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GAS CONNECTION
SERVICES
SAFETY
PARTNERS
GAS CONNECTION
SERVICES
SAFETY
PARTNERS

Operation and Maintenance of Internal Installations

Quick Instructions

With the aim of ensuring the proper and safe operation of the indoor gas installation, the following is a synopsis of issues related to the operation and maintenance of gas installations.

We would like to remind you that maintenance is mandatory according to the current regulatory framework for Indoor Installations:

  • Technical Regulation for Internal Natural Gas Installations with an operating pressure of up to 500mbar (Government Gazette B’ 976/28.03.2012)
  • Regulation of internal natural gas installations with operating pressure up to 1 bar (Government Gazette B’ 963/15.07.2003)
  • Regulation of internal natural gas installations with an operating pressure of more than 50 mbar and a maximum operating pressure of up to 16 bar (Government Gazette B’ 236/26.03.1997)

Considering the above, you are advised to arrange for the maintenance of your installations by licensed technicians according to the frequency defined by the legislation and technical regulations.

At the same time, the maintenance of the network of pipelines and gas equipment should be carried out and the proper operation of the control instruments, flue and ventilation openings should be checked, as well as regular checks on compliance with safety conditions.

It is noted that for the License to be valid, there must be absolutely no change in the Internal Installation and related areas. Also, the necessary maintenance of appliances and pipelines must be carried out by licensed technical service professionals and the relevant issued forms must be available – flue gas control sheet (according to Government Gazette 2654/09-11-2011 “Regulation of issues related to the operation of stationary combustion boilers for heating buildings and water”) and four-year re-inspection certificate, respectively. In addition, for installations constructed and activated until April 2012, the transitional provisions as described in Chapter 14 of the new Regulation (Government Gazette B’ 976/28.03.2012) must be respected.

Please consider and apply the indicative – and not restrictive – instructions that we provide and ensure that the necessary preventive actions are taken in accordance with the legislation in force, by contacting licensed technical service professionals. In this way, you will ensure the proper and safe operation of the installation, minimizing the risk of damage or potential defects, while ensuring energy savings and improving the efficiency of the gas appliances.

Detailed Instructions

01. Introduction

We would like to remind you that maintenance is mandatory according to the current regulatory framework for internal installations. It should be noted that, apart from simple actions to deal with minor problems (e.g. manual resetting of the electro valve in case of power failure where it is installed) or actions in case of detection of a gas leak, in all other cases, only licensed technical professionals are responsible, exclusively, for the repair and maintenance of internal gas installations, according to the Decree 112/17.10.2012, and for operation, regulation and maintenance of gas appliances, according to the Decree 112/17.10.2012, according to the Decree 112/17.10.2012.

We would like to point out that in order for the License to be valid, on the part of the User, no changes whatsoever must have been made to the Internal Installation and related premises, on the part of the User, the necessary maintenance of appliances and pipelines must be carried out and the relevant issued forms must be available – recent flue gas inspection sheet and four-year gas pipe leakage re-inspection certificate where required.

When changing the use of premises or modifications, the potential impact on existing installations should be checked by a qualified Gas Supervisor and the Gas Distribution Company should be informed.

The Gas Distribution Company is exclusively responsible for issues relating to gas supply (i.e. up to the gas meter).

A typical internal installation includes all the necessary instruments or devices for the proper and safe operation of the installation and meets the requirements of the Technical Regulation “Internal gas installations with operating pressure up to 0.5 bar” (Government Gazette 976/B/28.03.12) or Technical Regulation “Internal gas installations with operating pressure up to 1 bar” (Government Gazette 963/B/15.07.03) or the “Regulation for internal gas installations with operating pressure above 50 mbar and maximum operating pressure up to 16 bar (Government Gazette 236/B/26.03.97).

At the network entrance, after the Meter, the Central Blocking Device – CAB (cut-off valve) is installed. The gas supply pipeline is connected to the devices by an adequate device consisting of a valve, possibly a filter (to retain dust particles) and an anti-vibration coupling.

Gas devices should be equipped with all the necessary automation and safety devices in accordance with European Standards and Regulation (EU) 2016/426 on appliances burning fossil fuels.

After the completion of the construction works, the necessary checks and tests (strength and tightness) shall be carried out in accordance with the Technical Regulation.

The consumer is responsible for the proper condition and maintenance of the internal gas installation, the smooth operation of the gas devices and must entrust licensed technicians with the maintenance and immediate repair of faults, defects, and deficiencies. The licensed installer-plumber, the licensed burner maintenance engineer and the supervising engineer must train the consumer in the operation of the installation based on the Operation and Maintenance Program and what is stated in the Technical Report.

Enaon EDA has no authority, responsibility, or obligation to inspect and assumes no liability as to the plumbing inside or outside the building.

AIR OPENINGS

All spaces through which piping and gas equipment is installed shall be adequately ventilated according to the type, capacity of the equipment and type of piping in accordance with the provisions of the Technical Regulation, as a prerequisite for good operation and maximum safety of installations. Any interference with the ventilation openings that may lead to a reduction in the quantity of air in the installation area of the gas appliances is prohibited.

FLUE EXPOSURE SYSTEM

The products of combustion of natural gas shall be discharged to the external environment. This shall be done by means of flues or other devices (depending on the type of appliance) in accordance with the applicable legislation. It is important to regularly check the condition and effectiveness of the flue gas extraction system to ensure that it is not obstructed by nests or other objects, that it maintains its structural integrity and that it maintains its tightness, particularly in relation to the interior of buildings. Worn chimney flues must be replaced, uncovered flues must be covered with a hat. In this way we achieve correct and economical operation of the boiler and a longer service life of the installation.

