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Published: 30.11.2019
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Although infrequently, news of exploded boilers does appear in emergency reports from time to time. And what is most interesting is that the reason is not always a faulty stove or an unfired cigarette.
It also happens that the heating boiler becomes the culprit. We are accustomed to the fact that all devices with the word "industrial" in the name are used in industrial enterprises, on the territory of factory workshops and large workshops.
In fact, this is not always the case. Companies engaged in the production of heating equipment offer consumers large installations for autonomous heating of an apartment building.
Consequences of a boiler burst
And although they are used in residential buildings, they are still called industrial. The reason lies in the high power, which is quite enough not only for a multi-storey building, but also for a warehouse, a large production line.
But they also tend to fail. The only problem is that the consequences can be sad.
- 1 How does an industrial boiler explode?
- 2 Safety precautions
How is a gas water heater arranged?
The term "gas water heater" is a legacy of the Soviet period. In those days, when the hot water supply was just being established, during the construction of houses, simplified wall-mounted gas boilers were installed in apartments, not equipped with automation and security systems.
Morally, technically and technologically outdated units were inconvenient and dangerous. Modern equipment is fundamentally different from its progenitor. The devices are comfortable, beautiful and absolutely do not pose a threat to the health and property of the owners.
Gas water heaters are manual, with piezo ignition and electronic ignition, equipped with sensitive sensors that interrupt the fuel supply in case of attenuation
Flow-through gas water heaters are a metal structure with a heating system. Pipes are connected to it for the inlet of cold and outlet of hot water, for the heat carrier circulating through the heat exchanger, as well as for gas. The igniter is located at the bottom of the equipment. It functions like a lighter.
The gas valve opens automatically immediately after turning on the water or activating the process of heating the coolant. The main burner is supplied with gas, which ignites from the pilot and generates heat. Water enters the heat exchanger, which is a spiral tube, where it is prepared for supply to the heating circuit or to the hot water supply.
Hot water is supplied to the tap. It heats up within 2-3 seconds after turning on the burner. Its temperature depends on individual settings. A chimney is required to remove combustion products.
Overheating Prevention and Prevention
The measures to prevent and prevent emergencies include the following:
What can lead to an explosion?
A gas water heater, like any gas-powered device, poses a potential hazard to users.
Obsolete technology does not react to overheating, as a result of which the risk of explosion increases. There are no volatile devices in it that stop the operation of the boiler when it matures or when a threatening situation arises.
The main reasons from which there is a threat and the gas column can explode:
- independent connection;
- outdated equipment;
- unauthorized modification of the heater.
After purchasing a flow-through gas water heater, it is necessary to collect permits for installation. After that, it is allowed to independently install the device and bring pipes to it for supplying water. Only GorGaz employees should connect the equipment to the gas main, as well as put it into operation.
The equipment installed in Soviet times is not equipped with an automation and protection system, therefore it does not react to blue fuel leakage and overheating.
The explosion occurs when the gas concentration in the room is 5-15%. If a leak (smell of gas) is detected in the room, it should be ventilated in a volley and immediately call an emergency gang. It is forbidden to turn on the light, "strike" with matches and a lighter
For safety reasons, it is recommended to promptly replace outdated equipment with modern devices.
Could a new generation gas water heater explode?
Despite the presence of protective devices in modern technology, new gas boilers can theoretically also explode:
- In the absence of water, the empty pipe heats up.
- There is no water circulation in the heat exchanger and it boils to a critical temperature.
Today even boilers in the economy segment are equipped with a security system. The burner will not start until water appears in the coolant and begins to circulate.
All models of currently produced wall-mounted boilers are equipped with various types of sensors for operation monitoring and safety systems, including:
- temperature sensor - water heating is turned off when the set value is reached;
- flow sensor - monitors the pressure in the pipes;
- waste product sensor - monitors the presence of draft in the chimney;
- flexible diaphragm - fixes the pressure in the line (at normal pressure, the membrane passes fuel into the burner, if the pressure drops, the membrane returns to its previous position and the gas supply stops);
- ionization sensor - the equipment is turned off if the burner flame goes out;
If you start to smell of gas from the gas water heater, immediately shut off the fuel supply and call the emergency service. Does it smell like burning? Check the chimney of the gas unit, its condition and the presence of draft.
Why are there explosions today?
In recent decades, people have started to live much better. The installation of metal-plastic windows and armored doors with improved insulation, hoods, gas water heaters and other devices for a comfortable existence is taking place on a massive scale.
However, few people realize that such conveniences can lead to tragedy. Often, the media report cases of an explosion of blue fuel in houses where gas water heaters are installed.
The homeowner is responsible for the gas inside the dwelling. Regular preventive inspection of equipment will avoid disaster and save life
In Krasnodar, in 2008, a gas explosion occurred in a private house. The reason is a column malfunction and a leak. When the gas concentration became critical, one of the residents lit a cigarette and an explosion occurred.
