G a s
A l a r m
Installation Manual~For Gas Dealers and Building Facilities Designers (8th Revision)~

June 2022

GKK (Gas Alarm Industries Association Of Japan)

On Publication of Revision
In recent years, large-scale earthquakes such as the Northern Osaka Earthquake andHokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake, as well as heavy storms caused by large-scale
typhoons, have caused serious damage to social lifelines such as gas and electricity. There
has been a growing need in various fields to protect against natural disasters. In addition,
the aging of workers involved in security, increase in foreign labor, aging population andlower birth rate, and structural changes due to innovations in electricity and gas systems are
all expected to progress in the future. The environment surrounding energy faces very harsh
circumstances.
In this environment, in order for gas-based energy to continue to be selected by consumers
as household energy, it is essential to improve the safety of gas consumers and advancesecurity (improve quality). It is thought that the spread of gas alarm devices that can quickly
detect signs of gas leaks will become even more important into the future. As such, it iscritical to develop countermeasures against CO poisoning accidents, which cause grave
damage to human bodies. The installation of CO alarm devices is considered one effective
countermeasure.
This installation manual is primarily aimed at gas-related business operators and gas
dealers. However, the authors strove to make it easy to understand and helpful to otherpersons installing these systems and persons at building/facility design offices. As thenumber of users accessing the Gas Alarm Industries Association of Japan website to view
this installation manual is always high, it appears that many people use this manual. The
association hopes that users will deepen their understanding of proper installation
techniques for gas alarms and create an environment in which alarms function mosteffectively. It is our duty to achieve this and contribute to the prevention of gas-related
accidents.
Since the first version of this installation manual was published in August 1981, it has beenrevised eight times, including this revision. Five years have passed since the last revision. In
that time, the environment surrounding gas alarms has changed drastically on a daily basis,including standardization of provisions of LPG equipment performance, the full opening of
the gas retail market by the revision of the Gas Business Act, and beginning the developmentof next-generation gas safety advancement plans and next-generation safety countermeasurespolicy (action plan) etc.
Based on these developments, the Gas Alarm Industries Association of Japan established theGas Alarm Installation Manual Revision Working Group and began deliberations. In the
future, we aim to add information about newest technology and law revisions to further
enhance the content of this manual. Please give your frank opinions and requests regarding
this installation manual.
Finally, we would like to express our deep appreciation for all the committee members who
worked hard in deliberating the revision of this installation manual.
Technology Committee Chairperson Naoyuki Nagai[List of Working Group Committee Members]
Working Group Leader
MemberMemberMemberMemberMemberMemberObserverAdministrative Office

Name
Hisayuki Nagai
Hisao Masuda
Harumi Kuribayashi
Tomohiro Yoshituru
Hiroyuki Oka
Tsuyoshi Kamioka
Satoshi Toyama
Yoshinori Nishiue
Yasuo Sugihara
Isao Masuda(Honorifics omitted)

Affiliation
NEW COSMOS ELECTRIC CO.,LTD
Azbil Kimmon Co.,Ltd
Nissha FIS, Inc.
Panasonic Corporation
Figaro Engineering Inc.
Fuji Electric Co.,Ltd
YAZAKI Energy System Corporation
NEW COSMOS ELECTRIC CO.,LTD
Gas Alarm Industries Association of Japan
Gas Alarm Industries Association of Japan[May 2020]

Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Overview of Gas Alarm-Related Laws.................................02
Chapter 2. Facilities/Buildings Subject to Installation.........................05

1. Facilities required to have alarms installed................................ 05
2. Facilities recommended to have alarms installed..................... 07
3. Combustors that do not require alarms installed...................... 07
4. Facilities required to have residential fire/gas/CO alarms
installed..................................................................................... 07
Chapter 3. Types and Models of Gas Alarms..........................................08
1. Types based on detectable gas................................................. 08
2. Gas sensor models.................................................................... 08
3. LPG alarms................................................................................ 08
4. City Gas alarms......................................................................... 11
5. Commercial ventilation alarms.................................................. 12
6. Bulk gas leak detectors.............................................................. 13
7. Alarm-linked security systems.................................................. 14

Chapter 4. Inspection/Approval and Characteristics of Gas
Alarms............................................................................................16

1. Inspection/approval................................................................... 16
2. Characteristics of gas alarms.................................................... 16
Chapter 5. Quality/Quality Assurance of Gas Alarms..........................18
1. LPG alarms................................................................................ 18
2. City Gas alarms......................................................................... 18
3. Commercial ventilation alarms.................................................. 18
Chapter 6. Spreading Awareness of Gas Alarms and Surveys.........19
1. LPG alarms, etc......................................................................... 19
2. City Gas alarms, etc.................................................................. 19
Chapter 7. Installation of Gas Alarms.......................................................20
1. LPG alarms................................................................................ 20
2. City Gas alarms......................................................................... 23
3. Commercial ventilation alarms.................................................. 25
4. Alarm-linked security systems.................................................. 26
Chapter 8. Inspection Techniques for Gas Alarms................................27
1. LPG alarms................................................................................ 27
2. City Gas alarms......................................................................... 27
Chapter 9. Functionality of Gas Alarms....................................................30
1. Automatic initial inspection functionality................................... 30
2. Alarm stop switch...................................................................... 30
3. Expiration date.......................................................................... 31
Chapter 10. Wiring Installation of Gas Alarms..........................................32
1. Certifications required for electric wiring installation................. 32
2. Laws related to electric wiring installation................................. 32
3. Models (examples) of cables used............................................ 32
4. Regulations of wiring installation (examples of common
installation errors)...................................................................... 33
5. Case studies of wiring installation............................................. 33
Chapter 11. Gas Alarms Q&A.........................................................................34

Chapter 12. Verification/Inspection/Maintenance & Management
when Completing Gas Alarm Installation...........................38

1. Verification, etc. when completing installation.......................... 38
2. Inspection
3. Maintenance & management..................................................... 38

Chapter 13. Appendices (Related Laws, etc.)<Article Summaries>.................................................................40

1. LPG-related laws....................................................................... 40
2. Gas business-related laws........................................................ 41
3. Fire Services Act-related........................................................... 42
4. Overview of legal structure related to preventing residential
fires............................................................................................ 43
5. Housing Quality Assurance Promotion Act............................... 44
6. Damage insurance..................................................................... 44* List of municipalities where residential fire alarms are
required to be installed in kitchens.......................................... 44

01

Chapter

1 Overview of Gas Alarm-Related Laws

The demand for preventative measures for f ires andexplosions caused by gas leaks has increased corresponding
with the rising demand for liquified petroleum gas (LPG) andCity Gas as household energy sources. As such, residents
have been proposed to install gas alarms and voluntary
certification/inspection systems have been introduced for
LPG in 1975 and City Gas in 1980. The enhancement of thesesystems and development of quality management technology
has led to increased rates of gas alarm installation. As aresult, gas leak accidents are now in steady decline, showingthat these alarms are fulfilling their role as gas safety devices.
In terms of laws related to gas alarms, Japan has enacted the
Act on the Securing of Safety and the Optimization ofTransaction of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (hereinafter the“LPG Act”), the Gas Business Act, Fire Services Act, andBuilding Standards Act. The LPG Act was enacted in 1967
behind a backdrop of sudden popularization of LPG inhouseholds, an increase in LPG accidents due to thispopularization, and rising clarification of LPG transaction
conditions.
Gas alarms were considered highly effective safety products
to prevent gas leak accidents. LPG alarms were designated as“No. 2 LPG devices, etc.” in March 1979. Gas alar mmanufacturers and importers were required to submit
notification upon starting business and had to manufacture,import, and sale products that complied with technologicalstandards. Technological standards related to LPG alarms
were established in the Ministerial Ordinance for LPG
Device Technological Standards. In February,1981 Article 44of the Enforcement Regulations and Article 35-5 of the LPG
Act required the installation of gas alarms in certain facilities
and buildings, including designated underground shopping
centers with combustors, designated basements, sharedresidences, schools, hospitals, and restaurants, etc. On theother hand, the Public Notice Establishing Details ofTechnological Standards, etc. Related to Gas Supply
Equipment, Combustors, and Designated Supply Equipment
established combustors that do not require alarms installed.
Also, Article 5 of the Public Notice Establishing Details of
Installation, etc. of Security Equipment Related to LPG
Dealer Certification set the expiry of gas alarms as five years

from the manufacturing date.
For City Gas alarms, the installation of gas leak alarm
equipment must comply with the standards established in
Ar ticle 108, Paragraphs 8 and 10 of the Enforcement
Regulations of the Gas Business Act of January 1981. Also,
Article 21-2 of the Enforcement Order for the Fire Services
Act established technological standards for the installationand maintenance of gas leak fire alarm equipment andrequired installation in designated underground shopping
centers and designated basements, etc. The Fire Services Act
requires installation of alarms in underground shopping
centers and quasi-underground shopping centers that supply
City Gas. Both underground shopping centers and quasiunderground shopping centers are required to install alarms
based on both the Fire Services Act and the Gas BusinessAct. Also, Article 129-2-5, Paragraph 1, Item 8 of the
Enforcement Order of the Building Standards Act stipulates
that the Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism will establish standards related to gas
pipe equipment installed in buildings with shared residential
units on the third or higher f loor. Such buildings are notsubject to these gas valve structure standards when a gas leakalarm is installed.
The Certified LPG Dealer system, based on the LPG Act,aims to be a legal mechanism to incentivize the installation ofgas alarms. Dealers can enjoy loosened inspection frequency
and emergency response based on the rate of installing
concentrated monitoring systems. In particular, No. 1
Certified LPG Dealers are granted further benefits if they
fulfill additional conditions (installation of CO alarms, CO
alarm-linked shutdowns, etc.).
On the other hand, Article 86 of the Enforcement Regulationsof the LPG Act also established the facilities, etc. that must
install LPG alarms and sets punishment for those who violate
this. Specifically, if a designated facility has not installed
LPG alarms, the prefectural governor will issue an order tocomply with Article 35-5 of the LPG Act. If the party does
not comply, they will be fined a maximum of 300,000 yen fora violation to Article 100-2 of the same act. The punishment
is applied to the occupant or owner of the gas-consuming
equipment.

Chart 1. Standard names of gas alarms
Name

Past names (examples)

Functionality

Gas alarms

Gas leak alarm,gas leak sensor, etc.

Detect gas leaks and trigger alarm

CO alarms

Carbon monoxide alarm,
incomplete combustion alarm,etc.

Detect incomplete combustion gas and trigger alarm

Gas/CO alarms

Gas/CO compound alarm, etc.

Detect gas leaks and incomplete combustion gas andtrigger alarm

Commercial
ventilation alarms

Commercial ventilation sensor,
commercial CO alarm, etc.

Detect carbon monoxide from incomplete combustion
gas and trigger alarm with COHb concentration

Residential fire/CO alarms

Detect fire and incomplete combustion gas, andtrigger alarm

Residential fire/gas/CO alarms

Detect fire, gas leaks and incomplete combustion gas,
and trigger alarm02

Chapter

1 Overview of Gas Alarm-Related Laws

The Certified LPG Dealer system, based on the LPG Act,aims to be a legal mechanism to incentivize the installation ofgas alarms. Dealers can enjoy loosened inspection frequency
and emergency response based on the rate of installing
concentrated monitoring systems. In particular, No. 1
Certified LPG Dealers are granted further benefits if they
fulfill additional conditions (installation of CO alarms, CO
alarm-linked shutdowns, etc.).
On the other hand, Article 86 of the Enforcement Regulationsof the LPG Act also established the facilities, etc. that must
install LPG alarms and sets punishment for those who violate
this. Specifically, if a designated facility has not installed
LPG alarms, the prefectural governor will issue an order tocomply with Article 35-5 of the LPG Act. If the party does
not comply, they will be fined a maximum of 300,000 yen fora violation to Article 100-2 of the same act. The punishment
is applied to the occupant or owner of the gas-consuming
equipment.
Gas dealers have a duty to notify occupants or owners of thegas-consuming equipment about facilities that require gas
alarms. If they fail to notify, they may be punished forviolating this notification requirement.
In terms of security policies and fire services policies related
to gas alarms, the Housing Quality Assurance Act, enacted in
April 2000, established the Housing Performance Indication
System. One performance indicator is “items related tosecurity during fires” and grades were established based on
detection alarm mechanism installation. This indicatorevaluates the installation of mechanisms that can detect fires
early on in residential buildings. After this, the installation ofresidential fire alarms was made mandatory for all residentialbuilding as of the revision of the Fire Services Act in 2004.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency recommends
equipment with additional functionality for residential fire
alarms (specifically, alarms for fire/gas/carbon monoxide)because approximately 40 percent of deaths in building fires
are a result of carbon monoxide poisoning or asphyxiation.
In terms of gas, Japan started to open up retail gas markets
from April 2017. According to the revision of the Gas
Business Act, gas retailers are responsible for security
operations related to spreading awareness of dangerous
situations and gas equipment surveys while general gas
pipeline service providers are responsible for security
operations related to gas pipeline leak surveys and emergency
response. It is necessary to heed the information from theservice provider installing the gas alarms.
An overview chart summarizing all items required to install
gas alarms and related equipment based on recent laws is
display in Chat 2. Also, please refer to the specific gas alarm
installation manual for the device you wish to install for
signal line colors, meaning of terminal numbers, and specifict e ch n ique s, such a s con ne ct i ng sig n al l i ne s t o t heconcentrated monitoring board.
Please refer to the attached documents after page 40 for asummary of the laws that are quoted in this manual. The
names of gas alarms used in this manual use terminology
established by laws and those in Char t 1, which arestandardized by the Gas Alarm Industries Association ofJapan and related organizations.

03

Chapter

1 Overview of Gas Alarm-Related Laws

Chart 2. Overview of Gas Alarm-Related Laws
Regulatory
Law

Gas type

Installation Target
Facilities required to havealarms installed*2

LPG Gas Act*1

LPG

Gas Business Act

City Gas

Alarm quality (alarm concentration)

Integrated unit alarms
Segmented unit alarms
Gas/CO alarms
External alarms○Concentrated
monitoring alarms
CO alarms
Bulk gas leak detectors

Designated by government
ordinance as LPG equipment, etc.

Gas alarms
Gas/CO alarms○Gas leak alarm
equipment
CO alarms- Facilities/buildings(alarms that detect LP
other than those required gas based on the LPG
to install alarms, such as Act)
restaurants and othercooking facilities, etc.

For City Gas, triggers alarm when
Lower Explosive Limit is 1/4 ormore; does not trigger at 1/200 orless.

In case that gas is heavier than air
Positioned within 4m horizontal
distance from combustor andwithin 30cm from ground

Alarms are voluntarily inspected by
the Japan Gas Appliances Inspection
Association (Public Interest)
Relays and receivers are certified by
the Japan Fire Equipment Inspection
Institute

In case that gas is lighter than air
Positioned within 8m horizontal
distance from combustor andwithin 30cm from ceiling- Designated underground - Individual residences
shopping centers, etc.
- Other facilities/- Designated basements,
buildings
etc.
- Other basements- Facilities/buildings in
Article 86 of the
Enforcement
Regulations, such as
shared residences,
restaurants, schools,
hospitals, etc. excludedin Public Notice*5- Designated underground
shopping centers, etc.
- Designated basements,
etc.
- Super high-rise
structures- Designated large-scale
structures- Buildings with medium
pressure combustors

Fire Services Act- Underground shopping
centers- Quasi-underground
shopping centers○Gas leak fire alarm
equipment(alarms that detect LP
gas based on the LPG
Act)

Building
Standards
Act

Share residences on third
floor or higher (withconditions)

External alarm orconcentrated monitoring
deviceLPG/City Gas

Act on Promoting Quality
Assurance in Public
Works (grades 2, 3, 4)

Individual residences
Shared residences

Fire Services Act*7
Notes

Individual residences
Shared residences(May not be mandatory
based on conditions)

Installation position of detection
function*4

Types of alarms

Facilities recommended
to have alarms installed*3

For LPG, triggers alarm when Lower
Explosive Limit is 1/100 or more,
but 1/4 or less; does not trigger atless than 1/100

Positioned within 4m horizontal
distance from combustor andwithin 30cm from ground

Independently certified by the High
Pressure Gas Safety Institute ofJapan

Detectors*6 are voluntarily inspected Same as Gas Business Act
by the Japan Gas Appliances
Inspection Association (Public
Interest)
Relays and receivers are certified by
the Japan Fire Equipment Inspection
Institute
Same as Gas Business Act
However, horizontal distance ismeasured from gas valve

Residential fire/gas/CO
alarmsResidential fire alarms

The fire detection function of alarms
is certified by the Japan Fire
Equipment Inspection Institute
The gas detection function isvoluntarily inspected by the Japan
Gas Appliances Inspection
Association (Public Interest) and theHigh Pressure Gas Safety Instituteof Japan

15-30 cm from ceiling (if wallmounted)
Within 8m horizontal distance fromcombustor (City Gas)
Within 4m horizontal distance fromcombustor (LPG)
Residential fire alarms are on
ceiling or 15 cm or more, but within
50 cm of ceiling if on wall

Residential fire alarms
Residential fire/CO
alarmsResidential fire/gas/CO
alarms

The fire detection function of alarms
is certified by the Japan Fire
Equipment Inspection Institute
The gas detection function isvoluntarily inspected by the Japan
Gas Appliances Inspection
Association (Public Interest) and theHigh Pressure Gas Safety Instituteof Japan

15-30 cm from ceiling (if wallmounted)
Within 8m horizontal distance fromcombustor (City Gas)
Within 4m horizontal distance fromcombustor (LPG)
Residential fire alarms are on
ceiling or 15 cm or more, but within
50 cm of ceiling if on wall

Install types with ○ markfor designatedunderground shopping
centers, etc. anddesignated basements.

