TRAGEDY STRIKES AGAIN: Why Do Accidents Repeat Themselves? Why Are Basic Gas Safety Rules Ignored?

Days after the unfortunate incident in the city of Goris, another tragedy has occurred. In the city of Alaverdi, an entire family—father, mother, and two minors—has died due to carbon monoxide poisoning from gas.

In such cases, when relevant authorities prepare materials and conduct investigations, Gazprom Armenia LLC remains silent, citing the interests of the investigation. Unfortunately, this tragic incident is again the result of ignoring basic requirements for the safe use of natural gas in households, as preliminary findings from specialists indicate.

Gazprom Armenia LLC deems it necessary to present details related to the emergence of the incident:

• The safety alarm device installed in the apartment was disconnected from the electricity.
• The internal gas consumption system of the apartment has undergone a complete alteration in gross violation of normative and safety requirements.
• The valve for the input line intended for the heating furnace was sealed in July of this year due to the absence of gas-using devices. However, the seal was removed, and a heating furnace was installed and operated without notifying the supplier.
• The flue pipe of the heating furnace located in the living room was not correctly eliminated and lacks a vertical segment. The flue pipe was inserted into the wall of the balcony to a depth of up to 20 centimeters, and only three small openings were made on the external part of the wall, which did not ensure proper ventilation of exhaust gases.
• Additionally, a water heater was installed in the kitchen in violation of project requirements, which was connected to the input line of the gas stove through a distribution device. Moreover, the flue of the water heater was connected to the kitchen ventilation channel, depriving the space of proper ventilation.

Gazprom Armenia LLC once again warns and demands adherence to safety requirements for using natural gas in households:

1. It is strictly prohibited to disconnect gas consumption safety alarm devices installed in apartments from electricity or to use homemade or malfunctioning gas appliances.
2. Do not make unauthorized modifications to gas and flue pathways that create artificial resistances and refrain from any unauthorized actions during gas usage.

Dear customers, we remind you that the safe operation of the internal gas consumption system and the responsibility for not endangering your health and life, as well as that of your neighbors, lies with the subscriber.

Public Relations and Media Service