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Contra Costa Times

New valves required to shut off gas in event of an earthquake

By Jeanine Benca

CONTRA COSTA TIMES

Article Launched: 07/06/2007 03:23:14 AM PDT

DANVILLE -- If you are about to remodel your house in Danville, you will need to add one more project to your fix-it list: earthquake-proofing your home gas lines.

As of July 1, a new townwide ordinance requires all home and business owners planning more than $10,000 in building or remodeling work to add gas shut-off valves to their gas meters.

The devices, designed to prevent gas leaks and explosions during earthquakes, are relatively inexpensive -- between $100 and $200 each. But they can be installed only by licensed plumbing contractors.

A number of local plumbers install the valves, most of whom can be found in the Yellow Pages, said Danville building inspector Mike Leontiades.

The Town Council in May adopted the new municipal code requirement, which lets residents choose between one of two types of safety valves. The first device, called an "earthquake-sensitive" gas shut-off valve, will automatically shut off the gas supply to a building during an earthquake of 5.2 magnitude or greater. The second type of device, called an excess flow valve, will shut off the gas supply only when a higher-than-normal gas flow is detected, such as in a leak.

The ordinance applies to anyone who receives a building permit for more than $10,000 worth of work to be done. Leontiades said all gas shut-off valves will be inspected free of charge by the town's building inspectors after the valves are installed.

Danville council members briefly considered expanding the ordinance to apply whenever homes are sold, but opted against that measure after local Realtors argued a point-of-sale requirement would lead to rushed installation jobs.

To encourage homeowners to install the valves voluntarily, the town for two years is waiving the $80 building permit fee that normally would be required for standalone installation. Brochures about the gas valves are available at the town offices, 510 La Gonda Way.

"I'm hoping people will come in on their own to make up for that slack that we're not getting from point-of-sale," Leontiades said. "Hopefully, San Ramon and other communities will adopt similar ordinances."

New valves required to shut off gas in event of an earthquake