Public utilities include gas supply. If the consumer complies with the terms of the contract with the supplier, the gas must be supplied without any interruptions. Meanwhile, in practice, there are cases of sudden suspension of supply. Let us further consider in what cases gas shutdown is possible.
Common causes
Gas is supplied today not only to apartment buildings, but also to private houses. Gas shutdown can be made at:
- The absence of an agreement in the text of which emergency maintenance is provided.
- Independent connection of the consumer or unauthorized installation of devices.
- Fault detection in communications.
- Eviction of citizens from home.
- An emergency (e.g. gas leak).
Consumer abuse
The suspension of gas supply is often caused by illegal actions of the consumer. As a rule, a gas shutdown occurs :
- For non-payment . Gas supply interruption is allowed if payment from the subscriber has not been received for 2 consecutive months or on the date of disconnection, the amount of the resulting debt is greater than the amount charged for 2 months.
- For regular violation of the rules enshrined in the contract with the supplier.
- For creating obstacles for representatives of the supplying organization to obtain the information necessary to determine the actual volume of consumption. For example, a citizen does not let gas service workers into the house so that they record the meter readings.
- For the use of equipment that does not meet the requirements of the law, and also does not meet the terms of the contract.
The reasons for the gas shutdown can be established in the agreement between the supplier and the subscriber.
Service Company Alerts
There is such a thing as a " planned shutdown of gas ." In this case, the supplier company is obliged to inform citizens about upcoming events. In a place accessible to subscribers, there is a gas shutdown schedule . As a rule, it is published on the official page of the supplier on the Internet.
In accordance with the current Rules approved by government decree No. 549 of 2008, the supplier company must notify subscribers of the gas shutdown 20 days before the event. The notice is drawn up in the form of an information letter. It indicates the reasons for the temporary shutdown of gas .
If the reason for the suspension of supply is the debt of the consumer, the notification is sent to the citizen 40 days before disconnection. The subscriber will receive repeated notification 20 days before the date of the relevant work. If the consumer does not take any action in this case, the gas will be shut off within three days without additional notice.
Is suspension of supply possible without warning?
Yes it is possible. Gas shutdown without warning, however, is permitted in exceptional cases. These include:
- Accident in the gas distribution network.
- Gas leak.
- Damage to the inside or inside apartment equipment.
- A malfunction of the devices identified during the inspection and posing a threat to the safety of residents.
Of course, in such situations, turning off the gas without notice is quite reasonable.
Supplier Illegal Actions
In practice, there are times when disconnection is in violation of established rules. For example, a gas cutoff is considered illegal if:
- The subscriber did not pay on the receipt, but he has no debt.
- Technical work was carried out in the house, requiring shutdown, gas connection, however, was not made.
- The equipment installed in the residential premises of the subscriber, according to the results of the audit, was found to be inconsistent with the standards, however, the consumer intends to challenge this fact.
- If the time allotted to eliminate the consequences of the accident has expired, and the supplier has not taken the necessary maintenance measures.
- Gas was disconnected throughout the apartment building due to the presence of debt from one subscriber.
- Access to metering devices and equipment was not provided due to the absence of the owner.
- The owner of the dwelling refused to perform the audit twice.
The timing
As established in regulatory enactments, the duration of a shutdown depends on the reasons why it was carried out.
If there is a need for repairs, gas supply may be suspended for a total of 4 hours per month. When disconnected for a longer time, the amount of payment for consumption decreases by 0.15% for each excess hour.
In the event of an emergency, the gas supply can be interrupted for no more than a day. Full resumption of supply is made within two days after the elimination of the consequences of the accident.
In case of disconnection for non-payment, gas supply will begin after the repayment of all debt. The resumption of supply is made in this case within 5 days.
Where should I go in case of a trip?
If the subscriber believes that the gas supply was suspended illegally, he must first contact the service company. A written explanation should be obtained from the customer service department.
After this, you need to contact the administration of the municipality with a statement about the examination. According to its results, a conclusion should be drawn up. The next instance will be the court. The subscriber draws up a statement of claim, attaches to it all available documents, including an expert opinion, explanations of the supplier company, a service contract, a title document for the real estate object, a certificate of the absence of debt to pay for consumption.
How is gas connected after shutdown?
After eliminating the reasons for the suspension of service, the subscriber contacts the provider with a request for reconnection.
If the gas was disconnected due to arrears, the resumption of supply is made, as a rule, after its full repayment. Meanwhile, the supplier and the subscriber may conclude an additional agreement that the debt will be paid in installments. The contract establishes a schedule and size of payments. After that, the supplier resumes service within two days and removes the seals from the equipment that were delivered when the gas was turned off.
How much does supply recovery cost ? The amount is determined based on the costs incurred by the supplier in connection with the suspension of supply. Connection of home appliances is paid separately. Unified tariffs for all regions are not provided. The amount of payment is set directly by the service company.
Gas supplier warnings
Service companies regularly remind subscribers of the rules for using gas equipment. Compliance with the requirements will prevent a gas outage.
Subscribers are recommended to follow these rules:
- Do not repair malfunctions on your own, either in the equipment or in the gas pipeline. In such situations, it is necessary to shut off the gas supply to the devices and call specialists.
- In the premises where the equipment is installed, proper ventilation should be provided.
- Regularly check the draft before switching on and directly during operation of the equipment with the removal of combustion products into the chimney.
- Do not install cookware with a wide bottom on the burners of gas stoves.
- In the event of a sudden cessation of flame burning, it is necessary to immediately close all gas supply taps.
- Working gas equipment should not be left unattended. An exception may be devices designed for continuous operation and equipped with automation.
- Do not allow young children or persons intoxicated to the gas equipment.
- It is forbidden to use devices for other purposes. In particular, one should not heat the room with a gas stove, tie clothesline to the pipes, dry hair or linen over the burner flame.
- After each use of gas, shut off the supply taps.
- It is forbidden to leave flammable objects and materials (rags, paper, etc.) on the stove or at a close distance to it.
- It is forbidden to carry out independent gasification of an apartment or house, as well as the reinstallation and replacement of gas appliances.
- Modifications to the equipment design are not allowed.
- It is forbidden to redevelop the room in which the devices are installed without coordinating the project with the relevant organizations.
- It is not allowed to change the arrangement of ventilation ducts and chimneys, sealing and blocking the hatches intended for cleaning chimneys.
- It is forbidden to disconnect automatic protective systems, use gas in the presence of malfunctions in equipment, automation.
- It is not allowed to use the premises in which gas appliances are located for rest and sleep.
- Do not use open flames to detect leaks.
Conclusion
For the timely detection of malfunctions, gas service employees carry out scheduled inspections. The subscriber needs to ensure unhindered access of specialists to the equipment and the pipeline. It is especially important not to create obstacles for employees of the service company if it is necessary to localize or eliminate the consequences of accidents. In emergency situations, access to specialists should be provided at any time upon presentation of a certificate.
Consumer misconduct can pose a security risk to other residents and their property.