In the 60s, the Russian Federation adopted requirements for the installation and use of natural gas heating devices. The relevant code of practice restricts the operation of such equipment. As a rule, its installation in the bathroom is not provided. However, sometimes it is still possible to install boilers or water heaters in restrooms. This issue should be thoroughly studied.
From discussions on forums and other information sources, it becomes clear that there are certain restrictions for connecting gas equipment. In this article we will try to find out the details of such official requirements.
What types of heating devices are not suitable for a bathroom?
Types of equipment prohibited for installation in such premises include any gas units: water heaters, boilers, convectors. Therefore, the relevant services will most likely give a negative answer to the question of whether it is possible to install a gas boiler in the bathroom.
Gas boilers
According to government standards and regulations, such devices are not intended for indoor use.
It is not permitted to operate water heating devices powered by gas and equipped with open combustion chambers in rooms with forced ventilation. Although heating devices require good air exchange for proper functioning, the installation of supply fans cannot be combined with such equipment. The combustion process is disrupted, combustion products accumulate and there is a risk of poisoning with harmful substances. It is permitted to install such devices only in certain cases.
Gas water heater in the bathroom
As a rule, gas equipment specialists do not even agree to replace old products with newer ones.
Types of water heating equipment for the bathroom
Today, the range of devices for heating water is very wide and varied. The choice of equipment suitable for household needs depends on how many liters of water per day each family member needs. In addition, when purchasing a water heating device, it is necessary to take into account the following indicators:
- Energy source
- The location where the unit will be installed. For small apartments, it is advisable to choose compact water heating devices.
- Safety.
- Source of energy consumed.
- The amount of gas or electricity consumed.
If a number of problems may arise with the installation of gas-powered units in the bathroom, then the installation of water heating equipment in such parts of the house is permitted. That is why most apartment owners use storage tanks to heat water, which also provide heating for the bathroom.
Currently, the most common water heating devices are:
- Storage units for heating water.
- Instantaneous water heaters.
- Single-circuit and double-circuit boilers.
- Thermostatic mixer-water heater.
Is it possible to install a boiler in a toilet?
You cannot install gas equipment in a toilet without official permits. However, under certain conditions, you can obtain permission to install such units.
Installation of a floor-standing gas boiler
If you are wondering whether it is possible to install a gas boiler in a bathroom or toilet, you need to consider the following requirements:
- Redevelopment of the premises and changes to technical documentation. When the Gas Service does not provide registration of the relevant heating equipment, you can try to change the status of the premises. “Converting” a bathroom into a storage room or change room and submitting an appropriate application to the BTI will immediately help solve the problem. If the technical passport of a house or apartment indicates the appropriate types of premises, there will be no refusal from government agencies. However, the presence of plumbing fixtures may result in a ban on the installation of a heating boiler. If only the toilet has been installed in the room, changing the plan will not cause any difficulties.
- Connecting new gas equipment . Provided that registered heating equipment is mentioned in the design of the premises, there will be no problems with installing a new boiler. It is much easier to replace an old device with a new one if permission for similar devices is already available.
Gas service technicians in some regions of our country may agree to install certain water heating systems in sanitary facilities. These must be special devices with a closed combustion chamber. Before selecting and installing such equipment, you must consult with gas specialists.
Wall-mounted gas boiler
List of necessary actions
If it becomes known that the installation of individual heating is allowed in the house, a long visit to the authorities cannot be avoided:
- First of all, you need to go to the local organization responsible for gas supply and write a statement there regarding the installation of a gas boiler in the apartment. After a certain time, the home owner is given a conclusion regarding permission or prohibition to install the heating unit. Receiving a positive response means that the equipment can be installed.
- Next you will need a project. It should be ordered from a design office that has the right to carry out this type of work. Its address can be obtained from the gas supply company. At this stage, it is advisable to select a boiler model and meter. Design documentation must be drawn up for them, and the data must be indicated in the specification. The fact is that changes after approval can only be made later, and for a fee. If the project is signed, nothing can be changed in it; you need to order a new one.
- The fire inspection authorities should find out the address and name of the organization that checks the condition of ventilation ducts and agree with its specialists about the service. A company representative will come and check the quality of ventilation. If everything is in order, permission will be issued to install a gas boiler in the apartment. In case of unsatisfactory condition of the chimney, a report is drawn up with a list of work that should be performed. After eliminating the deficiencies, you need to re-invite a specialist in order to ultimately obtain permission.
