Earthquake Gas Valve Source - THE LAW - Little FireFighter Earthquake valves start at $69 State of California Approved Earthquake Seismic Automatic Gas Shut Off Valve gasvalvedoctor.com

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The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors ordains as follows (omitting the parenthetical footnotes from the official text of the enacted or amended provisions of the County Ordinance Code):

SECTION I. SUMMARY. This ordinance amends Section 718-8.204 of the County Ordinance Code to require the installation of approved gas shut-off devices in existing residential, commercial, and industrial buildings prior to the sale of those buildings, or when additions or alterations valued at more that $15,000 are made to existing residential, commercial and industrial buildings when fuel gas piping is not involved in the addition or alteration.

(a)The following devices shall be installed at the following locations in the buildings specified in subsection (b):

* (1)An approved seismic gas shut-off device (motion sensitive) or an approved excess flow gas shut-off device (non-motion sensitive) shall be installed downstream of the gas utility meter at the beginning of each rigid gas piping system that serves any of the buildings specified in subsection (b); and

* (2)An approved excess flow gas shut-off device (non-motion sensitive) shall be installed at each connection of a gas appliance to a gas line within any of the buildings specified in subsection (b).

(b)The devices specified in subsection (a) shall be installed in the following buildings and structures:

* (1)In any new building construction (commercial, industrial or residential) containing fuel gas piping for which a building permit is first issued on or after the effective date of this ordinance.

o (A)The building has fuel gas piping supplying the existing building or the addition to the building; and

o (B)A building permit for the work is first issued on or after the effective date of this ordinance; and

+ (i)More than $5,000 where fuel gas piping is involved in the alteration or addition. Alterations or additions to individual condominium or apartment units shall require an approved gas shut-off device to be installed for all gas piping serving the building and a device at each connection of a gas appliance to a gas line in each individual unit that is being altered or added to; or

+ (ii)More than $15,000 where fuel gas piping is not involved in the alteration or addition. Alterations or additions to individual condominium or apartment units shall require an approved gas shut-off device to be installed for all gas piping serving the building and a device at each connection of a gas appliance to a gas line in each individual unit that is being altered or added to.

(3)In any existing commercial or industrial building that is altered or added to; and
o (A)The building has fuel gas piping supplying the existing building or the addition to the building; and

o (B)The building permit for the work is first issued on or after the effective date of this ordinance; and

+ (i)More than $5,000 where fuel gas piping is involved in the alteration or addition. Alterations or additions to individual units or tenant spaces shall require an approved gas shut-off device to be installed for all gas piping serving the building and a device at each connection of a gas appliance to a gas line in each individual unit that is being altered or added to; or

+ (ii)More than $15,000 where fuel gas piping is not involved in the alteration or addition. Alterations or additions to individual units or tenant spaces shall require an approved gas shut-off device to be installed for all gas piping serving the building and a device at each connection of a gas appliance to a gas line in each individual unit that is being altered or added to.

(4)In any existing residential building that has fuel gas piping supplying the building and the building is sold on or after December 1, 2006. The devices specified in subsection (a) shall be installed before the parties to the sale enter into an agreement for sale, or before the close of escrow when an escrow agreement has been executed in connection with the sale. The sale of an individual condominium unit in a building requires the installation of the devices specified in subsection (a) only on the piping serving that individual unit.

(5)In any existing commercial or industrial building that has fuel gas piping supplying the building and the building is sold on or after December 1, 2006. The devices specified in subsection (a) shall be installed before the parties to the sale enter into an agreement for sale, or before the close of escrow when an escrow agreement has been executed in connection with the sale. (Ords. 2006-44 §2, 2004-27 § 2, 2000-11 §2.)

SECTION III. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance becomes effective 30 days after passage, and within 15 days after passage shall be published once with the names of supervisors voting for or against it in the Contra Costa Times, a newspaper published in this County.

ORDINANCE NO. 3322

ORDINANCE OF THE MARIN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

ADDING SECTION 19.04.090 and 19.04.091 OF THE MARIN COUNTY CODE RELATING TO BUILDING REGULATIONS AND SEISMIC SAFETY, ANCHORING OF LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS TANKS AND GAS SHUT-OFF DEVICES.

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF MARIN DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION l. SUMMARY. This ordinance ADDS SECTION 19.04.090 and 19.04.091 to the Marin County Code to require the installation of Excess Flow Gas Shutoff Devices (non-motion sensitive) or Gas Shutoff Devices that are activated by motion. These devices are to be installed on gas services downstream of the meter in new construction and remodeling. Liquid petroleum gas tanks are being required to be anchored. This ordinance will be effective sixty (60) days from the date it is passed. [Gov. Code § 25129].

