Laying a gas pipeline to a private house: methods, equipment, basic requirements

Designing and laying a gas pipeline is the prerogative of specialized gas services; you cannot do this work yourself. The owner of the gasified section is responsible for collecting the necessary documentation, obtaining permits for gas supply and putting the pipeline into operation.

Agree, for those who are faced with such a task for the first time, it is quite difficult to figure out where to start and where to turn. We suggest to sort everything out in order.

We will tell you which permits and design documents should be prepared, outline the main regulatory requirements, the algorithm of actions for laying and connecting the gas pipeline. In addition, we give tips on choosing a contractor and describe how the commissioning, launch and commissioning of the gas pipeline takes place.

Package of permits

The list of such documents cannot be compiled without reference to a specific structure; its composition depends on many nuances. For example, when gas pipelines have to travel through neighbors, you will have to get permission from their owners.

A specific list can be clarified in the design organization, but in most cases it is required:

1. Copies of the identity cards of all owners.
2. Certificate confirming the ownership of land and buildings located on it.
3. The act of checking the premises in which the installation is planned. Inspection is carried out by a representative of the Home Gas Equipment Service (SVDGO).
4. A gasification permit confirming the technical feasibility of carrying out these actions. The document is drawn up by the Architectural and Design Department and certified by its head.
5. Gasification Specifications houses that Gorgaz issues.

The listed documents must be accompanied by a data sheet from the Bureau of Technical Inventory along with a scaled map of the site with all the buildings that are planned to be gasified. You will also need a certified in the gas service, a diagram of all communications and the planned gas pipeline.

Variant of graphic application for gasification of a residential building, which will need to be included in the package of permits

The prepared package is provided to employees of the selected design organization. On its basis, a gasification project is being developed taking into account all the features of the site and the buildings located on it.

What affects the preparation of the project

If there are no special skills, self-design is undesirable and hardly feasible. In the process project work many factors that are known only to specialists should be considered.

Among them are:

• groundwater depth, soil specifics, landscape and climatic features;
• the depth at which the central track runs;
• the distance from the pipeline to the building, taking into account the depth of the branch;
• SNiP requirements for equipment and connection points.

In addition to those listed in the project, they necessarily show the way of laying the trunk, gas pipe diameter, a necessary set of devices and accessories, materials used, features of joints and internal wiring.

Methods for arranging a gas pipeline

The main criterion for classification is considered working gas pressure. According to this characteristic, for household needs, low-pressure systems are of interest, where the maximum does not exceed 5 kPa.

Classification of gas piping systems

An important parameter is how to lay an individual gas pipeline from the main network transporting blue fuel to a private house / cottage.

He can be:

• underground;
• ground;
• underwater.

The latter option is relevant for the main gas pipeline, which meets lakes, rivers or seas on its way. For a private house, use the first 2 methods.

Depending on the location of the gas network, it can be external or internal. In practice, often there is a need for a combination of several laying options, since the tracing conditions from the main line can vary greatly.

Regardless of the method of supplying gas to a private house, such systems operate with a low pressure not exceeding 5 kPa

For example, a branch from the central highway, passing over the road, will be above ground. Then it goes deeper into the ground and is brought to the structure in the underground version.

Underground laying method

The most time-consuming and costly option, which requires preliminary preparation of the trench for removal from the main highway. In this case, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the plan, which precisely determines at what depth the gas pipeline should be laid. Usually it is from 1.5-2 m.

The laying of communications can be significantly affected by such factors:

• groundwater;
• seismic activity;
• the abundance of corrosive elements in the soil;
• the presence of obstacles and pavement.

It is simpler and cheaper, in terms of the total costs of gasification, to use horizontal drilling. Estimated costs are reduced by 3 times.

In addition, the technology allows you to:

• reduce laying time;
• bypass the road surface and existing communications;
• minimize damage to the ecology of the site.

With a special device, a pilot well is drilled, which is then increased to the design dimensions. The walls are fixed with a solution, after fixing which a gas pipeline is pulled.

For gas supply, overhead or underground bends from the trunk can be used, which are combined with internal or external wiring

If there is a risk of electrical or mechanical damage, the pipes are protected with a steel case. This increases the cost, but makes the withdrawal more reliable and durable.

Overhead gas pipeline

This option of gasification involves laying on special supports. It is much cheaper, it allows you to save up to 60% of money in comparison with the previous method.

