Chapter 15.34
GAS SHUTOFF DEVICES
Sections:
15.34.040 General requirements.
15.34.050 List of approved valves and devices.
15.34.010 Definitions.
For purposes of this section, the listed terms shall be defined as follows:
A. “Downstream of gas utility meter” means all customer-owned gas piping.
B. “Residential building” means any single-family dwelling, duplex, multifamily dwelling, apartment building, condominium building, townhouse building, lodging house, congregate residence, hotel, or motel.
C. “Excess flow gas shutoff device (EXFV)” 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 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 agency.
D. “Seismic gas shutoff device (EQGSV)” means 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 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” means 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 shutoff device” means either a seismic gas shutoff device (EQGSV) or excess flow gas shutoff device (EXFV). [Amended during 2007 recodification; Ord. 1175 § 3, 2000.]
15.34.020 Scope.
An approved seismic gas shutoff device (motion sensitive) or an approved excess flow gas shutoff device (nonmotion 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 ordinance.
B. Any existing residential, commercial or industrial building which is altered or added to and a building permit for the work is first issued on or after the effective date of the ordinance codified by this chapter, and:
1. Such a building has fuel gas piping supplying the existing building or the addition to the building; and
2. Where fuel gas piping is involved in the alteration or addition, the value of such alteration/addition is more than $5,000; where fuel gas piping is not involved in the alteration or addition, the value of such alteration/addition is more than $50,000;
a. With respect to residential buildings, the requirements set forth in subsections (A)(1) and (2) of this section include alterations or additions to an individual condominium or apartment unit so that, in appropriate circumstances, such alterations or additions shall require a gas shutoff device to be installed for all gas piping serving that building as set forth in subsections (A)(1) and (2) of this section.
b. With respect to commercial or industrial buildings, the requirements set forth in subsections (A)(1) and (2) of this section include alterations or additions to individual units or tenant spaces so that, where applicable, such alterations or additions shall require a gas shutoff device to be installed for all gas piping serving that commercial or industrial building. [Ord. 1175 § 3, 2000.]
15.34.030 Exceptions.
A. A gas shutoff device is not required to be installed downstream of a gas utility meter where a gas shutoff 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 chapter and with the manufacturer’s specifications.
B. Gas shutoff devices installed on a building prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter 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 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 and Safety Code Section 19201(b)).
D. Gas shutoff devices 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 section shall not apply to mechanical or process equipment used in manufacturing.
F. This section shall not apply to gas shutoff devices installed within gas lines. [Ord. 1175 § 3, 2000.]
15.34.040 General requirements.
Gas shutoff devices installed either in compliance with this chapter or voluntarily, with a permit issued on or after the effective date of the ordinance 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 shutoff 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 shutoff 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 shutoff 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 30-year warranty that warrants that the valve or device is free from defects and will continue to operate properly for 30 years from the date of installation.
E. 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. [Ord. 1175 § 3, 2000.]
15.34.050 List of approved valves and devices.
The building inspection department shall maintain a list of all seismic gas shutoff devices (motion sensitive) and excess flow gas shutoff devices (nonmotion 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 Sections 19180, et seq., including quality and design regulation for earthquake automatic gas shutoff systems. [Ord. 1175 § 3, 2000.]
15.34.060 Permitting fee.
A plumbing permit from the city of Pittsburg building inspection department shall be applied for and issued prior to the installation of all required gas shutoff valves. The fee for the plancheck and inspection of the installation shall be $77.00 per meter. [Ord. 1175 § 3, 2000.]
15.34.070 Enforcing agency.
The building inspection department shall administer and enforce the provisions of this section. [Ord. 1175 § 3, 2000.]