Notes. 1: LPG Act ... Abbreviation for Act on the Securing of Safety and the Optimization of Transaction of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
2: Facilities and buildings that require the installation of alarms by law
3: Facilities and buildings that are recommended to install to the extent possible in order to secure the safety of consumers
4: General name of detection function for integrated unit alarms and segmented unit alarms
5: Combustors that do not require alarms installed are designated in Article 12 of the LPG Act “Public Notice Establishing Details ofTechnological Standards related to Supply/Consumption and Special Residential Supply Equipment”
6: The Fire Services Act defines detectors as gas alarms
7: The Fire Services Act requires the installation of residential fire alarms

04Chapter

2 Facilities/Buildings Subject to Installation
Consumption and Special Residential Supply Equipment”
establishes provisions as displayed in the following Chart
3, Diagram 1, and Diagram 2.
In laws besides the LPG Act, the following provisions arealso enacted, but are roughly equivalent with the LPG
Act.
(1) Designated underground shopping center, etc. anddesignated basement, etc. established in Article 1 of
the Public Notice for building categories* of Gas
Business Act(2) Fire Services Act Enforcement Order Article 6
Attached table 1, 16-2 Underground shopping center,16-3 Quasi-underground shopping center
Further, installed alarms must be concentrated
monitoring types (reference on page 9).
* Public Notice Establishing Building Categories that
Use Gas in the Gas Business Act (November 1985
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Public
Notice No. 461)
(2) Other basements (LPG)
Small basements and underground facilities, etc. that do
not reach the scale of designated underground shopping
centers and designated basements from the previous
paragraph.
The types of installed alarms are not determined by law.
However, concentrated monitoring alarms connected toClass 2 receiver are often installed.
In the case of City Gas, installation of alarms is notmandated by laws and regulations. However, it isrecommended that alarms be installed in basements where
it is difficult for gas to disperse.
(3) Shared residences (LPG)
According to the operating interpretation guide for the
Enforcement Regulations of the LPG Act, “sharedresidences are housing complexes such as apartments orcondominiums where at least three households reside in
the same structure. Floor space area, materials (wood,

1. Facilities required to have alarms installed
Gas alarms are required to be installed in rooms withcombustors in the following facilities and buildings according
to gas types within the legal frameworks of the LPG Act, Gas
Business Act, Fire Services Act, and Building Standards Act.
These facilities/buildings that are subject to installation arereferred to as “Mandatory Installation Facilities.”(1) D esignated underground shopping centers, etc.
and designated basements, etc. (LPG, City Gas)
In the LPG Act, Article 3 of the “Public Notice Establishing
Details of Technological Standards related to Supply/Chart 3. Designated underground shopping centers,
etc., designated basements, etc.
a. Underground shopping centers(Area is 1,000m2 or more)b. Designated use buildings and underground paths(1) Designatedunderground
shopping
centers, etc.

(

Structure built continuously facing underground path B,
which is linked to underground floor A of designated use
building and the combination of connected paths

Basements, etc.

c. Designated use complex and underground paths(

Structure built continuously facing underground path D,
which is linked to underground floors ABC of designateduse complex and the combination of connected paths))

d. Designated use buildings(2) Designatedbasements,
etc.

(Underground floor A of designated use building)e. Designated use complex(Underground floors of designated use complex)
Structures besides basements, etc. in (1) and (2)(excludes basements of individual residences)(3) Otherbasements

Notes: Designated use refers to the following.
1. Theaters, movie theaters, entertainment
halls, town halls, and equivalent structures
2. Cabarets, night clubs, gaming halls, andequivalent structures
3. Rooms for rent and restaurants

4. Department stores and markets
5. Guesthouses and hotels
6. Hospitals, clinics, and maternity wards
7. Schools for the blind, deaf, special
needs, or kindergartens
8. Of public baths, steam baths, heatedbaths, and equivalent structures

Diagram 1. (1) D esignated underground shopping
centers, etc.
a. Underground shopping centers
G.L.
TenantDiagram 2. (2) Designated basements, etc.

Tenantd. Designated use buildings

1,000m2 or more
Hotelb. Designated use buildings and underground paths

G.L.
Department
storesA

Underground
path B
G.L.

A≥1,000m2

e. Designated use complex

A
A+B≥1,000m2 and A≥500m2

Hotel

c. Designated use complex and underground paths

G.L.
Department
storesA

B

A

Underground
path D
G.L.

B

C

A+B+C≥1,000m2 and B+C≥500m2[Assumptions]-Hotel: Designated use -A: Not designated use-B: Designated use-C: Designated use

C

A+B+C+D≥1,000m2 and B+C≥500m2(However, only B and C are for designated use)05

Chapter

2 Facilities/Buildings Subject to Installationetc.), and frame (steel frame, etc.) do not impact thisdefinition.”
In general, concentrated monitoring systems are installedin large-scale shared residences while external alarms(linked to outside buzzer)
are installed in small-scale shared residences.
Shared residences provided LPG by a gas retailer(community gas business*) based on the Gas BusinessAct are not Mandatory Installation Facilities. However,
the government will provide guidance to install LPG
alarms.
*Business that provides gas (mainly LPG) to at least 70
units in a housing complex through gas lines(4) C ommercial buildings such as restaurants, etc.
(LPG)
Defined as the following buildings in Article 86 of the
Enforcement Regulations of the LPG Act:
1. Theaters, movie theaters, entertainment halls, town
halls, and equivalent facilities
2. Cabarets, night clubs, gaming halls, and equivalentfacilities
3. Rooms for rent and restaurants
4. Department stores and markets
5. Guesthouses, hotels, accommodations, and sharedresidences (see (3))
6. Hospitals, clinics, and maternity wards
7. Elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools,
vocational schools, universities, schools for the deaf
and blind, special needs schools, kindergartens,
schools
8. Libraries, museums, and art galleries
9. Public baths
10. Train stations, ship ports, and airports (limited tobuildings where passengers depar t /ar r ive andcorresponding waiting spaces)
11. Shrine, temple, church, and equivalent facilities
12. Offices with total floor area of 1,000m 2 or more(5) Designated buildings based on building category(City Gas)
Defined as the following buildings in Article 108 of the
Enforcement Regulations of the Gas Business Act:
1. High-rise buildings established in building categories(buildings exceeding 60m in height) (portion used forresidences limited to cooking spaces)
Also, if air ventilation is not possible in high-risebuildings, there may be guidance to install gas alarms
in gas shutdown valve rooms, gas meter rooms,
vertical pipeline shafts, etc. based on fire services
guidance standards in particular regions.
((e.g.) Tokyo Fire Department established and went
into effect the “Operating Standards to Prevent Fires
in High-rise Buildings” in October 1, 2015)
Please check the fire department in your area for
details.
Also, when installing gas alarms in closed-off verticalpipeline shafts, etc., one must be cautious of thedeterioration of gas sensors due to silicon, etc. used in
caulking.
2. Designated large buildings established in building
categor ies (facilities where a large number ofunspecified persons enter and exit, such as theaters)(6) G as pipeline led through exterior wall (City Gas)
(Refer to Diagram 3.)
Article 74 of the Ministerial Order Established TechnologicalStandards for Gas Facilities
provides provisions on City Gas pipelines while Article
108 of the Enforcement Regulations for the Gas Business
Act provides provisions on medium-pressure combustors.
Such provisions are as follows:
1. Gas pipelines into designated underground shopping
centers, etc. and designated basements, etc. must be
installed to go through exterior walls within thedetection zone of the gas leak alarm equipment.
2. Gas pipelines (excluding pipelines into factories, etc.)with a maximum usable pressure of medium-pressure(0.1MPa or more, but less than 1.0MPa) must be
installed to go through exterior walls of the building
within the detection zone of the gas alar m or
automatic gas shutdown device.
Also, any joining besides welding inside thesebuildings must be done within the detection zone.
3. Combustors that provide gas of medium-pressure or
more must be installed in detection zones for gas
alarms or automatic shutdown devices.
Diagram 3. Gas pipeline led through exterior wall, etc.

Within8 m

GasalarmsWithin 8m
Within8 m

Appliance governor*

Gas pipeline
Portion through exterior wall
Medium-pressure*Joined portion besides welding

Boiler, etc.

*

Gas valve(category valves)

Lowpressure(7) Buildings that have shared residences on the 3rdor higher floor (LPG, City Gas)
Gas pipelines are defined as any of the following based on
the standards for gas pipeline equipment (No. 1925 Public
Notice of Ministry of Construction on November 14, 1987)
corresponding with Article 129-2-5 of the Enforcement
Order of the Building Standards Act: *Depends on 1. or 2.
1. Equipment that uses gas, or metal pipe, metal flexible
tube connected to equipment, or powerful gas hoses,
and items connected by screws.
2. Equipment that is designed to automatically stop gas
outf low when gas f lows excessively, such as anexcessive flow safety valve.
3. 1. and 2. do not apply when equipment that detects
gas leaks and triggers an alarm is installed to meetcertain installation standards based on the gas type.
*1. and 2. do not apply when conducting 3

06

Chapter

2 Facilities/Buildings Subject to Installation
Further, the government has only strongly encouraged
installing residential fire alarms in kitchens.
However, looking at cases of fires, many causes of residential
fires are from stove fires, including tempura oil fires.
Therefore, like the living room, the kitchen is a place with ahigh risk of fire in the residence. Also, the number of injured
is significantly higher when fires occur in the kitchen,
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of fires andminimize the damage in the even of a fire by early detectionof fires by mandating installation of alarms in kitchens.
During fires, evacuation must begin as quickly as possible.
Therefore, the three major cities of Tokyo, Osaka, andNagoya have mandated the installation of residential fire
alarms in kitchens, which is expected to significantly
contribute to the safe living of all citizens in the future.
In order to acquire grade 2 or 3 in “Items Related to Safety
During Fires” in the Housing Quality Assurance Act,installation of residential fire/gas/CO alarms or residential
fire alarms in kitchens and installation of residential fire
alarms in stairways and living rooms are required.
According to the Fire Services Act (Enforced June 1, 2006),
the following places are required to install residential fire/gas/CO alarms or residential fire alarms.
(1) Bedroom
Install in room usually used for sleep.
Children’s rooms and elderly persons’ rooms are also
subject if used for sleeping.
(2) Stairway
Install at the highest point of the stairway on the floor
where the bedroom is (excluding floors where there is anexit to evacuate outside).
(3) Kitchen
Install in cases when installation in kitchens is mandated
by municipal ordinance. (Refer to P44)
Even if not mandated, installation is highly recommended
because alarms are very effective at early detection of
tempura fires, etc.
(4) Living room (living space)
Install in cases when installation in living room (living
space) is mandated by municipal ordinance. ←23 wardsof Tokyo, etc.
There are also municipalities where installation is notmandatory, but is recommended. ←Kyoto city, Kobe city,etc.

2. Facilities recommended to have alarms
installed
Facilities or buildings that are not mandated to install alarms
according to the LPG Act, but are recommended to install inrooms with combustors to the extent possible in order tosecure the safety of consumers are called “Installation
Recommended Facilities.”(1) Individual residences
General residences besides shared residences, regardlessof f loor area, materials (wood, etc.) or steel concrete
framework.
(2) C ommercial facilities besides mandatory facilities
Facilities and buildings that use combustors in stores
besides Mandatory Installation Facilities. For example,
hair salons, laundry centers, and other offices with floorarea less than 1,000m 2.

3. Combustors that do not require alarms
installed
Even in facilities required to have alarms installed that use
LPG, the following combustors do not require installation ofalarms. (Article 12 of the “Public Notice Establishing Detailsof Technological Standards related to Supply/Consumption
and Special Residential Supply Equipment”)(1) Bath tubs, water supply installed outdoors, etc.
(2) Facilities connected to ter minal gas valves bymethods determined in Article 10 and combustors
with extinguishing safety devices(3) Non-per manent facilities However, alar ms aremandatory for combustors used in designated use
commercial facilities, such as basements, etc.
included in Article 3.
(4) Bath tub, water heater, etc. in bathroom

4. Facilities required to have residential
fire/gas/CO alarms installed
With the revision of the Fire Services Act, installation ofresidential fire alarms is mandatory across Japan in order toreduce the victims of house fires.
(Enforced June 1, 2006)
If the installation of residential fire alarms is mandated forkitchens based on municipality ordinance, residential fire/gas/CO alarms or residential fire alarms must be installed.
Reference (from Fire and Disaster Management Agency of
the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Noticeon December 15, 2004/Fire Safety No.227):
Take efforts to install residential fire alarms, etc. in partsof residences considered at significant risk of fire,including bedrooms and kitchens, in order to promote
prevention of fires in residences.
Places required to install residential fire alarms by thegovernment standards aim to prevent fatalities. Therefore,
alarms are installed in bedrooms to detect the occurrence offires while residents are sleeping. In addition, they must be
installed in stairways and halls based on conditions.

07

Alarm

Alarm

Alarm

Main
bedroom

Stairway

Child’s room

Alarm

Alarm

Living room

KitchenChapter

3 Types and Models of Gas Alarms
1. Types based on detectable gas

Most City Gas is converted to natural gas. Gas alarms thatare for “12A/13A lighter than air” are installed. Other types
include for “gas lighter than air,” “gas heavier than air,” and“all gas” that can support all types of gas. Also, LPG alarmsa re i n st al le d for LPG (i nclud i ng si mple ga s, sa mehereinafter).
Gas alarms

For LPG

Gas alarms
CO alarms

For City Gas

Gas alarms

CO alarms
Commercial ventilation alarms

For gas lighter than air
For 12A/13A gas lighter than air
For gas heavier than air
For all gas

the surface of the sensor that will combust by catalytic
reaction, raising the temperature of the sensor. The
temperature change corresponds with gas concentration.
As a feature, these sensors are hardly impacted bysurrounding heat and humidity and are highly accurate
alarms.
(4) Electrochemical sensors
Electrochemical sensors detect the electric current
generated by the chemical reaction of gas on designatedelectrodes. As a feature, these sensors can detect gas
selectively by extremely low energy consumption andextract currents that change linearly according to gas
concentration.

2. Gas sensor types
Use physical and chemical mechanisms for the presence ofgas to be detected by sensor. The following are some
representative sensors used in gas alarms.
(1) Semiconductor-based sensor
Semiconductor-based sensors function as the resistancevalue of sensors declines in the presence of combustible
gas. That change responds to gas concentration. As afeature, these sensors have a durable structure and operate
stably for long periods.
(2) Hot-wire semiconductor-based sensor
Hot-wire semiconductor-based sensors function by thesame principles as semiconductor-based sensors: therelationship between changes in resistance value and gas
concentration. As a feature, they consume a small amountof electricity and can be customized for specific gases.
(3) Catalytic combustor sensor
Catalytic combustor sensors contain combustible gas on

3. LPG alarms(1) Overview of types (Refer to Chart 4.)
For LPG alarms, there are types for each use, including
gas alarms, CO alarms, and gas/CO alarms.

Chart 4. LPG Alarm Types and Overview
a. Integrated(1) Gas alarms
LPG
alarms(2) CO alarms

Error prevention-type

Voice alarm-type

With output
signal terminal

b. Separated
General use-type
Buzzer alarm-type
Without output
(Detection portion
signal terminal+ alarm portion)c. External alarms (outdoors buzzer-linked): Integrated/separated + outdoor buzzer○ Designated underground shopping centers: Alarm portion +relay portion + receiver portion (including power source) +d. Concentrated
alarm mechanism
monitoring-type○ General-use: Alarm portion + relay portion +receiver portion + alarm mechanism
With output
CO + H 2 detection-type
Integrated
Voice alarm-typesignal terminal

CO detection-type
Separated
Buzzer alarm-type
Without output
signal terminal(3) Commercial ventilation alarms
COHb conversion-type(4) Gas/CO alarms: Gas alarms + CO alarms(5) Residential fire/gas/CO alarms
Residential fire/CO alarms (CO alarm + fire alarm)
Residential fire/gas/CO alarms (Gas alarm + CO alarm + fire alarm)(6) Bulk gas leak detectors
Battery-type
Power source-type

08

Chapter

3 Types and Models of Gas Alarms(2) Types of LPG Alarms
1. Gas alarmsa. Integrated unit alarms (Refer to Diagram 4.)
Integrated unit alarms have both the gas sensor
portion and alarm portion incorporated in the samecase. These alar ms are easy to attach and arerecommended for individual residences and small
commercial facilities, etc.
Er ror prevent ion-t y pe ala r ms have also beendeveloped and are used to avoid false alarms due tosprays, etc.
Units with output signal terminals can be linked to
shutdown valves, outdoor buzzers, and microcomputergas meters, etc.
When installing microcomputer gas meters, thegovernment recommends to link or install along withintegrated alarm units in the room with a combustor
in order to further enhance safety.
In terms of alarm types, in addition to normal buzzer
t y pes, there are voice t y pes that state “Is gas
leaking?” and alarms with flashing lights. In addition
to gas leak alarms, some alarms have functions that
notify performance anomalies and exchange dates bysound or light.
Additional functions of newest alar ms include
functions to notify about heat stroke and dryness, ornight light f unctions where br ight ness can be
adjusted.
b. Segmented unit alarms (Refer to Diagram 5.)
Gas sensor and alarm buzzer are in separate cases.
Gas sensor portion is called the detector and alarmbuzzer portion is the alarm portion. They are used bya detector wire connecting them.
The detector is constructed to withstand moisture andwater, so it can be installed in commercial kitchens
where water may splash, bathrooms, or floor pits.
Units with output signal terminals may be linked withshutdown valves, etc.
c. External alarms (linked to outdoor buzzers)(Refer to Diagram 6)
By linking an outdoor buzzer (external alarm portion)
to an integrated unit alarm (with external output), theoutdoor buzzer can be used with intercom systems. If
the indoor alarm rings for a set period of time (about
20-60 seconds), the outdoor buzzer will ring to let
others know about the gas leak.
There is also an electric signal light on the outdoor
buzzer. If the alarm becomes unplugged inside, thislight will f lash to let others know the alarm was
unplugged. This is installed in individual residences
and small apartments, etc.
d. Concentrated monitoring system (Refer to Diagram 7.)
Concentrated monitoring board (called "Receiver
portion" in LPG Act, “Receiver” in Gas Business Act,and Fire Services Act) installed in manager’s office islinked by output signal lines to multiple integrated
u n it ala r m s a nd seg mented u n it ala r m s. T he
installation of this type of alarm is mandatory fordesignated underground shopping centers, etc. anddesignated basements, etc.
The concentrated monitoring board may be connected

Diagram 4. Integrated unit alarms examples
1. Operating display light/
power display light

Alarm sound output portion
Exchange datedisplay label
Power plug
Spare outlet

Gas detection portion
2. Output signal line

Power cord

Connector

Notes: 1. Some units split up the operating display light and power
display light.
2. Some output signal lines are connected to terminal blocks.