- At the next stage, an application to refuse heating is submitted to the heating network. If you plan to heat the water yourself, you should also refuse hot water supply. It is advisable to immediately clarify the timing of the shutdown measures. You should already have a remodeling project approved by Gorgaz on hand.
- Data regarding the purchased meter and boiler are reported to the design organization. Then the completed documentation is collected. It is not worth purchasing equipment in advance, since permission to install a gas boiler in an apartment building cannot always be obtained.
- Then, at the Gorgaz branch, a contract for servicing the unit is concluded, and the gasification project is submitted for approval.
- After receiving the signed project, you can begin to disconnect from the heating network. In this case, you will need to drain the water from the heating system of the entire house.
- Next, the apartment owner must install an individual heating system. The boiler is installed without connecting to the gas main, the system is checked for leaks and readiness for operation.
- Gorgaz is finding out the date when a gas boiler can be installed in an apartment building in a specific apartment. Its employees will connect pipes and equipment according to the project, seal the meter, and put the stove and unit into operation.
- In order for the guarantee for a gas boiler to be valid, adjustment and first start-up will be required, followed by a mark in the passport. Regarding this type of work, you should contact the department where the device was delivered for service. The technician will adjust the boiler, start the system and put a stamp in the passport. Now you can use the installed equipment.
The entire process described above, in compliance with the requirements for installing a gas boiler in an apartment building, will take from 1.5 to 2.5 months. Therefore, it is advisable to start the procedure in spring or at the very beginning of summer.
How to understand the documentation
The situation with permission to carry out installation is somewhat complicated by confusion in the official documentation. The fact is that the adopted Codes of Norms and Rules do not provide a clear explanation of whether gas boilers are allowed in bathrooms. Many employees of the state gas service refer to regulation 2.04.08 –87. It says about the ban on connecting gas boilers in bathrooms.
However, according to the resolution of the State Construction Committee of the Russian Federation dated December 23, 2002, the above documents and norms are considered invalid.
The new requirements (document 42-01-2002) do not contain clear instructions or a strict ban on the installation of gas equipment. As a result, misunderstandings arise. Some employees of the Gas Service simply refuse to install heating gas structures, without delving into the intricacies of the adopted documents and standards.
The process of installing and connecting a gas boiler
Without paperwork and collecting a large number of various permits, you can only install a new gas boiler or water heater in place of old appliances in the bathroom. In this case, if a place for such equipment is already provided, and, therefore, there is also permission, the employee will agree to make the connection.
Types of equipment
Electric storage heater
To make a bathroom with a gas water heater comfortable, you need to choose and install the device correctly. There are not many types of equipment:
- A storage water heater is a boiler in a bathroom, made like a boiler. It has a capacious tank, inside of which heating elements are located. When the boiling water is consumed, the tank is again filled with water from the water supply system; the heating is monitored automatically, preventing the water from overheating and boiling over. Machines of this type are floor-mounted and wall-mounted;
- instantaneous gas boiler in the bathroom - a design with a heat exchanger that heats water using a gas water heater in a matter of minutes. Reliability, economy, simplicity - these are the main advantages of this type of product. The automatic ignition system guarantees complete combustion of gas vapors (98%), which is necessary to prevent any troubles.
Gas heater for bathroom
When buying a device, it is important to consider the power. The boiler in the bathroom can be:
- low-power (9-11 kW);
- medium-power (17-20 kW);
- extra powerful (23-25 kW and above).
Modern devices allow you to regulate the heating. The adjustment knobs are located on the column panel; in addition, there is a display where all values are indicated. The recommended temperature is no more than 60 degrees. As heating increases, the process of salt deposition accelerates, which can lead to rapid structural failure.
Some nuances of installing flow-through gas heaters in the toilet and bathroom
For owners of private cottages, there is another way to obtain official permission to install a boiler or gas heater in the bathroom. First, official documentation is drawn up when developing the project.
Install gas equipment in the part of the home where it is permitted. Then plumbing fixtures, such as a bathtub, are installed next to the fixture and a plasterboard partition is built around it. Such an improvised redevelopment, of course, cannot be called ideal. Subsequently, if the owner wants to sell the house, a number of problems may arise. Specialists from the Bureau of Technical Inventory will be able to conduct an examination only after dismantling the walls.
Officially, installation of a gas boiler is provided only for technical premises - storage rooms, change houses. If such rooms meet the requirements adopted for them, the installation of gas-fired water heaters is permitted.
