Home » Heating and water supply » Gas boilers for heating systems » Is it possible to close a gas boiler with a cabinet?
The limited space of most apartments and houses makes adjustments to the installation of gas equipment. To prevent it from spoiling the appearance of the interior, users often start thinking about how to close the gas boiler. However, before you disguise it, it is necessary to take into account the requirements of SNiP in this case. Let's consider various options for hiding a gas boiler without violating the installation rules.
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- 1 General requirements
- 2 How to properly hide a gas boiler in a closet? 2.1 Installation recommendations
- 3.1 How to hide a chimney?
Accommodation requirements
There are very specific requirements from the state for installing a gas boiler in the kitchen. They are described in detail in the following document - SNiP 42-01-2002 “Gas distribution systems”. Let's go over the most important of them - especially those related to the direct placement of the speaker in the room:
- room area - at least 4 m²;
- entrance door - at least 0.8 in width;
- natural light - 0.3 m² of window per 10 m³ of room area;
- ceiling height - from 2.2 m and above;
- a grounding loop and a cold water pipeline must be installed;
- The cross-section of the chimney must correspond to the power of the installed boiler.
In addition, the kitchen walls must be well leveled and plastered. Since boilers come in two types - with an open and a closed burner - let’s make it clear right away: only options of the second type can be placed inside other elements. This is dictated by fire safety considerations.
The design of a kitchen with a gas boiler can and should be modern and meet all current aesthetic needs. And now you will see that this is not nearly as difficult as it seems at first glance.
Basic installation safety rules
It is required to follow many rules and features when installing a gas water heater and water heater. Otherwise, owners may be fined large sums.
It is important to equip the chimney and ventilation system. The efficiency of moving air flows, as well as the timely removal of smoke from the room, depends on this.
It is strictly forbidden to install the unit above a sink, refrigerator, or gas stove.
The ventilation hole must be of such a size that air can easily pass in the required quantities without clogging the main components of the system. If you forget about this requirement, then over time a large amount of toxic substances can lead to emergency situations, as well as poisoning of all residents in the house. The risk of gaseous waste explosion increases. This is especially true at night, when people are physically unable to detect a gas leak in the house.
Access to the gas water heater should be as free as possible. This will ensure quality service and the ability to inspect the device if necessary.
In order for the gas water heater to function normally, it is necessary to arrange a passage to the chimney. It can be connected to a common main line or mounted independently. During installation, it should be taken into account that the number of bends for normal air flow should not exceed the established norm. Otherwise, difficulties arise with transporting air flows to the outlet. The length of the chimney is established by law. Otherwise, a chimney pipe will be required to ensure normal levels of air circulation.
Do not mount the device too low or high.
The installation location of the gas outlet pipe is located in such a way as to provide optimal outlet for the column. For installation, you should use pipes that are made of substances that are resistant to combustion processes. Increased risk of fire. The best option would be pipes that have a low degree of thermal conductivity.
The pipe is usually connected in a vertical position. The length of this section is at least fifty centimeters for normal operation of the installation. In some cases, it is permitted to use corrugated pipelines. There should not be any sagging or unevenness.
It is advisable that the boiler be at eye level or at least within sight.
If it is not possible to install a chimney, you need to take care of another method of removing gases. For example, you can install a powerful hood that has sufficient draft to remove gas outside. It is necessary to arrange the system in accordance with the design documentation.
Many owners of houses and apartments have a natural question whether it is possible to cover the gas water heater with a cabinet. It can be done. At the same time, it is important to follow certain rules for placing the dispenser so that there are no problems with the gas service.
It is better not to decorate the walls near the speaker with wallpaper and plastic panels. The surface on which installation is to be carried out must be covered with non-flammable materials.
The water heater must not be connected to a load-bearing wall. You also cannot install the column using this method. This can be explained by the fact that in the event of an explosion the entire house could collapse. To clarify this issue, you should contact specialists. They will conduct research of the area, which will help determine the method and location of installation of the structure.
It is also necessary to follow certain rules for placing the system. Treatment of the area in the stopping area must be made from materials that are resistant to combustion. This will help prevent the possibility of a fire. The structure cannot be installed on wooden surfaces. This will require pre-processing.
