Gas Self-Inspection Extended For Another 3 Years in Rio de Janeiro

Property Owners and Condominium Owners in the State of Rio de Janeiro Will Have More Time to Conduct the Periodic Gas Inspection (IPG). 

According to State Law 6.890/14, the Regulatory Agency for Energy and Basic Sanitation (Agenersa), the Public Defender’s Office (DPRJ), and the Public Prosecution Office of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ) signed an adjustment term (TAC) this Monday (03/06), which extends the initially established deadline by an additional three years for gas self-inspection.

According to the law, a gas self-inspection of common areas and private units must be conducted every 5 years to avoid interruptions in supply in case of irregularities or lack of reports. The initial deadline for the first inspection would end on the 22nd of this month (March), but due to high demand and few Inmetro accredited entities, many residents and managers were having difficulty scheduling inspections.

With the signed TAC, property owners have more time to conduct the necessary inspections, thus ensuring the proper functioning of the gas system in the locations. An investigation was initiated by the Public Prosecution Office of the State of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ) to investigate accredited companies for abusive practices and poor service delivery. The initiative was motivated by the extension of the deadline for conducting property inspections, which had been mandated by law.

According to attorney André Luiz Junqueira, a partner at Coelho, Junqueira e Roque Advogados, who represents about 10% of the condominiums in Rio de Janeiro, if the deadline had not been extended, practically all property owners as well as condominiums would have been penalized for missing the deadline. 

Junqueira stated that, in addition to consumers’ lack of attention or care, the shortage of service providers qualified for inspections and the lack of publicity regarding the law contributed to this. Although the extension has been granted, the attorney highlights the importance of preserving the safety and health of property owners and neighbors. “More important than simply complying with the law is preserving the safety and health of people,” concluded Junqueira.

Periodic Gas Inspection

The gas inspection is mandatory for all users, residential or commercial. The purpose of the inspection is to ensure that stoves, heaters, and pipelines comply with current regulations, with inspections required in condominiums or commercial buildings.

Only companies certified by Inmetro can perform the inspection and issue a report indicating whether the site is in compliance with the standards or not. If any issues are found, a specialized company must be hired to make the necessary corrections. It is important to remember that gas distributors do not provide this type of service.