Preparing for the heating season

hotimsk 9 September 2026 16:42

As is well known, natural gas is not only the most popular, environmentally clean, and economical type of fuel, but also the most explosive, and therefore requires special attention. In the summer, when fuel consumption drops significantly, enterprises and organizations have the opportunity to inspect gas equipment and, if necessary, replace outdated and worn-out units (those that do not meet safety requirements and existing standards) with new ones. Thus, the Khotimsk RGS carried out a comprehensive instrumental inspection of underground gas pipelines, correcting defects found, inspected the supports of above‑ground pipelines and connections to residential buildings for corrosion and tightness, performed a review of equipment and fittings at gas regulator stations, and carried out a number of other measures to prepare gas distribution system facilities and gas consumption for the upcoming heating season.

Practice shows that not everyone takes advantage of the summer period for repair and preventive work. Yet, with the arrival of cold weather, gas consumption rises manyfold, which in turn increases the load on gas equipment.

Today, while the weather is still warm, it is fitting to remind that timely maintenance of gas‑using equipment is the guarantee of its reliable and economical operation throughout its service life.

Maintenance of heating gas equipment is carried out once a year.

The service life of gas‑using equipment is determined by the manufacturer and is reflected in the operating documentation.

Gas consumers are obliged, upon the expiration of the normative service life specified in the operating manual (if the manual does not contain information on service life, then after 20 years of operation), to replace the equipment or carry out maintenance concurrently with a comprehensive assessment of the technical condition of the gas‑using equipment after the service life has expired.

The use of gas‑using equipment is prohibited if it is defective, if maintenance has not been performed on time, if the smoke and ventilation ducts are defective, if there are no inspection reports of the technical condition of the smoke and ventilation ducts in gasified premises issued by a specialized organization, or if there are no entries in the logbook of the results of re‑inspection and cleaning of the smoke and ventilation ducts, even if a certificate of training for performing re‑inspection and cleaning of the smoke and ventilation ducts is available.

Smoke ducts for removing combustion products from gas water heaters and heating gas equipment, as well as ventilation ducts in residential and (or) non‑residential premises, regardless of the material from which they are made, must undergo a primary inspection and cleaning when a gasified facility is put into operation, and must be inspected and cleaned periodically during operation.

Re‑inspection (periodic inspection) of the technical condition of smoke and ventilation ducts is allowed in single‑family, block‑type residential buildings equipped with gas appliances that have sealed combustion chambers and individual coaxial exhausts for gas consumers or users who are family members and/or co‑habitants of the gas consumers, provided that a certificate of training for performing re‑inspection and cleaning of smoke and ventilation ducts is available and the inspection is recorded in the logbook of the results of re‑inspection and cleaning of smoke and ventilation ducts.

In accordance with the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus No. 317 dated 25 June 2026, “On Preparation for Work in the Autumn‑Winter Period 2026/2027”.

To prevent accidents and incidents, the gas‑using equipment must be disconnected from the gas distribution system and gas consumption in the event that it is established that there are no inspection reports of the technical condition of smoke and ventilation ducts in gasified residential and (or) non‑residential premises issued by a specialized organization, or that there are no entries in the logbook of the results of re‑inspection and cleaning of the smoke and ventilation ducts for removing combustion products.

Reminder of the basic safety rules everyone should know.

If you detect a gas odor:

— as far as possible, shut off its supply;

— ensure ventilation of the room (open windows);

— do not use electrical appliances;

— call the emergency service at 104.

Your safety is in your hands!

Khotimsky RGS

Tags: heating season, Khotimsky RGS