What are the penalties for unauthorized connection of a gas water heater, installation, replacement and relocation?

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Due to the low cost of gas fuel, appliances running on it are in great demand among consumers. However, these household devices have a high level of danger, so the supplier company controls the installation and connection of each device. If violations are detected, the owner is issued a fine for the gas water heater or boiler. In some cases, the consumer is disconnected from the gas supply.

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• 1 Rules for placing and connecting a gas water heater
• 2 What can the owner of a gas water heater be fined for? 2.1 Penalty for installing a geyser
• 2.2 Unauthorized replacement of the water heater
• 2.3 Compliance with the rules of operation of the geyser

What is considered an unauthorized connection to a gas pipeline?

Gas equipment and all communications necessary for its use are sources of increased danger. Unauthorized connection to the gas line can lead to a lot of negative consequences, including fires, explosions, etc.

Unauthorized connection to a gas pipeline means:

• inserting a gas pipeline into the apartment to connect a stove, water heater, boiler, etc.;
• spontaneous installation of the slab without obtaining the necessary permission;
• connection of gas-using equipment if Mezhregiongaz or Gorgaz refuses to carry out these works, etc.

The law provides for the procedure for using and dismantling equipment. You cannot carry out these actions independently, which is directly enshrined in the current legislation.

What is considered an illegal connection?

Gas is supplied to residential buildings using a complex system of gas pipelines, gas distribution stations and intra-house gas pipelines. Any attempt to connect gas-consuming equipment to the gas pipeline independently is called an unauthorized connection. Gas equipment includes:

• boiler;
• column;
• kitchen stove;
• hob;
• oven.

In-house gas equipment includes not only appliances, but also gas lines and taps that regulate the supply. That is, if an energy consumer has unauthorizedly installed additional gas pipes, this is also punishable by law. Unaccounted energy consumption is also considered an offence.

Reference. If the equipment was connected correctly, and then the user unauthorizedly removed the metering devices and reconnected them after the meter or deliberately changed their readings (using neodymium magnets, for example), he will be subject to administrative penalties.

According to Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated May 14, 2013 N 410, any manipulations with gas equipment (repair, replacement, shutdown) must be performed exclusively by gas service workers.

Detection methods

It is prohibited to connect gas equipment in an unauthorized manner in a private house, apartment building or directly in an apartment. For the illegal use of gas, liability is provided in the form of a fine or other negative consequences.

Gas services systematically carry out work to suppress and punish subscribers who use natural gas on their site in an unregistered manner . This fact is identified by checking the gas pipes supplying fuel to houses, checking for the insertion of other pipes into it, etc. Checks are also carried out based on complaints from citizens who insist that gas is used illegally by a particular citizen.

What is the correct connection procedure, who should connect the gas stove in the apartment

In order to have the right to use the supplied appliances in the apartment, the operation of which requires gas, it is necessary to carry out actions specified by law, which include:

1. Purchase of necessary equipment that has a certificate of conformity.
2. Involving gas service employees for installation by submitting an application.
3. Waiting for a response to the application.
4. Production of installation.
5. Receive the necessary documents.

Installation and transfer of gas equipment, including floor-standing ones, can also be carried out by third parties. However, it is imperative to inform the state gas service about this in order to legitimize and certify the correct installation of the equipment.

The consequences of illegal installation of gas cylinders for domestic needs in the premises may entail not only administrative, but also criminal liability if serious consequences arise as a result.

The subscriber unauthorizedly connected the gas water heater, which he violated

DECISION In the name of the Russian Federation DD.MM.YYYY <address Judge of the Mikhailovsky District Court <address I.V. Vagin, with secretary T.A. Grashkina, with the participation of the prosecutor - assistant prosecutor <address V.N. Aladyshev, having considered open court hearing, a civil case at the request of the prosecutor <address in the interests of an indefinite circle of persons against Bozhibina <data on coercion to commit actions, established: <address filed a claim in the interests of an indefinite circle of persons against Bozhibina <data on coercion to committing actions - prohibit Bozhibina L.I. operation of gas-consuming equipment - the Neva gas water heater, located at: <address. Oblige Bozhibina L.I. provide access to representatives of a specialized organization to turn off gas consuming equipment - the Neva gas water heater, located at: <address. On the procedure for supplying gas to meet the household needs of citizens.” The main provisions of this legal regulation are:

• regular maintenance of gas equipment (stove, water heater, gas meter, chimney, etc.) by competent specialists (usually employees of the gas supplier) and payment for this service;
• such service is mandatory and residents do not have the right to refuse it at their own discretion;
• installation, dismantling, and transfer of gas equipment is carried out exclusively by competent specialists;
• For non-compliance with the rules of this legal regulation, penalties are provided both on the part of the supplier and on the part of the state in the form of administrative sanctions.

Therefore, the use of gas and gas equipment must be under the constant supervision of competent specialists.

Penalty for unauthorized connection, installation, replacement, incorrect connection:

Connection, installation or replacement of gas equipment occurs with the permission of the Russian gas service. This also happens in situations where such equipment has been disconnected for non-payment.

In the absence of such a permitting act or incorrect installation of equipment, this service may fine the citizen and oblige him to correct all violations committed by him. In addition, there are other liability measures.

The size of the fine varies depending on what kind of violations were committed. Let's take a closer look at some cases.

Penalty for connecting a gas stove yourself

To resolve this issue, it is necessary to refer to the Code of Administrative Offenses, which clearly states that the amount of penalties varies from 10 to 15 thousand rubles.

There is some legal controversy on this issue. This is due to the fact that the Code of Administrative Offenses contains data on illegal connection to the gas network and is not about the installation of any equipment. However, based on the analysis of law enforcement practice, the installation of gas equipment also applies to this situation.

