Installing a geyser in an apartment with your own hands: requirements and technical standards for installation
Instantaneous gas water heaters are a traditional attribute of old housing stock.This type of equipment is little known to owners of apartments in high-rise buildings with centralized hot water supply. However, the owners of Khrushchev buildings still actively exploit it. Not all of them know how to install a gas water heater in an apartment.
Agree, this issue needs a thorough analysis. Illiterate installation of a gas processing unit will result in a serious threat. The information contained in our very useful article will help you eliminate the slightest risks. We will introduce you to all the intricacies and details of the installation process.
The carefully verified and systematized information we present is supported by photo collections and videos. With us you will receive complete answers to all possible questions that arise when connecting gas units.
The content of the article:
- If a gas water heater is not provided
- If the column has already been installed before
- Requirements for a room with gas equipment
- Requirements for ventilation and chimney
- Installation of a chimney in an apartment with wooden walls
- Column layout rules
- Specifics of gas supply installation
- Checking the tightness of gas channels
- Analysis of the most common installation errors
- Responsibility for unauthorized installation
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
If a gas water heater is not provided
In a house where the installation of gas equipment, such as a stove, is permitted, the installation of a water heater may be prohibited. This restriction applies to houses with more than 11 floors. No regulatory authority will issue permission to install a water heater in such an apartment, as this is dangerous for the residents.
In addition to the number of floors, redevelopment may be a reason for refusal.Studio apartments are not suitable for installing gas equipment, since the devices must be installed in non-residential premises.
If the kitchen is combined with a living room, this makes the use of gas appliances illegal. These limitations must be taken into account before redevelopment. The same can be applied to apartments where there is no kitchen or is shared.
If the house does not fall under these restrictions, then it is necessary to collect a package of documents to register the device.
The procedure is as follows:
- Write an application to the gas distribution company.
- Get a plan from the BTI or Rosreestr.
- Provide an extract from Rosreestr confirming ownership.
- Contact a specialized organization to draw up a project.
- Find certified specialists from an organization that has access to gas work.
After this, specialists will make an insert into the gas pipe, connect the device and put the water heater into operation.
It is highly recommended not to do the installation yourself geyser bypassing the legal order. These actions not only lead to fines, but also put people's lives at risk.
If the column has already been installed before
When changing a water heater in case of malfunction, the device passport must also be replaced. If you install a gas water heater yourself, then the passport of the new device will not contain notes on commissioning and inspections.
After receiving the comment, it will be necessary to reconnect the column, inviting certified specialists.
Their responsibilities include inspection ventilation system. In older homes, they may become clogged with debris. It is dangerous to operate clogged ventilation ducts. This can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal. If the decision to install the water heater yourself is made, then first of all you need to check the ventilation.
Requirements for a room with gas equipment
The place where the gas water heater will be installed must have a cubic capacity of more than 7.5 m3. The height in the room should not be lower than 2.0 meters. According to the standards, this height is sufficient for a gas water heater. The room must have glazing.
The window cannot be solid; it must be possible to ventilate in case of leakage. The total glazing area (without frame) is determined by the formula:
C=O*0.03,
Where:
C is the glazing area.
O is the volume of air in the room.
The window must allow air to pass through for emergency ventilation. An ordinary kitchen fully meets these requirements if it is equipped with a door. If there is no door in the kitchen, then it must be installed.
Indoor installation is recommended gas analyzer. It will help detect gas leaks. This device is optional, but helps monitor the operation of gas appliances. It reacts to excess propane in the air, and then warns about it with a signal.
Requirements for ventilation and chimney
To create air circulation in the room, a ventilation hole is necessary. It should not be clogged, air should pass through it calmly. If you neglect this rule, then in the event of a gas leak, the residents of the apartment will receive poisoning with serious consequences.
The risk of household gas detonation will increase significantly if it is not removed naturally, since a leak can occur at night, when a person is not able to detect it.
For the normal functioning of the gas water heater, you need additional install a chimney. It can be brought into the common house system or directly onto the street. When constructing a chimney, it must be taken into account that it cannot have more than two bends at an angle of 90 degrees.
The total length of the chimney should not exceed three meters. Three options for the location of the chimney pipe are allowed.
The pipe must have a vertical section at the point of connection to the water heater. The length of the vertical section must be greater than or equal to 50 cm. The length of the horizontal section of the pipe should not exceed two meters.
It is possible to make a chimney from a flexible corrugated pipe, but it is necessary to prevent its sagging, which can block the removal of combustion products.
If the installation of the column does not involve a chimney, then you cannot limit yourself to a ventilation hole in the wall. It is necessary to install a full-fledged hood, but even in this case, the gas service will have questions about such a carbon monoxide removal system.
Installation of a chimney in an apartment with wooden walls
In wooden houses, the use of a blue fuel water heater is allowed, but fire safety standards for installing a gas water heater must be observed. The chimney cannot come into contact with wood; non-combustible material must be placed between them.
