President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin proposed to extend the social gasification program to garden associations. However, connecting a house to gas supply, even within the boundaries of a settlement, is not easy. 
Director of the Autonomous Non-Profit Organization “Industrial Safety Training”, Deputy Chairman of the Industrial Safety Committee of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vladimir Kotel’nikov specifically explained for aif.ru whether the gasification of country houses is safe and how to connect any private house to gas.
Gasification is the cheapest and most convenient way to heat a private house. However, besides the costs, connecting to gas supply requires a lot of effort, collecting various certificates and preparing documents. But the inconveniences are justified. “The entire system is aimed at the safe operation of gas equipment,” explains Vladimir Kotel’nikov. “The boilers must comply with the requirements specified in the documentation. Strict parameters for pressure, installation of equipment, ventilation, and more must be maintained.”
Currently, applications for gasification can be submitted for existing houses, bathhouses, garages, as well as for those under construction. However, in any case, documents confirming ownership rights to the property and the land plot will need to be provided. If the structure is burdened with a mortgage, consent from the bank may be required. The house can be urban or suburban, and the presidential initiative will only allow garden associations to be included in the preferential state program for social gasification. However, the list of documents required for connection remains the same. “Only the real estate is being gasified, not the land, so there are specific requirements for the house itself,” explains Kotel’nikov.
In addition to ownership documents, the application will need to include:
– a site plan. This is a diagram of the site with the house and the surrounding area. Normally it remains after the construction of the house, and you can also take a screenshot of the plot on a public cadastral map or even draw it yourself if you have the skills;
– if the house is in joint ownership, written consent from all owners for gasification will be required. This document is written in any form and addressed to the head of the gas distribution organization (GDO) that will be carrying out the gas connection;
– Topographic map of the site. This can be ordered from private companies, and prices vary depending on the distance from the house, usually ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 rubles.
– Project and calculation of the maximum hourly gas consumption (MHGC). If this figure does not exceed 7 cubic meters per hour, this document is not needed. If this point is difficult and the applicant cannot determine the future fuel consumption themselves, they can consult with a gas distribution company or request a paid calculation. For a house with an area of up to 150 square meters, equipped with a gas stove with 4 burners, an oven, and a standard boiler, the MHGC is 3-4 cubic meters per hour.
When the entire set of documents is collected, an application for gasification should be submitted. This can be done through the website of the unified gasification operator of the Russian Federation, through Government Services, or at the Multifunctional Center. If the set meets the requirements, in most cases, technical conditions will be provided within 10 working days – this is an attachment to the connection contract, which is the main document for gasification. It lists all the main parameters – pipe length, power, connection deadlines, and more. After that, the applicant is given 1 month to sign a contract with the gas distribution company.
The final step is to formalize the contract with the GDO, after which you just have to wait for the work specified in the technical conditions to be completed. The waiting times depend on many factors; in simple cases, it can be 1-2 months, but usually 9-10 months and even up to a year. During this time, the applicant must purchase and install the necessary gas equipment – boiler, stove, gas meters, sensors, and ensure the ventilation system complies with the technical conditions. All of this can be done by the applicant themselves or by using the services of external firms, but the work will be inspected by the GDO before the gas is turned on. It is also possible to order all the work, including the delivery and installation of equipment, “turnkey” from the GDO.
Although the seemingly cumbersome and complex procedure of connecting a house to gas is justified by the increased risk associated with using gas as fuel. “By complying with all technical requirements and norms when connecting gas to a country house or private house within the boundaries of a settlement, the safety of gas equipment operation is ensured, and people can rest assured about their health and the safety of their property,” concluded the expert.
Sometimes gas distribution companies refuse applicants for gasification of their homes based on the exhaustion of connection limits and the absence of available gas volumes in the pipeline.