In the room where the heater operates, you should not overdo it with waterproofing and insulation of windows.
To achieve high safety of the geyser, you should not install it above other gas appliances. It is recommended to keep your distance. It is necessary to carefully check the sealing of each channel and install the pipes in accordance with legal regulations.
Boiler in the closet
One of the most common options, in which space is allocated in advance for a mounted column in the kitchen set.
However, the cabinet can be made independently, taking into account the dimensions of the purchased equipment. For easy access, it is hung on the wall and secured with dowels and self-tapping screws.
In this case, it must be slightly larger than the unit itself, so that the walls of the column do not touch the walls of the cabinet.
If it is possible to make the cabinet doors with bars, then do so: this will improve air ventilation.
The downside of all such solutions remains open communications. However, they can also be played out in an interesting way so that the interior remains natural and cozy.
What to do is strictly prohibited
In accordance with current legislation, it is prohibited to independently install gas appliances without prior approval of the relevant project and work. Otherwise, the person will bear criminal liability.
For residents of small apartments, where the kitchen area does not exceed 6 m², an exception is provided: they can hang the column above the sink.
It is not allowed to install such devices in conditions of high humidity. Also, you should not equip it with plastic and synthetic products nearby.
You cannot do forced traction. The law prohibits the installation of gas connection installations on supporting structures. Water hoses must not be used for connection. There are other types of installations for this purpose.
It is imperative to have a high-quality, unclogged ventilation system with natural air flow.
Boiler case
Another popular solution for concealment is a pencil case. Essentially it's just a tall cabinet-column.
This solution also provides a significant decorative advantage: all the pipes are hidden behind the furniture facades, so it is not possible to guess that a water heating column is used in the room.
If you don’t believe me, then try to guess for yourself in the next photo how the owners managed to hide the gas boiler in the kitchen and where in the unit it is located.
How to hang a speaker inside the kitchen
If you need to move the device less than one and a half meters, you can take this step without much thought - it will not require special permits or financial investments.
If the distance exceeds this figure, the action will be regarded as a reinstallation, therefore, it will be necessary to make changes to the existing project and lay gas lines.
You definitely can’t hang the column over a gas stove; it’s best to discuss other options with a specialist first.
When moving an appliance inside the kitchen, you need to carefully consider the rationality of this action and determine its pros and cons. Decide in advance what you need the free space for and whether the speaker will become a hindrance in the new location.
Gas boiler in a niche
This method is best suited if the boiler you purchased is similar in color to the set you are using.
In this case, it is simply inserted into a niche as in a regular hanging cabinet and, due to approximately the same color temperature, merges with its “surroundings”.
By the way, if you have a column with an open burner, then using a niche for installation is the most correct and safest option.
Color masking
If the previous options for hiding the boiler are not suitable, you can use tricks and try to at least disguise the boiler. The design, of course, will suffer, but it will look much more decent.
Under the walls
Just choose a paint to match and camouflage the unit as needed. It is best to use heat-resistant enamels and, of course, paint at a time when the column is not in use.
The opposite option is also possible: when the color of the walls is adjusted to match the boiler itself. Relevant if you haven’t updated them for a long time, but here you can combine business with pleasure.
Under the headset
If you have already installed a kitchen set, but there is no room for a speaker, you can disguise it to match the color of the facades. In this case, the gas boiler will not stand out in the interior, becoming an organic part of your kitchen.
Pasting with film
Remove dust and dirt from the equipment. Glue the film using a dry, clean rag or rubber roller to rub it onto the surface to prevent the formation of bubbles. Excess edges are cut using a utility knife, carefully adjusting the joints to each other.
Important! This operation requires certain skills and experience, so to cover such a large device as a gas boiler, it is better to contact a specialist. Otherwise, the overuse of film will be unpredictable.
Disadvantages of the pasting method:
- it is difficult to find a film that completely matches the design or at least the color of the kitchen set;
- the coating fades and loses its brightness;
- the film is easy to damage;
- Changing the appearance of the equipment may result in loss of warranty service.
The following photo clearly demonstrates the successful change in the exterior of the boiler by sticking an artistic panel of a small area.
The task is often simplified if the visible part of the unit is small in area, and to combine the boiler with the interior it is enough to design only this part. Then it’s easier to choose a pattern or ornament to enhance the aesthetics of the device.
