Chapter 15.95
GAS SHUT-OFF DEVICES
Sections:
15.95.010 Gas shut-off definitions.
15.95.040 General requirements.
15.95.050 List of approved valves and devices.
15.95.010 Gas shut-off definitions.
For the purpose of this article, certain terms shall be defined as follows:
(a) “Downstream of gas utility meter” refers to all customer owned gas piping.
(b) “Residential building” means any single-family dwelling, duplex, multi-family dwelling, apartment building, condominium building, townhouse building, lodging house, congregate residence, hotel, or motel.
(c) “Excess flow gas-shut-off device” means 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 provide automatically 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 State Architect shall certify the device 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 agency.
(d) “Seismic gas-shut-off device” means a system consisting of a seismic sensing means and actuating means designed to actuate automatically 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 State Architect shall certify the device 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 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 agency.
(e) “Upstream of gas utility meter” refers 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.
(f) “Gas shut-off device,” as used in this article, refers to either a seismic gas shut-off device or excess flow gas-shut-off device.
(Code 2002, § 14-500. Ord. No. 02-9)
15.95.020 Scope.
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 on each fuel gas line where the gas line serves the following buildings:
(a) 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 the article.
(b) Any existing residential, commercial or industrial building which is substantially altered or added to as determined by the Building Official and a building permit for the work is first issued on or after the effective date of this article.
(Code 2002, § 14-501. Ord. No. 02-9)
15.95.030 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 meter service regulator and such installation is in accordance with this article and with the manufacturer’s specifications.
(b) Gas-shut-off devices installed on a building prior to the 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.
(c) Gas-shut-off devices installed on a gas distribution system owned originated by a public utility shall not be subject to the requirements of this chapter (Health and Safety Code Section 19201(b)).
(d) A gas-shut-off device 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 article shall not apply to mechanical or process equipment used in manufacturing.
(f) This article shall not apply to gas shutoff devices installed within gas lines (Health and Safety Code Section 19204).
(Code 2002, § 14-502. Ord. No. 02-9)
15.95.040 General requirements.
Gas-shut-off devices installed either in compliance with this chapter or voluntarily, with a permit issued on or after the effective date of the article codified in this chapter, shall comply with all of 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 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 tested and listed for an alternate method of installation.
(c) In the case of seismic gas-shut-off devices (motion sensitive) only, be certified by the state architect and be listed by an approved listing and testing agency such as IAS, IAPMO, UL or the Office of the State Architect. In the case of excess flow gas-shut-off devices only, be certified by the State Architect or be listed by an approved listing and testing agency such as IAS, IAPMO, UL or the Office of the State Architect.
(d) Have a thirty-year warranty which warrants that the valve or device is free from defects and will continue to operate properly for thirty years from the date of installation.
(e) Where gas-shut-off 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.
(Code 2002, § 14-503. Ord. No. 02-9)
15.95.050 List of approved valves and devices.
The building division 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).
(Code 2002, § 14-504. Ord. No. 02-9)