Berkeley Municipal Code Ch. 19.34 Berkeley Plumbing Code

The California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, as adopted in Title 24 Part 5 of the California Code of Regulations, including Appendices A, B and D, is hereby adopted and made a part of this Chapter as though fully set forth herein, subject to the modifications thereto which are set forth in this Chapter. A copy of this Code is on file for use and examination by the public in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Berkeley. (Ord. 7988-NS § 5, 2025)

This Code shall be known as the "Berkeley Plumbing Code" and may be cited as "this Code." (Ord. 7988-NS § 5, 2025)

All of the administrative provisions contained in Article 1 of Chapter 19.28, the Berkeley Building Code, shall apply to this Code as well and take precedence over any California Plumbing Code administrative provisions that may conflict. (Ord. 7988-NS § 5, 2025)

Chapter 12 of the 2025 California Plumbing Code is adopted in its entirety subject to the modifications thereto which are set forth below.

1209.0 Excess Flow Valve Automatic Gas Shut-Off Valves.

1209.2 General Requirements for Automatic Gas Shut-Off Valves. Automatic gas shut-off valves shall:

1. Comply with all applicable requirements of the Berkeley Plumbing Code.

2. Be tested and listed by recognized testing agencies such as the Independent Laboratory of the International Approval Services (IAS), Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) or any other agency approved by the State of California Office of the State Architect (OSA).

3. Be installed on downstream side of the gas utility meter.

4. Be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

5. Provide a method for expedient and safe gas shut-off in an emergency.

6. Provide a capability for ease of consumer or owner resetting in a safe manner.

1209.3 Definitions

For the purpose of this Section, terms shall be defined as follows:

AUTOMATIC GAS SHUT- OFF VALVE shall mean either a motion activated gas shut-off valve or device or an excess flow gas shut-off valve or device.

DOWNSTREAM OF GAS UTILITY METER shall mean all gas piping on the property owner’s side of the gas meter and after the service tee.

MOTION ACTIVATED GAS SHUT OFF VALVE shall mean an approved gas valve activated by motion. Valves are set to activate in the event of a moderate or strong seismic event greater than 5.0 on the Richter scale.

UPSTREAM OF GAS UTILITY METER shall mean all gas piping installed by the utility up to and including the meter and the utility’s service tee.

1209.4 Motion Activated Gas Shut-off Valve, Required. A listed motion activated gas shut-off valve shall be installed as follows:

1209.4.1 New Construction. In any newly constructed building or structure containing fuel gas piping.

1209.4.2 Existing Buildings with a single meter. In any existing building or structure containing fuel gas piping served by a single gas meter, when any addition, alteration or repair is made for which a mechanical or plumbing permit is issued.

1209.4.3 Existing Buildings with separate meters serving individual units or tenant spaces. In any existing building or structure containing fuel gas piping served by multiple gas meters, when any addition, alteration or repair is made to an individual unit or tenant space for which a mechanical or plumbing permit is issued. The requirement for a motion activated gas shut off valve shall apply to the gas meter serving the individual unit or tenant space and the gas meter serving common area(s).

Exceptions:

1. Existing automatic gas shut-off valves installed prior to the effective date of this Section, provided the valves are maintained in operational condition.

2. Automatic gas shut-off valves installed on a gas distribution system owned or operated by a public utility.

Note: For the purpose of the requirements of this Section, excess flow valves are not permitted to be installed as a substitute for motion activated gas shut-off valves.

1209.5 Mounting. Motion activated seismic gas shut-off valves shall be mounted rigidly to the building or structure containing the fuel gas piping, unless otherwise specified in the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

(Ord. 7988-NS § 5, 2025)