Gas boiler (column)

In this case, the situation is similar to that described above.

A citizen may be subject to fines in the amount of 10 to 15 thousand rubles. Also, authorized services have the right to demand replacement or shutdown of the water heating boiler. This is used in situations where it could lead to an explosion or other negative consequences for the population.

For illegal installation of a fireplace in an apartment building

First of all, it is necessary to determine what kind of fireplace we are talking about. If we mean a fireplace that runs on stove drafts and wood, then only fire safety services can punish for its illegal installation.

The use of electric fireplaces does not entail any negative consequences at all. However, there are also gas fireplaces, the illegal use of which is subject to a fine in the same amounts as indicated above!

For a gas cylinder in the apartment

Of course, it is very difficult to identify the presence of a gas cylinder in an apartment, so there are practically no fines for this offense. However, this does not make this administrative offense any less dangerous.

If this fact is revealed, they may be required to transfer this equipment to an established safe place, pay a fine, etc.

Rules for placing and connecting a gas water heater

According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, the consumer is only allowed to independently install and dismantle the gas water heater according to a plan pre-approved by the gas supply service. It is also accompanied by a diagram of the premises, a certificate of serviceability of the chimney or ventilation, technical documentation of the water heater and an application for permission to install or replace it. The installation plan must be ordered from a company that is licensed for this type of activity.

Read here, is it possible to install a geyser in the bathroom?

Operation of a propane gas water heater

How to connect the air duct of a gas water heater?

Before you start collecting documents, you should decide on the location of the future gas water heater. In order not to receive a fine for installing a gas device, you need to choose a place that will meet all the requirements of SNiP:

…

1. Room area – from 8 m². Usually the choice falls on the hallway or kitchen.
2. Ceiling height is more than 2 m.
3. The presence of two types of working ventilation, for example, natural and supply and exhaust. The first option is a window with an opening window, the second is a hood with a fan, which can be turned on and off if necessary.
4. The door to the room should not close tightly and have a gap at the bottom for air circulation.
5. No flammable materials should be allowed within a radius of 30 cm around the dispenser.

Without agreement with the gas supply company, it is only permitted to replace the existing dispenser with a new one with similar characteristics.

The gas water heater is installed on a wall made of non-combustible materials or on a fire-resistant shield made of metal or asbestos.
After installing the device, they proceed to connecting it to the water supply. Flexible hoses are used for this. The water pressure in the main must exceed 0.1 atm. Note! Connection to the gas pipeline is carried out only by specialists of the supplier company. Therefore, after completing the installation work and connecting the water, you should call a gas specialist to carry out the final stage and formalize the commissioning of the device.

Act on unauthorized gas connection

Officials of gas services have the right to draw up this act. It must have the following elements:

1. Information about the official who compiled it.
2. Information about the offender.
3. Information about connecting to networks bypassing the meter, illegal installation of gas equipment, the extent of natural gas theft, etc.
4. Information about sanctions imposed on citizens.
5. Orders to eliminate violations.
6. Date of document preparation and information on appeal methods.

The citizen faces punishment in any case. However, its specific type depends on the situation in which a particular violation was detected.

A sample act is available. ⇐

Make a connection

There is a standard procedure for legal connection that both individuals and legal entities should follow.

1. First, the required type of gas supply is selected and a professional draft of technical conditions is drawn up. How much does such a service cost? The project and specifications may be different, it depends on the connection object, on those devices that will work on this resource.
2. Then an application is submitted to the gas supply organization for connection; it can be considered within a month. Then the applicant must receive an insertion service or a justified refusal.
3. After connection, a metering device is installed, it is sealed, and a contract for the supply of the resource is concluded.

Suppliers have the opportunity to check fuel consumption on their territory; sooner or later they will be able to detect unauthorized tapping or connection of additional gas appliances.

Representatives of the gas supply company have the right to check metering devices and gas appliances in a house, apartment, or enterprise; during such checks, unauthorized connections are most often discovered.

How do inspectors act when a violation is detected? They must immediately inform their management about the fact of a legal violation and draw up a report indicating the circumstances of the incident.

The owner of the premises is required to sign such a document. The facility is immediately disconnected from the gas pipeline. Then actions are taken to impose a fine and transfer the case to court.

Appealing the act of unauthorized gas connection

Appealing this act is a way to protect your rights. With this, it is possible to change the scope of responsibility, bypass negative consequences, determine the procedure for eliminating violations, etc.

The appeal takes place to a higher gas service. This is the first way to protect your rights. If it does not bring any significant results, then the citizen can send a complaint, for example:

• to Rospotrebnadzor;
• to the prosecutor's office;
• to court.

The court is the final authority in resolving any conflicts, so it should only be approached in cases where all other options have already been tried.

Appeal against additional charges for supplied gas when an unauthorized connection is detected

In a situation where the gas service has identified a violation of the legislation regulating the procedure for connecting to gas, it may charge additional fees for the gas used in an illegal manner.

Additional charges and other increases in the calculation of gas payments can be appealed by a citizen in the manner described above. Based on the analysis of law enforcement practice, we can conclude that the most effective appeal is to write and file a claim in court. It is possible to crash in a manner not provided for by law only in a situation where this action is subsequently legalized.

Criminal liability for unauthorized tapping of a household gas pipeline

In this situation, we are talking about prosecution under Article 158 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. ⇐ Installation of an illegal tee, failure to pay for gas, etc. can be regarded as theft. Theft is punishable not only by fines, but also by imprisonment. The extent of the harm caused by this action is also of particular importance.

If it exceeds five thousand rubles, then the act can be regarded as a crime under criminal law.