A significant drawback is the need to protect against a number of factors:

• deforming influences;
• mechanical loads;
• corrosive damage;
• temperature differences.

The disadvantages include the probability of an arbitrary tie-in to the trunk, which requires regular inspection of it on the integrity of the structure and the absence of violations.

To prevent arbitrary tapping into the above-ground system, the creation of a security zone that impedes access to the highway is required

Such a threat is reduced to zero when the pipes are laid on the territory of their own site, access to which by outsiders is as limited as possible.

External and internal network

The internal type of installation is carried out in a specially adapted room. In this case, it is necessary to provide access to the wiring, which cannot be hidden in the walls, covered with any overlays.

Regardless of the external or internal installation on the wall of the building, the equipment should be available for maintenance

The opposite connection option involves laying pipes on special brackets that are securely fixed to the entrance.

The basic requirement is maximum protection against outsiders.

In a fenced area with a cornice, external installation can be performed without a protective box

Protection against unauthorized access and natural influences is provided by a box with a door that closes with a key. It is usually installed when installing a gas meter outside the building.

Which option is better to use?

Each of the gas pipeline laying methods has its own list of advantages and disadvantages. But when designing a gas pipeline, they are taken into account or ignored on the basis of the conditions of a particular section where tracing will be performed.

It will be difficult to carry out an underground tap from the highway through the neighbor’s site due to the abundance of excavation

For example, an elevated version will be preferred when the following conditions are true:

• the soil is saturated with corrosive elements that can destroy the metal during use;
• the branch passes through the territory of the neighboring section;
• the main pipe is separated from the site by the road surface.

If tracing is carried out under high-voltage lines, it is recommended to choose an underground option that will provide protection against high voltage.

Gas lines made of polymers

For above-ground gasification options, it is recommended to use pipes from low alloy steel alloys that are resistant to external influences.

Features of plastic structures

Underground installation allows the use of polypropylene pipes, which saves on installation costs and provides a number of other advantages.

The advantages are primarily due to the properties of the material:

• high corrosion resistance, which positively affects not only the cost of installation, but also reduces operating costs;
• ease of processing - the material is well cut, amenable to welding, which simplifies installation;
• perfectly flat inner cavity provides good throughput properties; material features allow avoiding their reduction during use;
• lack of sensitivity to electric currentsthat provides high security, eliminates the need for additional protection.

In addition to these advantages, such pipes have a high level of flexibility, which allows them to be used for horizontal drilling.

Polypropylene pipes gradually displace metal counterparts due to high reliability and durability

To this should be added a small mass, which is several times lower than the steel counterpart. An important advantage is a service life of around 50 years. All this time, the system works without losing the specified characteristics.

Pipe restrictions

Despite the high resistance to external influences, such pipes can not always be used. There are a number of restrictions under which their installation is not allowed.

These include:

• climatic conditions under which the temperature drops below 45 ° C, which leads to freezing of the soil and walls of the branch;
• the use of liquefied hydrocarbon options;
• high seismic activity with a magnitude of more than 7 points, when there is no possibility for ultrasonic monitoring of the integrity of suture joints.

In addition, polypropylene materials cannot be used to create overhead communications of all kinds, including bypass sections through barriers of a natural or man-made nature.

Highways and bends from them passing over the road or other obstacles should be made only of metal

Their laying through tunnels, collectors, channels is excluded. For entering the system into the house and wiring on it apply only steel counterparts.

Additional recommendations for choosing pipes for laying a gas pipeline are given in the article - Gas pipes: a comparative overview of all types of gas pipes + how to choose the best option

General gasification requirements

Gas heating refers to communications with a high level of potential danger. For this reason, there is a whole range of requirements that must be observed regardless of the material used and the chosen method of laying the system.

The basic rules include the following:

1. The possibility of constant and free access to all connecting elements of the gas pipeline system, such nodes cannot be walled into the walls.
2. Lack of contact with flammable elements of the building, which include door frames, window frames, partitions made of combustible materials, and other similar structures.
3. Wiring without bevels inside and outside the house. Strictly vertical laying is mandatory, and with the horizontal version, a slope of 2 to 5 mm with a distance of a meter to the instrument devices is allowed.
4. Placement of the riser outside the inhabited premises. In the absence of a suitable interior, it can be let out on the facade, the allowable slope cannot exceed 2 mm.

