| THE LAW "The seismic gas valve would automatically shut off the gas .... We know that fires can and will start after a quake." Martinez News-Gazette. March 23, 2000. MARIN COUNTY ALAMEDA COUNTY LOS ANGELES REGION WEST HOLLYWOOD It is only a matter of time until the Earthquake Automatic Gas Shut Off Valve will be mandatory statewide Contra Costa County An ordinance to the Contra Costa Code to require the installation of Excess Flow Gas Shut-off devices (non-motion sensitive) or has Shut-Off Devices that are activated by motion. To be installed on all gas services after the meter in all new construction and certain remodeling effective sixty (60) days from the passage of this ordinance. 1. Findings. The Board of Supervisions finds and declares that: a. It is generally accepted that Contra Costa County will experience moderate and sever earthquakes in the foreseeable future. b. A serious threat to life and property resulting from these earthquakes c. In order to mitigate, as much as possible, the effects of a major earthquake, including fire resulting from an earthquake, the installation of Excess Flow Devices (non-motion sensitive) or Seismic Gas Shut-Off Devices (non-motion sensitive) or Seismic Gas Shut-Off Devices (motion sensitive) shall be required in all new construction and in certain remodeling. 1.1 DEFINITIONS. For the purpose of this section, certain terms shall be defined as follows: a. Downstream of the gas utility shall refer to all customers owned piping. b. Residential building shall mean any single-family dwelling, duplexes, apartment building, condominium, townhouse, lodging house, congregate residence, hotel, or motel. c. Excessive Flow Gas Shut-Off 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 without concern for safety. The operational and functional design of the device shall be certified 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 (LAPMO), Office of the State Architect, or any other recognized listing and testing agency. d. Seismic Gas Shutoff Device shall mean a system consisting of a seismic sensing means and actuating means designed to automatically actuate a companion gas shut off 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 operational and functional design of the device shall be certified by one of the following: e. 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. f. Gas shutoff Device as used in this ordinance, shall refer to either a Seismic Gas Shutoff Device or Excess Flow Gas Shutoff Device. 2. SCOPE. An approved Seismic Gas Shut-Off Device (motion sensitive) or an approved Excess Flow Gas Shutoff Device (non motion-sensitive) shall e 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 (1) Such a building or structure has fuel gas piping supplying the existing building or structure or the addition to the building or structure; and (2) In the event fuel gas piping is involved in the alteration or addition, the value of such alteration/addition is more than $5000; in the event fuel gas piping is not involved in the alteration or addition, the value of such alteration/addition is more than $50000, and a building permit for the work is first issued on or after sixty days from the passage of this ordinance. (a) With respect to residential buildings, alterations or additions to an individual condominium or apartment unit shall require a Gas Shut-Off Device to be installed for all gas piping serving that building. (b) With respect to commercial or industrial buildings, 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. 3. EXCEPTIONS. a. A Gas Shut-Off Device is not required to be installed downstream of the gas utility meter where a Gas Shut-Off Device has been installed by the gas utility or a contractor authorized by the gas utility upstream of the gas utility meter and downstream of the gas utility meter service regulator and such installation is in accordance with this ordinance and with the manufacturer's specifications. b. Gas Shut-Off Devices installed on a building or structure prior to sixty days from the passage 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 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-Shut-Off valve shall not be required where the gas piping system contained in the building or structure is designed to withstand seismic effects of earthquakes. e. This ordinance shall not apply to mechanical or process equipments used in manufacturing. 4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. Gas Shutoff Devices installed either in compliance with this ordinance or voluntarily with a permit issued on or after sixty (60) days from the passage of this ordinance shall comply with the following requirements: 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. In the case of Seismic Gas-Shut-Off Devices (motion sensitive) only, such devices must be 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 Inspection Department determines that the seismic gas shutoff device (motion sensitive) has been rested and listed for an alternate method of installation c. Be listed by an approved listing and testing agency such as IAS, LAMPO, UL, or the office of the State Architect. d. 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. e. 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 of device complying with the requirements of this section. 5. LIST OF APPROVED VALVES AND DEVICES. The Building Inspection Department shall maintain a list of all Seismic Gas-Shut-Off Devices (motion sensitive) and Excess Flow Gas-Shut-Off Devices (non-motion sensitive), which are approved (by an approved testing and listing agency of the Office of the State Architect) for installation in the State of California. 6. ENFORCING AGENCY. The Building Inspection Department shall administer and enforce the provisions of this ordinance. |