Handmade decor
And this option is for the most creative and resourceful, although there are plenty of opponents to this method - they say, it’s not all very stylish. You can use any motifs you like - the main thing is that they fit into the style of your interior.
Look, for example, at some photos with exactly this design option. Here it was possible not only to hide the gas boiler in the kitchen, but to turn it into an integral part of the interior design of the room. As they say, if you can't get rid of something, then use it properly to your advantage.
Technology and stages of operations performed
Work on moving gas supply pipelines does not take much time and labor resources. Dismantling and installation of one pipe takes one hour of working time for a team of welders and installers consisting of two people. Moving a gas pipe in the kitchen by one worker is strictly prohibited.
Preparatory activities
Owners of an apartment or private house are not recommended to change anything in their gas system, not even flexible hoses. The transfer, extension, and cutting of pipes has the right to be carried out exclusively by a representative of the gas service with the appropriate permit. However, it would be useful for people using gas equipment to know some of the provisions and sequence of actions when carrying out gas pipes.
Most often, a specific moving team consists of two people. Both specialists are trained in all operations, have a certificate for working with gas equipment, and professionally carry out welding and metal cutting. The craftsmen begin work on site within one calendar week after agreeing on the technical documentation for moving pipelines.
At the time of the team’s visit, the points for dismantling, extending, and installing additional gas equipment are already known. Gas water heaters, stoves, ovens, and heating elements are subject to modification. The craftsmen are perfectly familiar with the rules for performing installation operations. According to regulations, it is not recommended to cut off valves blocking the gas supply. They are mandatory components of the gas transportation system.
Preparatory activities before moving the gas pipe
In addition, according to the rules for using gas as a fuel, when moving the points of the pipeline, as well as changing the gas valve, a specialist must install it in such a way that the valve is located in an area of direct access for the user. The valve installed under the countertop requires easy access through a cabinet door with the back wall removed. Sometimes access is through a piece of countertop that opens.
Taking this opportunity, the apartment owner can install a gas control meter. You can also replace any outdated kitchen equipment. The team that is moving the gas pipe to another location should be warned in advance about these operations. When connecting ovens, stoves, speakers, the owner of the apartment is obliged to buy a bellows hose in advance, selected according to the size.
Invited workers purchase metal pipelines themselves. The cost of pipelines is included in the total estimate of services, materials and equipment. The owner needs to clear the kitchen space of furniture and bulky items. This way, specialists will carry out the entire complex of installation on your gas pipeline faster and with better quality. Things that cannot be taken out must be covered with non-flammable dense materials.
Pipeline dismantling
Most likely, when moving, you will need to cut out a section of the old pipeline and extend it onto a new one, only in the opposite direction. In this case, a specialist, using special devices, cuts out unnecessary elements. Here, the qualifications of the worker who has permission to move gas pipes plays a huge role.
Electric welders, gas cutters, mechanics are trained in special courses, where they are certified by professional gas equipment workers. After passing serious exams, they are given a special document. Having dismantled the branch leading from the riser to the device, the master leaves a section of the pipeline. A liquefied gas shut-off valve is installed on it.
This section of horizontal pipe must not be changed or removed under any circumstances! There can only be one situation - an accident with damage to the pipeline. If it is impossible to do without a complete replacement, then it is permitted. Often in practice, residents of the upper floors of apartment buildings ask to cut off a long piece of pipeline.
This element rises from the lowest point of the apartment to the highest point to a height of 1.8 m, then bends at an angle of 180°. It is prohibited to shorten such a pipeline by installing a valve on the remaining piece. But there is a solution for this situation - it is necessary to weld the pipeline and place the valve at a height of 75 cm from the floor under the countertop.
Boiler under the sink
Typically this space is used to store all sorts of things. But you can correct this so-so tradition and close the boiler there.
This method is especially relevant if you have a small-sized kitchen - and you quite reasonably want to wisely use every centimeter of usable space.
Floor standing boilers
According to the requirements of SNiP, the design of a kitchen with a floor-standing gas boiler requires the allocation of a separate room for the water heater. This could be a storage room, limited from the main room by partitions.
Or even any nearby room that would be perfect for serving as a boiler room.