Diagram 5. Segmented unit alarms examples
Alarm soundoutputportionAlarm portion
1. Operating display light/
power display light

Power plug

Detection
portion(constructed towithstandmoisture
and water)

Exchange datedisplay label
Certification
label
Connector

Gas detection portion

2. Detection portion connecting line
Power cord
Notes: 1. Some units split up the operating display light and power
display light.
2. Some detection portion connection lines are connected toterminal blocks.

Spare outlet

Diagram 6. External alarms (linked to outdoor buzzer)
examplesIntegrated unit alarms
Outdoor
1. Operating display light/
buzzerpower display light
Power display light
Alarm soundoutput portion
Power plug
Exchange datedisplay label
Gas detection portion
Alarm soundoutputportionConnector
Connector
Power cord
Spare outlet

2. Output signal line (0-6-12VDC)(E.g. 6V when monitoring, 12V for gas leaks,
0V for trouble)

Notes: 1. Some units split up the operating display light and power
display light.
2. Some output signal lines are connected to terminal blocks.

09Chapter

3 Types and Models of Gas Alarms
directly to the terminal alarm or by a relay.
If the alarm detects gas and rings for a set amount oftime (about 20-60 seconds), the gas leak alarm willring at the concentrated monitoring board and display
the location of the gas leak. Also, a warning alarm
will ring if the alarm is unplugged and display thelocation of the unplugged alarm.
Concentrated monitoring boards installed in designatedunderground shopping centers, etc. and designatedbasements, etc. are grade 1 receiver portions withspare energy sources.
Also, emergency power sources, detection zone alarm
devices and gas leak display lights must be installed.
2. CO alarms
Alarms that detect carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaustgas emitted by incomplete combustion and trigger an
alarm. There are integrated units, where the gas sensor
and alarm portion are incorporated in the same case,and separated u n its, where each component isincorporated in separate cases. There are two types ofgas sensors, those CO high selection devices that
selectively detect carbon monoxide (CO) f rom
incomplete combustion, and general detection devices
that detect carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2).
There are also those with output signal terminals forsecurity systems and microcomputer-linked systems.

3. Commercial ventilation alarms
Alar ms developed to prevent CO poisoni ng i ncommercial kitchens. Converts CO concentration andtime elapsed into COHb (CO hemoglobin in the blood)value when CO is generated. Alarm is triggered if the
COHb value goes above a set value. See details on page12.
4. Gas/CO alarms
A combination of gas and CO alarms. Because LPG isheavier than air, the sensor to detect LPG is installed
close to the floor. However, the CO detection sensor isinstalled near the ceiling. Therefore, all alarms of thistype are separated types.
5. Residential fire/gas/CO alarms
Residential fire/CO alarms are CO alarms with fire
detection functionality that can trigger an alarm after
detecting a fire. Integrated units are installed near theceiling and have output signal terminals for CO alarms
and fire alarms.
Residential fire/gas/CO alarms are Gas/CO alarms (asin 4) with added fire detection functionality. Therefore,
they trigger alarms for gas leaks, CO, and fires. They
are separated units, like Gas/CO alarms (as in 4).

Diagram 7. Concentrated monitoring systems examples (for designated shopping centers, etc. and designatedbasements, etc.)
Output signal line
Output signal line

xx udon shop

Cafe xx

Alarm

Concentrated
monitoring board

Alarm

Alarm soundoutput portion
Representative
gas leak light
Representative
trouble light

Individual gas leak display light

Key hole
Individual trouble display light
Test switch
Audio stop switch

10

Display lights
by typeChapter

3 Types and Models of Gas Alarms
4. City Gas alarms(1) Overview of types (Refer to Chart 5.)
Different types of City Gas alarms are sold according topurpose, including gas alarms and gas leak alarms.
Chart 5. City Gas Alarm Types and Overview
With output signal terminal
Voice alarm-type
Buzzer alarm-type
Without output signal terminal
b. External alarms (outdoors buzzer-linked): Integrated/separated + outdoor buzzer
General-use concentrated monitoringc. External alarms
Gas leak concentrated monitoringd. Gas leak alarm equipmenta. Integrated
1. Gas alarms

City Gas
alarmsHousehold
2. CO alarms
Commercial

CO detectiontype

Integrated

Other

Separated

3. Commercial ventilation alarms

Voice alarmtype
Buzzer alarmtype

With output
signal terminal
Without output
signal terminal

COHb conversion-type

4. Gas/CO alarms

Power source-type
Battery-type
5. Residential fire/gas/CO alarms

Residential fire/CO alarms
Residential fire/gas/CO alarms

Battery-type
Power source-type
Battery-type

1. There are general household and commercial gas alarms.
2. There are CO alarms for the bathroom and non-bathroom (kitchen, etc.).

The most common alarm type currently emits a voiceasking “Is gas leaking?” In addition to gas leakalarms, some alarms have functions that notify
performance anomalies and exchange dates by soundor light.
Newest alarms include battery-operated alarms, thosewith functions to notify about heat stroke anddryness, night light functions where brightness canbe adjusted, and those with additional functions suchas emergency lights that can be used during power
outages.
b. External alarms (linked to outdoor buzzers)
Gas alarms (integrated unit alarms) linked to outdoor
buzzers with the same function, characteristics, andpurpose as LPG external alarms.
c. External alarms
Largely divided into concentrated monitoring and gas
leak alarms, concentrated monitoring alarms have thesame structure as concentrated monitoring systems
for designated underground shopping centers, etc. in
the LPG Act framework. Technological standards andstandards for installation and maintenance of gas leakalarms are established in the Gas Business Act.
d. Gas leak alarm equipment
Technological standards and standards for installationand maintenance of gas leak alarm equipment within
the Gas Business Act framework are established in
the Fire Services Act framework.

(2) Types of City Gas Alarms
1. Gas alarmsa. Integrated unit alarms (Refer to Diagram 8.)
Both the gas sensor por tion and alar m por tion
incorporated in the same case.
According to the Gas Business Act, gas alarms areintegrated units and used as detectors for gas leakalarm equipment.
Some alarms have hidden wires to attach directly tothe ceiling.
Diagram 8. City Gas alarms (integrated unit alarms)
examplesWall-mounted
Alarm sound output portion

Ceiling-mounted

2. Power display light
Operating display/power display light

Power
plug

1. Operating
displaylight

Gas detection
portionExchange datedisplay label
Power cord
Spare outlet

Alarm soundoutput portion

3. Output signal line (with connector)

Note: 1. Some do not have this.
2. Some also have a operating display light that flashes andchanges color.
3. Some output signal lines are connected to terminal blocks.

11Chapter

3 Types and Models of Gas Alarms
2. CO alarms (CO detection-types) (Refer to Diagram 9)
Alarms that selectively detect carbon monoxide (CO)in exhaust gas emitted by incomplete combustion andtrigger an alarm. There are integrated units, where thegas sensor and alarm portion are incorporated in thesame case, and separated units, where each component
is incorporated in separate cases.

5. Commercial ventilation alarms(Refer to Diagram 10.)
Commercial ventilation alarms selectively detect CO that
occurs due to incomplete combustion in commercial kitchenequipment and triggers an alarm.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is easily and f irmly linked tohemoglobin (Hb) in the blood as COHb. If the COHb
concentration in the blood rises, the body may struggle todeliver oxygen to vital organs, harming the body.
Commercial ventilation alarms convert CO concentration andtime elapsed into COHb value. Alarm is triggered if the
COHb value goes above a set value.

Diagram 9. Segmented unit CO alarms examples
Operating display light
Power display light

Outdoor buzzer

Diagram 10. Correlation between commercial ventilation
alarm set point and CO concentration

Power
plug

Power cord

Detection time (exposure time)/min

Exchange datedisplay label
Separated
detection portion

Spare outlet

3. Gas/CO alarms
A combination of gas and CO alarms. Integrated unit
ala r ms have both the gas lea k and i ncomplete
combustion gas sensor and alarm portion incorporated
in the same case.
4. Residential fire/gas/CO alarms
Residential fire/gas/CO alarms are gas/CO alarms withfire detection functionality that can trigger an alarmfor not only gas leaks and CO, but also after detecting
heat or smoke from a fire.
They are mainly installed in kitchen areas in theresidence. They may be mandatory to install depending
on municipality ordinance. In order to acquire grade 2
or higher for detection alarm devices (for fires in one’s
residence) in “Items Related to Safety During Fires” inthe Housing Quality Assurance Act, installation ofresidential fire alarms (including fire/gas/CO alarms)
in kitchens is required.

SevereAlarm lower limit

Alarm soundoutput portion

Ventilation alarm
set pointStandard alarms

Alarm upper limit

Detected CO concentration (ppm)

What are “commercial kitchens”?
Commercial kitchens are kitchens at restaurants orcafeterias, or kitchens that prepare boxed lunches andside dishes for super markets and boxed lunch shops.
Because they are included as “restaurants” by law, alarm
installation is mandator y for LPG (LPG Act) andrecommended for City Gas. (Refer to P4 Char t 2
Overview of Gas Alarms)
Also, installation of commercial gas alarms that areresistant to high heat, humidity, and alcohol-based steam
are recommended for commercial kitchens etc.

12

Chapter

3 Types and Models of Gas Alarms
6. Bulk gas leak detectors

Diagram 11. Bulk gas leak detectors

Based on Article 19-5 of the Enforcement Regulations of the
LPG Act, gas leak detectors must be installed inside bulk
containers and bulk tank protectors in the location establishedby Public Notice and linked to a system that continuously
monitors LPG leak information, etc. Technological standards
are established by Article 15 of the Public Notice Establishing
Details of Technological Standards related to Bulk Supply
and Replenishment Equipment (Ministerial Ordinance No.
127 of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry on
March 17, 1997).
Bulk gas leak detectors are detectors used specifically in
LPG bulk supply tan ks. Bulk supply tan ks are large
containers with more storage capacity than standard
containers (gas cylinders) that can replenish LPG on site witha bulk tank truck.
Tanks with less than 1,000kg of gas are common.
Bulk containers are transportable while bulk tanks are fixed.
This regulation does not apply to detectors if there is a safetymechanism to block flames within 2m of the exterior of thebulk container and it is placed outdoors.
Most detectors are separated units comprised of the detection
portion and alarm portion (Refer to Diagram 11.). The
detection portion is installed inside the protector, where gas
is drawn from the bulk container. They are water resistant asthey are installed outdoors.
The alarm portion is installed away from the bulk container
and linked to a concentrated monitoring system. It should beinstalled near the transmission device (NCU). ( Refer to
Diagram 12.)

Alarm portion

Detection portion

There are both power source-type and battery-type bulk gas
leak detectors because they are installed outdoors.
The alarm portion must be connected to a concentrated
monitoring system because there is no alarm sound with justthe external signal.
It is also possible to link an external device, such as a buzzer
or light, to the manager’s office to notify about accidents ormalfunctions.

Diagram 12. Bulk gas leak detector installation
Alarm portion

Monitoring
sensorNCU(Transmission
device)Detection portion

External
device13

Chapter

3 Types and Models of Gas Alarms
linked security systems. When selecting an alarm, onemust select it based on the linked security system after
inquiring with the systems manufacturer.

7. Alarm-linked security systems(1) Types of alarm output signals
The following output signals are in alarms used in alarmTypes of output signals (examples)

Signal format

Use/linkage example

1 Voltage DC 0-6-12V

12V for gas leak alarm, 6V for monitoring,
0V for power shutdown

Concentrated monitoring board, relay portion,
control portion, outdoor buzzer, residential
information board, automatic reporting device

2 Voltage DC 0-6-12-18V

18V for CO alarm, 12V for gas leak alarm,
Residential information board, relay portion
6V for monitoring, 0V for power shutdown

3 Voltage shutdown pulse

Voltage pulse

Shutdown valve

ON when gas leak type, ON-OFF type or
OFF type

Microcomputer gas meter (excluding S-type,E-type), contact input equipment

S-type/E-type safety gas meter interface*
Output each signal of gas leak, power
supply answer signal and power supply
unplugging with different ON-OFF time
length and cycles.

S-type/E-type safety gas meters

4

Non-voltage contact(photocoupler relay)

S-type/E-type safety gas meter5 response non-voltage contact(photocoupler relay)
6 Combination of above--* W hen connecting with S-type/E-type safety gas meters, the below signal is transmitted between the alarm and meter and operates based oneach status.

Signal types

Details

Alarm output
Meter output

Gas leak alarm signal

Alarm detects gas leaks, and outputs the ON/OFF gas leak alarm signal to the meter.

Power source answer signal

Responds to the power source answer request signal from the meter and outputs themonitored signal to the meter.

Power source unplugged signal*

Alarm detects that power source is unplugged (severed) and outputs the unplugged signal
to the meter.

Power source answer request signal

Outputs signal to alarm that checks if the alarm is monitoring power status.

Alarm unconnected detection signal

Meter outputs signal that disconnection is detected and determines the connection of thealarm.

Meter status signal (answer signal)

Emits voice or buzzer in alarm portion after meter transmits shutdown signal etc. toalarm.

* This function is only for “S-type/E-type alarms with unplug detection functionality.”(2) Voice-style gas alarm integrated message
1. The alarm message of LPG voice-style gas alarms connected to S-type and E-type microcomputer gas meters is
standardized as follows by the Gas Alarm Industries Association of Japan.
StatusMessage:

1 During gas leak“Is gas leaking?”

2 During meter shutdown“Gas (meter) has stopped”

3 Shutdown warning“Are you using gas too long? (please stop)”

4 During confirmation of safety recovery“(Confirming safety) Please wait a moment”

5 Confirmation of safety recovery completed “Gas can be used”
Optional message in ().

2. Incomplete combustion warning: “Air is contaminated and dangerous. Please open a window and ventilate the space.”

14

Chapter

3 Types and Models of Gas Alarms(3) Gas leak alarm shutdown device (automatic gas
shutdown device)* (Refer to Diagram 13.)
Device that is comprised of the alarm, controller, andshutdown valve. If the alarm rings for 25 to 60 seconds,
the controller will determine there is a gas leak and send asignal to the shutdown valve to stop the flow of gas. Some
controllers are included inside the alarm case.
Some shutdown valves are incorporated inside the gas
meter while others are connected outside the meter.
* A n automatic gas shutdown device includes a device to detect
abnormalities in gas flow and pressure and automatically shuts
down the gas, in addition to gas leak alarm shutdown device.

Diagram 13. Example of gas leak alarm shutdown device (for LPG)
Controller

Shutdown
signalCombustor

Gas alarms

Shutdown valve
Signalline

Gas leaksignalLPG
LPG(5) Gas leak alarm automatic reporting system (Telemetersystem) (Refer to Diagram 15.)
System that reports gas leaks by an automatic reporting
device using a subscribed phone line to the security centeror concentrated monitoring center. Emergency response ispossible by the security center when contacted by the
security system, even if the resident is not home. Thesesystems are also commonly combined with automatic meterreading and container supply management, etc.
There are two types of systems: device transmission types
and dual direction transmission types.
Some systems also communicate with the security centerby wireless lines, such as LTE lines, without relying on
wired communication networks for phone lines etc.

Diagram 14. Example of residential information board

Diagram 15. E xample of LPG leak alarm automatic
reporting system

Fire detection
deviceMicrocomputergas meter

Automatic
reportingdeviceDoor phone

Gas alarms

Gas alarms

Residential information board

Phone device

15

Security center(4) R esidential information board (Refer to Diagram 14.)
Device that adds lifestyle information reporting functions,such as bathroom sensors, and security functions, such as
emergencies alarms, crime alarms, fire notification, andgas leak alarms to an interphone that is often used tocommunicate to visitors or with other rooms. This board
displays all of these alarms and information by sound andlights.
Boards with fire alarms are classified as shared residence
automatic fire notification equipment (for residential use)or GP-type grade 3 receivers in the Enforcement Regulationsof the Fire Services Act. Their quality and installation are
established by law and regulation.

Phone line

Chapter

4

Inspection/Certication and Characteristics of Gas Alarms

The inspection and certiﬁcation systems of gas alarms were
int roduced for the pur pose of securing the safet y of
consumers by providing gas alarms that a third party had
checked that the manufacturer of the gas alarm produced it ina factory within a certain level of quality management
structure and that the alarm meets certain technologicalstandards.

