Some 350,000 household gas cylinders in Kazakhstan urgently need replacement. The issue was raised at a Government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, where officials reviewed fire safety risks during the heating season, according to the official information published by the Government of Kazakhstan.
Many of these cylinders have been in use for 40–50 years, although their standard service life is 20 years. The Government has ordered measures to replace outdated equipment, strengthen residential inspections and improve fire prevention, particularly in homes occupied by socially vulnerable residents, DKNews.kz reports.
Minister for Emergency Situations Murat Mukhanov presented a report, while the akims of North Kazakhstan, Turkistan, Akmola and East Kazakhstan regions provided updates on the situation in their territories.
Residential fires decline by 12%, but risks remain
According to the Ministry for Emergency Situations, the number of residential fires has decreased by approximately 12% since October 1, 2026.
However, Bektenov warned that the decline should not lead to reduced preventive efforts. With colder weather still ahead, the use of stoves and heating appliances is expected to increase.
«Every year during the heating season, the risk of fires increases. People actively use stoves and various heating appliances. Often, due attention is not paid to basic fire safety rules. Therefore, despite the ongoing preventive measures, the level of public responsibility for personal safety does not increase. With the onset of cold weather, the number of fires with tragic consequences grows. During the past winter period, there were quite a few such cases, including casualties and fatalities. At present, a decrease in the number of fires in the residential sector is observed. But this does not give a reason to weaken preventive measures. The heating season has just begun. Autumn is quite warm, and the cold weather is yet to come,» the Prime Minister noted.
The Government emphasized that the current decline in fires does not eliminate the danger of incidents caused by faulty heating equipment, damaged electrical wiring and violations of basic safety requirements.
Government orders more inspections and fire safety lessons
Bektenov instructed state agencies and regional administrations to intensify preventive work throughout the heating season.
The main measures include:
- Expanding public awareness campaigns with the participation of volunteers and public figures.
- Conducting interactive fire safety lessons and discussions in schools, colleges and universities.
- Organizing residential inspections and house-to-house visits on weekends and public holidays.
- Strengthening enforcement measures when fire safety violations are identified.
The Ministry for Emergency Situations will coordinate the preventive campaign, while education authorities will help ensure that students understand how to respond during a fire.
Local administrations and internal affairs bodies have also been instructed to conduct regular inspections of residential properties.
Six regions and Shymkent criticized over fire detector installations
Particular attention was given to households belonging to socially vulnerable groups.
The Prime Minister identified several common causes of residential fires, including damaged stoves, uncleaned chimneys, deteriorated electrical wiring and unauthorized connections to electricity and gas networks.
He also noted shortcomings in the installation of free fire detectors in the following areas:
- Turkistan Region.
- West Kazakhstan Region.
- Mangystau Region.
- Zhambyl Region.
- Karaganda Region.
- Shymkent.
In these areas, instructions to install free fire detectors in vulnerable households had not been implemented adequately.
Regional akimats, working with the Ministries for Emergency Situations and Labor and Social Protection of the Population, must update the lists of affected households within one week.
They have also been instructed to conduct repeat inspections, eliminate identified hazards and secure funding to purchase and install fire detectors.
350,000 gas cylinders have exceeded their service life
The condition of household gas cylinders emerged as one of the most serious safety concerns.
During the previous heating season, Kazakhstan recorded seven gas cylinder explosions. According to the Government, the main cause was failure to comply with safe operating requirements.
Approximately 350,000 cylinders have been used for 40–50 years, substantially exceeding their standard 20-year service life.
The Government considers their replacement urgent, particularly in private homes and catering establishments where household gas cylinders remain in use.
The problem involves not only purchasing new cylinders but also establishing a system for withdrawing outdated equipment from circulation and disposing of it safely.
New gas cylinder production planned in Atyrau and Almaty
The Government is also addressing the domestic production of replacement cylinders.
A manufacturing plant has already been launched in Kokshetau. Similar production facilities are planned in Atyrau and Almaty.
The Ministry of Industry has been instructed to resolve outstanding production issues, while the Ministry of Energy must develop a nationwide mechanism for cylinder replacement and control.
Within one month, the Ministry of Energy, together with other relevant government agencies, must prepare clear procedures covering:
- Replacement of outdated household gas cylinders.
- Withdrawal of unsafe cylinders from circulation.
- Safe disposal of equipment that has reached the end of its service life.
- Monitoring the circulation and use of gas cylinders across all regions.
Regional akimats will be responsible for monitoring implementation at the local level.
The production plans for Atyrau and Almaty remain prospective, while the Kokshetau facility has already been launched.
Astana records around 30 fires in migrant workers' housing
Another area of concern is accommodation rented by migrant workers.
According to information presented at the meeting, 860 such facilities are registered in Astana alone.
During the previous winter, approximately 30 fires occurred at these properties. The reported causes included electrical short circuits, careless handling of fire and violations of basic safety rules.
Such accommodation may include deteriorated buildings and barrack-type dormitories with inadequate safety conditions.
Akimats, together with the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Emergency Situations, have been instructed to place these facilities under special supervision.
Regular inspections must identify dangerous conditions and ensure prompt action when violations are discovered.
Homes with gas heating must have leak detectors
Bektenov also addressed safety requirements as Kazakhstan continues expanding access to natural gas.
He emphasized that gasification must be accompanied by strict compliance with technical and operational standards.
«In the Address to the People, the Head of State noted the importance of continuing work on the gasification of the population. It is necessary to ensure the installation of gas equipment in strict compliance with all safety standards. Every house with a gas heating system must have a gas leak warning detector, certified boilers, and appliances. Gas services are obliged to organize proper work to control the safe use of gas in houses. I instruct regional akimats to take necessary measures in this direction,» the Prime Minister emphasized.
The instruction places particular responsibility on local administrations and gas service providers to monitor the safe operation of equipment in residential buildings.
The Government's position is that expanding gas infrastructure must go hand in hand with measures to prevent leaks, equipment failures and other household hazards.
Student dormitories and hostels to face additional inspections
The Prime Minister instructed akimats and the Ministry for Emergency Situations to continue the monthly residential fire safety campaign until the end of November.
Priority attention will be given to places where students live and study, including dormitories, hostels and educational facilities.
Authorities are expected to assess fire risks and take corrective action where necessary.
The Ministry for Emergency Situations will oversee coordination between government agencies and regional administrations.
Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev has been assigned responsibility for coordinating the overall implementation of the instructions.
What residents should pay attention to this heating season
The Government's review identified several recurring safety risks in residential buildings: poorly maintained stoves, blocked chimneys, faulty electrical wiring, unsafe gas cylinders and improperly installed gas equipment.
Residents using stove heating should ensure that chimneys and heating systems are properly maintained. Electrical installations should be checked for damage, while gas equipment should be operated according to safety requirements.
Households using gas heating should also pay particular attention to certified equipment and gas leak warning detectors.
For residents of older buildings, rental properties and student accommodation, the planned inspections may help identify hazards before they lead to emergencies.
The immediate priorities are to replace outdated gas cylinders, protect vulnerable households and maintain preventive inspections as temperatures fall.