Appearance of a floor-standing gas boiler
High levels of humidity in the bathroom and temperature fluctuations often lead to breakdowns of gas heating appliances. Before deciding to install it, it is worth considering all the advantages and disadvantages and assessing the financial feasibility of installing such equipment. Obtaining official permission from the relevant authorities is not easy; this can be done by applying some legal tricks.
Installation Requirements
What are the requirements for the installation of such equipment?
The most important thing is to install the boiler in a room that does not belong to the “residential” category. Is it possible to place a heating device in kitchens and bathrooms? It all depends on whether it will be possible to organize the removal of combustion products outside the house
If the chimney does not interfere with anything, and fire safety rules are observed, then it can be installed.
The boiler room must be equipped with a supply and exhaust ventilation system. In this case, the outflow of air should be carried out through openings under the ceiling, and the inflow through openings located no higher than 30 centimeters above the floor level.
Typically, for small houses, gas heating boilers with a power of up to 30 kW are used. Therefore, rooms with a volume of 7.5 cubic meters are suitable for them. If such a boiler is installed in a kitchen or bathroom, then the volume of this room should not be less than 21 cubic meters.
How to install a boiler in a bathroom
The ability to install a gas boiler in a bathroom depends on:
- There are windows here.
- Boiler options - with an open or closed combustion chamber.
If you decide to install a unit with a closed combustion chamber, then a window is not needed. After all, such a device works with the help of a chimney, through which the oxygen necessary to maintain combustion penetrates into the boiler.
If you use the first option, then you cannot do without a window in the bathroom. And if there is none, then you will have to cut it out, whether you like it or not. Otherwise, you will not receive permission to connect the boiler to the gas pipe.
And the last thing is electrical wiring. All modern household boilers are equipped with electronic and automatic elements. And they need a reliable and safe wire. Since the bathroom is a damp room, all requirements for wire insulation must be met 100%. And let a master electrician do this.
How to install a boiler in the kitchen
This room is optimal for placing a gas boiler because:
Firstly, it meets all standards and requirements. Secondly, it always has a window, and sometimes even several
Moreover, it is equipped with a window, which is important for ventilation. Thirdly, the kitchen usually has ventilation. Fourthly, kitchen walls are often lined with non-combustible materials. But even if there are none, it is enough to finish the boiler installation site in accordance with fire safety rules.
Installation of a floor-standing boiler
Boilers and automation Ivar
The heating equipment market offers two types of gas-fired boilers. Their distinguishing feature is the installation method. Hence there are two types - floor and wall.
The easiest installation method is the floor option. It does not require complex structures. It is enough to make a small podium from concrete mortar or metal sheet. The main thing is the strength of the base and its non-flammability. The only thing that is required is more space, since floor-standing gas boilers are quite large in size.
Experts advise using a separate room for the floor-standing unit. At the same time, the main space will not be cluttered. In addition, you can make a full-fledged boiler room, where all the components of the heating system will be located.
How is such equipment installed? First, the boiler itself is installed. Then the chimney is connected. Next, the heating system is piped. And lastly, connect it all to the water and gas pipes.
Installation of a wall-mounted boiler
Gas boiler installation
In this case, the reliability and safety of installation will depend on the strength of the fastening units fixed to the wall. The small size and weight of the wall-mounted analogue made it very popular among owners of private houses and cottages.
As with the floor option, safety precautions must be observed here. If the house is wooden, then it is recommended to cover the wall on which the boiler will be hung with a metal sheet.
By the way, this type is very often installed in kitchens, where it harmonizes perfectly with furniture and different designs. In addition, the bulk of wall-mounted gas boilers are a complete small boiler room, where there is everything - automation, shut-off valves, a circulation pump and other components.
Installation of gas stoves in bathrooms
According to the documentation on working with heating systems, in the section on residential multi-storey buildings there are no clear prohibitions on the installation of this type of equipment.
Thus, a gas water heater in the bathroom is a completely suitable way to heat water.
Geyser on the wall in the bathroom
However, according to accepted state requirements, it is necessary to take into account many nuances when choosing a gas unit and when installing such a design. It is necessary to take into account the specific layout of the bathroom.
Certain provisions of the Code of Norms and Rules dated January 31, 2003 provide for the installation of gas equipment with a closed chamber type in multi-apartment buildings in the absence of such buildings being connected to a central or individual heat supply system .