SECTION ll GAS SHUT-OFF DEVICES. Section 19.04.090 is added to the Marin County Code to read:

19.04.090 GAS SHUTOFF DEVICES.

A) DEFINITIONS. For the purpose of this section certain terms shall be defined as follows:

1) "Downstream of Gas Utility Meter" shall refer to all customer-owned gas piping or in liquid petroleum gas installations shall refer to the gas piping on the structure side of the gas regulator.

2) "Residential Building" shall mean any single-family dwelling, duplex, apartment building, condominium building, townhouse building, lodging house, congregate residence, hotel, or motel.

3) "Excess Flow Gas Shutoff Device" shall mean those valves or devices that are not actuated by motion, but are activated by significant gas leaks or overpressure surges, which can occur when pipes rupture inside the structure. The design of the device shall provide a proven method to automatically provide for expedient and safe gas shutoff in an emergency. The design of the device shall provide a capability for ease of consumer or owner resetting in a safe manner. The device shall be certified by the State Architect or the operational and functional design of the device shall meet or exceed the device certified by the Office of the State Architect. The determination of whether the operational and functional design of the device is at least equal to the device certified by the State Architect may be made by one of the following: the Independent Laboratory of the International Approval Services (IAS), Underwriter's Laboratory (UL), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), or other recognized listing and testing agent.

4) "Seismic Gas Shutoff Device" shall mean a system consisting of a seismic sensing means and actuating means designed to actuate automatically a companion gas shutoff means installed in a gas piping system in order to shut off the gas downstream of the location of the gas shutoff means in the event of a severe seismic disturbance. The system may consist of separable components or may incorporate all functions in a single body. The device shall be certified by the State Architect, and the operational and functional design of the device shall meet or exceed the device certified by the Office of the State Architect. The determination of whether the operational and functional design of the device is at least equal to the device certified by the State Architect may be mode by one of the following: the independent Laboratory of the International Approval Services (IAS), Underwriters Laboratory (UL), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Office of the State Architect or any other recognized listing and testing agency.

5) "Upstream of Gas Utility Meter" shall refer to all gas piping installed by the utility up to and including the meter and the utility's bypass tee at the connection to the customer owned piping.

6) "Gas Shutoff Device" as used in this Ordinance, shall refer to either a Seismic Gas Shutoff Device or Excess Flow Gas-Shut-Off Device.

B) DEVICES: WHEN REQUIRED. An approved Seismic: Gas Shutoff Device (motion sensitive) or approved Excess Flow Gas Shutoff Devices (non-motion sensitive) shall be installed:

1) In any new building construction (commercial, industrial or residential) containing gas piping for which a building permit is first issued on or after the effective date of the ordinance; or

2) In any existing residential, commercial or industrial building, when any addition or alteration Is made to the interior of a building that contains gas piping, and a building permit is required for said work; or

When any plumbing permit is issued for gas piping.

C) EXCEPTIONS.

1) Gas-Shut-Off Devices installed on a building prior to effective date of this ordinance, are exempt from the requirements of this section provided they remain installed on the building or structure and are maintained for the life of the building or structure.

2) Gas Shutoff Devices installed on a gas distribution system owned or operated by a public utility shall not be subject to the requirements of this chapter (Health & Safety. Code § 19201 (b)).

Installation of gas Shut-off devices is not required for building permits issued for minor and non-structural repairs such as re-roofing, window replacement, siding replacement, decks and any other minor permit as determined by the Chief Building Official.

D) DEVICES: LOCATION REQUIRED.

1) Seismic Gas Shutoff Devices shall be installed downstream of the gas utility meter or liquid petroleum tank on each fuel gas line where the gas line services a building and/or:

2) Excess Flow Gas-Shut-Off Devices shall be installed downstream of the gas utility meter or liquid petroleum tank on each fuel gas line where the gas line serves a building and at each gas appliance within a building.

E) GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. Gas-Shut-Off Devices installed either in compliance with this ordinance or voluntarily, with a permit issued on or after the effective date of this ordinance, shall comply with the following requirements:

1) Be installed in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.

2) In the case of Seismic Gas-Shut-Off Devices (motion sensitive) only, such devices must be mounted rigidly to the exterior of the building or structure containing the fuel gas piping. This requirement need not apply if the Building and Safety Division determines that the seismic gas shutoff device (motion sensitive) has been tested and listed for an alternate method of installation.