Therefore, development of alarms that were discernablefrom other devices was needed.
As such, the voice-type gas alarm was developed in 1986.
Now, most products use voice alarms. The message invoice alarms has been standardized by the Gas Alarm
Industries Association of Japan. All voices ask: “Is gas
leaking?”(2) Measures against miscellaneous gases
Previous gas sensors respond even to flammable gas thatis not targeted. Therefore, they may trigger even foralcohol-based gases during cooking, called miscellaneousgas. If there are multiple false alarms, the user may
unplug it, and it will be unable to function as an alarm. To
solve these issues, a selective sensor was developed that
responds to only gas that is targeted by the devices. This
technology is currently in use.
In order to prevent false alarms in alarms “for 12A/13A
gas lighter than air” installed near the ceiling, an alcohol
filter was developed for alarms to be sold that are morereliable by using this.
On the other hand, LPG sensors are installed near thef looring and may have false alarms due to the use ofs p r ay s s u ch a s i n s e c t ic id e s , e t c. I n p a r t ic u l a r,
improvement was needed as such false alarms could
significantly impact concentrated monitoring systems,
etc. In April 1994, the High Pressure Gas Safety Instituteof Japan was the central player in preparing standards for
LPG alarms that prevent false alarms. Compared toprevious devices, products were developed to limit alarms
by use of sprays, etc. and sold as anti-false alarm types.
(3) Promotion of spread of CO alarms
Cu r rently sold CO gas detection-t y pe CO alar ms
selectively detect carbon monoxide that occurs due toincomplete combustion by combustor equipment.
As buildings continue to become more air tight, thefurther expansion of CO alarms is needed.
(4) Residential fire/gas/CO alarms
These devices are CO alarms that detect the presence of
CO or gas/CO alarms that detect the presence of gas leaks
and CO that have added heat or smoke detection function.
They are sold as residential fire/gas/CO alarms that can
prevent fires caused by many sources, and accidents
caused by incomplete burn.
(5) S implification of inspection when installing City
Gas alarms
City Gas alarms with labels stating “Automatic initialinspection functionality” or “Initial switch inspection
functionality” can easily be inspected without spraying
gas during installation as the lamp and sound notify theuser about any alarm abnormalities according to selfcheck results when a power source is plugged in or thedevice switched on.
(Notes) This inspection method is not applicable forlegally mandated gas alarm inspections for gas leak andfire alarms established in the Fire Services Act. (Refer topage 38 for legally mandated gas alarm inspections forgas leak and fire alarms established in the Fire Services
Act)(6) High reliability measures
Alarms must have a high level of reliability as they aresafety devices that need to operate properly in moments

1. Inspection/certification
LPG alarms are sold as products that meet the certification
provisions set by the High Pressure Gas Safety Institute ofJapan. For LPG alarms, the “LPG alarm certif ication
provisions/bulk gas leak detection device certification
standards (basic standards)” and for CO alarms, the “LPG
incomplete combustion alarm certification standards” wereenacted and partially revised in June 2015. Also, in terms oftechnological standards of alarms, the “KHKS0747 LPG leakala r m st a nd a rd s” a nd “K H KS0748 LPG i ncomplete
combustion alarm standards” were newly developed in June2016.
For the fire detection function in residential fire/gas/CO
alarms, there are products sold that meet the model testing
and model f itness certif ication conducted by the Fire
Equipment Inspection Institute. After the revision to the Fire
Services Act, from April 2014 residential fire alarms became
the subject of national certification. The previous certification
system was terminated and now certification labels areattached. There are two fire detection methods: photoelectric
method that detects smoke during fires and fixed temperature
method that detects the heat during fires.
On the other hand, for City Gas alarms, there are products
sold that meet the inspection standards of the Japan Gas
Appliances Inspection Association. A revision of inspection
standards was conducted in July 1999 that combined gas
alarms and CO alarms. In February 2015, the “City Gas
battery gas alarm inspection standards JIA F 047-15” were
newly enacted for battery gas alarms and the “City Gas alarm
inspection standards JIA E 001-15” were revised.
A lso, apa r t f rom CO ala r m st a nd a rds t hat envision
inst allation in general household envi ron ments, the“Commercial kitchen incomplete combustion alarm sensor
inspection standards [Tentative] JIA F 038-06” were newly
enacted for the purpose of notifying if the environment has
worsened significantly in a commercial kitchen due to poor
ventilation or forgetting ventilation. Also, the JIA F 038-10
was revised in April 2010. With the popularization of thisalarm, the naming was standardized in April 2012 to becalled commercial ventilation alarms. Commercial ventilation
alar ms adopt an alar m t ransmission patter n that use
accumulated converted COHb to prevent early alarms while
securing safety.

2. Characteristics of gas alarms(1) Voice in alarm sounds
During early development, there were no issues because
there were few devices that used electronic buzzers ingeneral households besides gas alarm. However, nowadays
most electronic devices will emit a beeping sound. There
were cases of people mistaking the sound with anothersound in the unattended home and reporting cases.

16

Chapter

4

Inspection/Certication and Characteristics of Gas Alarmsof emergency. By conducting regular self-checks of thegas detection portion and circuits, etc., it is possible toenhance reliability by including a function to notify users
about malfunctions.
(7) Promotion of spread of battery-type alarms
The sale of City Gas battery-type gas alarms began in
2015. The further spread of gas alarms is expected
through battery-type alarms that are easy to use andhighly attractive.

17

Chapter

5

Quality/Quality Assurance of Gas Alarms

1. LPG alarms

2. City Gas alarms

For the alarm quality, alarm manufacturers are mandated tocomply with technological standards established in Ministerial
Ordinance for LPG Device Technological Standards in the
LPG Act.
The LPG Act was revised in August 1999 with the Act on
Consolidation and Streamlining of Standards and Certification
Systems Relating to the Ministry of International Trade andIndustry (Act No. 121). In this law revision, LPG equipment
designated by government regulations (11 items other than gas
alarms) were required to comply with standards (inspection,
preparation and saving of inspection records) and receive alabel (PS mark). These rules were submitted to manufacturers
and must be complied with in order for products to be sold or
displayed for the purpose of selling.
Installation of alarms in some facilities and buildings are also
mandated in the Enforcement Guidelines of the LPG Act.
General consumer alarms are different from industrial
detection alarms that are regularly inspected and adjusted byexperts. They must maintain performance over a long period
without maintenance. Therefore, the High Pressure Gas
Safety Institute of Japan conducts inspections to check thateach alarm complies with the technological standards set in
the Ministerial Ordinance and will maintain long-term stableperformance. Certified products receive a label or laser
etching to mark that it complies.
Specifically, the first inspection is for the structure, materials,
various functionality such as alarm performance, durability,and duration characteristics. The second inspection certifies
each production lot in terms of importance, factory inspections
that check the management structure of manufacturing
factories and production lines of factories. After clearing these
two inspections, an inspection certificate can be attached.
Certificates are attached to each product and are effective forfive years after manufacturing.
For residential fire/gas/CO alarms, inspections of the LPG
alarm and CO alarm functions are performed based on thestandards established by the High Pressure Gas Safety Instituteof Japan. Inspection on the fire alarm function is conductedbased on model testing and model fitness certification
conducted by the Fire Equipment Inspection Institute.

In the Gas Business Act, the installation of City Gas alarms
is mandated as gas leak alarm equipment, gas alarm or
automatic gas shutdown mechanism for certain facilities orbuildings with combustors, such as designated underground
shopping centers, etc. and areas where gas pipelines enter
through the wall. Technological standards are established in
Article 2 of “Matters Establishing Installation Techniquesand Standards for Gas Leak Alarms” and Article 2 of “Public
Notice Establishing Installation Techniques and Standards for
Gas Leak Alarm Equipment” in the Public Notice of the Gas
Business Act.
Installation and technological standards of gas leak and fire
alarm equipment are also established in the Enforcement
Guidelines and Public Notice of the Fire Services Act.
The Japan Gas Appliances Inspection Association ensuresthat devices have stable long-term performance and thattechnological standards meet laws and regulations for
detectors in gas leak alarm equipment and gas leak/fire alarm
equipment, as well as gas alarms. The Japan Fire Equipment
Inspection Institute does the same for relays and receivers
while the Japan Gas Appliances Inspection Association and
the Japan Fire Equipment Inspection Institute does the samefor residential fire/gas/CO alarms. The method of inspection
is generally the same as certification by the High Pressure
Gas Safety Institute of Japan.
Certifications on City Gas alarms are effective for five years
after installation. However, as alarms are safety devices andgas sensors can change during the period in inventory, thest a nd a rd i nve ntor y pe r iod is w it h i n one yea r f rom
manufacturer shipment.

3. Commercial ventilation alarms
Inspections for commercial ventilation alarms check whether
they have stable long-term performance and if devices
comply with the technological standards established by theJapan Fire Equipment Inspection Institute. These alarms
detect carbon monoxide, convert to COHb, and emit analarm. Certification is effective for five year from installation.

Diagram 16. Certification and inspection for each alarmHigh Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan (KHK)

Japan Gas Appliances Inspection Association (JIA)

Japan Fire Equipment Inspection Institute(Certification and inspection of LPG alarms)(Certification and inspection of City Gas alarms)• Residential fire alarms• Integrated units, separated alarms,
and external output LPG alarms←Display based on four productsafety laws (LPG)• Equipment ancillary to LPG alarm• Fire prevention equipment, etc.
• City Gas alarms• CO alarms• External alarms• Gas alarm adapter• Commercial ventilation alarms• External alarm receiverchild device (Type II)

Nonindicating(Certification label)• Relay/receiverNonindicating• CO alarmsor18Chapter6

Spreading Awareness of Gas Alarms and Surveys

1. LPG alarms, etc.

2. City Gas alarms, etc.

(1) Duty to spread awareness to gas consumers
Based on Article 27 of the LPG Act, LPG dealers are
required to spread awareness of damage prevention
related to LPG to gas consumers. According to Article 27of the Enforcement Guidelines, dealers are required tospread awareness of the need for proper gas usage
methods, the potential for gas leak accidents, and alarm
safety devices to consumers installing gas alarm.
Regarding the text to spread this awareness, dealers are
instructed to include a column that includes mattersrelated to accident prevention measu res, such as
introducing PR and press releases to promote the spreadof safety equipment, such as gas alarms, etc.
(2) Survey requirements for gas consumption equipment,etc.
LPG dealers are mandated to conduct surveys of gas
consumption equipment according to Article 27 of the
LPG Act and Article 37 of the Enforcement Guidelines.
They are required to check at the beginning of providing
gas and at least once every four years that equipment
complies with technological standards established in
Article 44 of the Enforcement Guidelines.
In other words, dealers will check that the required
number of alarms that have not exceeded the expiration
date are installed in the positions required by standards inspaces with combustors in shared residences and otherfacilities required to have alarms installed.
If the consumption equipment is confirmed that it does
not comply with technological standards as a result of thissurvey, the dealer must notify the consumer and conduct
another survey within five months as stated in Article 27of this law.

(1) Duty to spread awareness to gas consumers
Gas dealers are mandated to spread awareness of required
items in order to prevent dangerous incidents that correspondwith the use of gas to gas consumers according to Article
159 of the Gas Business Act. In other words, according
Article 197 of the Enforcement Guidelines, dealers must,upon receiving an application to use gas or once a year,
spread awareness of matters related to prevention ofdangers corresponding with gas usage and management
and inspection of consumption equipment, and aptitude of
consumption equipment for supplying gas to gas consumers
at facilities required to install automatic shutdown gas
mechanisms, gas leak alarm equipment, or gas alarms.
(2) Survey requirements for gas consumption equipment,
etc.
According to Article 200 of the Enforcement Guidelines,
gas dealers are required to check whether consumption
equipment complies with tech nological standards
established in Article 202 of the Enforcement Guidelines
when receiving an application for gas usage or at least
once every four years.
If the consumption equipment is confirmed that it does
not comply with technological standards as a result of thissurvey, dealers must immediately notify gas consumers
about the measures they need to comply with standards
and the consequences of not taking such measures, andsubsequently review again within five months.
If City Gas alarms are installed in designated underground
shopping centers or designated basements, etc. establishedby the Gas Business Act or Fire Services Act, please refer
to “Chapter 12. Verification/Inspection/Maintenance &Management when Completing Gas Alarm Installation”
for testing, inspection, maintenance, and management of
this equipment (gas leak alarm equipment or gas leak/fire
alarm equipment).

19

Chapter

7 Installation of Gas Alarms
1. LPG alarms

Diagram 18. Examples of places where
alarms cannot be installed

The method of installing LPG alarms is established in the
Ministerial Ordinance “Enforcement Guidelines for Act on
the Securing of Safety and the Optimization of Transaction ofLiquefied Petroleum Gas” (No. 11 Ministerial Ordinance ofMinistry of International Trade and Industry in March 10,1997) and “Article 13 of the Public Notice Establishing
Details of Technological Standards related to Supply/
Consumption and Special Residential Supply Equipment.”(1) Integrated unit alarms
1. Installation location (Refer to Diagram 17)
Alarm shall be installed within 4m horizontal distancefrom the combustor (gas alliance or place farthest fromstopcock) on a wall within a room where a combustor
is installed so that the distance between the floor andthe top of the alarm and detection portion is within
30cm high.
Please firmly install alarm on the wall. Do not place iton the floor.

Places with good air
ventilation
Vibrating areas

Diagram 17. Integrated unit alarms installation examples

DividerGas
alarmsDiagram 19. Examples of places where
alarms cannot be installed
Places divided by flooring or shelves
Places where dividers block flow of gas
4m

Within 4m

4m
Combustor
Gas alarms

Gas
alarmsShelving

Within 30cm
Gas
alarmsFloor

Diagram 20. Examples of places where
alarms cannot be installed
Places that get wet
Places where water drops may fall

2. Places where it cannot be installed
Alarms cannot be installed in places where it can noteffectively detect gas leaks.
2-1. Places with outside air f low within 1.5m ofventilation air exhausts or near entrances/exits.
(Refer to Diagram 18.)
2-2. Places with high floors where gas combustor is inlower area with a difference of 20cm or more infloor level.
2-3. Places with dividers that may block the f low ofleaked gas between gas combustors and the alarm,or walls that are segmented by flooring and shelves,etc. (Refer to Diagram 19.)
2-4. Places that may experience surrounding temperaturesof -10°C or lower, or 40°C or higher.
2-5. Places that may splatter water or bathrooms whenusing AC100V as power source. (Refer to Diagram20.)
3. For method of fixing, after inserting the mounting
bracket into the wall, fix the alarm by aligning thisprotruding part of the bracket with the hole in the backof the alarm.
In cases when the mounting bracket cannot be screwed
into the wall, fully remove dust and oil from the wall,remove the film over the double-sided tape on theGas alarms

bracket, and push it firmly against the wall to attach
the bracket. Also, use plasterboard pins in cases when
the wall is plasterboard.
(2) Segmented unit alarms (Refer to Diagram 21.)
Mainly commercial LPG alarms
1. Places to install detection portion
The installation position of the detection function forsegmented unit alarms is the same as integrated unit
alarms. However, they can be placed in places wherewater splashes, such as bathrooms and commercial
kitchens etc. They can also be installed under floors orpits to prevent them from accidently being buried.
2. Places to install alarms
Alarms are installed in positions where the alarm canbe easily checked.

20

Chapter

7 Installation of Gas Alarms
Diagram 23. External alarms (outdoor buzzers)

Diagram 21. Segmented unit alarms installation examples
Wi

thi

Signalline

Alarmportionn4m

1.5m or more
Within 2.5m

Gasalarms

Detection
portionOutdoor buzzer

Indoors

Within 30cm

two or more detection portions. (Refer to Diagram 22.)
Also, when using gas combustors in multiple rooms,
such as guesthouses, etc., one must install detectors ineach room.
Drain
(3) E
 xternal alarms (linked to outdoor buzzers)(Refer to Diagram 23.)
Outdoor buzzers must be installed in positions where it iseasy to check the alarm and easy to hear the gas leakalarm, such as the outdoor entrance. However, they cannot
be installed in places directly hit by rain, constantly
Counter
exposed to sunlight, or where the surrounding temperature
may be -10°C or less or 40°C or more.
(4) C oncentrated monitoring system(Refer to Diagram 24.)
The concentrated monitoring board (receiver) is installed
Integrated unit alarms ................................ 2
in a position that is convenient for maintenance and where
Segmented unit alarms
the alarm can easily be checked in the manager’s office or(moisture prevention structure)................. 2
Segmented unit alarms .............................. 2
disaster prevention center. Receivers installed in
Gas combustor.................................. 7 units
designated underground shopping centers, etc. anddesignated basements, etc. must be grade 1 receivers.
3. Installation in large-scale kitchens
AC power source of grade 1 receivers must be independent
Wide kitchens that use multiple gas combustors, suchof power sources for other equipment. Also, emergency
as restaurants and guesthouses are required to havepower source of the designated power capacity must be
installed. (Refer to P27 on wiringm e t h o d s) W h e n i n s t a l l i n g i n
Diagram 24. Conceptual example of installing concentrated monitoring systemdesignated underground shopping
Speaker
centers, etc. and designated basements,
Signal line
etc., relays must be installed inpositions convenient for inspections,w it h m e ch a n i s m s ef fe c t ive a t
Concentrated
Relay
Relay
preventing fires, such as wiring
monitoring board
Spare power source inside
covered in conduit pipes or devices
Grade 1 receiverplaced in steel cases. For places whereGas leakAB
BCCC display light
grade 1 receivers are installed, one
Audio alarm
A B C
must also install voice-type alarms
equipment
Area display lights
AC100V
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL AL = Integrated orthat will notify users and related
Storage battery
segmented
commercial
alarmspower source
persons that a gas leak has occurred
Combined with
AC100V
as well as display a list of the detection
detection area
commercial
volume device
power sourcezones connected with detection portion
DC power
source linesof devices.
Constant
Power charging
AC100V
voltage device
deviceThe details of the emergency
commercial
The total latency between the time
power source device forpower source
Automatic
AC-driven AL are on the right.
Storage battery
the detection portion detects gas andAC
switching device
Commercial power source
Emergency
the time the receiver triggers the
To concentrated
DC
Inside low-pressure rooms
monitoring board power source
Power charging Storage
From main line
alarm must be within 60 seconds.
Inverter AC AC100V
devicebattery
Diagram 22. Example on installation in large kitchens

1

2

1

2

3

21

Chapter

7 Installation of Gas Alarms(6) CO alarm (Refer to Diagram 25)
1. CO alarms must be installed in the same room where
the combustor is installed, within 4m from the centerof the farthest burner that is the target of incomplete
combustion detection. Alarms must be installed inplaces where exhaust gas often collects, within 30cm
from the ceiling, and in positions where it is easy tocheck the display when the alarm is triggered.
2. Places where it cannot be installed
2-1. Directly above combustors and places where
exhaust, steam, and oil may hit.
2-2. Place where it is difficult for exhaust gas to flow,such as behind cooking equipment and furniture.
2-3. Place where exhaust gas is likely to be lighter due
to constant outside exposure, such as near supply
exhausts, etc.
2-4. Place where the sur rounding temperat ure ortemperature of the outside of CO alarm due toradiation is likely to be 50°C or higher, or 0°C or
lower.
2-5. Bat h rooms (exclud i ng t hose const r ucted towithstand moisture and water)(5) Gas alarm trigger sticker
Please attach these below stickers, which are packaged
with the gas alarm, in a position where it is easy to seefrom the installation location.

