one 5-liter cylinder in the apartment at a time.

Where to buy and refuel?

The container itself can be purchased in hardware stores, on specialized online portals. Municipal gas services will help you to replace or fill it. In the event that the consumer plans to independently deliver gas to his home, the seller is obliged to give comprehensive instructions for transporting, installing and checking the equipment.

We also recommend reading our other article, where we talked in detail about the technical requirements for gas cylinders and the technology for filling them. More details - go to link.

People who have successfully completed the training are given reminders on all stages of handling the equipment and a certificate for unhindered replacement of emptied containers in the future.

Balloon with valve

According to the reviews of ordinary users, models with a valve are more universal, since they are accepted for refueling at almost all points

The main difference between the models available today is the design of the locking device. The valve can be seen on earlier products.

Modern products are equipped with valve. According to the conviction of professional gas workers, the valve is more convenient and safe for use in everyday life. And the valve device is better to give preference to long-term storage.

The subtleties of the location of the balloon in the apartment

The answer to the question whether it is possible to store a gas cylinder in an apartment is unequivocally negative. And placement for connection is possible.

It is important to follow the rules:

  1. The distance between the stove and the fuel container must not be less than 100 cm. An exception is shielded versions, which can be installed at a distance of 50 cm.
  2. From any source of heat, the tank with gas must be separated by a meter or more.
  3. It is imperative to maintain free access to all locking devices - valves and taps.

The above norms also apply to the placement of old, already used equipment. You cannot store it in the apartment. But if for a certain period of time this cannot be avoided, then it is worth remembering the rules.

Distances to the gas cylinder

It is unacceptable for sunlight to enter the cylinder and the connections related to it. This should also be taken into account when choosing an installation site.

It is better if the installation and replacement of the tank is carried out by specialists from a certified gas service.

This will avoid basic mistakes:

  • start of installation without checking the tightness of the tank valve on the street;
  • work in a closed, unventilated room;
  • deviations from the vertical position;
  • using the wrong tool.

The tightness test is carried out in the open air. A soap solution is applied to the outlet of the stem from the valve. Then the transport lock (plug) is removed and the fitting hole is soaped. Bubbles that appear are a good reason to stop using the equipment.

A few expert tips

The installation algorithm is the same for all gas cookers and hobs.

After preparing the tool and components, you must:

  1. Connect the plate inlet and the union. To seal the connection, you can use FUM-tape or special gaskets.
  2. Connect the hose to the fitting. Pay attention to the presence of the O-ring on the inner surface of the nut. And to seal the threaded connection, you can use a sealing tape.
  3. Attach the reducer nut to the valve. Since the plates are equipped with constant pressure nozzles, it is recommended to use a reducer. It normalizes blood pressure, which decreases with consumption.
  4. Attach a rubber hose to the gearbox, secure with a clamp.

Before switching on, a check of the tightness of all connections is required. If at least one of them demonstrates defective tightness, it is unacceptable to use gas. It is necessary to re-install.

For more detailed instructions on connecting a gas cylinder to the stove, read this material.

Equipment use rules

Unfortunately, the rules for using gas cylinders in apartment buildings are based on a sad experience. All of them are designed to warn against a repetition of tragedies that have already happened.

Forbidden:

  • allow the tank to heat up;
  • cover the container with a cloth, any materials that do not allow air to pass through, creating a greenhouse effect;
  • independently repair the valve or threaded connections;
  • eliminate the causes of difficulties when unscrewing the valve without the help of specialists. In this case, calling the gas brigade is recommended;
  • allow children, as well as adults with mental disorders, memory to use the stove without the supervision of capable adults;
  • leave the equipment in the switched on state unattended.

Failure to follow the instructions for use of the equipment can result in serious tragedy, for example gas cylinder explosion. Therefore, before each ignition, the user must make sure that there is no smell of gas. Once smelled, it is easy to distinguish it from other smells. It is advisable to teach to distinguish between the smell of gas and children living in the apartment.

Gas-burner

It is important to make sure that gas comes out of all burner openings. It is easy to determine visually by the amount of bluish streaks.

Then follow the developed algorithm:

  1. Check the hob taps - they must be locked closed.
  2. Unscrew the cylinder valve.
  3. Bring a household lighter or lighted match to the burner.
  4. Bring the tap of the required cooking zone to the open position.

If at the first start-up there is a strong flash, it is necessary to tighten the container with gas and call the emergency team. Intense inflammation is a sign of overfilling the tank. In this case, operation is prohibited.

Since the room where gas appliances are used must be regularly ventilated, it is necessary to ensure that fresh air is available.

And one more rule that will help to avoid unfortunate consequences. At the end of cooking, the first step is to turn off the valve of the container with fuel, and then the taps on the stove. Following this rule precludes leaving the equipment open.