3) Seismic Gas-Shut-Off Devices shall be certified by the State Architect and be listed by an approved listing and testing agency such as IAS, IAMPO, UL or the office or the State Architect.

4) Have a thirty (30) year warranty which warrants that the valve or device is free from defect and will continue to properly operate for thirty (30) years from the date of installation.

Where Gas Shutoff Devices are installed voluntarily or as required by this section, they shall be maintained for the life of the building or structure or be replaced with a valve or device complying with the requirements of this section.

F) LIST OF APPROVED VALVES AND DEVICES. The Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Agency shall maintain a list of all Seismic Gas-Shut-Off Devices (motion sensitive) and Excess Flow Gas-Shut-off Devices (non-motion sensitive) which meet or exceed the requirements of devices certified by the Office of the State Architect for installation in the State of California and which comply with the standards and criteria set forth in Health and Safety Code section 19180 et seq, Including quality and design regulation for earthquake actuated automatic gas shutoff systems (see 24 Cal. Code Regs. Ch. 12-16-1).

SECTION lll. LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS TANKS. Section 1904.091 is added to the Marin County Code to read as Follows:

19.04.091 ANCHORING OF LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS TANKS.

A) WHEN REQUIRED. Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) tanks shall be anchored by a system approved by the administrative authority or designed by a licensed engineer, to prevent overturning in seismic events, installation of such anchoring system shall be required as follows:

1) For any new building construction (commercial, industrial or residential) containing LPG piping for which a building permit is required; or

2) For any alteration or addition to any existing residential commercial or industrial building which contains LPG piping, and for which a building permit is required; or

3) Upon replacement or addition of a new liquid petroleum gas tank, or for initial installation or for repair of the gas piping system (LPG).

B) EXCEPTION. Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) tanks are not required to be anchored upon the Issuance of building permits for minor and nonstructural repairs such as re-roofing, window replacement, siding replacement, decks and any other minor permit at determined by the Chief Building Official,.

SECTION lV.- FINDINGS. Pursuant to Sections 17958.5 and 17985.7(a) of the State of California Health and Safety Code, the Board of Supervisors finds that the adoption of certain construction standards which may be stricter that those set forth pursuant to the State's earthquake protection law (Health & Safety Code Section 19100 et seq.) are needed and are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geographic and topographic conditions.

SECTION V: EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance is enacted pursuant to and in compliance with Health and Safety Code Section 18941.5 and as expressly permitted in Government Code Section 50022.2 and shall be, and is hereby declared to be, in full force and effect as of sixty (60) days from and after the date of its passage and shall be published in the Marin Independent Journal, once before the expiration of fifteen (15) days after its passage.

SECTION VI: VOTE

PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Marin held on this 1st day of May 2001, by the following vote:

AYES: SUPERVISORS Cynthia L. Murray, John B, Kress, Annette Rose, Harold C, Brown, Jr.

NOES: NONE

ABSENT: SUPERVISOR Steve Kinsey

Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958.5 and 17958.7 the Board of Supervisors of Alameda County hereby finds that it is reasonably necessary to modify the requirements of the California Building Standards Code due to local climatic, geographical, or topographical conditions. It is generally accepted that Alameda County will experience moderate and severe earthquakes in the foreseeable future. These earthquakes will pose a serious threat to life and property. In order to mitigate the potential hazard of fire resulting from gas piping damaged by seismic movement, the installation of Excess Flow Devices (non-motion sensitive) shall be required in all new construction and in certain remodeling in accordance with Alameda County ordinance. The full text of the express legislative findings of the County of Alameda in support of requiring the installation of Excess Flow Devices is on file and available for review in the office of the Building Official for the County of Alameda and with the California Building Standards Commission.

Based on the foregoing, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Alameda hereby ordain that Article II of Chapter 15.20, Title 15 of the General Ordinance Code of the County of Alameda shall be amended by adding Section 15.20.080 as Follows:

Section 15.20.080 §1312.13 - Excess Flow Gas Shutoff Device Required
Section 1312.13 of the 1998 California Mechanical Code shall be amended to read as follows:

Valves used in connection with gas piping shall be approved types and shall be accessible. The installation of Excess Flow Gas Shutoff Valves (non-motion sensitive) shall be required in all new construction and in certain remodeling.

b) "Excessive Flow Gas Shutoff Device" shall mean' those valves or devices that are not actuated by motion, but are activated by the rupture of pipes inside a structure thereby increasing fuel demand and causing a pressure surge.

i) The design of these devices shall include a proven method to automatically provide for expedient and safe gas shutoff in an emergency.