Basalt or mineral wool can be used as thermal insulation. It is allowed to use heat-resistant polyurethane foam.
This is necessary to prevent fire in the event of strong heating of the chimney. As a rule, old wooden houses do not have chimneys, or they are intended for stove heating. It is prohibited to install gas equipment in unsafe houses.
Column layout rules
The water heater cannot be located on a load-bearing wall of the building. This is directly prohibited by the requirements for the installation of geysers. In the event of an explosion, this may result in damage to the building or its partial destruction.
To clarify the possibility of installing the device, you need to take information from the cadastral passport of the apartment and the general plan of the house. This information can be clarified by calling specialists.
There are requirements for the space from the column itself to the opposite wall. The distance should not be less than one meter. This is necessary for free access to the device for its maintenance and inspection. It is also forbidden to install gas supply pipes into the walls.
This makes it difficult to inspect communications and find gas leaks in the apartment. If this violation is detected, an order to eliminate it will be issued and information will be provided on how to correctly install the gas water heater and where to contact.
The column must be located at a distance of more than 10 cm from the wall. It is not allowed to install a gas water heater on a wooden wall without prior preparation. A steel plate must be installed at the installation site, equal to or larger in area than the back wall of the device.
It is not allowed to install a column above a gas stove. These devices must be at least 1 meter apart from each other. Also cannot be used hood for gas stove as a removal of combustion products. You cannot use one chimney for the hood and gas water heater. This is expressly prohibited by safety regulations.
Specifics of gas supply installation
The pipes in the apartment are the property of its owner, but unauthorized changes to the gas supply system cannot be made. For any changes, you must obtain permission from the gas service, otherwise a fine will be issued.
If geyser has already been installed in this place, this will not cause significant changes to the project. It is enough to turn off the gas valve on the pipe and replace it. If you are installing a water heater for the first time, you will need to do some wiring.
When installing pipes yourself, you must follow the following rules:
- Turn off the gas before starting work.
- Carry out work with an open window.
- Remove debris from pipes that may have arisen during installation.
- Do not route pipes through door and window openings.
- Do not use the ventilation shaft for laying pipes.
- Do not install the gas pipeline into the wall.
- Do not use flexible hoses longer than 3 meters.
- Paint metal pipes.
Particular attention should be paid to sealing the connecting elements of the gas pipeline. To do this you need to use a sealant and sealant. After completing the wiring, you can begin installing the device.
Checking the tightness of gas channels
After installing the water heater, you need to check the gas pipes for leaks. If there gas analyzer, this greatly simplifies the procedure and improves the quality of the check. If this device is missing, then you can use the old method.
To do this you will need regular soap, a jar and a brush. The soap is dissolved in the jar to form a liquid emulsion. Next, using a brush, the emulsion is applied sequentially to the pipe joints. As you apply, you need to monitor the appearance of bubbles in the treated areas. If they appear, the leak must be eliminated.
Under no circumstances should you check for gas leaks using fire. This is dangerous and may cause an explosion. There is no point in risking your life and the lives of your neighbors.
Gas equipment requires regular inspection and periodic cleaning. Clean the column you can do it yourself, but if you have absolutely no experience in servicing such systems, it is better to contact a company that has entered into an agreement with you for the supply of gaseous fuel and servicing of the devices involved.
Analysis of the most common installation errors
The most common mistake is installing a geyser in the bathroom. As a rule, this room does not have a window. It is especially dangerous to install speakers without a chimney. There are models of water heaters in which carbon monoxide exits through holes, and it is removed from the room through a ventilation hole in the wall.
The second most common mistake is the desire to hide the device so that it does not visually stand out from the interior. Often a geyser is installed in a cabinet. This leads to disruption of the proper functioning of the gas water heater.
The third mistake that often occurs is a mixed-up connection of the gas pipe in the column. This leads to water entering the gas pipeline. The liquid gets there through the gas column and then moves down through the pipes.This is how water enters the gas equipment of the neighbors below, completely disabling it.
It is impossible to prevent GorGaz workers from performing a shutdown. In case of refusal, the police will be called, as people's lives are at risk.
Responsibility for unauthorized installation
If the insertion into the pipe for connecting the column is made bypassing the metering device, then such an act falls under Art. 7.19 AC RF. For this, administrative liability is provided in the form of penalties.
For individuals, fines range from one and a half to two thousand rubles. This is the least possible measure for those illegally connected to the gas system. How an official connection to a centralized gas main is made is described in detail. in the next article, which we recommend that you familiarize yourself with.
In addition to the administrative code, unauthorized tapping and installation of gas equipment is subject to Federal Law No. 69 “On Fire Safety.” According to the text of the document, the owner of the property bears administrative or criminal liability depending on the severity of the consequences.