Cause for concern

Often, when cooking, situations arise associated with low-quality fuel or equipment malfunction.

In order to respond to them correctly, it is worth knowing the signs of incorrect work:

  1. Flame red from the burner. The main reason is the lack of oxygen (the fuel does not burn completely), which can be leveled by simple ventilation. Poor fuel quality can also be a source of trouble in this case.
  2. The appearance of soot. A sure sign that the outlet pressure is significantly higher than the allowable rate. The problem is solved by replacing the jets.
  3. Whistle, noise, hum emanating from the stove at the moment of switching on. As a rule, extraneous sounds appear due to a strong blockage of the nozzles. If everything is in order with them, you need to reduce the pressure on the reducer.

If you can cope with simple troubles on your own, then to solve more complex situations it will not be superfluous to turn to professionals.

Red flame

If flames appear orange, red or yellowish, the quality of the fuel may be questioned. Especially if the oxygen supply does not affect the situation in any way

For example, if a neighbor installed a fuel tank in an apartment and ignored safety requirements, this situation should not be hushed up. The use of such equipment is controlled by specialized services of municipalities. However, practice shows that not always the appeal to such services is characterized by their quick response.

Lawyers suggest a more effective way. If a citizen living nearby, in an apartment located in the entrance / house, does not observe safety precautions when handling explosives, and does not heed admonitions, it is worth dialing "112". All calls to this number are recorded. Therefore, the reaction to them turns out to be more dynamic.

Depending on the nature of the violations, specialists will send representatives of the police, fire brigade or gas service to the address. The legality of the installation, the technical condition of the equipment and compliance with the conditions for safe operation will be checked on site.

Storage rules for empty containers

The attitude to an empty container should be exactly the same as to a freshly filled one. Store empty containers tightly closed in a separate room. Consequently, an apartment for storing gas cylinders, even if already used, is not suitable.

The old tank cannot be:

  • open, saw, chop;
  • heat;
  • use for the manufacture of explosive devices, including for peaceful household or construction purposes;
  • independently dispose of the remaining gas;
  • scrapped without proper treatment.

Used equipment should be returned to a designated collection point for inspection or replacement.

Checking gas cylinders

Each container is equipped with a stamp or a metal "passport", which indicates the expiration date, storage and pressure testing. Pressing is a test for suitability. During such a check, specialists unscrew the valve and inspect the inner surface.

Gas cylinder stamp

On the standard propane cylinder label, you will find information about the working and test pressure, volume, initial empty weight and weight to refill. The serial number, dates of manufacture and the next certification are also indicated there.

If the walls are in order, there are no visible damages on them, the tank is filled with water and subjected to pressure testing: a pressure is generated that is one and a half times higher than the operating values.

The container, which remains intact after such an event, is "awarded" with an updated brand and is allowed for further operation.

Outward signs of faulty equipment

Any user can independently determine the unsuitability of a container by external signs:

  • the presence of rust - products are not subject to further operation, more than a third of the surface of which is occupied by corrosion;
  • the presence of traces from the effects of fire - a damaged paint layer;
  • swelling - barrel-shaped specimens with a distorted shape;
  • the presence of dents.

All these signs are the reason for the prompt disposal. Another good reason is the expiration of the storage period, information about which is displayed on the stamp.

Gas Leakage Procedure

If there is a clear smell of gas, it is recommended to tighten the cylinder valve, turn off the stove and open the windows. For intensive ventilation, you can open windows not only in the kitchen, but also in other areas of the apartment. A high concentration of a substance in the air is a reason to seek the help of specialists, to call representatives of the municipal gas service to your house.

Gas service telephone

If you hear the smell of gas, then you should definitely inform the gas service, but you should call the gas company after leaving the gas-polluted apartment

It is forbidden to use lighters and matches, light a cigarette, turn on the stove. Until the leak is repaired, do not use devices that require an electrical connection. Before the arrival of the brigade, all residents of the apartment (including animals) must leave the premises.

To avoid poisoning and the more tragic consequences of a leak, special sensors or gas monitoring kits can be used. Equipped with light and sound alarms, these devices will inform about the problem before the smell is noticeable.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Summing up, it can be argued that it is prohibited to store gas cylinders in an ordinary apartment. It is allowed to use 5-liter tanks connected to a factory-made stove. At the same time, it is important to observe the distances specified in the requirements and always monitor the operation of the equipment.

Using the hob as an example, the procedure for connecting a gas cylinder is shown. Please note - at the end of the work, the tightness of the connections is checked:

You can provide interesting information on the topic, ask a question to specialists, share your experience or participate in the discussion of this material - the communication block is located under the article.

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