Maintenance of gas stoves in apartments: what is included in maintenance, terms and frequency of maintenance

Due to the explosive nature of the fuel used, indoor gas equipment requires special attention.At the slightest malfunction, it becomes a source of serious problems, therefore the maintenance of gas stoves in apartments is regulated by law and is also strictly regulated.

Agree, if you have a hob connected to a gas pipeline, then you should study in advance the frequency and procedure for checking it. Otherwise, an unfamiliar gas technician will come and hang out in your kitchen, and then, in the event of an emergency, you will remain to blame for everything, since you are the owner of the house. Next, we will tell you what should be included in maintenance and how often it is carried out.

Legal side of the issue

Gas appliances in the apartment are the property of the homeowner. It is he who bears full responsibility for the serviceability and proper maintenance of the gas stove. If an explosion occurs, the owner of the home will have to answer for the damage caused.

Previously, gas stoves and water heaters were checked by law once every three years. But since September 2017, the maintenance procedure has been changed due to the increasing frequency of fires and methane explosions in apartment buildings. Nowadays, maintenance and inspection of gas equipment must be carried out at least once a year.

The main document regulating the issue under consideration is Government Decree No. 410 of the Russian Federation “On measures to ensure safety when using and maintaining indoor and indoor gas equipment”

It is legally stipulated that the owner of the house is obliged to enter into a contract with a specialized company contract for regular maintenance. Without this document, the gas supplier can and most likely immediately refuse to supply fuel, cutting off a gas pipeline to the apartment. No one will want to be held responsible for your failure to comply with the laws.

Initially, all aspects of maintenance and inspection of gas stoves were the responsibility of the apartment owner. He himself was obliged to monitor the serviceability of all equipment and, as necessary, call a technician or carry out repairs himself.

However, this approach led to multiple emergency situations, since most homeowners preferred to save money by leaving maintenance of gas-powered indoor appliances for later.

The slightest malfunction in a gas stove or ventilation in the kitchen with it can lead to a burst of gas - as a result, destruction often affects more than one apartment

The gas supplier and the company servicing indoor gas stoves do not have to be the same company. However, most often the maintenance agreement is concluded with the resource supplying organization, so that there is less hassle.

Maintenance of apartment gas stoves

Many people do not like scheduled visits from gas workers. They take place during working hours, which often causes problems. In some cases, the inspection can be rescheduled by agreement, but this is not always possible. Plus, not all service companies make such changes to the established schedule (especially if they are a monopoly in a certain city).

The terms “maintenance” and “inspection” should be distinguished - they check the serviceability and functionality of gas appliances, and maintenance includes minor repairs and cleaning of equipment

It is prohibited to carry out an inspection on your own or by an unauthorized company.The master who came to check the gas stove, based on its results, draws up a corresponding document with a signature and seal. Without this document, gas will not be supplied to the apartment.

On the other side - clean the burners and anti-carbon nozzles so that the flame burns evenly again - you can do it yourself. The main thing is that the stove then turns out to be in good working order and operational.

If there is no experience and/or skills in such work, then it is best to delegate all maintenance operations to an experienced technician. It will cost money, but it will be safer.

When checking gas equipment, gas workers will still identify problem areas and points of intervention in the equipment. And if they have any complaints about the serviceability of the stove, then the gas in the apartment will be immediately turned off by turning off the tap or installing plugs on the pipe.

Difference between VDGO and VKGO

IN Resolution No. 410 There is a clear division of the entire gas supply in an apartment building into intra-house (VDGO) and intra-apartment (VKGO).

The HOA or management company is responsible for the first, and the apartment owner is responsible for the second.

Pipes and appliances to the shut-off valve on the gas pipeline in the apartment are a common part of the house, and the gas stove, hot water heater, meter, etc. already belong to the owner of the property

Two contracts are concluded with gas workers for the maintenance of VDGO and VKGO. In the first case, all interaction with inspectors is taken over by the house management company or HOA. They enter into an agreement with each other regarding the timing of inspections, their frequency and payment.

In the case of indoor equipment, the owner of the apartment comes into play. Only a maintenance agreement can be concluded with him, and only he has the right to allow anyone into his home for inspection or not.

Moreover, if you do not agree to the inspection and do not allow gas workers to access the hob, you may be left without gas. And here it doesn’t matter whether there are debts for it or everything has been paid in advance.

Frequency of regular checks

The laws stipulate that, according to a previously concluded agreement, gas workers in an apartment are required to check the gas stove at least once a year. But they can come more often.

There are unscheduled inspections (when gas explosions occur), equipment replacements, other events and simply emergency calls. However, the owner of the house must pay only for one scheduled visit and those inspections that are initiated at his personal request.

Scheduled inspections are not a panacea for all possible problems with gas; they only allow gas workers to enter each apartment at least once a year to inspect the equipment located there.

If the apartment has a gas stove, then the following will come regularly for inspections:

1. Gas workers - annually and for a fee.
2. Employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations or others authorized to monitor ventilation - quarterly, free of charge.

All mandatory inspections in apartments are aimed at increasing the safety of using household gas appliances. The minimum frequency of inspection of gas stoves is strictly established at the level of all-Russian legislation.

Therefore, the owner of a home in an apartment building is obliged to enter into a maintenance agreement and allow inspectors to visit him at least once a year.

Inspection order and procedure

It’s hard to argue with the need for VKGO maintenance. Most Russians themselves are aware of their security responsibilities. And for the rest there are laws and strict requirements.

All that remains is to figure out what is included in the routine maintenance and inspection of a gas stove, because the correct inspection is primarily the concern of the apartment owner, for whom the absence of gas problems is most important.

The technician who comes with the inspection must provide an identification document with a photograph, carry out an inspection, identify faults and draw up a report on the suitability of the hob for further use.

When inspected as part of the annual maintenance, the gas technician checks:

1. Completely check all VKGO for integrity and compliance with state standards.
2. The presence of draft in the ventilation duct and the condition of the chimney (if any).
3. Availability crane and plates for emergency manipulations to shut off gas.
4. The integrity of gas pipeline pipes and casings where they pass through walls.
5. Tightness of threaded connections and serviceability of shut-off valves.
6. Condition and integrity flexible bends.
7. Gas pressure in the supply to the stove.
8. Automatic ignition is working properly.
9. The performance of each burner, the smooth operation of the valves and the correct adjustment of the flame.
10. Serviceability of thermocouple and emergency gas shut-off valve.
11. No mechanical damage to the hob grill.
12. Reliability of fixing the oven door when closed.

The owner of the house and family members are also instructed to ensure safe correct operation of gas appliances.

If during the inspection defects are found that cannot be corrected immediately during maintenance, the stove is disconnected from gas until repaired by a technician or replaced

All deficiencies identified during maintenance and recommendations for the consumer on how to eliminate them are indicated in a report drawn up in triplicate.

One remains with the master, the second is given to the owner, and the third is sent to the gas supplier. And if there are problems, the apartment’s gas supply will be disconnected immediately until the problems are eliminated.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The video will discuss the mandatory maintenance of indoor gas equipment:

What the master must do during maintenance:

What we have to pay for during inspections and how we can save:

It is strictly prohibited to operate a faulty hot water heater or hob on gas. However, not all problems in them can be determined by an inexperienced person on their own. Therefore, it is highly not recommended to interfere with routine checks of the gas stove in your apartment. This is not so much a matter of compliance with laws as of personal safety.

If you have positive or negative experience with gas workers or an interesting story related to the operation (repair) of gas equipment, write comments in the block below. We are also ready to help you understand all aspects of inspection and maintenance of household gas appliances.