Diagram 25. CO alarms installation examples
CeilingWithin30cm

COalarmsWithin 4m(horizontal distance)*Near center of wall
Combustor(7) Gas/CO alarms (separated units) (Refer to Diagram 26)
Usage of gas/CO alarms should be spread as a redundantsafety measure and used along with positioning of
installation of integrated units and CO alarms.
Diagram 26. Gas/CO alarms installation examples
CeilingWithin30cm

Alarm
portionWithin 4m(horizontal distance)*Near center of wall
CombustorCO
detection
portionLPG
detection
portionWithin 30cm

22

Chapter

7 Installation of Gas Alarms(8) Residential fire/gas/CO alarms (Refer to Diagram 27.)
Residential fire/gas/CO alarms are alarms that haveresidential fire alarm, CO alarm, and gas/CO alarmfunctionality. They are installed in positions dependingon their function. When attached to walls, they are
installed in the center of the wall, within 15-30cm of theceiling. However, they cannot be installed within 1.5m of
the air exhaust of a vent. They also cannot be installed if
there is a risk of surrounding temperatures falling 0°C or
below, or 40°C or higher. If the fire detection function isconstant temperature-type (heat-type), alarms should beinstalled and maintained in locations where they caneffectively detect stove fires, beside in places that may
constantly reach high temperatures due to regular cooking(places right above the stove). For smoke-type, alarms
should be installed where there is no risk of smoke or
steam from regular cooking.
The gas detection portion should be installed based on the
installation standards for LPG alarms.

2. City Gas alarms
The method of installing City Gas alarms is established in
Article 3 of the “Public Notice Establishing Installation
Techniques and Standards for Gas Leak Alarm Equipment”
in the Gas Business Act. The installation method of CO
alarms is based on the detectors of gas leak alarm equipment.
(1) Integrated unit alarms (detectors) (Refer to Diagram 28.)
1. Alarms for gas lighter than air are to be installed onwalls or the ceiling in the same room as the gas device
within 8m horizontal from gas devices (or within 8m of
the center of the farthest burner from the alarm if there
are more than one burner).
The bottom of the alarm must be installed within 30cm
from the ceiling.
(For gas that is heavier than air, alarms are installed in
the same position as LPG alarms)
If the ceiling is divided by beams, etc. at least 60cm inlength, alarms must be installed on the side of beam
where the gas device is located.
If there are intake vents (*legal term) near the ceilingin the room with the gas device, alarms are to beinstalled near the intake vent nearest the gas device.
*In legal terms, the vent that exhausts air.
Also, please refer to Diagram 3 on page 6 for the
method of installing gas alarms for medium-pressure
combustors or when gas pipelines enter the exteriorwall.
2. Places where alar ms cannot be installed (Refer
Diagram 29.)2-1. Places directly exposed to exhaust, steam, or oil
smoke from a gas device.
2-2. Places with good air ventilation, such as near adoor.
2-3. P l a c e s t h a t m a y e x p e r i e n c e s u r r o u n d i n gtemperatures of -10°C or lower, or 50°C or higher.

Diagram 27. Residential fire/gas/CO alarms installation
examplesArea inappropriate Ceiling
Fire/CO
Within 30cm alarm portion
for installation
50cm

50cm

Within 4m (horizontal distance)*Near center of wall
Combustor

15cm ormore(distance tofire sensor)
Signalline
LPG
detection
portionAir vent
Within 30cm
50cm

Relationship of microcomputer gas meters and LPG alarms
In order to enhance the effectiveness to prevent LPG accidents, it is desirable to combine use or link LPG alarm* when
installing microcomputer gas meter.
Microcomputer gas meter S/S4...................................... Combined use/link
Microcomputer gas meter E/E4..................................... Combined use/link
Microcomputer gas meter SB (commercial).................. Link
Microcomputer gas meter EB........................................ Link
Microcomputer gas meter SB/EB have an “alarm disconnection detection function” that will close the shutdown valve toprevent use of gas when the alarm is disconnected. Also, when an alarm is disconnected, the microcomputer gas meter S/
S4/E/E4 makes sure the time of gas usage is limited.
The alarm output signal linked to the microcomputer gas meter is a 0-6-12V voltage signal (requires adapter) and an ONOFF non-voltage signal. However, the later signal is becoming more common.
*
Combined use: Install alarm in room (kitchen, etc.) with combustor in the building that installed the microcomputer gas
meter.
Link: If the alarm rings for a set period of time, a signal will connect the two equipment and the microcomputer gas meter
will shut off the gas.

23

Chapter

7 Installation of Gas Alarms
2-4. Places that may splatter water or bathrooms whenusing AC100V as power source.
3. Based on the legal ordi nances i n the Buildi ng
Standards Act, the following provisions must be
followed when installing alarms.
3-1. The type of alarm to install is limited to external
alarm or concentrated monitoring type.
3-2. Integrated unit alarms or detectors use special
screws so they cannot be easily removed by normal
people.
3-3. External alarms (outdoor buzzers) are installed inshared corridors and staircases and concentrated
monitoring boards in administrative offices andsecurity rooms, etc. They can confirm spaces
where gas leaks have occurred.
3-4. Power lines are helpful to prevent suicides asfollows (excluding cases with power severance
alarms).
a. C onnect to ON-OFF switch to shut down allroutes in residence.
b. W ires are installed in pipes and behind theceiling to make them difficult for normal people
to sever; there are no switches installed mid-way.

(2) Segmented unit alarms(1) The installation position of the detection function forsegmented unit alarms is the same as integrated unit
alarms.
(2) Alarms are installed in positions where the alarm canbe easily checked.
(3) Gas leak alarm equipment
Equivalent of LPG concentrated monitoring system, referto the method of installing LPG concentrated monitoringalarms for the installation method and wiring method forrelays and receivers.
On the use of gas/CO alarms (gas leaks + incomplete
combustion), one must be aware of the output signal.
Select the appropriate signal matching after consultingwith systems manufacturers.
(4) Gas leak fire alarm equipment
Installation method is the same as gas leak alar mequipment and established in Article 24-2-3 of the
Enforcement Regulations of the Fire Services Act.
(5) CO alarms (CO detection-types)
1. Segmented unit (for bathroom) (Refer to Diagram 30.)
1-1. Detection portion must be installed within 30cm
from the ceiling in bathrooms to detect for exhaustgas due to incomplete combustion. However, do notinstall in places where water hits directly, places
with good air ventilation (near windows), or places
with high temperatures, such as near exhaust pipes.
They also cannot be installed if there is a risk ofsurrounding temperatures falling 0°C or below, or
50°C or higher.
1-2. Alarms are installed in positions where the alarmsound can be easily checked outside the bathroom.
They cannot be installed if there is a risk ofsurrounding temperatures falling -10°C or below, or
50°C or higher.
2. Integrated unit (for kitchen) alarmSame installation method as City Gas integrated alarms(detectors)
3. Battery-type CO alarms
Integrated alarms operated by battery can be used in
combination for bathroom and non-bathroom types.

Diagram 28. Installation examples for City Gas alarms
and CO alarms
Ceiling
50cm

Alarms
50cm

Combustor

Within30cm

Within 8m

Gas
valve

60cm or higher ofhanging partition wall

Area inappropriate for installation
Floor

Diagram 30. S egmented unit (for bathroom) alarm
installation examples

Diagram 29. Examples of places where alarms cannot
be installed

Ceiling

Ceiling

Bathroom
Within 30cm

2-2

Alarm
portion

2-2

2-1

24

Signalline

Detection
portionChapter

7 Installation of Gas Alarms

Installation method is the same as City Gas integrated
unit alarms (detection portion).
(6) Residential fire/gas/CO alarms (Refer to Diagram 31.)
Residential fire/gas/CO alarms are alarms that haveresidential fire alarm, gas alarm (integrated), and gas/CO
alarm functionality. They are installed in positions
depending on their function. When attached to walls, they
are installed in the center of the wall, within 15-30cm of
the ceiling. However, they cannot be installed within 1.5m
of the air exhaust of a vent (including air vents). They also
cannot be installed if there is a risk of surrounding
temperatures falling 0°C or below, or 40°C or higher. If
the fire detection function is constant temperature-type(heat-type), alarms should be installed and maintained inlocations where they can effectively detect stove fires,
beside i n places t hat may const a ntly reach h ig htemperatures due to regular cooking (places right above
the stove). For smoke-type, alarms should be installed
where there is no risk of smoke or steam from regularcooking.

3. Commercial ventilation alarms(1) Installation location (Refer to Diagram 32.)
Commercial ventilation alarms should be installed in thesame room as combustors in a location from 50cm-8m
horizontal distance from the combustor and 170cm (plusminus 20cm) from the floor, in a position where it is easy
for the alarm display light to be confirmed.
(2) Places where it cannot be installed
1. Within 1.5m of air conditioners and the air exhaust of avent (including air vents)
2. In places directly exposed to exhaust from combustors,
steam, and oil smoke, and cooking alcohol steam.
3. Places that get wet
4. Places where surrounding temperatures may be 0°C or
below or 50°C or higher during use of cooking
appliances
5. Places with intense vibration or shock

Diagram 31. Residential fire/gas/CO alarms installation
examplesArea inappropriate
for installation
50cm

CeilingWithin 30cm
50cm

Within 8m (horizontal distance)*Near center of wall
Combustor
燃焼器

Diagram 32. Commercial ventilation alarms installation
examplesCeiling

15cm or more
(distance tofire sensor)
Residential fire
Gas/CO alarms

50cm
Commercial ventilation alarms

From air vent1.5m or more

Gas valve

Air vent

Horizontal
distance
Within 8m
50cm
1.5m or more 170±20cm
Air vent(ventilation, etc.) from air vent

50cm
Combustor(7) Area inappropriate for installation (recommended)
Please install CO alarms and residential fire alarms on
walls at least 50cm or more distance from combustors or
range hoods.
There is a risk of false alarm due to exhausts from range
hoods or steam/oil smoke from cooking.
Also, when installing gas alarms in closed-off verticalpipeline shafts, etc., one must be cautious of the deteriorationof gas sensors due to silicon, used in caulking etc.

Floor

Area inappropriate
for installation

25

Chapter

7 Installation of Gas Alarms
FG terminals in each equipment and cannot be used in
combination with other grounding. Also, do not lay alongwith other wires.
Consult with the system manufacturer when installing FG
wiring.

4. Alarm-linked security systems(1) G as leak alarm shutdown device (automatic gas
shutdown device)
Alarms should be installed according to the previous
paragraphs 1 (1)-(3) or 2 (1)-(2) based on their type.
The controller should be installed in a position where it iseasy to hear the alarm sound and see the flashing lightwhen the shutdown valve is closed.
Please select shutdown valves of the diameter that fits thepipe dimensions. The shutdown valve is connected near to
the gas meter. The shutdown valve and gas meter withbuilt-in shutoff valve must be installed by a certified LPG
technician for LPG.
Connection of signal lines for the alarm, controller, andshutdown valve should be conducted strictly by the
manufacturer installation manual.
(2) Gas leak alarm automatic reporting system (Telemetersystem) (Refer to Diagram 33.)
The connection of telephone lines must be conducted bycertified technicians (Analog class-3 or higher). The
equipment comprising this system includes indoor andoutdoor equipment. Even for outdoor equipment, selectplaces that are not directly exposed to sunlight or rain,
and use outdoor types for wiring materials (for example,
cab-tire cables).
Fo r i n d o o r w i r i ng , u s e p r o d u c t s d e sig n a t e d by
manufacturers and pay close attention to plus-minus
polarity. For areas with high impact of lightning surges,
installation of FG lines (common lines) is required toreduce the impact of light ni ng su rges on systemequipment that may strike power sources for electric
wiring and gas alarms. FG wires are always connected to

Diagram 33. C oncept of gas leak alarm automatic
reporting system installation example (incases of alarms with FG terminal)

Automatic reporting
deviceTelephone

Security device

Phone line

Microcomputergas meter
AlarmsFGterminal
Telemeter terminal

26

FG terminal
FG wire (single line)

Chapter

8 Inspection Techniques for Gas Alarms
on common rules for a “dropper inspection technique” asa new initial inspection technique that does not harm
f ilter perfor mance when triggering the gas alar m.
Equipment that supports this new dropper inspection
method has a label stating that inspection by gas lightersor the dropper markon theis prohibitedalar m unit. Be cautious not to use the gas lighter
inspection method for equipment with this label.
(3) Dropper inspection method for City Gas alarms
Conduct operation inspection by the following method
and check the operation of the alarm sound and lamp.
1. Preparation before inspection
1) Check that there is a label stating that inspection byor the dropper markgas lighters is prohibitedon the gas alarm.
2) Prepare the item to extract inspection gas fromflames, such as gas extractor, gas lighter or gas stove.
Example of gas extractor

1. LPG alarms(1) Initial use inspection
When plugging the power cord in the first time, an initial
timer will go off and a power display lamp will flash.
Confirm that the light switches from flashing to lit toensure the alarm is operating correctly. Some alarms also
emit a voice message stating “Operating properly.”(2) Inspection of gas alarm functions(2)-1 Use inspection tools attached to the alarm.
(2)-2 Inspection by gas lighter (retail products)

2. City Gas alarms
In January 2008, the Gas Alarm Industries Association ofJapan organized the following two points to simplify theinspection when installing City Gas alarms.
(1) Inspection by inspection switch and automatic
initial inspection function
In the past, an initiation inspection was conducted byinspection gas when installing gas alarms. This is basedon the idea that ensuring “gas alarms as security devices
don’t have any issues in their important functions.”
However, with recent improvements in gas alar mtechnology, equipment now has gas leak detection
function, CO detection, and fire detection. There has been
confusion on the ground as each device has a different
technique for initial inspection. Considering this situation,
the Gas Alarm Industries Association of Japan decided on
specifications of gas alarms that could perform initialinspection upon installation by an automatic initialinspection function and inspection switch in order toreduce the bu rden when installing gas alar ms by
simplifying the inspection process for alarms that meetcertain requirements. Also, equipment that could perform
initial inspection upon installation by an automatic initialinspection function and inspection switch has a label
stating “automatic initial inspection functionality” or“switch initial inspection functionality” on the alarm unit.
Alarms with these labels can be inspected initially in thesame way as the initial inspection by inspection gas byusing a sensor automatic inspection function inside thealarm established by the Gas Alarm Industries Associationof Japan.
The above two methods of inspection unified here are
related to the initial self-inspection of gas alarms installedin facilities recommended to have alarms installed. The
legally mandated inspection technique for gas alarms infacilities required to have alarms installed according to
the Fire Services Act remains the inspection techniqueestablished by past laws and regulations (Refer to Page
38).
(2) Dropper inspection
In order to enhance the long-term reliability of gas
alarms, as the filter performance of gas sensors have been
improved, a problem has occur red in which when
conducting initial inspection with lighter gas (butane gas)
for new gas/CO alarms, the alarm will not ring or stopringing when exposing it to lighter gas to test the ring
function, temporarily deteriorating the filter function.
The Gas Alarm Industries Association of Japan decided

If the inspection by gas lighters prohibited label on thegas alarm or dropper mark is on the gas alarm, do notdirectly emit the gas from a lighter.
2. Method of extracting inspection gas (Refer to
Diagram 34.)
1) Light the gas light or gas stove and adjust height offlame approximately 5cm.
(It becomes difficult to extract inspection gas thesmaller the flame. If you cannot adjust the flame to aheight of 5cm due to the type of gas stove, increase
output to maximum available)
2) Compress the gas extractor tool (dropper) and place
the end in the center of outside f lame (center oforange flame)3) For around two seconds, slowly suck in the gas fromthe center of the flame (inspection gas)
4) Wait until the temperature of the end of the gas
extractor tool cools off (approximately 30 seconds).
(Do not place near alarm while still hot. It may
damage or distort the alarm.)
3. Timing for inspection gas (Refer to Diagram 35.)
1) Turn on the gas alarm2) After the gas alarm is stable (initial timer completed),
insert the inspection gas in the sensor portion of thegas alarm within four minutes of inserting power.
Please refer to the user manual for each alarm forwhen the alarm stabilization ends and the position of
the sensor portion.
2)-1 Confirm that the temperature of the end of thegas extractor tool has decreased sufficiently.
2)-2 Place the end of gas extractor tool near thesensor.
2)-3 Slowly squeeze the gas extractor tool and insert
the extracted inspection gas (take approximately
two seconds).

27

Chapter

8 Inspection Techniques for Gas Alarms
Diagram 34. Method of extracting inspection gas! Caution
Inside flame(blue)

Outside flame (orange)

Prohibited

Flame height of approximately 5cm

Gas extractor
Be cautious of burns
when tip gets hot

Flame height ofapproximately
4cm
Gas stove
Gas lighter
Extract from central portion of outside flame(central portion of orange flame)

Extract from central portion of outside flame(central portion of orange flame)• Do not heat for a long timeas the gas extractor willbreak
• Be cautious as the gas
extractor tool tip will be hot
after removing from theflame2) Refer to the user manual of each alarm for the methodof inspecting the link with external alarms.
3) This inspection method is not applicable for legally
mandated gas alarm inspections for gas leak and fire
alarms established in the Fire Services Act.