In 2013, a wall-mounted water heater exploded in Volgograd. Due to violation of the rules of operation, the wall between the bathroom and the kitchen was destroyed.
In 2020, in Borisov (Belarus), an explosion occurred in an old five-story building, whose apartments were equipped with Soviet speakers. The residents of the house did not notice the leak and did not call the emergency service in time.
The reasons for the disaster when using outdated equipment are clear. It is recommended to replace this technique. If this is not possible, then every weather it is necessary to call gas workers to check its performance and the presence of normal traction. Why do modern gas water heaters explode?
A catastrophe can occur as a result of a gas leak, as well as at the time of ignition, when gas flows simultaneously to the pilot and main burners. The consequences of hermetically sealed windows and doors are aggravated. But this is only possible if the owner of the equipment intervened in the operation of the device.
Once a year, gas equipment must be inspected by a representative of the gas service, with which the homeowner has an agreement for the supply of gas and maintenance of the equipment that consumes it.
During the operation of a gas boiler, care should be taken and adhere to a number of rules:
- when operating the equipment, there must be an inflow of fresh air into the room (the windows should be kept ajar);
- it is forbidden to leave a lit burner unattended;
- if you smell gas: urgently shut off the blue fuel supply, do not use electrical appliances and do not turn on the lights, do not light a fire, ventilate the room and call the emergency service.
The equipment should be kept clean and regularly inspected by a technician for timely detection of malfunctions.
Incorrect installation of a solid fuel boiler
If you decide to install a solid fuel boiler for yourself, it is best to attract real specialists for this business, who have proven themselves positively in this matter. But it so happens that this is impossible: either they do not exist, or they need to pay a lot and have to install the TTK on their own. Since this has happened, and in order to avoid improper installation of a solid fuel boiler, pay attention to the following requirements for the safe installation of a solid fuel boiler:
- The area of the room where the boiler (boiler room) is supposed to be located must be at least 7 m².
- The obligatory presence of inlet ventilation in the boiler room, the cross-section of which is determined at the rate of 85 mm per 1 kW of power of a solid fuel boiler. Ventilation is provided by the presence of a vent in the window and a gap under the door.
- There must be a distance of at least 0.5 m between the boiler drum and the wall.
- Particular attention should be paid to the material used to pave the floor around the boiler. Usually a sheet of metal or other non-combustible material is used for these purposes.
- The requirements for the chimney should be as follows: avoid as much as possible sharp turns of the chimney, the chimney, consisting of several pipes, should be reliably sealed at the joints and the cross-section of the pipes should correspond to the cross-section at the outlet of the boiler.
- The cross-section of the wiring to the circulation pump must comply with fire safety requirements.
Installing a solid fuel boiler
This is what concerns the installation of a solid fuel boiler, however, you need to pay attention to some more nuances that in one way or another affect the safe operation of the TTK:
- care must be taken when loading and unloading the boiler;
- before buying a boiler, set its power correctly, corresponding to the area of the heated room;
- after installing the boiler, check all connections for leaks;
- before starting the boiler, carefully read the rules for using the device.
How to prevent explosion of gas equipment?
To protect your home and prevent emergencies, it is recommended to purchase gas equipment in specialized stores.
All technical devices, including gas water heaters, are certified by the State Standard of Russia. Without this permission, gas appliances are not allowed to be used in everyday life.
In a specialized store, upon purchase, you are required to provide a "certificate of conformity".If the equipment is not of domestic production, it is worth asking if the speaker has been tested and certified in Russia. Look in the data sheet of the wall-mounted gas boiler, find out what security systems it is equipped with.
The purchase of a flow-through gas water heater at specialized points is a guarantee of quality. In addition, you can subsequently contact the center in case of a malfunction of the device and the need to replace it if a factory defect is found.
For the prevention of breakdowns, it is recommended to inspect the device by gas workers annually. You should also study the instructions of the purchased device, which indicates under what conditions the device can work, how to use it correctly. The connection should be trusted only by the masters from the gas service with which the contract has been concluded.
Units and parts must be regularly cleaned from soot and debris. If during ignition there are problems or problems are found (the column pops), call the wizard. Any technique, even potentially dangerous, with proper use and constant monitoring of functionality will not cause trouble and will not lead to sad consequences.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Explosion of a gas boiler as a result of a factory defect:
A gas water heater is a potentially dangerous household appliance. Improper use and disregard of safety rules can lead to an explosion. A disaster can occur due to improper installation, untimely replacement of obsolete equipment, arbitrary replacement of parts and interference with its operation.
In order for the gas water heater to give only comfort, and its use does not lead to a catastrophe, you should purchase equipment only in specialized stores, and also invite a master once a year to inspect the device.
We invite you to take part in the discussion of this topic. If you know how to make the use of a gas water heater as safe as possible, share your experience in the comments. You can also contact specialists who will give you the most detailed answer in the shortest possible time.
