In collaboration with the installer associations FADIA, AEFICO, AEFO, APEFONSA, FEMCA and FLUEGAS, as well as the Council for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Science and Employment of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Gas Natural Andalucía, Redexis Gas, Repsol and the Spanish Gas Association (SEDIGAS) have launched a Gas Safety Campaign for Domestic Installations targeted at households in Andalusia.

The campaign includes basic, easy to follow tips on the domestic use of gas, to make users more aware of the importance of the proper use and maintenance of gas installations and appliances. The campaign reminds users that the owner or, in their absence, the user of the installation is responsible for keeping it in good working order.

The event held to present the campaign was attended by the Secretary-General for Innovation, Industry and Energy of the Regional Government, Vicente Fernández; the Director of Gas Natural Andalucía, Raúl Suárez; the Deputy Secretary of SEDIGAS, Carlos Villalonga; the Managing Director for the South and Mediterranean of Redexis Gas, Julio César Campillo; the Regional Delegate for Andalusia of Repsol, Gregorio Almagro; the President of the Federation of Installer Associations of Andalusia (FADIA), Rafael Gandía; the Chairman of the Association of Installers of Cordoba (AEFICO), José Marcos; the Chairman of the Provincial Association of Plumbing, Air Conditioning, Heating and Gas Companies and Allied Businesses of Cadiz, Pedro Naya; and the Chairman of the Provincial Association of Installation Companies and Installers of Jaen (FLUEGAS), Ángel Peña.

Inspections

The campaign reminds users that household installations have to pass several inspections at different times, depending on the type of heater or boiler.

A compulsory inspection must be carried out every five years - by the supply company in the case of piped gas installations or by an installation company in the case of bottled gas installations. A certificate is issued in both cases to certify the regular inspection of the receiving installations.

Also, once a year, users are responsible for the obligatory maintenance of boilers and central heating installations with a power rating of more than 70 kW, through an approved company. For installations with a power rating of less than 70 kW, the inspection is required every two years.

Finally, in the case of hot water heaters with a power rating of up to 24.4 kW, users are responsible for maintenance every five years through an approved company.

These checks have a dual purpose: to ensure the safety of people and installations, and to preserve energy efficiency. Good maintenance helps to ensure high energy efficiency standards, making better use of energy and lowering costs while prolonging the useful life of equipment.

Campaign actions

The safety advice being spread by the campaign will be communicated to residents of Andalusia via spots on the main radio stations in the region and the distribution of 300,000 informative leaflets and 300,000 magnets, which will be handed out by the installation companies and technical services of the distribution companies.

The main safety tips are:

  • Check that the flame is blue, stable and silent.
  • Avoid liquid spills or air currents that may extinguish the flame leaving the burner open.
  • Ventilation grills should never be covered or obstructed, must always remain open to the outside and kept clean.
  • Modifications to gas facilities or appliances must be carried out by qualified installation companies.
  • Ensure there is a device installed that prevents the simultaneous operation of the extractor hood and a non-enclosed gas heater, if both are installed in the same area.
  • If there is a smell of gas:
  • Do not switch on any electrical appliances or light switches.
  • Open doors and windows so that the room or premises are well ventilated.
  • Turn off the appliance controls and the general safety valve.
  • Call the Emergency Support Line from another area where there is no smell of gas.

Seville, 20 February 2015.

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