4. Confirm lamp operation during inspection andalarm for gas (City Gas) or CO (incomplete
combustion)
1) Confirm that the gas leak alarm and CO alarm (gas/CO alarm) trigger when inserting inspection gas.
If the alarm does not trigger immediately after
inserting the inspection gas, please wait 30 seconds
after inserting.
2) For gas leak alarms, confirm the red alarm light turns
on and the alarm sound is set off (for voice-type
alarms: “Beep beep beep. Is gas leaking?”).
3) Also confirm CO alarm for gas/CO alarms. For CO
alarms, confirm the yellow alarm light turns on andthe alarm sound is set off (for voice-type alarms:“Beep beep beep. Air is contaminated and dangerous.
Please open a window and ventilate the space”).
Refer to the user manuals for each alarm on details ofconfirmation methods.
If the green light does not stop flashing, refer to theuser manual of each alarm as it may be broken.
5. If one insertion of inspection gas does not trigger
alarm1) After inserting the inspection gas, if the above alarms
do no trigger after 30 seconds, extract inspection gas
again and conduct an operational inspection by thesame method.
2) If four minutes pass from turning on power supply
and the alarm does not trigger, try turning on power
supply on the alarm again and conduct an operational
inspection after conf irming the inspection gas
extraction method.
6. Other precautions
1) If the sensor part of a gas/CO alarm is split into twoplaces, insert inspection gas in each sensor portion.

Diagram 35. Pointing for inspection gas
Gas alarms

SensorportionSensorportionGas alarms! Caution

Prohibited• Do not use extracted inspection gas for any purpose
besides operational inspection• Do not inhale extracted inspection gas from nose or mouth28

Chapter

8 Inspection Techniques for Gas Alarms(4) Initial inspection during installation by inspection
switch and automatic initial inspection function
Conduct an operational inspection by the following
method when installing City Gas alarms with a label
stating “automatic initial inspection functionality” or“switch initial inspection functionality.”
1. Automatic initial inspection functionality example
1) Turn on the gas alarm. The green power light will
flash slowly (initial timer).
2) After device is stable (initial timer complete), theg r e e n p owe r l ig ht w i l l ch a nge t o r e m a i n on
constantly.
3) Alarm will start automatic inspection. There are somealarms that operate like 2-4 after inspection, so checkby lights and sounds.
2. Switch initial inspection functionality example(Refer to Diagram 36.)
1) Turn on the gas alarm. The green power light will
flash slowly (initial timer).
2) After device is stable (initial timer complete), theg r e e n p owe r l ig ht w i l l ch a nge t o r e m a i n on
constantly.
3) Press the inspection switch for the alarm to begin theinspection of functionality.
There are some alarms that operate as follows during
inspection, so check by lights and sounds.
4) Operational inspection results4)-1 If the light turns on as described in the user
manual, the alarm sound triggers, or a voice
alarm stating “Operating properly” is heard, thealarm is operating properly.
4)-2 If there are anomalies in the alarm, the green
power light will flash quickly to indicate this.
For voice alarms, they will emit a message tonotify of the anomaly, such as “Malfunction.”

3. Other precautions
1) Label stating “automatic initial inspection functionality”
or “switch initial inspection f unctionalit y” isdisplayed on alarm unit itself, the user manual, andpackaging, etc. The above inspection method cannot
be used when there is no such label. In this case,check the user manual for the alarm for inspection
method.
2) This inspection method is not applicable for legally
mandated gas alarm inspections for gas leak and fire
alarms established in the Fire Services Act.

Diagram 36. Example of operation on alarm inspection for alarms with switch initial inspection functionality• Lights turn on, flash• Alarm sounds go off

Alarm
sound

•M
 essage stating “Malfunction”,
etc. notifies of anomalies.

Malfunction.

Note) Refer to the user manuals for each alarm on details of inspection operations

29

Chapter

9 Functionality of Gas Alarms
1. Automatic initial inspection functionality

Diagram 37B. Initial operation inspection functionality

Initial timer starts when entering power for alarm. After thetimer is complete, a voice message will state “Operating
properly” or “Alarm operating properly.” (Refer to Diagram
37A., Diagram 37B.)

3.	States “Operating properly,” power light (green)turns on, and enters monitoring state.
When malfunctioning
When malfunction occurs, voice message of“Malfunction” plays once and the power light(green) flashes at high speed.
It will continue to beep every minute and emit
the “Malfunction” message every ten minutes.
After, it will repeat the same alarm.
*Please refer to the user manual for the alarmsound.

Diagram 37A. Initial operation inspection functionality
1. Plug supply plug into outlet.
Power light (green) will flash as the alarm prepares
to enter monitoring mode.
Power light (green)
flashes“Operating properly”
Power light (green)turns onExchange datedisplay label

Exchange datedisplay label

Gas alarm light (red)turns off

Gas alarm light (red)turns off
CO alarm light (yellow)
turns off
Fire alarm light turns off

CO alarm light (yellow)
turns off
Fire alarm light turns off

2. Alarm stop switch(1) If alarm triggered
1-1 Gas alarms
It is possible to stop the gas alarm once using thealarm stop switch.
Five minutes after stopping alarm, the alarm will
trigger again if alarm conditions met.
1-2 CO alarms
There are two types of CO alarms, low concentration
warnings and high concentration alarms.
It is possible to stop the warning once with an alarmstop switch.
Five minutes after stopping alarm, the alarm will
trigger again if alarm conditions met.
1-3 Fire alarms
It is possible to stop the fire alarm with an alarm stop
switch.
Five minutes after stopping alarm, the alarm will
trigger again if alarm conditions met. It is possible tostop the alarm as many times as needed.
However, after stopping the alarm and the alarm
conditions being removed, if alarm conditions areonce again met, the alarm will be trigged even if fiveminutes have not passed.
(2) If malfunction alarm triggered (Refer to Diagram 38.)

2.	Approximately 30 seconds after connecting topower, all lights will turn off after turning on.
(If alarm triggered in past ten days)
Lights associated with cause of alarm that waslast triggered will turn on for approximately one
second. (due to alarm trigger cause display
function)
Power light (green)turns onExchange datedisplay label
Gas alarm light (red)turns onCO alarm light (yellow)
turns onFire alarm light turns on

Alarm also triggers when power recovers from power outage

30Chapter

9 Functionality of Gas Alarms
Diagram 38. If malfunction alarm triggered

3. Expiration date

When malfunctioning
When malfunction occurs, voice message of“Malfunction” plays once and the power light(green) flashes at high speed.
It will continue to beep every minute and emit the“Malfunction” message every ten minutes.
After, it will repeat the same alarm.
*Please refer to the user manual for the alarmsound.

Some alarms have a function to count the expiration date.
Alarms have an expiration date of five years after beginninguse.
After approximately 5.5 years pass, the light will begin
f lashing. Or the following message will be stated whenpressing the inspection switch: “Expiration date has passed.
Please contact a dealer.” (Refer to Diagram 39.)
Diagram 39. Alarm expiration date

After voice message“Malfunction,”
beeping every minuteand message “Malfunction”
every ten minutes

If the expiration date has passed
If six months or more pass beyond the expiration
date, the power light (green) will flash slowly.
*Please contact the dealer.
Power light (green)slowly flashes

Power light (green)
flashes at high speed

Exchange datedisplay label

Exchange datedisplay label

Gas alarm light (red)turns off

Gas alarm light (red)turns off

CO alarm light (yellow)
turns off

CO alarm light (yellow)
turns off

Fire alarm light turns off

Fire alarm light turns off*There are also alarms that the “Malfunction” voice
can be stopped by pressing the alarm stop switch.
Please refer to the user manual for details. However,
the alarm sound will stop for approximately 36
hours if you press the alarm stop switch. Some
alarm sounds do not play again. The quick flashingof the power light (green) does not stop.
*Please contact the dealer.
*If linked with an external device, the alarm stop
switch will also turn off the external device while
the alarm sound is stopped.
Power light (green)
flashes at high speed

Exchange datedisplay label
Gas alarm light (red)turns off
CO alarm light (yellow)
turns off
Fire alarm light turns off

31

Chapter

10 Wiring Installation of Gas Alarms
1. Certifications required for electric wiring
installation
Public certifications are required for the following tasks. Certified technicians required by affiliated laws.
Task name

Certification nameAffiliated laws

Notes

Commercial powersource installation
GroundingElectrical technician(Class 2 or higher)

Electricity Business Act

Excludes power source installation by AC
power removal by outlets or DC24-driven
alarmsGas leak fire alarm
equipment

Grade A No. 4 Type fire
equipment technician

Fire Services Act

Automatic reporting
device (telephone line)

Person in charge of
Telecommunications Business Act
installation
Wire Telecommunications Act(Analog Class 3 or higher)

Electrician Act

In cases of underground shopping centers,
etc. and basements, etc. that use City Gas
In cases of automatic reporting of gas leaks

2. Laws related to electric wiring installation
Wiring tasks must be conducted in compliance with the following laws.
Task nameAffiliated laws

Commercial powersource, signal lines

Gas leak fire alarm
equipment

Details

Electricity Technical Interpretation No. 5 Article 146

Wires used for low voltage indoor wiring

Electricity Technical Interpretation No. 5
Articles 158, 159, 164

Details related to compound resin wires, metal
pipe installation, and cable installation

Electricity Technical Interpretation No. 5 Article 167

Intertwining or connect with pipes, or low voltage
indoor wiring or low electric current wires

Electricity Technical Interpretation No. 5 Article 171

Facilities with low voltage indoor transportable
wires

Electricity Technical Interpretation No. 5 Article 181,
Indoor Wiring Regulations No. 5 3560-3

Facilities with low power circuits

Indoor Wiring Regulations No. 2 3202-2.4.5,
3203-1 to 8

Prohibition of fixing cords, etc. (power cords foralarms)Local Government Ministerial Ordinance No. 6
Details of standards related to gas leak alarm
Enforcement Guidelines of Fire Services Act Article 24 2-3 equipment

Alarm equipment for City
Public Ordinance of Ministry of Construction No. 1099
Gas shared residences

Specialty wiring, etc. (attached to power
severance alarm)

Note:	“Electricity Technical Interpretation” is an abbreviation of the Interpretation of the Ministerial Ordinance Establishing TechnologicalStandards related to Electricity Equipment (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Public Notice No. 52 of 1997, amended in October,2008).

3. Models (examples) of cables used
Task type

Name

JIS

SymbolThickness

Commercial
power source

Insulated 600V vinyl insulated wire
C3307
IV
wire
600V type two (heat resistant) vinyl insulated wire C3317 HIV⌀1.6 or moreLow
voltagecable⌀1.6 or more

Signal line

600V vinyl insulated vinyl sheathed cable (flat)
600V vinyl insulated vinyl sheathed cable (round)C3342 VVF
VVR

600V vinyl insulated wire
C3307
IV
600V vinyl insulated vinyl cab tire cable
C3312 VCT
Automatic fire report alarm polyethylene insulated
AE. OP. YP
vinyl sheathed wire
CPEV
City polyethylene insulated vinyl sheathed cableAffiliated laws
Electricity TechnicalInterpretation
Article 146
Article 158
Article 164⌀1.0 (1.2) or more
0.5mm 2 or more
⌀0.8 (0.9) or more
⌀0.8 (0.9) or more

Electricity TechnicalInterpretation
Article 167
Article 181
Obtainable size is in (32)

Chapter

10 Wiring Installation of Gas Alarms(4) Allow external output signal line of alarm and gas pipe
to come into contact(5) Insert external output signal line of alarm into closed
space, such as pipe shaft, where gas may collect

4. Rules in wiring installation (examples ofcommon installation errors)
Do not install wiring in following ways.
(1) Fix power cords for alarms with staples(2) Sever power cords for alarms and try to connect by apressurized sleeve, etc.
(3) Install the power line and signal line in the same pipe orbox (when using a wire that does not serve to insulate)

5. Examples of wiring installation(1) For alarms hung on walls (Refer to Diagram 40.)

Diagram 40. Examples of wiring installation for alarms hung on walls (when using inserted connector)• When installing signal line by insulated power cableequivalent to indoor low pressure wires
Signal line (insulated power cable equivalent or
greater to indoor low pressure wire)
Connector
Signal pipe
Gas alarms
Mounting plate
It is possible toBoxplace power line
cover
and signal line insame pipe.

• Example of connecting inserted connection device
Gas alarms

Insulated power
cable equivalent or
greater to indoor
Power plug low pressure wire

Bulletconnector
Indoor wire(VVF, etc.)

Cord connector body
Bulletconnector

Vinyl cord
Vinyl cord
(JIS C3306)

Switch box
Inserted connector

Insulated power cableequivalent or greater toindoor low pressure wire

Inside switch box

Notes 1) Electrician certification is required to install electric wiring.
2)	You cannot sever the power cord of the alarm (portable power cable) and connect it inside a pressurized sleeve, etc. in the switch
box. (Use inserted connector)(2) For alarms hung on ceilings (Refer to Diagram 41.)
Diagram 41. Example of wiring for alarms (AC100V power supply) hung on ceilings (for direct connections)• When installing signal line by low current power cable• When installing signal line by insulated power cable equivalent
to indoor low pressure wires

Concrete box
Power cable pipe
(signal)Wall (fix firmly)
Signal line
(low current power cable)

Power cable pipe
(power supply)Power cablepipe (signal)

Box coverPower cord
Insulated power cableequivalent or greater toindoor low pressure wire
Mounting base
DetectorNote) It is possible
to place
power line
and signal
line in same
pipe.

Signal line
Insulated power
cable equivalentor greater toindoor low
pressure wire

Concrete box
Power cable pipe
(power supply)
Box coverPower cord
Insulated power cableequivalent or greater toindoor low pressure wire
Mounting base

Detector

Notes	Electrician certification is required to install electric wiring. (Certification not required for installing power cable of DC24V-driven
alarm)

33

Chapter

11 Gas Alarms Q&A
Ｑ Why are gas alarms required?

Is it better to clean gas alarms
Ｑ like cleaning oil from stovetops
or ventilation fans?

Ａ by people intending to turn on the
Most gas leak accidents are caused

gas, intending to turn off the gas valve, or
intending to return right away. If gas alarms
are properly installed and appropriately used,
they will warn about these accidents causedby human error.

Ａ alarm is dir ty. Please be sure to
We do recommend maintenance if theremove the power cable before cleaning.
Please soak a cloth with water and soap,
wring it out, and then wipe away the stains.
In this case, please be careful that water
does not penetrate inside the gas alarm.
Please do not use detergent, chlorine bleach,
Benzine, paint thinner, or alcohol. If you use
inappropriate cleaning materials, etc., thesurface may be damaged or it may not
function properly (if the alarm is connected
to an external device, such as an intercom,
the alarm may be triggered for the external
alarm).

I want to buy a gas alarm, but

Ｑ what type should I buy?

Ａ residential fire alarms, gas alarms, CO

There are many options, including

alarms, and a combination of residential fire
alarms and other alarms. While it varies bypurpose, it is a good idea to consult thenearest gas dealer or gas alarm manufacturer.

I’ve heard that installing a
microcomputer meter w i l l
Ｑ trigger an alarm in the case ofgas leaks.

I can attach a gas alarm myself.
Ｑ Why can’t I do this?

Ａ require special certification. However,
The attachment of gas alarms do not

Ａ alarm if a small gas leak continues forthe installation location varies based on thetype of gas. It is necessary to attach thealarm in the proper position in order for it tooperate properly. Therefore, it is best to
consult with a gas dealer. In particular, it isimportant to be aware that the installation
location of gas sensors varies for City Gas
alarms and LPG alarms since the weight ofgas varies.

Microcomputer meters will trigger an

a long period (for example, thirty days).
However, because this displays on the unit
itself, you cannot see it from being inside thehouse. In case of emergency, it is possible
for gas alarms to trigger the buzzer or voice
alarm inside. If microcomputer meters andgas alarms are connected when installed, it
is safer because they will trigger an alarmand stop the gas in case of gas leaks.

I moved. Can I use the gas alarm

Ｑ I used before?

Ｑ Is it okay to use spray pesticides?

Ａ used at your new home as there are

Please consult with the gas dealer

Ａ cover the gas alarm with a plastic bag

When using spray pesticides, please

many possible factors, such as different
types of gas used at your old and new home.

because there are cases when the gas alarm
will emit an alarm. (After spraying andventilating the space, please remember toremove the plastic bag.)34

Chapter

11 Gas Alarms Q&A
Ｑ What are CO alarms?

I want to install a gas alarm.
Ｑ What points should I consider
when selecting a product?

Ａ occurs during incomplete combustion

CO is a powerfully toxic gas thatof objects or gases. Because it is colorlessand odorless, it is impossible to detect that
CO has been emitted. CO alarms are safety
devices that can detect CO that humans
cannot and quickly notify surrounding people
about the danger. Accidents caused by CO
poisoning occur each year. Please consider
the alarm as a protection against danger.

Ａ

For gas alarms and CO alarms, pleasepurchase products with a KHK markor JIA mark. When purchasing with a gas
dealer (gas company or LPG dealer), it isbest as they can install and inspect thedevice.

Can you adjust the audio volume

Ｑ of the gas alarm?

Ｑ Where can I purchase CO alarms?

Ａ as the same as a wake-up alarm, at
The volume of the audio alarm is set

Ａ dealer or City Gas service shop that

You can purchase from the LPG

70db or more, so that it can be heard in the
day or at night. It is not possible to adjust thevolume of the alarm.

currently provides you gas. Please confirm
the type of gas.

Ｑ Are there battery-type alarms?

The expiration date has passed
for the gas alarm that was
Ｑ installed when I moved into thisresidence. Who can replace it?

Ａ battery-type alarms. There are both

Depending on the purpose, there arealarms for City Gas and LPG. Please inquirewith the LPG dealer or City Gas service
shop that is currently providing your gas fordetails.

Ａ a gas alarm, it is possible for the

In the case of home owners installing

resident to install it themselves. Pleaseconfirm with the management company orlandlord.

Is installation of CO alarms

Ｑ mandatory?

I was recommended to lease
Ｑ the gas alarm, but is it possible
to purchase this device?

Ａ install CO alarms. However, they are

There are no legal requirements torecommended in cases of combustors being
indoors as it can be difficult to notice COleaks as the gas is colorless and odorless.

Ａ consult with a gas dealer. Even when
It is also possible to purchase. Pleasepurchasing, please exchange the alarm
before the expiration date.

35

Chapter

11 Gas Alarms Q&A
How do you prevent CO (carbon

Ｑ monoxide) poisoning?