ii) The design of the device shall provide a capability for ease of consumer or owner resetting.

iii) The operational and functional design of the device shall be certified by one of the following: the Independent Laboratory or the International Approval Services (lAS), Underwriter's Laboratory (UL), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), American Gas Association or any other recognized listing and testing agency.

d) "Major remodeling" shall mean any remodeling, alteration or addition to a structure that:

i) involves fuel gas piping in the alteration and exceeds $5,000.00 in valuation or

e) "Residential building" shall mean any single-family dwelling duplexes, apartment building, condominium, townhouse, lodging house, congregate residence, hotel or motel.

f) "Upstream of Gas Utility' Meter· shall refer to all gas piping installed by the utility up to and including the meter and the utility's bypass toe at the connection to the customer's own piping.

An approved Excess Flow Gas Shutoff Device (non motion-sensitive) shall be installed downstream of the gas utility meter on each fuel gas line where the gas line serves the following building or structures:

a) Any building or structure (commercial, industrial, or residential) containing fuel gas piping for which a building permit is first issued on or after sixty (60) days from the passage of the ordinance; or

b) Any existing residential, commercial or industrial building or structure which is altered or added to; and

c) Such a building or structure 'lets fuel gas piping supplying the existing building or structure or the addition to the building or structure and

(1) In the event fuel gas piping is involved in the alteration or addition, the value of such alteration/addition is more than $5,000;

(2) In the event fuel gas piping is not involved in the alteration or addition, the value of such alteration/addition is more than $50,000.00 and a building permit for the work is first issued on or after sixty days from the effective date of this section.

d) With respect to residential building, alterations or additions to an individual condominium or apartment unit shall not require a Gas shutoff Device to be installed for all gas piping serving that building.

e) With respect to commercial or industrial building alterations or additions to individual units or tenant spaces shall require a Gas Shutoff device to be installed for all gas piping serving that commercial or industrial building.

a) A Gas Shutoff Device is not required to be installed downstream of the gas utility meter where:

i) A Gas Shutoff Device has been installed by the gas utility or a contractor authorized by the gas utility, and

ii) Such, installation is upstream of the gas utility meter and downstream of the gas utility meter service regulator, and

iii) Such installation is in accordance with this section and with the manufacturer's specifications.

b) Gas Shutoff Devices installed on a building or structure prior to sixty days from the effective date of this section are exempt from the requirements of this section provided they remain installed on the building or structure and are maintained for the life of the building of structure.

c) Gas Shutoff Devices installed on a gas distribution system owned or operated by a public utility shall not be subject to the requirements of this section.

d) A Gas Shutoff valve shall not be required where the gas piping system contained in the building or structure is designed to withstand seismic effects or earthquakes.

A Gas-Shut-Off valve shall not be required for mechanical or process equipment used in manufacturing.

a) Be installed by a contractor licensed in the appropriate classification by the State of California and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

b) Be listed by an approved listing and testing agency such as IAS, IAMPO, UL, AGA or the office of the State Architect.

c) have a thirty (30) year warranty, which warrants that the valve or device is free from defects, and will continue to properly operate for thirty (30) years from the date of installation.

c) Where Gas-Shut-Off Devices are installed as required by this Section, they shall be maintained for the life of the building or structure or be replaced with a valve or device complying with the requirements of this section

The Building Inspection Department of the County of Alameda shall maintain a list of all Excess Flow Gas Shutoff devices (non-motion sensitive), which are approved (by a nationally recognized testing and listing agency) for installation in the State of California.

As testing and other data become available, the Building Official may approve or reject any type of device proposed for installation in a specific project.

SECTION II
This ordinance shall take effect and be in force the later of the following: a) the filing with the California Building Standards Commission by the County of Alameda Of its express findings of local conditions necessitating the adoption of the within ordinance or b) thirty (30) days from and after the date of passage and before the expiration of fifteen (15) days alter its passage it shall be published once with the names of the members voting for and against the same in the Inter-City Express, a newspaper published in the County of Alameda.