At the same time, heat sources and water heaters using natural fuel are allowed to be connected in some rooms. This is specified in paragraph 7.3.8. SNiP. In addition, the total thermal power of such devices, according to the rules, is no more than one hundred kilowatts.
Gas boiler diagram
It is allowed to install similar devices in kitchen units, the amount of energy converted should not exceed thirty-five kilowatts.
Such gas equipment can only be installed in premises of a certain type. According to official documents, the room must have a light opening. When calculating glazing, certain standards must be met. So, for one cubic meter of room there should be approximately 0.03 square meters of glass. It is also necessary to ensure effective ventilation.
The total volume of the room must be at least 15 m3. These parameters are related to the safety and comfort of using heaters and carrying out work on their installation. The height of the room is at least 220 cm. It is necessary that the passages in the room remain free. Their minimum size should reach seventy centimeters.
Kitchen
The height of the room where the heating unit and cooking stove are installed must be at least 2.5 meters.
The room volume indicators vary within 15 cubic meters + 0.2 cubic meters, which are calculated for each kilowatt of gas boiler power, > 60 kW.
situation in the gas boiler room
requirements for a gas boiler room
The room must have sufficient ventilation. This includes the gas chimney and vents.
The kitchen should have a fairly wide window with a window opening outwards. The glazing area is three hundredths of a square per cubic meter of room volume. For a room occupying a volume of 16 cubic meters. m, windows should be 0.48 sq. meters. That is, in such a room, a window with dimensions of 0.5 m in width and 1 meter in height is acceptable (do not forget about the window opening outward).
A thin metal sheet or foil should be attached to the ceiling above the installed gas stove.
There should be a sufficient gap or additional ventilation at the bottom of the door.
The requirements for a gas boiler room located in the kitchen are not much different from the conditions in other isolated rooms of the house without a stove. Additionally, it should be taken into account that placement in a separate room provides for the separation of the boiler room from adjacent rooms by walls with the required fire resistance limit (not
Additional installation conditions
It must be remembered that placing gas appliances in the basements of apartment buildings is prohibited. When installing, you must follow the following rules from clause 7.3.8:
- Gas units and heat generators are mounted on walls made of non-flammable or low-flammable materials .
- The installation must be carried out so that the gaps between the device and the wall are at least 3 cm .
- The finishing of walls near the heat generator must be made of fireproof materials .
- The facing coating must extend beyond the unit body by no less than 10 cm .
- For floor-standing equipment, additional fire safety measures must be taken. The floor surface where the heat generator is installed should be covered with special non-flammable materials . This area must be arranged so that it extends beyond the body of the gas appliance by at least 10 cm.
The official regulatory document on heating, ventilation devices and air conditioning 41 – 01–2003 in the section on heat supply systems provides rules for the installation and operation of gas appliances, as well as technical conditions for rooms where such equipment is connected.
Gas water heater
In residential multi-storey buildings and various outbuildings, it is necessary to install heat generators with a sealed combustion chamber and automatic safety devices. Such devices stop the flow of gas when the power suddenly goes out, the protection circuits break down, when the burner malfunctions or when the pressure in the coolant decreases significantly. Sometimes an automatic emergency shutdown is necessary when there is poor smoke removal or other equipment malfunctions.
According to existing standards, units whose power does not exceed thirty-five kilowatts are allowed to be installed in the kitchen or hallway.
Gas heating equipment in the kitchen
Appliances with heating output exceeding the specified norm must be installed in separate extensions. The total power of such equipment should not exceed one hundred kilowatts according to the standards.
The supply of oxygen for combustion processes must occur through the air duct. It must be placed on the street side for equipment with a sealed chamber. And for open-type heat generators, air is taken from the very room in which the installation was carried out. These requirements are listed in paragraph 6.2.4 of SNiP.
Provision 6.2.5 of this document states that the chimney must be positioned vertically. In this case, it is not allowed to reduce the cross-section of the smoke exhaust pipe. It cannot be laid in residential premises.
In the room where the heat generator with a sealed combustion chamber is located, it is necessary to equip general exchange ventilation, the calculation of which should be at least 1 exchange per hour.
When installing devices with an open combustion chamber, it is necessary to take into account the air flow for fuel combustion. The ventilation design prevents vacuum, which affects the removal of smoke from the heat generator.