When designing the installation, it is recommended that you pay particular attention to the installation of cranes. In any case, their center line should be parallel to the wall.

When installing the equipment, be sure to check the correct location of the gas taps relative to the wall

Without observing these and other requirements of SNiPs, the gas pipeline will not be accepted for operation. The additional cost of eliminating such violations is the smallest of troubles. Commissioning with such deficiencies can have more serious consequences.

When the gasification project is ready

A prerequisite for the transition from the design phase to the construction and installation work is the coordination of the project with the technical department of the gas service. Usually this procedure is performed within 2 weeks.

Contractor selection and contract conclusion

After approval, the following must be attached to the project:

• estimate for the performance of work provided for by the project;
• technical supervision agreement;
• Act on inspection of smoke ventilation channels, drawn up and signed by a representative of the VDPO service.

When the entire list of necessary documents is on hand, you can proceed to the arrangement. As a rule, any design organization has a license for construction and installation works.If such a license is not available, you will have to worry about finding a contractor.

Since it is the installation organization that will be responsible for the construction and commissioning of the gas pipeline, it is desirable:

• check the license for gasification;
• see other permits;
• Ensure that employees have appropriate approvals.

Before concluding the contract, it is necessary to agree and approve the installation dates, which should be fixed in the contract.

When carrying out installation, fire extinguishing equipment intended for Class C fires (gas burning) must be at hand

In the agreement for the performance of work, among other obligations, the following conditions must be fixed:

• the employees of the organization working at the facility have a protective screen protecting the walls from heating and all necessary fire extinguishing means;
• the issuance of executive technical documents to the customer immediately after settlement of the work provided for in the project;
• the contractor’s obligation to complete installation on time, in accordance with established standards and the necessary level of quality;
• the contractor’s duty to compile all the envisaged technical documentation in a timely manner.

The contractor must provide the customer with the specified documents, after installation, before visiting the commission for acceptance and commissioning of the facility.

Gas pipeline commissioning

The delivery of the finished gas pipeline is carried out in the presence of a commission, which includes representatives of the contractor, gas service and the customer himself. During the acceptance process, it is necessary to check the availability of all equipment provided by the project, the correctness of its installation and connection.

The commission accepts work from 2 weeks to a month. If no shortcomings have been identified, the representative of the gas service issues a receipt for payment, which the customer pays, and transfers a copy of the document to the contractor.

After acceptance of the finished gas pipeline, the system meter is sealed in the presence of the customer

The contractor transfers to the gas service all the technical documentation, where it is stored for the entire period of operation. Based on the results of the commission’s work, the gas service must seal the meter within 3 weeks, after which the system is considered ready for gas supply.

The agreement with Gorgaz regulates the maintenance of the system, for which this service will be responsible. It is the basis for the supply of gas.

In addition to concluding a contract, you will need to undergo safety training. It is carried out at the office of the company or at the place of residence by a specialist with the appropriate admission. In any case, after the briefing, the customer must confirm the briefing with a signature in the accounting journal.

System startup and setup

The insert is carried out by the appropriate service, the procedure is paid, it is carried out in a predetermined time when all the equipment has passed the acceptance and is recognized as functional.

Insertion into the main pipe under pressure must be carried out by specialists using appropriate equipment.

After this is carried out test runChecking instrumentation and meter for leaks.

The final equipment debugging and start-up is carried out by the equipment supplier organization with which there is a service agreement:

• the system starts up;
• it is tuned to the optimal mode of operation;
• a company representative must explain all the nuances of the equipment, the rules for its operation.

In cases where malfunctions and other malfunctions are noticed, the launch is suspended until they are eliminated.

If everything is in order and the launch is successful, a bilateral act is signed confirming the completion of the work.

Read about the rates for connecting gas to a private house and the financial costs of putting the system into operation in this article.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video about the collection of documents, requirements, equipment and its maintenance:

The video will tell you about the necessary documents, indicative prices, equipment purchase, connection problems and the main stages of the process:

Using natural gas for heating is one of the most economical ways. All gasification costs pay off relatively quickly. The only drawback is the increased danger. But proper installation, timely maintenance and operation without any violations minimize all risks.

Have something to supplement, or have questions about the gasification of a private house? You can leave comments on the publication, participate in discussions and share your own experience in laying the gas pipeline. The contact form is located in the lower block.