Reticulated Gas System For Apartment Complex

Reticulated gas system promises an uninterrupted supply and a host of other benefits for the households. The system essentially involves a piped network in an apartment complex that supplies cooking gas direct to the hotplates in individual households by drawing the fuel from a pool of cylinders. The supply gets metered just the way it is being done for water and electricity. Apart from providing continuous supply of the cooking gas at the turn of tap, use of reticulated system means saving on space, time and money.

It is most suitable for working couples, since they will not have the hassle of making arrangement for receipt of the cylinder in their absence. Reticulated gas system is not-it was introduced in the city almost four years ago. It provides continuous supply of gas at the turn of tap and eliminates cylinder refill booking.

Reticulated Gas System

Reticulated Gas System is one of the latest value-additions being offered by builders. Reticulated gas system essentially involves a piped network in an apartment complex that supplies cooking gas direct to the hotplates in individual flats through a centralized gas bank. Rather than individual pipe line, a single line from Centralized gas Bank shall be sufficient to supply gas improving the esthetic look of the building and saving area or space.

The Reticulated Gas System involves a piped network that supplies cooking gas to individual flats through a centralized gas bank. In centralized gas bank, the cylinders are connected to a manifold which consists of two arms- Active Bank & Standby Bank- the manifold arm connected to cylinders from which LPG is supplied is known as the “Active Bank” and the other arm connected to the cylinders is known as the “Standby Bank.”

When the LPG gets exhausted in the active bank, the supply of LPG from the active bank to the standby bank is either done manually or automatically. While the LPG supply from the standby bank continues, the gas company replaces the empty cylinders to ensure that the users receive uninterrupted supply of gas.

A gas meter is installed in a suitable position (inside or at the entry point of the kitchen) that records the usage of the LPG as it passes through it. Gas meters measure a defined volume, regardless of the pressurized quantity or quality of the gas flowing through the meter. The benefit of this system is its `use and pay’ feature just the way it is being done for water and electricity consumption.

Advantage of Reticulated gas system

The success of the piped supply or reticulated gas system largely depends on the role of the resident’s association and cooperation among the residents. It is the association’s responsibility to order for the refill cylinders of the bank and collect the amount from the residents.

• No cylinder in the kitchen or inside the flat.

• No entry to delivery boy inside the house.

• No waiting list for new connection or refill.

• Increased safety in kitchen as the pressure of LPG in pipeline is much lower than an LPG cylinder

• Automatic Change Over to ensure continuous flow.

• Not required to visit to gas agencies for booking or refill booking reminders

• Not required to stay at home to receive gas

• Uninterrupted gas supply and No holiday for Gas supply.

• Saving of time and no need to block money for 2nd cylinder

• Apart from its use as a cooking fuel conduit, the system could be used for operating geysers, LPG fire places and air convectors during winter

• The supply gets metered, therefore payment as per actual consumption of gas.

• Another benefit of this system is its `use and pay’ feature.

Safety/Precautions

• Fencing of areas to restrict unauthorized entry.

• Avoid wiring for lighting inside the Gas Bank

• Ensure that Gas Bank has Good Ventilation.

• Install 3rd stage emergency valve inside the individual kitchen to cut off the supply in the kitchen.

• Under Pressure Shut off Valves to ensure satisfactory burning characteristics.

• Ensure to install Non-Return Valves (NRV) for cylinder to avoid back flow.

• Ensure-Bottom Portion of the Room Ventilation with Brass Mesh Only

• Don’t allow the mobile inside the gas bank

• Restrict unauthorized entry of apartment owners, residents or outsiders inside the Gas Bank

• Check inlet and outlet with Soap oil as and when Required

• Ground level ventilation in the manifold room / enclosure must be maintained at all times.

• Safety signage such as “No Smoking”, “High Flammable-LPG”, “Switch off Mobile” etc should be placed adjacent to cylinder bank.