If the actions cause property damage to third parties, the owner will be obliged to compensate it in full. In addition, a fine of RUR 80,000 may be imposed for a violation. If significant harm was caused to the health of neighbors, the owner may be taken into custody and imprisoned for up to two years.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Video #1. How to properly connect and seal pipes:
Video #2.What are the dangers of connecting a speaker without complying with fire regulations:
If a decision has been made to install a water heater in an apartment on your own, then it is necessary to carry out the installation in accordance with all the rules. It is strictly forbidden to skimp on materials for installation. This is the case when it is better to play it safe and overpay. Otherwise, the consequences could be tragic. It is better to invite a specialist and make a one-time payment than to constantly pay fines from the gas service.
Have questions about the topic of the article, found any shortcomings, or have valuable information that you want to share with other site visitors? Please write a comment in the block below.
The last video (in the bathroom!) was especially pleasing - the complete opposite of what is written above!
Yes, you are right, the editor missed the mark a little :) The video has been replaced, thank you.
Installing a geyser on your own is a serious step! Safety precautions play an important role here, so it’s worth double-checking all the details during installation. I recently installed a column myself and made several mistakes that could have had very serious consequences. I think that more attention should be paid to safety precautions.
It all depends on the mental abilities of the connector. Under normal conditions, it can be connected and repaired, perfectly with your own hands. No ransomware engineers! Gas is no more dangerous than any other household equipment. Electricity without brains can be much more dangerous.How many people have boiled in their bathrooms because they decided to heat their water with a boiler? Gas rarely fails... it just happens resonantly, but... electricity kills much more every year.....
Wood should be mounted on iron, with an asbestos gasket, at least 3mm thick. The attachment of the protective sheet must be located outside the dimensions of the gas water heater. The iron used is galvanized and can be painted with NON-FLAMBABLE PAINT! Dilute the pigment of the desired color with liquid glass. I used silver. This paint can withstand temperatures up to 800 degrees and... does not burn! It is not worth painting the tree - it may not withstand strong fire. And asbestos sheets without iron cannot be used - harmful dust is formed. Therefore, after installation, the edges of the protection should be treated with liquid glass. Mineral wool, etc., cannot be used in residential premises. It is even more harmful to the lungs due to dust microparticles. Better than asbestos with liquid glass. Good luck to the craftsmen.
Yes, and don’t forget to wash the connections well, to check for quality - is it leaking somewhere? All compounds without exception are washed! If you check your stoves yourself periodically, then you won’t have any troubles! The main thing is accuracy and attentiveness.
Of course, I partially agree with you, but I, for example, am an electrician, although at the same time, as for gas equipment (the same water heater), I trust professionals to connect it. You yourself just described a lot of subtleties that I could not possibly know. Yes, I don’t argue, you can rely on this information, plus what is found in official sources, and connect everything yourself. But here the situation is a little different.
So you write and ask that electricity kills more people than gas, comparing statistics. Yes, more people die from electric shock, including those who, due to lack of knowledge, decided to heat the water in the bathroom with a boiler. Gas may not be so dangerous, but it does not forgive mistakes! And if, through stupidity, only one person is killed by electric shock, then a mistake when installing a gas water heater can cost the lives of the entire entrance!
Good afternoon Why do most of the examples in the photo show columns with a vertical part of the chimney less than 50 cm? Is it still possible?
At what distance should the socket be located from the gas water heater?
Hello. We look at SP 402.1325800.2018 Residential buildings. Rules for designing gas consumption systems:
«The socket for connecting gas-using equipment must be made with a grounding contact and located in an easily accessible place within the reach of the length of the electric cable of the gas-using equipment at a distance of no more than 0.5 m from the equipment itself to be able to quickly disconnect the gas-using equipment from the power supply if necessary.«.
Hello. Please tell me the answers to the following questions:
1. What should be the area of the hole in the door leaf of a bathroom (S room = 4.8 m²) with a gas water heater (without a window), and what regulatory document regulates this requirement?
2. Is it possible to install a tap (that shuts off the gas supply) directly on the gas water heater (also with reference to the regulatory document)?
Thank you.
The article is full of contradictions. One of them: the distance to the slab is 1 m, and in the photo they recommend 10 cm.
Hello. SP 402.1325800.2018 - “The horizontal clear distance from the protruding parts of the heating equipment to the household gas stove must be at least 10 cm«.
Thank you for the article! I wanted to inquire about the chimney. We are thinking of sewing up the pipe (covering it with a “box”) so that it is not visually noticeable. Can this be done? And if so, are there any requirements?
Hello. Here Here Read the chapter “Methods of masking communications.”
Hello. Is it possible to distinguish a ventilation duct from a chimney? those. how to understand which answer. connect the hood?
Hello, is it possible to install a geyser in a separate room, for example, equip it like a boiler room? Without moving the column itself, just surround it with walls.