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How to recognize faults in the gas heater

2023-05-30T12:12:44.882Z

Highlights: A major fire broke out in the north of the island of Rügen on Friday morning (26 May) A gas heater in an uninhabited holiday home had exploded. It is still unclear whether the explosion was caused by a technical defect or negligence. In the rare case of a fault, odors are the best sign of defects in the gas heater. Heating gas is colorless, spreads silently, and is also odorless. As soon as gas escapes, the smell is immediately perceptible and cannot be missed.



On Rügen, there was an explosion caused by a gas heating system. They're usually safe. In exceptional cases: signs and tips on how to behave in the event of a gas leak.

Putgarten – A major fire broke out in the north of the island of Rügen on Friday morning (26 May). A gas heater in an uninhabited holiday home had exploded. The damage is estimated at one million euros. It is still unclear whether the explosion was caused by a technical defect or negligence. Experts suspect manipulation or damage to the gas heating system as a result of construction work.

But no need to worry, because "gas heaters are usually safe," says Steffen Bobsien, deputy chief master of the chimney sweep guild of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to the Ostsee-Zeitung. In the rare case of a fault, odors are the best sign of defects in the gas heater.

Gas leak: smell of rotten eggs and glue as signs

Always follow your nose: Unknown and unpleasant odors are a good indicator that something is wrong. If the heater smells foul or sticky, it could indicate a gas leak, heizung.de explains. These odors serve as an early warning system. Heating gas is colorless, spreads silently, and is also odorless. So suppliers add an odorant, the odorant, to the fuel. As soon as gas escapes, the smell is immediately perceptible and cannot be missed.

Intense and unpleasant odor may indicate a gas leak. (Symbolic image) © IMAGO/Michael Gstettenbauer

It is important to note that there is no uniform gas smell in Germany. There are differences depending on the supplier and also location: from sulfurous to chemical. Nevertheless, the smell stands out clearly from everyday smells and is very intense.

Gas smell: tips on what to do in the event of a gas leak

  • Keep cool
  • Do not generate flames and sparks, do not operate switches, do not plug in or pull out and do not use (mobile) phones indoors
  • Diluting the gas: opening the window, creating a draught
  • Turn off the gas tap (house entry)
  • Warn neighbors and roommates, avoid ringing, and prefer to knock
  • Leave the house and call the gas supplier or fire brigade from a distance

Gas boiler: smell is not always a sign of a gas leak

But if your gas boiler smells funny, that doesn't always have to be a bad sign, explains bosch. If the smell of gas on a gas boiler or heater is perceived only slightly and for a short time after starting, there is only a fault in exceptional cases. The smell of heating gas can also be confused with the smell of exhaust gas. This occurs when the heater is used again after a long period of rest.

If the gas boiler smells conspicuous clearly and not only for a short time, it is better to follow the tips on how to behave in the event of a gas leak. (dpa/hk)

Source: merkur

All life articles on 2023-05-30

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