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Chapter 14.70
GAS SHUT-OFF DEVICES

Sections:

14.70.010    Purpose and findings – Administration.

14.70.020    Definitions.

14.70.030    When devices are required – Exceptions.

14.70.040    Approved list of devices.

14.70.050    General requirements – Location required.

14.70.010 Purpose and findings – Administration.

A. Purpose. This chapter is adopted under the authority of Health and Safety Code sections 19181 and 17958. It is based on the recognition that future earthquakes are likely and that fires resulting from earthquake damage pose a serious threat to life and property. The purpose of this chapter is to require the installation of gas shut-off devices under certain circumstances.

B. Findings. Under Health and Safety Code sections 17958, 17958.5 and 17958.7, the city council expressly finds that these regulations are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological and topographical conditions in this city, as set forth in the ordinance adopting this chapter.

C. Administration. The chief building official shall administer and enforce this chapter. (Ord. 818 § 1, 2007)

14.70.020 Definitions.

In this chapter:

A. Downstream of gas utility meter refers to all customer-owned gas piping, or the gas piping on the customer’s side of the gas utility meter and service tee (also known as bypass tee). (Health & Saf. Code § 19201.)

B. Excess flow gas shut-off device means a valve or device that is not activated by motion, but is activated by a significant gas leak or overpressure surge, which can occur when pipes rupture inside the structure. The device must be certified as described in PHMC § 14.70.040.

C. Seismic gas shut-off device means a system designed to activate automatically to shut off gas in the piping system when there is a severe earthquake. It consists of a seismic sensor and an activator, and operates to shut off the gas downstream of wherever it is located. The device must be certified as described in PHMC § 14.70.040.

D. Gas shut-off device means either a seismic gas shut-off device or excess flow gas shut-off device. (Ord. 818 § 1, 2007)

14.70.030 When devices are required – Exceptions.

A. General. Any person installing a gas shut-off device must first obtain a plumbing permit from the building inspection division.

B. When devices are required. A gas shut-off device shall be installed in any of the following circumstances:

1. New construction with gas piping. For any new construction (new building or remodel) where there is any gas piping;

2. Any plumbing permit. Whenever any plumbing permit is issued for gas piping; or

3. Addition or alteration to existing building. For any addition or alteration to an existing building if the existing or proposed building contains gas piping. However, no gas shut-off device is required if the value of the addition or alteration is less than $40,000.

C. Exceptions. A gas shut-off device is not required:

1. If the device does not meet current standards, but was installed on a building before the adoption of this chapter, provided the device remains installed and is maintained for the life of the structure.

2. On a gas distribution system owned or operated by a public utility. (Health & Saf. Code § 19201(b).)

3. For building permits issued for minor and nonstructural repairs such as re-roofing, window replacement, siding replacement, decks and other minor permits as determined by the chief building official.

4. 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 the installations are in accordance with this chapter and the manufacturer’s specifications.

This chapter does not apply to (a) mechanical or process equipment used in manufacturing, or (b) gas shut-off devices installed within gas lines. (Health & Saf. Code § 19204.) (Ord. 818 § 1, 2007)

14.70.040 Approved list of 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-activated automatic gas shut-off systems. (See Health & Saf. Code §§ 19202 and 19203 and 24 Cal. Code Regs. Ch. 12-16-1.) (Ord. 818 § 1, 2007)

14.70.050 General requirements – Location required.

A. General requirements. Any gas shut-off device installed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall comply with these requirements.

1. Be installed by a contractor licensed in the appropriate classification by the state of California and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Have a 30-year warranty which warrants that the valve or device is free from defects and will continue to operate properly for 30 years from the date of installation.

3. Be maintained for the life of the building or structure or be replaced with another valve or device complying with the requirements of this chapter.

B. Location required.

1. A seismic gas shut-off device shall be installed downstream of the gas utility meter at the beginning of each rigid gas piping system that serves a building; and/or

2. An excess flow gas shut-off device shall be installed downstream of the gas utility meter or liquid petroleum tank on each gas line where the gas line serves a building. (Ord. 818 § 1, 2007)