What should I do if the CO
Ｑ alarm is triggered?

When using gas devices, please be
Ａ sureto use the ventilation fan. Also,

Ａ

Stop using gas devices, open awindow, and ventilate the space.
Please contact the gas company or gas
dealer if it does not stop ringing.

install effective CO equipment for preventing
accidents and clean and regularly inspect
gas devices and exhaust ducts, etc.

Is the responsibility of handling

Is it possible to use CO alarms
Ｑ with overseas certifications inJapan?

Ｑ expired alarms on the gas dealer?

Ａ because there are no legal requirements

the customer. However, gas dealers have a dutyto spread information to customers upon
beginning to provide service, and at least once
every 1-2 years.
This information should include basic precautions
related to management and inspection of gas
consumption equipment. Also, the notice should
include information about installation location ofgas alarms and confirming expiration dates.

In the case of a customer owning the
Ａ alarm,
the ultimate responsibility lies on

It is possible to use such alarms

to install CO alarms. However, when using
an alarm in Japan, it is recommended to use
one with a green label (product certified byHigh Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan)
or JIA certificate (product certified by Japan
Gas Appliances Inspection Association).

What is the difference between
Ｑ CO (carbon monoxide) andcarbon dioxide?

LPG Act Enforcement Guidelines Article 27(Details of Spreading Awareness) 2.
Basic precautions related to management andinspection of gas consumption equipment
LPG Act Notice (related to guidelines) Article 27(Details of Spreading Awareness) (12)(4) Confirm that gas alarms are not yet expired.

Ａ air and is a very stable gas chemically.

Carbon dioxide normally exists in the

However, high concentrations can cause
poisoning and may be fatal depending on
the circumstances. On the other hand, CO(carbon monoxide) is a chemically unstable
gas that occurs by incomplete combustionof combustors, etc. It easily adheres to thehemoglobin in the blood and can cause lackof oxygen in the body. Therefore, it can befatal even in low concentrations.

For general residences (houses),
Ｑ are gas alarm devices mandatory
to install?
of gas alarms in basements,
Ａ Installation
etc. and shared (group) residences aremandatory under the guidelines of the LPG
Act. However, installation is not mandatory ingeneral residences (houses), although manyare installed as part of voluntary safety activities
by gas dealers. Even without legal requirement,
the use of gas alarms have spread to reachnearly 100% of houses by 1998. However,since that time, the rate of spread has declined,
perhaps as fears were eased.
Currently, installation of gas alarms is once
again being urged.

Is CO (carbon monoxide) lighter

Ｑ than air?

Ａ as air. However, combustion exhaust
It is around the same specific gravity

gas CO is light due to its high temperature,so it tends to accumulate near the ceiling.

36

Chapter

11 Gas Alarms Q&A
Is installation of gas alarm
Ｑ mandatory at shared (group)
residences?

Installation of residential fire
Ｑ alarms is mandatory.
Why aren’t gas alarms mandatory?

Ａ as a facility in Article 86 (See page 6)

Ａ times each year. As aging population

Residential fires occur over 10,000

In principle, installation is mandatory

progresses, the number of fatalities due tofires was 1,000 or more. Since 2006, theinstallation of residential fire alarms has been
mandatory in order to protect lives andproperty from fires. On the other hand, gas
alarms have maintained a high rate ofadoption through everyone’s hard work.
Consumers tend to select energy based onconvenience and costs. Installation of gas
alarms are not mandatory because there arem a ny o pti o n s s u c h a s C i t y G a s a n delectricity. However, for LPG, the installationof gas alarms are , in principle, mandatory inpublic buildings, etc.

of the Enforcement Guidelines of the LPG
Act.

What should be watched during

Ｑ new construction?

Ａ alarms from the planning stage in an
Please position power outlets for gas

appropriate location in the kitchen.

Is there any equipment that do
Ｑ not require installation of gas
alarms?

Ａ 86 of Enforcement Guidelines of the

In principle, facilities included in Article

I am a gas dealer.
Ｑ Why must we recommend theinstallation of gas alarms?

LPG Act (See page 6) are required to install
gas alarms. However, there are cases when
installation is not required, such as outdoor
facilities or certain connection methods.
Please see Article 12 of the Public Notice
Establishing Details of Te chnologicalStandards related to Supply/Consumption
and Special Residential Supply Equipment(Public Notice No. 123) of the LPG Act for
details.

Ａ sale of gas and sale/production of

The LPG Act, which regulates theequipment for general consumers, requires
dealers to recommend installation to improve
public welfare by preventing disasters. The
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
aims to construct a regulatory system thatencourages voluntary improvements to safety
while limiting the number of regulations asmuch as possible.
This is more clearly expressed in the “LPG
Dealer Safety Guidelines” published eachyear.
In this, the spread of gas alarms is recommended
for being effective in preventing gas accidents.

What will happen if you continue
Ｑ use of alarms after expirationdate?

Ａ from unit to unit. However, some will

Gas sensors that detect gases vary

deteriorate with age and have increased false
alarms. Therefore, we recommend regularexchanges every five years.

37Chapter

12

Verification/Inspection/Maintenance & Management whenCompleting Gas Alarm Installation

1. V erification, etc. when completing installation

2. Inspection

Verification, etc. when completing installation or inspecting
gas leak fire alarm equipment required to be installed by theFire Services Act/Gas Business Act is categorized as either
exterior verification and functionality verification. The
verification items, categories, methods, and clearance
standards are based on the following laws and ordinances.
“Public Notice Establishing Specifications of Verification
Reports for Fire Safety Equipment”● Verification standards are based on appendix 12 of the
Public Notice.
● T he verification results report is based on attached form
No. 12 of the Public Notice. (P39)● Inspection (verification) is, in principle, conducted by or in
the presence of a fire safety equipment technician (Grade A
No. 4 Type fire equipment technician) during installationof fire safety equipment.
● Tasks considering installing or maintaining gas leak fire
equipment are the following performed by a Grade A No. 4
Type fire equipment technician. However, installation or
maintenance does not include power source operations.
(1) Installation of detector (alarm)(2) Installation of relay(3) Installation of receiver(4) Connection of detector, relay, and receiver, etc.
(5) Repair and performance adjustments on equipment(6) Exchange of parts
Further, Grade B No. 4 fire equipment technicians can also
perform (5) and (6).

Inspections confirm whether the fire safety equipment, etc.
meets the technological standards of the Fire Services Act.
T here are (1) exter ior inspections, (2) f u nctionalit yinspections, (3) comprehensive inspections. Inspection
standards and inspection details, etc. are based on thefollowing laws and ordinances.
Attached form 11-2 of the “Specifications of inspection forms
attached to fire safety equipment, etc. inspection results
report and inspection standards for fire safety equipment,etc.”, “Inspection details for fire safety equipment”, and“Public notice establishing inspection for attached toinspection results report and inspection standards for gas
leak/fire alarm equipment”● Technicians who can inspect this equipment include GradeA No. 4 Type and Grade B No. 4 Type fire equipment
technicians and No. 2 type fire equipment technicians.
● The inspection period is within the following periods basedon the details of the inspection and the method category.
(1) E xterior inspection and functionality inspection(6 months)(2) Comprehensive inspection (1 year)● For the report to the fire safety institution, the person
affiliated with the protected facility must record theinspection results on the maintenance register and reportthem to the fire department chief or fire commissioner
once a year for designated facilities and once every three
years for other facilities. (Article 31-6 of the Enforcement
Guidelines of Fire Services Act)

3. Maintenance & management
The daily maintenance and management of all gas leak alarm
equipment is the most important means of preventing
accidents beforehand. There are exchange dates for alarms.
Exchanging expired alarms is the central pillar to maintenanceand management. (Exchange date is displayed on the unit)

38

Chapter

12

Verification/Inspection/Maintenance & Management whenCompleting Gas Alarm Installation

Form for verification
results report*Example of form
used in Japan

Attached form No. 12

1

Gas leak fire alarm equipment verification results report
Verification date

Date:

Verification executor
AddressName
Purpose() Page ·Total area ofbasement
Spare
Formatpower
Receiver source
Numberof lines
Relay
device

Floor

m

2

Rated ACAH voltage DC

V

Power
cord

Line

Detected
Detector gas

Seal

Number ofBasementstories

For City Gas

Custom type
Receiver provision type
Other types

V
V

Spare
power
sourceV

AH

Gas lighter than air

Units

Gas heavier than air

Units

Other types
Amplifier
Voice
alarm
DeviceAlarmdeviceRated voltage
AC
DC
Phone-type (Speaker

Units

Gas leak
Displaylight
Detection
zone
Alarm
deviceDetector peripherals

Installation
location, etc.

Units

Units

Units

Gas leak fire alarm equipment

Results

Verification item
Gas leakOperational status of other
Displaylines during verification
verification

Installation location
Surroundings/operationality
Installation status

Composition/performancem
ReceiverInstallation location, etc.
Composition/performance
Spare items, etc.
Standard power source
Emergency power source type

Functionality verification

Exterior verification

Power
cord

V

Self-power generation equipment/
storage battery equipment/fuel cell equipment

Monitoring status
Relative weight ofdetected gas against
Installation air is less than 1
Detector status
Relative weight ofdetected gas against
air is 1 or more
Composition/performance
Voice
alarm
DeviceAlarmdeviceAmplifier
Speaker

AH

Status of detector power severance

Peripheral device verification
MutualMutual communication status
operationverification Voice alarm device audio status
Relay
Circuit conduction verification
deviceDetector operation verification
Alarm
deviceStructure

V

Status of fuse severance forcircuits that provide electricity
to external loads of relay devices
TroubleStatus of power severance of
display
verification main power source of relay byanother item

Alarm zone

Installation
location, etc.

3

Model/capacity, etc. details Results

Voice alarm device
Gas leak display light
Detection zone alarm device (dB)

Notes

Functionality verification

Gas leakReceiver Display
verification

Emergency power Power automatic switchingsource verification functionality

Structure

Gas leak Installation location, etc.
Display
Structure
light

Transmission
wire
Verification

CircuitCircuit conduction statusconduction Operational status of other lines
verification during verification
Simultaneous operation verification
Spare power Power automatic switching
functionality
sourceverification Terminal voltage/capacity

Installation
location, etc.

Detection Installation location, etc.
zone
Alarm
Structuredevice

Wire

Units

Other types

Spare items, etc.
Relay
deviceW)

Other types

2

Height from floor

Other (

Units

Model/capacity, etc. details

Operations portion

W)

Units

Alarm zone Setting alarm zone

ReceiverWW) Cone-type (Relay peripherals

Gas leak fire alarm equipment
Verification item

Rated output
VV

Verification line - 1
Verification line - 2
Verification line - 3

Notes 1. The size of this paper is A4 for Japanese industry standards.
2. Circle the appropriate item in the columns with options.
3. Enter passage or failure into the results column
4. Attach verification results report for emergency power (besides internal units) and wiring.
5. Attach verification results report on operations board if installed.

Gas leak light

Zone display device
operation status
Main sound device
ringing status

39

Chapter

13 Appendices (Related Laws, etc.) <Article Summaries>
Please confirm with the main text when installing alarms because the articles ofaffiliated laws are article summaries.

1. LPG Act-related
Law LPG Act(Act No. 149, December 1967, Revised Act No. 37,
June 2019)

Schools, hospitals, libraries. • 9-11: Public baths, stations,shrines, churches. • 12: Offices where total area is 1000
square meters or more

Article 27 (Duties of safety operators) = • Gas dealers shallsurvey whether gas consumption equipment (including
alarms) meets the technological standards established by
Ministerial Ordinance and spread awareness to consumersof required items to prevent accidents
Article 39 (Sales restrictions) = • Parties that manufacture,import, or sell LPG devices, etc. (manufacturers, etc.) areprohibited from selling or displaying products besides thosewith a label as in Article 48
Ar ticle 46 (Duty to comply with standards, etc.) =• Reporting businesses must comply with the technologicalstandards established in the Ministerial Ordinance.
• Reporting businesses must survey LPG devices, etc. thatare manufactured and prepare and save a survey record
Article 48 (Label) = • Reporting businesses are able toattach labels that indicate they fulfilled the regulations in
Article 46

Ministerial Order Ministerial Order related totechnological standards of LPG devices, etc.

(Minist r y of Economy, Trade and Indust r y
Ministerial Order No. 23, March 1968, Revised
Ministerial Order No. 17, July 2019)

Article 11 (Technological standards of alarms) Appendix 3= • Triggers when concentration of LPG is within a scope of
1/100 to 1/4 of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL). Does not
trigger when less than 1/100 of LEL. Alarm triggers within
60 seconds of exposure to triggering concentration of LPG

Public Notice Public Notice Establishing Details ofTechnological Standards related to Supply/
Consumption and Special Residential Supply
Equipment(Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Public
Notice No. 123, March 13, 1997, Revised Public
Notice No. 86, March 2017)

Cabinet Order Enforcement Order for LPG Act(Cabinet Order No. 14, February 1968, Revised
Cabinet Order No. 183, December 2019)

Article 3 (Scope of basements, etc.) = • Underground
shopping centers (total area 1,000square meters or more) or
structures facing underground paths that are continuouswith the underground floors of buildings that designateduse (designated underground shopping centers, etc.).
• Underground floors of designated use buildings with a
total f loor area of 1,000 square meters (undergroundbasements, etc.). • Facilities other than No. 2 above (otherbasements)
Article 10 (Means of connecting terminal gas valve withcombustor) = • The terminal gas valve (excluding thefollowing items) and portable combustors are connected bya, b, or c below.
Ar ticle 12 (Combustors that do not require alar ms
installed) = • Items installed outdoors. • Items connected toterminal gas valve by the methods listed in Article 10, andthose with extinguisher safety devices. • Non-permanent
facilities (facilities included in Ar ticle 3 No. 1 a-h;
excluding items installed in buildings). • Combustors
installed in bathrooms
Article 13 (Method of installing combustor/alarm) =• Detection por tions of i nteg rated u nit alar ms andsegmented unit alar ms shall be installed within 4m
horizontal distance from combustors and the top edge of thedetection portion should be installed within 30cm of thefloor. • Method of installing relay. • Method of installing
Grade 1 receivers. • Method of installing gas leak display
lights. • Method of installing detection zone alarm device.
• Method of wiring. • Power. • Emergency power. • Standard
latency time is within 60 seconds. • Regulations for gas leakdisplay. • Alarm zone is 600 square meters or less, etc.

Article 3 Appendix 1 No. 10 Alarms designated as LPG
devices, etc.

Ministerial Order Enforcement Guidelines of the
LPG Act(Minist r y of Economy, Trade and Indust r y
Ministerial Order No. 11, March 1997, Revised
Ministerial Order No. 36, September 2019)

Article 27 (Details of Spreading Awareness)= • Items
related to the applicability of combustors to be used to LPG
and basic precautions related to management and inspectionof gas consumption equipment

Notice Interpretation notice related to Article 27 of
the Enforcement Guidelines of the LPG Act“Operation of functionality standards for LPG Act(NISA, No. 6 of 7/25/2007)”(12) Confirm and be aware of the following items related to
LPG leak alarms:
1. C onfirm the alarm is installed in an appropriate position
2. I nsert power plug of alarm into standard outlet at alltimes
3. Do not place objects around the alarm
4. Confirm that the alarm is not yet expired
Article 37 (Method of gas consumption equipment survey)= • Survey the installation status of alarms at least once
every four years
Article 44 (Technological standards for gas consumption
equipment) = • Combustors are to be used in the detection
zone of the alarm. • Alarms shall be installed in rooms withcombustors in the basements, etc. and buildings/facilities in
the following article as established by the Public Notice
Article 86 (Designation of facilities/buildings subject toinstallation) = • 1: Theaters, film theaters, public halls/• 2-4: Cabarets, restaurants, department stores • 5: Sharedresidences, guesthouses, hotels, accommodations. • 6-8:

Notice Operation and interpretation of Enforcement
Guidelines(Article 43 No. 151, February 1968; Revised April
2000, No. 12, Agency Proposal No. 2, April 17
2000) • Shared residences interpretation

40

Chapter

13 Appendices (Related Laws, etc.) <Article Summaries>
2. Gas Business Act-related
Law Gas Business Act(Act No. 51, December 1954, Revised Act No. 41,
May 2017)

Public Notice Public Notice Establishing

Installation Method and Certification of
Gas Leak Alarm Equipment, etc.

