Replace gas hoses and stoves when they expire, don't alter the pipes yourself, and feel free to turn away gas-company salespeople who come to your door

Cost

A compliant gas hose costs a few dozen CNY. A stove is replaced every few years. When you replace one, take a look at whether anything has expired.

What you get

The regulations make it a user's duty to promptly replace gas appliances and connecting hoses that the state has ordered phased out or whose service life has run out. They also list as prohibited the unauthorized installation, modification or removal of indoor gas facilities and gas metering devices, which covers changing the pipes or taking out the meter yourself. They also state that a gas operator may not require users to buy products it designates or to accept services it provides.

Notes

The wording of the regulations can be checked word for word, but it only establishes that replacing hoses on time is your duty, not how many accidents replacing them prevents. No official statistic was found on how much replacing hoses by their service life reduces gas accidents, so this is only grade C. If an inspector who comes to the door wants you to buy a shut-off valve or alarm that he designates, you can refuse, and you can also file a complaint, because Article 20, item 6 of the regulations bars a gas company from requiring this. Shut-off valves and alarms themselves are something the State Administration for Market Regulation (市场监管总局) encourages people to install; if you want them, pick compliant products yourself. If you smell gas, first close the main gas valve (or the cylinder valve for bottled gas). Then open doors and windows to ventilate, and don't turn on an exhaust fan. Don't switch any electrical device on or off, lights and range hoods included, and don't touch a lighter. Then get out, and call the gas company's emergency number only after you have left the scene. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a different matter; see §13.

Evidence grade

C : The author's experience or common practice, without direct literature.

Sources

1. State Council (2010). Regulations on the Administration of Urban Gas [in Chinese] (State Council Order No. 583), Article 27: "Gas users shall abide by the rules for safe gas use, use qualified gas burning appliances and cylinders, and promptly replace gas burning appliances, connecting pipes and the like that the state has expressly ordered to be phased out or whose service life has expired"
2. Article 28 prohibited acts include "(1) operating public gas valves without authorization", "(2) using gas pipelines as load-bearing supports or grounding leads", and "(4) installing, modifying or removing indoor gas facilities and gas metering devices without authorization"
3. Article 20: gas operators shall not "(6) require gas users to buy products designated by them or accept services provided by them"
4. Article 29: users may file complaints about charges and service with the gas administration and other departments, and "the relevant departments shall handle the complaint within 15 working days of receiving it". http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2010/content_1758214.htm
5. Shenzhen Municipal Housing and Construction Bureau (2024). Tips on Safe Gas Use (Part 2) [in Chinese]: "Immediately close the main gas valve at home", "Quickly open doors and windows to ventilate", "Do not turn on or off lights, range hoods or other electrical appliances at home", "People should leave quickly, move to a safe place, and promptly call the gas company's emergency number". https://zjj.sz.gov.cn/zcjzts/content/post_11882410.html
6. Zhangjiagang Emergency Management Bureau (2024). Knowledge on Safe Use of Gas [in Chinese]: "Do not turn on the exhaust fan to ventilate in a panic", "Call for help only after moving away from the scene". https://www.zjg.gov.cn/zjgszwz/yjaqzs/202411/72b4fad7399c48378302460c6ce2d55b.shtml
7. State Administration for Market Regulation (2023). Risk Alert on the Quality and Safety of Gas Appliance Products [in Chinese] (republished by the Ezhou Urban Construction Commission): "Users are encouraged to install and use protective devices such as smart gas meters, gas leak safety protection devices, self-closing valves, standalone smoke fire detectors, and combustible gas detection alarms". https://cjw.ezhou.gov.cn/zxzx/gzdt/202308/t20230821_569108.html

Translated from the Chinese original. Original book, section 1, tip 4. This section is about health and medicines. It is general information, not a substitute for a doctor’s diagnosis or prescription. Content may be out of date and rules differ by place. When you actually deal with an agency, a doctor or a court, follow what local officials, doctors and lawyers tell you. Disclaimer