Safe boiler and gas equipment

The majority of boiler incidents occur at the beginning of the heating season or during thaws, when control over the condition of heating systems installed in cottages, residential buildings, as well as small rural shops, pharmacies, and other premises weakens.

At the same time, the thermometer reading can drop significantly below zero at night, which can lead to partial freezing of pipelines and expansion tanks. They freeze most often in attic spaces if they are not insulated or poorly insulated. Water stops circulating, which sharply increases the pressure in the boiler and can lead to an explosion. A large volume of steam released into the room where the boiler is installed increases the overall pressure in the room, resulting in the destruction of the building's load-bearing structures. People sustain injuries of varying severity and steam burns.

To prevent boiler explosions, it is recommended to:

Ø Ensure that the shut-off valves on the supply and return pipelines to the boiler are open, as well as all shut-off devices installed on the heating system.

Ø Drain the condensate from the lower pocket of the chimney for boilers operating with natural draft.

Ø Inspect the chimney outlets and ensure they are not frozen or blocked. If chimney and ventilation duct malfunctions are detected, the use of this equipment is prohibited.

Ø Before starting the boiler, open the heating system makeup line and the expansion tank filling control line. Water flowing from the control line indicates that the heating system has not frozen. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the pressure on the gauge installed on the boiler does not increase.

Ø If water does not flow from the expansion tank filling control line, and the pressure on the boiler, as indicated by the pressure gauge installed on it, increases and reaches the pressure of the water supply network, this indicates that the heating system has frozen. In this case, it is strictly forbidden to ignite the boiler. It is necessary to identify the location of the heating system freeze (usually at the connection point of the expansion tank to the heating system), thaw it, and only then, when water flows from the control line (with the filling line open), can the boiler be gradually ignited. At the same time, you must constantly monitor the pressure on the boiler using the pressure gauge installed on it. If the pressure on the boiler begins to approach the maximum permissible pressure according to the device's specifications, it is necessary to immediately stop firing and remove all fuel from the boiler.

When thawing boilers in attic spaces, do not use open flames, as this can lead to a fire. Thawing can be done with hot water, sand, or special devices for thawing pipes.

Gas appliances:

Remember that the use of domestic gas appliances and apparatus not intended for space heating is not permitted. For example, some citizens use gas stoves with lit burners for space heating. Stoves are not designed for this purpose! Open flames burn out oxygen in the room, making it insufficient for the normal operation of the burners. Due to a lack of oxygen, the gas does not burn completely, resulting in the formation of carbon monoxide. Being in a room where the air contains 0.2% carbon monoxide for 1 hour is harmful to health, and at a concentration of 0.5% carbon monoxide, being in the room for 5 minutes is life-threatening.

It is prohibited to use gas equipment or other heat-generating units and devices if chimneys and ventilation ducts are faulty. Facts of faulty chimneys and unauthorized gas appliances must be reported to gas supply organizations!

In case of fire, call the rescue service by phone 101 or 112.