What are the penalties for unauthorized connection of a gas water heater, replacement and relocation?
Are you planning to install or replace gas equipment in your own apartment or house? But improper connection of equipment poses a threat to the life and health of all residents of the building. Agree, it is unwise to endanger your family and neighbors. In addition, such actions are illegal and you may face a large fine or even imprisonment.
To prevent undesirable consequences, in this article we will try to understand in more detail what fines for unauthorized connection of a gas water heater, its dismantling and relocation are provided for by current legislation. We will also find out how an unauthorized connection to a gas pipeline is determined.
The content of the article:
Unauthorized Connection Detection
Gas is supplied to residential premises using a complex system highways, intra-house gas pipelines, multifunctional units GDS. An unauthorized connection is any attempt to connect gas equipment to engineering structures intended for transporting fuel.
There are several types of gas equipment:
- column;
- gas convectors;
- heating boiler;
- kitchen stove;
- oven;
- hob;
- other.
TO intra-house Gas devices also include control valves and lines.Unauthorized installation of pipes and unaccounted consumption of blue fuel.
IN Section 88(1) VIII Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation N 410 dated 05/14/2013 (date of update 01/01/2019) “On measures to ensure safety during use and maintenance intra-house and indoor gas equipment" it is indicated that manipulations with gas equipment, including repairs, shutdown and resumption of gas supply, can only be carried out by authorized organizations.
All devices that consume “blue fuel” are listed in the gas supply agreement. When connecting devices, the subscriber receives one copy of the commissioning certificate. Missing document connection to one of the devices is regarded by the regulatory agency as unauthorized connection.
According to paragraph 3 of section I of the above-mentioned resolution No. 410, employees of the organization with which they work have the right to check the technical serviceability and availability of supporting documents. a maintenance contract has been concluded. The visit of gas service workers can be planned or unscheduled; based on its results, a report is drawn up.
The document contains several required information:
- date of inspection;
- data of both the subscriber and the employees who carried out the verification;
- device status;
- description of identified defects (if any);
- place of compilation.
Specialists are required to report unauthorized connection to their management. The emergency service draws up a report on unauthorized actions. The document must be signed by the subscriber who has violated the law.Otherwise, the organization will not have grounds to bring the case to court.
Responsibility for unauthorized connection
Unauthorized connection of a dispenser and other gas-using equipment, cutting into a gas pipeline, damage to a pipeline or technologically related objects - all these and similar actions are punishable. The violator may face not only a fine with compensation for the damage caused, but also admin. or even criminal liability. More on this below.
Stipulated punishment for the offense
Article 7.19 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation) provides for criminal or administrative liability for unauthorized connection of gas devices.
For unauthorized start-up of gas in a private house or apartment, provided that all utilities are connected, but permission to connect has not been issued, you will have to pay from ten to fifteen thousand rubles. Business entities face between 100 and 200 thousand rubles; the exact amount of sanctions will be determined by the court.
If serious consequences arise as a result of an unauthorized connection, criminal liability may also be applied to the violator, according to st. 158 And 109 Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
Such measures of social coercion are assigned to persons if their actions involve one (or more) of the following facts:
- leak/theft in significant quantities;
- damage or rendering gas pipelines and technologically related facilities unsuitable for operation intra-house objects, structures, devices;
- there was a danger to life or the health of the residents of the house or specialists of the gas organization.
The government authority may impose a prison sentence of up to 24 months. The subscriber must provide permits for household appliances, an agreement with the gas service, and receipts for payment for gas consumption.
An example of calculating additional payment for damage caused
In addition to fines for a proven offense, the consumer also obliged to cover the organization's expensessupplying gas. The amount of damage depends on the period: as a rule, additional payment is calculated from the moment of the last inspection, but no more than six months until the illegal action is completely eliminated.
Let's look at an example:
- During a scheduled inspection on March 1, employees of the gas organization did not detect any violation.
- An unscheduled visit on April 31 revealed the fact of unauthorized connection of equipment.
- The violation was corrected on May 14.
The additional payment will be calculated in 74 days. It is in the interests of the subscriber to correct all shortcomings as quickly as possible, since the elimination is considered from the moment of confirmation by the regulatory authorities.
Subsequent calculations take into account the power of gas-using equipment.
For example, for a Bosch water heater Therm 4000 O WR13 the amount of charges will be as follows:
- According to the technical data sheet of the product, the amount of gas consumed is 2.8 m33/h;
- when the device operates around the clock, the column consumes 4972.8 m33 within 74 settlement days;
- Let's assume that the local tariff for the population is set at 8.33 rubles per m3.
Taking into account all the initial data, the additional payment will be 41,423.42 rubles.
Fines for unauthorized installation of a dispenser
There is a fine line between legal and illegal when it comes to installing gas equipment. It is possible to install the speaker yourself - hanging the device body on the wall and connecting the device to the water supply. Subsequent Only the gas service has the right to connect to the gas main.A.
Installing a water heater in an apartment or private house should begin with choosing a location and preparing documents.
The premises must meet the following requirements specified in the Building Regulations Gas supply SNiP 2.04.08-87:
- ceiling height - at least two meters;
- area – from 8 m²;
- the ventilation system is in good condition - a window with a vent, a door with a gap at the bottom.
There are several general rules for connecting a gas water heater:
- water supply pressure is at least 0.1 Atm;
- the mounting location must be made of non-combustible materials - asbestos sheet or tile can be used as a covering;
- optimal parameters when connecting to a chimney - length from 30 cm, internal diameter less than 12 cm, slope angle - 3 degrees;
- the distance from the stove and other objects is at least 10 cm.
