On observance of safety rules using domestic gas cylinders

Recently, the number of cases of explosions in apartment houses increased because of leakage of household gas when using gas cylinders. The consequences of such cases are very tragic such as loss of property, loss of shelter, personal injury, and death. To avoid any possible tragic consequences of using gas cylinders it is important to strictly observe safety rules.

The features of sale of domestic gas in cylinders are governed by the Rules of rendering utility services to owners and users of premises in apartment buildings and houses No. 354, approved by the Government of the Russian Federation on May 6th, 2011. In accordance with the above rules liquefied petroleum gas cylinders which passed the preliminary technical examination and being in good condition shall be subject to sale. With regard to gas cylinders a seller must make pre-sale preparation which includes the inspection of the cylinder, check of its technical condition for leaks and mechanical damage (by external characteristics) , check the availability of  all the necessary information about the product. Information about gas and gas cylinders shall contain data on the brand of gas and its physical and chemical indicators, the technical state of the gas cylinder (cylinder number, empty container weight, date of manufacture and date of the next technical inspection, operation and test pressure, capacity). Such information is shown on the surface of the container or on a plate attached thereto. If a consumer independently transports a gas cylinder, the seller is obliged to introduce to him the rules of safety when transporting the cylinder, as well as the safety rules when replacing an empty cylinder, and make an appropriate note in the log book. When selling a gas cylinder the seller shall hand over to the consumer the text of the rules for the safe use of gas in home.

The features of the use of domestic gas cylinders are regulated in fire safety rules in the Russian Federation, such as PPB 01-03. Thus, in accordance with p. 120 of these rules it is not permitted to store cylinders with flammable gases in individual houses, apartments and living rooms as well as kitchens, escape routes, in basements, and attics, balconies and loggias. Paragraph 121 of the rules determines that gas cylinders (working and spare) for gas supply of gas appliances (including cookers, boilers, gas columns) should usually be located outside of buildings in the annexes (cabinets or under cover that protect the upper part of the cylinder and the regulator) made of non-combustible materials near a deaf partition of the wall at a distance minimum 5 meters from the entrances to the building. Annexes and cabinets for gas cylinders must be locked and be equipped with shutters for ventilation and warning labels “Flammable. Gas”. In accordance with p. 122 of the rules the location and operation of gas-cylinder units , which include more than two cylinders, as well as units to be placed inside a residential building, must be carried out in accordance with applicable safety regulations in the gas sector. At the entrance to individual houses (including cottages), as well as the premises of buildings and structures that use gas cylinders, there shall be located a fire safety warning sign with words “Flammable. Gas cylinders”.

To prevent a gas explosion one must know clearly and strictly observe the following rules:

-to refill gas cylinders only in specialized centers;

- before replacing a cylinder, make sure that the valves of the new and spare cylinders are closed. After replacement, check connections for leaks (using soap solution);

- to avoid replacing a gas cylinder in the presence of sources of fire, operating electrical appliances;

- for connecting the cylinder with a gas stove one must use a marked special flexible rubber hose, minimum a meter long, fixed with security clamps; one must prevent stretching or compression of the hose;

- it is necessary to take measures to protect the cylinder and the gas tube from heat and direct sunlight;

-to store the gas cylinder in ventilated premises in a vertical position;

- it is not allowed to store gas cylinders in garages, apartments, on balconies ;

- children and disabled persons must not be allowed to gas cylinders;

- to close the valve after the cylinder use;

- when leaving the house, one need to close the valve of the cylinder;

- if you smell gas in the room you should cut off the gas supply tap, immediately open doors and windows to ventilate the room, not use an open flame, not turn on electrical appliances, pull the phone cord out of the socket, call gas service workers on phone “04” or fire and rescuers on phone “01”.

If you fulfill these requirements, you can avoid many tragic consequences.