In case of gas odor:

  • Close the Main Shut-Off Device (MSD) located next to the Gas Distribution Company meter (Enaon EDA) and the shut-off valves of all devices.
  • Open the doors and windows of the area where the leak is located to create a flow of air.
  • Do not, under any circumstances, use any flame, nor any accessories or actions that can cause a spark.
  • Do not use electrical switches and sockets in the area where the gas smell is.
  • Notify, from outside, the competent Enaon EDA emergency response service and your licensed installer.
  • Network repairs, in the event of a gas leak, are carried out only by specialized workshops.

Internal natural gas installations (pipelines, equipment, devices, flues, chimneys) must be inspected and maintained by the competent persons designated by the Technical Regulation and in accordance with the frequency specified by applicable legislation.

Also, every four (4) years, a network tightness test and the issuance of a re-inspection certificate are required. In industrial/large commercial facilities with a supply pressure above 1 bar, the re-inspection certificate is issued annually.

In the areas where natural gas devices are installed, the fire protection measures and means provided by the applicable provisions of the Fire Department for the specific use of the building or part of it will be taken. In each installation area, the required fire extinguishers shall be installed or supplemented in the vicinity of natural gas appliances.
This information for each type of gas appliance installed can be found in the relevant instruction leaflets.

In cases where a detection system connected to an electro valve is installed in the internal gas installation the following applies:

When the natural gas content in the controlled space exceeds the preset limit, the gas detector is activated visually and audibly. The detector in turn gives a command to close the natural gas supply through a solenoid valve connected to the network. The audio-visual alarm remains even after the natural gas leak has stopped. To reactivate the detection, after the leak has been repaired, press the “reset” button. The green light indicates that the detector is ready to operate. If the solenoid valve is manual, the user must activate it manually.

When the gas content in the controlled space exceeds the predetermined limit, the gas detector is activated visually and audibly. The detector in turn commands the gas supply to be shut off by means of an electro valve connected to the network. The audio-visual alarm remains after the gas leakage is shut off. To reactivate the detection, after the leakage has been repaired, press the “reset” button. The green light indicates that the detector is ready to operate. If the electro valve is manual the user has to activate it manually.
In cases where a flue gas extraction system is installed, the gas can only enter the installation site when the flue gas extraction system is in operation. This is ensured by interlocking the extraction funnel with an electro valve. For this reason, the correct operation of the automation system must be checked regularly to prevent devices from being supplied without the flue gas extraction system being in operation.
  • KEEP THE INSTALLATION AREA CLEAR OF FLAMMABLE MATERIALS
  • THE BOILER ROOM DOOR MUST ALWAYS REMAIN CLOSED – ENSURE THE FUNCTIONING OF THE TILT MECHANISM
  • VENTILATION OPENINGS MUST ALWAYS BE KEPT OPEN AND THE BLINDS SHOULD ALWAYS REMAIN OPEN AND CLEAN OF GARBAGE
  • DO NOT DISABLE DETECTORS AND OTHER SECURITY SYSTEMS OF THE INSTALLATION
  • REPLACE DAMAGED EXHAUST PIPES AND CHECK FOR LEAKS OR BLOCKAGES
  • THE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION MUST COMPLY WITH THE APPLICABLE LEGISLATION
  • CALL LICENSED TECHNICIANS FOR MAINTENANCE – FOLLOW THEIR ADVICE.
  • FOLLOW THE DEVICE MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS.

General Instructions

Who is responsible for the internal installations?
Internal gas installations and appliances are operated under the responsibility of the consumers using the gas. To ensure that you benefit from their maximum efficiency and safety, delegate service to licensed technicians, keep a file of documents pertaining to your gas use, and keep a well-informed maintenance record.

In your internal installation they are allowed to interfere:

  • the engineer who has undertaken the study for the installation design
  • the licensed gas-fuel licensed plumber who carries out any work related to the gas supply line (e.g. leak detection), from the meter to the devices of installation
  • the representative or appliance installer/maintenance technician who has installed your devices also takes care of their setting and maintenance
Undoubtedly once a year, such as for example do not ignore to carry out regular maintenance for the proper operation of your car. Annual gas device maintenance, burner tuning, boiler cleaning and an overall installation check ensures you save energy, improve efficiency, as well as comfort and safety. According to the legislation (Government Gazette 976/2012), indoor gas installations must be re-inspected for tightness by licensed plumbing installers every four years.

Do not attempt to do this in any case!

Any intervention in your internal installation or devices requires specialised technical knowledge. Therefore, only contact licensed and qualified plumbers, boiler technicians and engineers. However, what you would be well advised to do frequently and carefully on your own is to inspect for proper ventilation and exhaust venting from the flues, as well as proper detector operation.

The procedure is very simple: Near the detector, hold a simple gas lighter on (no flame) and wait for a while. The alarm will be activated automatically if the detector is working properly and if there is an electromagnetic detector in the installation, will be switched off.

Many gas appliance sales companies or plumbers/burner technicians offer you a regular maintenance contract. This simple process relieves you of the obligation to remember every time you need to schedule appliance maintenance and an inspection of your installation. The experts take care of this, and you don’t have the slightest stress about your safety.