(Ministry of International Trade and Industry
Public Notice No. 263, June 1981, Revised Public
Notice No. 46, July 2019)

Article 159-2 (Spreading Awareness and Surveys related
to Gas Consumption Equipment)

Cabinet Order Gas Business Act Enforcement

Article 2 (Gas Leak Alarm Equipment Standards) = • No. 1:
Detector standards → Detector triggers reliably at 1/4 orhigher Lower Explosive Limit of gas concentration and does
not trigger at 1/200 or lower. Also, equipment must trigger
signal within 60 seconds when exposed to gas concentrationthat triggers the signal. • No. 2: LPG detector • No. 3: Relay
device standards • No. 4: Receiver standards
Article 3 (Installation method for gas leak alarm equipment)= • No. 1: Installation method for detector → Within 8m
horizontal distance from combustor, bottom of detector
installed in a position within 30cm from the ceiling. In casethat gas is heavier than air, the top edge of the detector
within 4m horizontal distance from the combustor shall be
installed within 30cm from the floor • No. 2: Installation
method of relay device • No. 3: Installation method of relay• No. 4: Installation method of alarm equipment • No. 5:
Wiring • No. 6: Power source • No. 7: Emergency powersource • No. 8: The total standard latency of detectors

Order(Cabinet Order No. 68, April 1954, Revised
Cabinet Order No. 40, March 2017)
Ministerial Order Gas Business Act Enforcement
Principles(Ministry of International Trade and Industry
Ministerial Order No. 97, October 1970, Revised
Ministerial Order No. 17, July 2019)

Article 202 (Technological Standards of Gas Consumption
Equipment) = • No. 8: Gas leak alarm equipment complying
with standards established in the Public Notice shall be
installed by the method established in the Public Notice indesignated underground shopping centers, etc. or designatedbasements, etc. established by the building categories thathave combustors. • No. 10: Automatic gas shutdown devices
or gas leak alar ms shall be installed by the method
established in the Public Notice in the following cases
where combustors are present. (a. Install in super high risebuildings as established by building categories (cooking
space in residential portions) b.Install in designated largescale structures)and receivers for alarms shall be within 60 seconds• No. 9: Displays of alarm equipment • No. 10: Alarm
zone
Public Notice Items Establishing Standards andMinisterial Order Ministerial Order Establishing

Installation Methods of Gas Leak Alarms

Technological Standards for Gas Devices(Ministry of International Trade and Industry
Public Notice No. 578, September 2000, Revised
Public Notice No. 46, July 2019)(Ministry of International Trade and Industry
Ministerial Order No. 111, May 1937, Revised
Ministerial Order No. 8, March 2018)

Article 2 (Standards of Gas Leak Alarms) =• No. 25:
Detector triggers reliably at 1/4 or higher Lower Explosive
Limit of gas concentration and does not trigger at 1/200 or
lower
Article 3 (Standards of LPG alarms) = • Complies withtechnological standards established in Article 46-1 of the
Ministerial Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade andIndustry for the Act on the Securing of Safety and the
Optimization of Transaction of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Article 4 (Installation Method for Gas Leak Alarms) =• No. 1: Installed within 8m horizontal distance of the
combustor with the lower edge of the gas detector installed
within 30cm of the ceiling • No. 2: In case that gas isheavier than air, install within 4m horizontal distance fromthe combustor so that the upper edge of the portion that
detects gas is installed within 30cm of the floor

Article 52 (Location of installing pipeline) = • Item 2:
Install pipeline that delivers gas to designated underground
shopping centers, etc. and designated basements, etc.
t h roug h t he exter ior wall i n t he detect ion zone ofappropr iate gas leak alar m equipment i nst alled byappropriate methods • Item 3: Pipelines in which the
maximum used pressure was mid-pressure shall be installed
to penetrate the exterior wall of the building in the detection
zone of automatic gas shutdown devices or gas leak alarms.
In addition, if the pipeline has a connecting joint besides
welding in the subject building, the connecting joint must
be within the detection zone.

Public Notice Item Establishing Categories for
Buildings Using Gas(Ministry of International Trade and Industry
Public Notice No. 461, November 1985, Ministryof International Trade and Industry Public NoticeNo. 238, June 2003)

Article 1 = • No. 1: Designated underground shopping
centers, etc. • No. 2: Designated basements, etc. • No. 3:
Super high-rise buildings. • No. 4: High rise buildings• No. 5: Designated large-scale buildings • No. 6-11:
Omitted41

Chapter

13 Appendices (Related Laws, etc.) <Article Summaries>
3. Fire Services Act-related
Law Fire Services Act(Act No. 186, July 1948, Revised Act No. 34, May
2009)

GR types are yellow
Article 11 (Function of G-type receiver) = • No. 1: Gas
leak display verification function • No. 2: Signal circuit
conductive verification function • No. 3: Simultaneous
display of gas leak signal from second line • No. 4: Trouble
display light • No. 5: Within 60 seconds to gas leak display

Article 17 (Installation and Maintenance of Fire Safety
Equipment, etc.)
Article 17-2 (Exceptions of Existing Protected Facilities)
Article 17-3-3 (Inspection of and Reporting on Fire Safety
Equipment, etc)
Article 17-5 (Work, etc. Restrictions of Persons Without
Fire Equipment Technician's License)
Article 21-2 (Inspection of Equipment, etc. Subject toCertification)

Ministerial Order Ministerial Order Related to Fire
Defense Equipment, etc.
With Fire Safety Functionality Required in
Designated Shared Residences(Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
No. 40, March 2005) Revised Ministerial OrderNo. 34, June 2018

Cabinet Order Enforcement Order of Fire Services

As the legal framework of the Shared Residences No. 220
Special Notification, some of the installation overview andtechnological standards are displayed for “sprinkler
facilities for shared residences,” “automatic fire reporting
equipment for shared residences,” and “residential automatic
fire reporting equipment and emergency alarm equipment
for shared residences.” The fire safety equipment, etc. thatis exempted based on the structure and number of floors of
the residence.

Act(Cabinet Order No. 37, March 1961, Revised
Cabinet Order No. 183, December 2019)

Article 6 (Designation of Protected Facilities) Appendix 1.
Protected Facilities 16-2, 16-3, etc.
Article 7 (Types of Fire Safety Equipment, etc.) Gas leakfire alarm equipment, etc.
Ar ticle 21-2 (St and a rds related to gas lea k ala r mequipment)
Article 35 (Protected Facilities, etc. that Require Fire
Defense Institution Inspection)
Article 36-2 (Work and Tasks that Cannot be Performed
By Persons Who Are Not Fire Equipment Technicians)
Article 37 (Scope of Machinery and Equipment Subject toCertification) Gas leak fire alarm equipment, etc.

Public Notice Types of Fire Defense Equipment,

etc. that Fire Defense Equipment Techniciansor Certificated Technicians Inspect(Fire and Disaster Management Agency Public
Notice No. 10, May 2004, Revised Public NoticeNo. 16, April 2014)
Public Notice Standards of Relays and Receivers in

Ministerial Order Enforcement Order of Fire
Services Act

Gas Leak Fire Alarm Equipment that Detects
LPG and Gas Leak Detectors(Local Government Ministerial Order No. 6, April
1961, Revised Ministerial Order No. 63, December
2019)(Fire and Disaster Management Agency Public
Notice No. 2, June 1981, Revised Public Notice
No. 42, June 2019)= • No.1 Purpose • No. 2:
Detector structure and performance; Triggers
reliably alarm when Lower Explosive Limit is 1/4
or more; does not trigger at 1/200 or less, etc.
Public Notice Specifications of Verification Reports

Article 24-2-2 (Protected facilities, etc. that do not require
installation of gas leak fire alarm equipment)
Article 24-2-3 (Details of Standards Related to Gas Leak
Fire Alarm Equipment) Installation method of detector,
relay, receiver, and alarm device
Article 24-2-4 (Maintenance Standards of Gas Leak Fire
Equipment)
Article 31-3 (Notification and Inspection of Fire Safety
Equipment, etc.)
Article 31-4 (Inspection and Report of Fire Defense
Equipment, etc.)
Article 33-3 (Types of Construction and Equipment Basedon Types of Licenses)
Construction and Installation for Gas Leak Fire Alarm
Equipment - Class A No. 4 Type Fire Equipment Technician
Maintenance of Gas Leak Fire Alarm Equipment - Class A
No. 4 Type Fire Equipment Technician

for Fire Safety Equipment(Fire and Disaster Management Agency Public
Notice No. 4, December 1989, Revised Public
Notice No. 2, June 2019)
Public Notice Specifications of Inspection Forms

Attached to Inspection Results Reports andInspection Standards of Fire Safety Equipment,
etc.

(Fire and Disaster Management Agency Public
Notice No. 14, October 1975, Revised Public
Notice No. 5, April 2019)

Ministerial Order Technological standards of relays(Local Government Ministerial Order No. 18, June
1981, Revised Ministerial Order No. 19, June 2019)
Ministerial Order Technological standards ofreceivers(GP Type Class 3 Receiver, etc.) (Local Government
Ministerial Order No. 19, June 1981, Revised
Ministerial Order No. 19, June 2019)

Article 6 (Gas leak display) Gas leak lights on G, GP, and42

Chapter

13 Appendices (Related Laws, etc.) <Article Summaries>
4. Overview of legal structure related to preventing residential fires
Law
Law Revising Portion of Act on the Prevention of Disaster in Petroleum Industrial Complexes and Other Petroleum Facilities (Act No.
65 2004)
Overview

Duties of persons affiliated with residence for installation and maintenance of residential disaster prevention equipment
Standards related to installation and maintenance of residential disaster prevention equipment are established by local
municipality ordinance based on standards established by Cabinet Order

Cabinet Order Cabinet Order related to(2) Stairway of floor containing (1) (excludes if (1) is onan evacuation floor)(3) O ther areas deemed required (based on Ministerial
Order)* Residents with automatic fire reporting equipment, etc.
already, such as shared residences are exempt* It is possible for Fire Commissioner to exempt application
based on position, structure, and equipment of residence* I t is possible to add installation and maintenancestandards of residential disaster prevention equipment in
ordinances based on municipality climate and habitat
E xecution date is June 1, 2006 (Execution date forexisting residences is delegated to ordinances)Added Fire Services Act Article 9-2 to construction
standards related provisions (Enforcement Order of
Building Standards Act)

Establishment of Related Cabinet Orders
Corresponding with Portion of Laws that
Revise part of the Act on the Prevention ofDisaster in Petroleum Industrial Complexes
and Other Petroleum Facilities(Cabinet Order No. 325 2004) etc.

Overview
E stablish residential disaster prevention equipment
mandatory of persons affiliated with residences(Required to comply with technological standards
established by M i n ist r y of I nt e r n a l A f fa i r s a nd
Communications)• Residential disaster alarm (i.e. residential fire alarm)• Residential disaster reporting equipment (i.e. residential
fire reporting equipment)T he areas of residences where residential fire alarms orresidential fire reporting equipment should be placed are
as follows(1) Room used for sleep

Ministerial Order
Ministerial Order Establishing Standards Related to Enactment of Ordinance Related to Installation and Maintenance of Residential
Disaster Prevention Equipment (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Ministerial Order No.138, 2004, Revised Ministerial
Order No. 11, February 2019)
Overview

 egulates the areas of residences where residential fire alarms or residential fire reporting equipment should be placed isR
the first floor stairway if residents only sleep on third floor
Regulates details, etc. of installation methods for residential fire alarms and residential fire reporting equipment
Installation is exempted in cases of installing sprinkler equipment or automatic fire reporting equipment based onstandards (includes shared residence equipment in each situation)

Ministerial Order Establishing Technological Standards for Residential Fire Alarms and Residential Fire Reporting Equipment(Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Ministerial Order No. 11, January 2005) Revised Ministerial Order No. 35, August
2019
Overview

Regulates structure, performance, etc. of residential fire equipment and residential fire reporting equipment

Ministerial Order Revising a Portion of the Ministerial Order Establishing Technological Standards for Residential Fire Alarms andResidential Fire Reporting Equipment (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Ministerial Order No. 25, 2013)
Overview

Regulations were established corresponding with residential fire alarm being added to items subject of certifications

Ordinance (example)
Partial revision of fire defense ordinance (example) (Fire Safety Ordinance No. 227 of December 15, 2004, Fire Safety Ordinance No.
50 of March 22, 2005)
Overview

 omprehensively regulates standards of laws, Cabinet Orders, and Ministerial Orders (excluding standard MinisterialC
Orders)Mandates efforts to install residential fire alarms in areas with significant risk of fire, such as kitchens, etc.
Exempts installation if shared residence sprinkler equipment, shared residence automatic reporting equipment, or
residential automatic fire reporting equipment is installed

43

Chapter

13 Appendices (Related Laws, etc.) <Article Summaries>
Technology guidelines
Technology guidelines related to constant heat residential fire alarms (Fire Safety Ordinance No. 17, January 2005)
Overview Technology guidelines related to constant heat residential fire alarms and educational guidelines for the installation/
maintenance of residential fire alarms in kitchens
Partial revision of technology guidelines related to residential fire alarms and residential sprinkler equipment (Fire Ordinance No. 17
and Fire Safety Ordinance No. 32 of January 2005)
Overview Partial revision of past guidelines for March 1991
Revoked “Certification of residential fire alarms” (Fire Ordinance No. 110, May 1991) and “Wall installation of residential
fire alarms (items that possess heat sensors, etc.)” (Fire Ordinance No. 180, July 1999)

5. Housing Quality Assurance Promotion Act
Law Housing Quality Assurance Promotion Act(Act No. 81, June 1999) Revised Act June 2019

Public Notice Evaluation method standards(Public Notice No. 1347, July 2000, Revised Public
Notice No. 781, November 2019)

Article 3 (Japan Housing Performance Display Standards)
Article 5 (Housing Performance Evaluation)

No. 5 Evaluation method standards
2. Items related to safety during fires

Public Notice Japan Housing Performance Display
Standards(Public Notice No. 1346, August 2001, Revised
Public Notice No. 1, June 2019)

Appendix 1 (Items that should be displayed on new
construction residences)
Appendix 2-1 (Items that should be displayed on existing
residences)

6. Damage insurance
Based on industrial damage insurance enrolled by each member company of Gas Alarm Industries Association ofJapan*List of municipalities where residential fire alarms are required to be installed in kitchens
Hokkaido prefecture

Sapporo-shi, Ebetsu-shi, Chitose-shi, Eniwa-shi, Kitahiroshima-shi, Ishikari-shi, Tobetsu-cho, Shinshinotsumura

Miyagi prefecture(All regions)

Chiba prefecture

Katsuura-shi, Otaki-machi, Onjuku-machi, Isumi-shi, Funabashi-shi, Matsudo-shi, Mobara-shi, Ichinomiyamachi, Mutsuzawa-machi, Chosei-mura, Shirako-machi, Nagara-machi, Togane-shi, Kujukuri-machi,
Oamishirasato-shi, Sammu-shi, Ishikawa-shi, Urayasu-shi, Chiba-shi, Chonan-machi, Shibayama-machi

Tokyo prefecture

Tokyo wards, Tabe region, Mitaku-mura, Oshima-machi, Hachijo-machi

Kanagawa prefecture Yokohama-shi, Kawasaki-shi, Yokosuka-shi, Zushi-shi, Kamakura-shi, Sagamihara-shi, Miura-shi, Hadanoshi, Hayama-machi
Aichi prefecture

Nagoya-shi, Toyohashi-shi, Okazaki-shi, Kasugai-shi, Toyokawa-shi, Toyota-shi, Nishio-shi, Konan-shi,
Tahara-shi, Nisshin-shi, Togo-cho, Miyoshi-shi, Hekinan-shi, Kariya-shi, Anjo-shi, Chiryu-shi, Takahama-shi

Shiga prefecture

Kusatsu-shi, Moriyama-shi, Ritto-shi, Yasu-shi

Kyoto prefecture(All regions)

Osaka prefecture

Osaka-shi

Hyogo prefecture

Kobe-shi, Nishinomiya-shi, Takarazuka-shi, Miki-shi, Sayo-cho, Aioi-shi, Tatsuno-shi, Taishi-cho/Shiso-shi,parts of Kamigori-cho

44

■ ガス漏れ警報器及び関連機器の図記号例

検

器

中

継

部

検知器壁掛型

中

継

器

ガス警報器
一体型・分離型

ブザー、ランプ内蔵型
警報器

知（1）複数個で一体のものは、個数を傍記する。
（2）
ガス漏れ表示灯の中継器にあってはLを記入する。

検知器分離型受

信部

ガス漏れ表示灯

受

信

部

表示灯

制

御

部

ガス警報器連動遮断弁■ 住宅用火災警報器の記号と名称
記

号

名

称

適応用途

住宅用火災警報器（煙式）

寝室・階段・台所・居間・廊下

住宅用火災警報器（熱式）

台所・車庫

住宅用火災（煙式）
・ガス・CO警報器

台所・居間

住宅用火災（熱式）
・ガス・CO警報器

台所

住宅用火災警報器（煙式） 注）CO警報付きの場合に使用

台所・居間

住宅用火災警報器（熱式） 注）CO警報付きの場合に使用

台所

住宅用火災警報器（煙式） 注）特記事項付きの場合に使用
住宅用火災警報器（熱式） 注）特記事項付きの場合に使用
補助警報装置
壁付けを区別する場合は、のように一部を太くする。

埋込型を区別する場合は、

のように

■備

を入れる。

考

■ 平面図例

凡例の備考欄に下記から該当する項目を記入してください。
・電池式

・LPガス用・100V式・CO警報付き

・都市ガス用・特記事項付きの場合はその内容
（例

寝室

台所

連動型）

■ 凡例の記載例
凡
記

号

名

例

称

備

住宅用火災警報器
（煙式）

100V式

住宅用火災
（熱式）
・
ガス・CO警報器

100V式
都市ガス用

補助警報装置

100V式

トイレ

考

連動型

連動型

記

号

凡

例

名

称

住宅用火災警報器（煙式）

備

考

電池式

•Please make inquires about gas alarms to the following:(April 2022)
Corporation Name

URL

Aichi Tokei Denki Co.,Ltd.

www.aichitokei.co.jp/

AIPHONE CO.,LTD.

www.aiphone.co.jp/

Azbil Kimmon Co.,Ltdak.azbil.com/

Iwatani Corporationwww.iwatani.co.jp/

Katsura. Co.,Ltd.

www.katsuraseiki.co.jp/

NEW COSMOS ELECTRIC CO.,LTDwww.new-cosmos.co.jp/

Nissha FIS, Inc.

https://www.fisinc.co.jp/en/

NITTAN COMPANY, LIMITED

www.nittan.com/

NEMOTO SENSOR ENGINEERING CO.,LTD.

www.nemoto.co.jp

NOHMI BOSAI LTD.

www.nohmi.co.jp/

Panasonic Corporationwww.panasonic.co.jp/ew/

Figaro Engineering Inc.

www.figaro.co.jp/

HOCHIKI CORPORATION

https://www.hochiki.co.jp/global/

MSK Technologies Co.,Ltdwww.msk.co.jp/

YAZAKI Energy System Corporationwww.yazaki-group.com/

RIKEN KEIKI Co.,Ltd.

www.rikenkeiki.co.jp/english

RICOH ELEMEX CORPORATION

www.ricohelemex.co.jp/

We don’t sleep.

Gas Alarm Industries Association of Japan
105-0001 4F, Urban Toranomon Building, 1-16-4, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL.03-5157-4777 FAX.03-3597-2717
E-mail : gkk-info@gkk.gr.jp URL : http://www.gkk.gr.jp