Water supply is carried out using a flexible hose. The hollow tube must be made of flexible material and its length should not exceed 2.5 meters.
The consumer should prepare the following package of documents:
- a report from the fire service confirming the serviceability of the ventilation system and chimney;
- permission from the gas service to carry out installation in accordance with the project;
- the project itself;
- documents for the gas water heater, passport;
- application for repair work on the gas system.
During the initial installation of the column, the subscriber must submit a request for redevelopment to the city administration; upon completion of the work, the project should be submitted to the technical inventory bureau.
We talked more about the standards and requirements for installing a geyser in this material.
Installation of the column is carried out in the following sequence:
- It is necessary to prepare markings on the wall;
- then make holes;
- install fastenings;
- hang the body;
- at this stage you can install water filters;
- cut the tee into the pipe;
- bring the hot and cold pipes to the device;
- Next, you need to make sure there is traction;
- connect the end of the pipe to the pipe, the other to the chimney.
The direct gas connection must be carried out by a representative of the gas service. The average cost of installation is from 2.5 thousand rubles.
Unauthorized replacement and transfer of a column
As we have already found out, various types of punishments are provided only for independent work with gas. Next, we’ll look at what the consumer faces from unauthorized replacement or relocation of the dispenser.
What are the risks of replacing the column yourself?
We have found that the consumer has the right to carry out installation and dismantling of an unattached device independently or to involve third parties.
Clause 10 of Section II Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated May 14, 2019 N 410 established that the replacement intra-house or indoor equipment should be carried out by a specialized organization.
Independent manipulations with the replacement of gas equipment, in particular the water heater, will entail a number of consequences.
Yes, according to Art. 7.19 The Code of Administrative Offenses will impose a fine of ten to fifteen thousand rubles, civil servants will be subject to sanctions in the amount of 30-90 thousand rubles, and penalties of 100 to 200 thousand rubles will be applied to business entities.
A Art. 38 Federal Law N 69-FZ “On Fire Safety” dated December 21, 1994 states that property owners may be held administratively or criminally liable for violating fire safety.
Violation of the rules for using gas at home in terms of independently replacing gas devices leads to liability provided for Article 165 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
For property damage caused, punishment is provided in the form of a fine for unauthorized replacement of a gas water heater of up to eighty thousand rubles or the amount of the basic income of the convicted person with imprisonment for up to 24 months. Other types of influence may also be applied - correctional labor for up to two years, with arrest for up to 12 months.
Consequences of unauthorized column transfer
The process of dismantling and reinstalling a water heater is not complicated. But unauthorized transfer of the gas water heater will considered an offense.
The extent of liability and the amount of penalties depends on the assessment of the unlawful action. Thus, the amount of sanctions for an administrative offense, according to Art. 7.19 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, ranges from ten to fifteen thousand rubles.
But point “b” of part 3 articles 158 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation criminal liability has been established for moving a water heater if illegal actions led to damage to property or death (for example, if the column exploded and there are casualties). In this case, the fine for moving a household geyser can range from one hundred to five hundred thousand rubles. This type of offense is also punishable by arrest for up to six years, or forced labor for up to five years.
Before starting work, the consumer should consider the following:
- unauthorized transfer may serve as grounds for turning off the gas supply;
- installation of the water heater is prohibited on supporting structures;
- transfer is possible only if the distance from the original location does not exceed 1.5 meters;
- To install the device on another wall, you must apply to change the technical documentation.
It is also possible to legalize the transfer of a geyser that has already been completed - just go to court or collect documents, the list of which is given in Article 26 Housing Code of the Russian Federation.
Violation of the rules for operating a gas water heater
During the next inspection, a technical malfunction of the devices may be identified.If the device does not meet the standards for safe operation, the gas organization has the right to suspend the supply of fuel. There are no penalties for this, but all costs associated with disconnection are borne by the subscriber.
Owners of geysers must comply with basic rules for using equipment in terms of controlling normal air exchange and keeping the device clean. The consumer also undertakes not to cover taps, gas pipes and hoses with furniture.
IN article 9.23 The Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation states that for the absence of a maintenance agreement, the subscriber is obliged to pay from 1 to 2 thousand rubles. For refusal to perform regular maintenance and inspection of gas equipment in a residential area, sanctions in the same amount are provided.
At the end of the service life of the column, the company carries out diagnostics of the device, suspending gas supply. As a result of the inspection, an order is issued to replace the device or permission for further operation.
Repeated recording of violations specified in Article 9.23 Code of Administrative Violations of the Russian Federation, entails an increase in the size of sanctions from 2 to 5 thousand rubles. There is no liability for the lack of meters when using geysers.
If you are not satisfied with the terms of your gas contract with the service organization and you are planning to break it, we recommend that you read termination procedure and the pitfalls of this process.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The video explains in detail the dangers of unauthorized installation of a gas water heater:
You can learn how to install a gas water heater without fines from the following story:
Installation, connection and replacement of gas equipment requires a special approach. By following all the rules and regulations, you can create comfortable and safe conditions in your home or apartment. In this case, the water heater will delight you with its serviceability and hot water for a long time.
Do you still have questions about the consequences of unauthorized connection of a household gas water heater? Ask them in the comments block - our experts and other site visitors will try to help you.
If you have useful information on fines for connecting gas equipment yourself and ways to avoid them, please share it with other users. Leave your comments and take part in the discussion of this burning issue.