Today it is already difficult to imagine a well-established life without the use of gas. Thanks to this natural type of fuel, our homes are warm, hot water flows from taps, and cooking is possible. However, it is gas supply in urban homes that is one of the most dangerous utilities, since even a slight gas leak can lead not only to property damage, but also to numerous human casu alties.
According to statistics, the main cause of accidents is the unsatisfactory condition of gas communications and appliances. Timely and regular maintenance of gas equipment in an apartment building, as well as strict adherence to the rules for its operation, are the two mosteffective way to avoid irreparable consequences.
VDGO professional service - intrusive service or necessary security measures
Any apartment is equipped with one or more types of in-house gas equipment (VDGO), for example, a gas stove, a water heater, a heating boiler. The convenience and availability of "blue fuel" have become familiar to everyone, and many people sometimes forget that it is a source of danger, and therefore requires careful attention. Older people probably still remember how, in Soviet times, gas inspectors regularly visited consumers, checked the serviceability and carried out maintenance of gas equipment in an apartment building. The masters did not take money for this service, since its cost was already included in the gas tariff.
This scheme was used until 2006, after which the cost of maintenance was excluded from the total amount of payment for gas supply. Since then, the installation and maintenance of gas equipment in an apartment building has been carried out at a separate rate and only on the basis of agreements concluded with residents. This innovation was perceived negatively by the majority of consumers, as it looked like an attempt to impose additional paid services on the part of service companies. In this regard, many refused to conclude a contract for the maintenance of gas equipment in an apartment building. The lack of contracts has led to almosta complete cessation of preventive examinations of the VDGO and, as a result, an increase in cases of explosions in residential premises caused by leakage of household gas.
Ensuring the safety of gas consumers at the state level
In connection with the massive refusal of citizens to voluntarily conclude contracts for the maintenance of gas equipment in an apartment building, in 2008 the government adopted Decree No. 549, according to which the existence of a contract became mandatory. In the absence of this document, the gas supplier has the right to suspend its supply by notifying the consumer in advance. Since the supply of "blue fuel" to gas equipment that has not passed official certification is unacceptable, therefore, sanctions can be applied even to consumers who make full and timely payments for the consumed gas. Gas supply can only be restored after a contract for the maintenance of gas equipment in an apartment building will be concluded, and the responsible organization will check its condition. However, you will have to pay to reconnect.
What is a contract
The contract contains requirements for the safe maintenance and operation of the VDGO and VKGO, the duties of a specialized service organization, the list and regulations of work, as well as the cost of the services provided.
In addition, the civil legislation of the Russian Federation requires the mandatory introduction of additionalinformation and conditions, including:
- date of conclusion of the contract;
- name and details of a specialized organization that will service gas equipment in an apartment building;
- customer information;
- address of serviced object;
- complete list of gas equipment;
- terms for payment by homeowners for services provided.
Who should sign the contract
The law imposes obligations to conclude a contract for the maintenance of gas equipment in an apartment building on the following parties:
The initiator of the execution of an agreement with a specialized company for the maintenance of intra-house gas communications and equipment in an apartment building should be an organization managing the common property of residents, a partnership or a cooperative. The common property of the residents is: a facade gas pipeline and a shut-off device, an internal gas pipeline, including risers and part of the gas pipeline communications in apartments located up to the shut-off devices (gas taps)
The owner of the apartment in which gas appliances are located must conclude a contract for the maintenance of intra-apartment civil defense, or he can entrust this to an organization that manages the common property of citizens living in this apartment building. In addition, a group of residents has the right to delegate their authority to sign the contract to one of the neighbors who own the housing.in this house or the managing organization. In this case, a general meeting of all residents of the apartment building must first be held, within which a unanimous decision will be made to grant authority to one or another person
Who is responsible for servicing gas equipment
The rules for servicing gas equipment in apartment buildings clearly define who, how and when should carry out these activities. So, technical, emergency dispatch service and repair of VDGO and VKGO are en titled to be carried out only by specialized companies - gas distribution organizations that have the admission established by the legislation of the Russian Federation to conduct this activity. Requirements for companies servicing gas equipment in an apartment building are determined by the rules approved by the federal service responsible for environmental, technological and nuclear supervision.
Responsibilities of the sponsoring organization
A set of measures involving the maintenance of gas equipment in an apartment building:
- checking the condition of the coloring layer of gas pipes and the quality of their fastenings;
- bypass and visual control of external gas communications;
- examination of the integrity of cases in the external and internal structures of buildings through which gas pipelines pass;
- checking the tightness of fittings and gas pipeline connections using special devices or soap emulsion;
- checking the layout of gas pipelines and installation of gas-using equipment onsubject of regulatory compliance;
- performance testing and lubrication of shut-off valves (taps, valves) installed on gas pipelines;
- replacement of sealing glands (if necessary);
- draft control in ventilation and smoke ducts;
- checking for the necessary air supply for combustion;
- quality control of connections between chimneys and chimneys, etc.
The contract specifies a complete list of work to be performed. Services not included in this list refer to individual repair work performed at the request of the consumer. In case of failure of equipment elements and the need to replace or repair them, the subscriber pays for work and spare parts. The user must also remember that independent changes in the design of gas pipelines and the replacement of any gas-using equipment are strictly prohibited. Only specialists of an accredited organization are en titled to perform these works. Naturally, all these operations are paid. In addition to contractual diagnostic and repair activities, the responsible organization must provide 24/7 emergency dispatch support.
Regulations for maintenance of gas equipment
According to the established requirements, civil defense maintenance activities should be carried out according to the following schedule:
- revision of aboveground and underground gas pipeline routes - once a year;
- examinationgeneral condition of gas pipelines - 1 time in 3 years;
- maintenance of household gas equipment (stoves, water heaters, boilers, columns) - 1 time in 3 years, unless a different schedule is set by the manufacturer of this equipment;
- maintenance of group cylinder installations for liquefied gas, which are part of the VDGO - 1 time in 3 months.
Cost of services under the contract
Prices for services are prescribed in the contract for maintenance of gas equipment, but their total cost is calculated individually for each consumer. When forming the final amount, the technical characteristics and the amount of equipment installed in a particular apartment are taken into account. Prices may change, so consumers are advised to periodically visit the official website of the responsible gas distribution organization, where they can find the current price in the "Information for subscribers" section.
Procedure of payment for works
The customer pays for the repair and connection of an intra-house or intra-apartment civil defense at the rates established by the performing company, which were in effect on the date of submission of the corresponding application. The money must be transferred no later than the date specified in the service agreement. If the terms of payment are not specified in the contract, payment is due no later than the 10th day of the next month.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, despite all the security measures taken by the state, tragic accidents due to gas explosions still occur. This precious natural energy source "does not forgive" an irresponsible attitude, therefore, each consumer must strictly follow the rules for operating devices, control their working life and not violate the regulations for their maintenance. All these measures will be the key to personal and public safety.