Adopted by the board of Supervisors of the County of Alameda, State of California, on the day of May 2001, by the following called Vote:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD AMENDING THE PLUMBING CODE TO REQUIRE THE INSTALLATION OF APPROVED SEISMIC GAS SHUTOFF VALVES IN CERTAIN STRUCTURES AND AMENDING THE WEST HOLLYWOOD MUNICIPAL CODE.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:

a. Due to local geological conditions, it is generally accepted that the Los Angeles Basin, including the City of West Hollywood, will experience moderate and severe earthquakes in the foreseeable future.

b. The danger of fires resulting from earthquakes poses a serious threat to life and property

c. Properly installed seismic gas shutoff valves can reduce the occurrences of fires stemming from moderate and severe earthquakes and thereby reduce the risks to health, safety, and welfare caused by such earthquakes.

d. Pursuant to Chapter 4 of part 2.5 of Division 13 of the California Health and Safety Codes (Health and Safety Code Section 18935 et. Seq.), the Uniform Plumbing Code, 1997 Edition, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, as amended, has been adopted as the California Plumbing Code, 1998 Edition (the California Plumbing code).

e. By ordinance 99-547U, the City has adopted Title 28 Plumbing Code of the Los Angeles County Code as amended and in effect on July 1, 1999 as the Plumbing Code of the City of West Hollywood. Title 28 Plumbing Code of the Los Angeles County Code incorporates the California Plumbing Code.

f. The City is authorized by Section 18941.5 of the California health and Safety Code to make such changes in the Plumbing Code of the City of West Hollywood, as are reasonably necessary because of local climactic, geological, or topographical conditions.

g. The City Council of the City of West Hollywood finds, pursuant to Section 18941.5, 17958, 17958.5 and 17958.7 of the California Health and Safety Code, that the changes made to the Plumbing Code of the City of West Hollywood by this ordinance are reasonably necessary because of local geological conditions.

h. The City Council of the City of West Hollywood further finds that the changes made to the Plumbing Code of the City of West Hollywood by this ordinance establish more restrictive standards than are currently included in the California Plumbing Code.
SECTION 2. Title 13, Chapter 13.12 of the West Hollywood Municipal Code is amended by adding thereto a new Section 13.12.035 to read:

13.12.035. Seismic Gas Shutoff Valves.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.12.010 of this Code, the Plumbing Code is amended by adding Section 1219 to read as follows:

1219.1. Scope. A seismic gas shutoff valve shall be installed in compliance with the requirements of this section on each gas fuel line in:

1219.1.1. Any building or structure for which a building permit was first issued on or after February 15, 2001.

1219.1.2. Any building or structure which is altered or expanded under a building permit first issued on or after February 15, 2001, when such alteration or addition is valued at more than $10,000.

1219.1.3.. Any building or structure that is sold to a new owner on or after February 15, 2001, where no less than 12 months have passed since the date of sale. However, when an individual condominium unit is sold in a building that has multiple gas lines, then the requirements of this section shall apply only to the line or lines serving the condominium unit that has been sold.

1219.2. Maintenance. Where the installation of a seismic gas shutoff valve is required by this section in any building or structure, that seismic gas shutoff valve shall be maintained for the life of that building or structure or shall be replaced with a valve complying with the requirements of this section.

1219.3. General Requirements. Where the installation of a seismic gas shutoff valve on a fuel line is required by this section, that valve must:

1219.3.1. Be mounted rigidly to the exterior of the building or structure containing the fuel line unless the building official determines that the seismic gas shutoff valve has been tested and listed for an alternate method of installation.

1219.3.2. Be installed downstream of the gas utility meter, except that a valve may be installed upstream of the gas utility meter at the discretion of the gas utility if the valve would otherwise meet the requirements of this section.

1219.3.3. Be listed by an approved testing laboratory and certified by the Office of the State Architect.

1219.3.4. Have a thirty-year warranty which warrants that the valve is free from defects and will continue to properly operate for thirty years from the date of operation.

1219.4. Critical Facilities. The requirements of this Section shall not apply to any building that is used by any public agency for the provision of emergency services, including fire, police, and similar public safety services.

1219.5. Definitions. For purposes of this section, certain terms shall be defined as follows:

1219.5.1. Downstream of the Gas utility meter shall refer to all customers owned gas piping.

1219.5.2. Seismic Gas Shutoff Valve shall mean a system consisting of a seismic sensing means and actuating means designed to automatically actuate a companion gas shutoff means installed in a gas piping system in order to shut off the gas downstream of the location of the gas shutoff means in the event of a severe seismic disturbance. The system may consist of separable components or may incorporate all functions in a single body. The terms "seismically activated gas shutoff valves" and "earthquake sensitive gas shutoff valves," are synonymous.

1219.5.3. Upstream of the Gas Utility meter shall refer to all gas piping installed by the utility up to and including the meter and the utility's bypass toe at the connection to the customer owned piping.

SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be filed with the California Building Standards Commission pursuant to Section 17958.7 of the Health and Safety Code.

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