Use of liquefied gas
“Problems” with project documentation are not required in the case of using not natural, but liquefied “ballooned” gas. However, in this case the column must have an appropriate design - burners for natural and liquefied gas have different diameters of injector nozzles. Although such equipment is produced by many manufacturers, it is quite rare on sale and is demanding in terms of gas quality.
In any case, the wall where the speaker is installed must be strong and non-flammable - if it is made of plasterboard, then a “mortgage” for attaching the heater, made of wood or metal, must be mounted in it in advance.
Official rules for installing gas water heaters in the bathroom
In many respects, a bathroom water heater is a prohibited type of water heating equipment. Taking into account the conditions given in the official documentation of utility services, we can conclude that such instantaneous heaters are not intended for connection in the bathrooms of standard apartments.
Modern geysers
State standards require a room of at least 15 m³ in volume for the installation of gas equipment, and standard bathrooms are usually significantly smaller. To install the speaker, it is necessary to ensure good ventilation of the room. The minimum permissible area of a bathroom window according to the established standards should be 0.45 m². However, in most cases, the bathrooms of typical apartments do not have windows facing the street and there is no need to talk about high-quality ventilation of the room.
Therefore, bathrooms are not designed to use gas water heaters. Installation of such equipment is possible only if the premises are redeveloped in accordance with the requirements of the state gas service.
Gas boilers Gas water heater in the bathroom Installation of a floor-standing gas boiler Wall-mounted gas boiler The process of installing and connecting a gas boiler Appearance of a floor-standing gas boiler Gas water heater on the wall in the bathroom Gas water heater Gas heating equipment in the kitchen Modern gas water heaters Gas boiler diagram
Boiler with voltage stabilizer
White geyser
Geyser in the bathroom interior
More options for masking a gas boiler and its communications
Let's consider different situations for placing gas boilers and options for their camouflage:
- When installing a wall-mounted gas boiler in a corner, you can disguise it using a special extension to the cabinet. You will get a frame on which the purchased door is hung.
- Parapet gas boilers are conveniently located in niches that can be closed with a lattice lid.
- Parapet-type units are often hidden in small furniture cabinets.
- Floor units placed in the corner fit well together with communications into a large cabinet.
- In open areas, pipes are hidden in a U-shaped box.
- A lattice door covering the boiler will look beautiful.
Note! The gas shut-off valve must always be accessible. A well-decorated gas boiler will easily fit into the interior and will not disturb the overall style of the room
There are many ready-made elements on sale that can easily and quickly disguise a gas device and its communications.
A well-decorated gas boiler will easily fit into the interior and will not disrupt the overall style of the room. There are many ready-made elements on sale that can be used to quickly and easily disguise a gas device and its communications.
Sanctions for violation of norms
In case of violation of the requirements for the installation of gas-using systems, penalties may be imposed, followed by shutdown of the fuel supply and other unpleasant consequences.
Equipment is checked once a year, so during the next scheduled inspection, gas service employees may issue a fine.
If the mandatory rules of the joint venture regarding gas supply are ignored, the violator faces being disconnected from the main pipeline within 40 days.
In addition, leading boiler manufacturers will remove the warranty on appliance servicing if they deviate from safety standards.
Agreement rules
The Gas Supply project must be approved by the controlling organization. Citizens often go to the local Gorgaz branch.
Approval of a submitted project takes different times, depending on its level of complexity. In total, the regulations provide for the processing of documents within 7-90 days.
Inspectorate employees must receive a number of other documents from the owner:
- technical passport of the selected equipment;
- equipment operating instructions;
- a number of certificates – compliance with technical requirements, sanitary and hygienic or other;
- results of an examination confirming the boiler’s compliance with established rules.
All these documents should already be present in the boxed version of the boiler. Therefore, before purchasing, we recommend checking whether these papers are included in the factory package. If they are unavailable, we recommend looking for another store. If employees of the regulatory authorities issue a refusal, the initiator of the procedure must receive a written list containing the changes necessary to correct the project. If the project is prepared accordingly, it is certified using a wet seal.
Caution and professionalism are a must
Technically, installing a gas water heater is not the most difficult construction operation. However, in no case should we forget that any actions with gas equipment should be carried out only by professionals and only after obtaining all the necessary permits. Permits are not required only when simply replacing an existing gas heater with another similar device - however, this matter should also be trusted to specialists, since gas rarely forgives installation errors.
In addition, for safety reasons, it is strongly recommended to install gas leak detectors in rooms with gas equipment and install water heaters equipped with a gas control system.
