Skip to content

Earlier editions: 20222019

Chapter 12 — FUEL GAS PIPING

1208.9 Overpressure Protection Devices.

California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

Overpressure protection devices shall be one of the following:

(1) Pressure relief valve.

(2) Monitor regulator.

(3) Series regulator installed upstream from the line regulator and set to continuously limit the pressure on the inlet of the line regulator to the maximum values specified by Section 1208.10 or less.

(4) Automatic shutoff device installed in series with the line pressure regulator and set to shut off when the pressure on the downstream piping system reaches the maximum values specified by Section 1208.10 or less. This device shall be designed so that it will remain closed until manually reset. [NFPA 54:5.8.3.1] 1208.9.1 Separate Devices. The devices in Section 1208.9 shall be installed either as an integral part of the service or line pressure regulator or as separate units. Where separate overpressure protection devices are installed, they shall comply with Section 1208.9.2 through Section 1208.9.7. [NFPA 54:5.8.3.2]

1208.9.2 Construction and Installation. All overpressure protection devices shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Be constructed of materials so that the operation of the device is not impaired by corrosion of external parts by the atmosphere or of internal parts by the gas.

(2) Be designed and installed so they can be operated to determine whether the valve is free. The devices shall also be designed and installed so they can be tested to determine the pressure at which they operate and be examined for leakage when in the closed position. [NFPA 54:5.8.4] 1208.9.3 External Control Piping. External control piping shall be designed and installed so that damage to the control piping of one device does not render both the regulator and the overpressure protective device inoperative. [NFPA 54:5.8.5] 1208.9.4 Setting. Each pressure limiting or pressure relieving device shall be set so that the gas pressure supplied to the connected appliance(s) does not exceed the limits specified in Section 1208.10 and Section 1208.10.1.

[NFPA 54:5.8.6] 1208.9.5 Unauthorized Operation. Where unauthorized operation of any shutoff valve could render a pressure relieving valve or pressure limiting device inoperative, one of the following shall be accomplished:

(1) The valve shall be locked in the open position. Instruct authorized personnel in the importance of leaving the shutoff valve open and of being present while the shutoff valve is closed so that it can be locked in the open position before leaving the premises.

(2) Duplicate relief valves shall be installed, each having adequate capacity to protect the system, and arrange the isolating valves or three-way valve so that only one relief valve can be rendered inoperative at a time. [NFPA 54:5.8.7]

FUEL GAS PIPING

»

»

»

»

»

»

»

»

1208.9.6 Discharge of Vents. The discharge stacks, vents, or outlet parts of all pressure relieving and pressure limiting devices shall be located so that gas is safely discharged to the outdoors. Discharge stacks or vents shall be designed to prevent the entry of water, insects, or other foreign material that could cause blockage.

The discharge stack or vent line shall be at least the same size as the outlet of the pressure relieving device.

[NFPA 54:5.8.8.1 – 5.8.8.2] 1208.9.7 Size of Fittings, Pipe, and Openings. The fittings, pipe, and openings located between the system to be protected and the pressure relieving device shall be sized to prevent hammering of the valve and to prevent impairment of relief capacity. [NFPA 54:5.8.9]

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code
Export this section
▸Contents — California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5)
California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5)
  1. Chapter 1 — GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
  4. Chapter 4 — PLUMBING FIXTURES AND FIXTURE FITTINGS
  5. Chapter 5 — WATER HEATERS
  6. Chapter 6 — WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION
  7. Chapter 7 — SANITARY DRAINAGE
  8. Chapter 8 — INDIRECT WASTES
  9. Chapter 9 — VENTS
  10. Chapter 10 — TRAPS AND INTERCEPTORS
  11. Chapter 11 — STORM DRAINAGE
  12. ▸Chapter 12 — FUEL GAS PIPING
    Overview
    1. 1201.1 Applicability. The regulations of this chapter shall
    2. 1202.1 General. Coverage of piping systems shall extend
    3. 1202.2 Piping System Requirements. Requirements for
    4. 1202.3 Applications. This chapter shall not apply to the
    5. 1203.1 Inspection Notification. Upon completion of the
    6. 1203.2 Excavation. Excavations required for the installation o…
    7. 1203.3 Type of Inspections. The Authority Having Jurisdiction …
    8. 1203.4 Inspection Waived. In cases where the work
    9. 1204.1 Issuance. Whereupon final piping inspection, the
    10. 1204.2 Gas Supplier. A copy of the certificate of such final
    11. 1204.3 Unlawful. It shall be unlawful for a serving gas suppli…
    12. 1205.1 Authorized Personnel. It shall be unlawful for a
    13. 1205.2 Outlets. It shall be unlawful to turn on or connect gas
    14. 1206.1 Disconnection. The Authority Having Jurisdiction
    15. 1206.2 Notice. Where such disconnection has been made, a
    16. 1206.3 Capped Outlets. It shall be unlawful to remove or
    17. 1207.1 General. Where temporary use of gas is desired, and
    18. 1208.1 Installation of Piping System. Where required
    19. 1208.2 Interconnections Supplying Separate Users.
    20. 1208.3 Sizing of Gas Piping Systems. Gas piping systems shall …
    21. 1208.4 Maximum Operating Pressure in Buildings.
    22. 1208.5 Acceptable Piping Materials and Joining
    23. 1208.6 Gas Meters. Gas meters shall be selected for the
    24. 1208.7 Gas Pressure Regulators. A line pressure regulator shal…
    25. 1208.8 Overpressure Protection Required. Where the
    26. 1208.9 Overpressure Protection Devices. Overpressure protectio…
    27. 1208.10 Pressure Limitation Requirements. Where piping systems…
    28. 1208.11 Backpressure Protection. Protective devices
    29. 1208.12 Low-Pressure Protection. A protective device
    30. 1208.13 Shutoff Valves. Shutoff valves shall be selected in
    31. 1208.14 Expansion and Flexibility. Piping systems shall
    32. 1208.15 Pressure Regulator and Pressure Control
    33. 1209.1 General. Where automatic excess flow valves are
    34. 1210.1 Piping Underground. Underground gas piping
    35. 1210.2 CSST Piping Systems. CSST piping systems shall
    36. 1210.3 Installation of Aboveground Piping. Piping
    37. 1210.4 Concealed Piping in Buildings. Gas piping in
    38. 1210.5 Piping in Vertical Chases. Where gas piping
    39. 1210.6 Gas Pipe Turns. Changes in direction of gas pipe
    40. 1210.7 Drips and Sediment Traps. For other than dry gas
    41. 1210.8 Outlets. Outlets shall be located and installed in
    42. 1210.9 Manual Gas Shutoff Valves. An accessible gas
    43. 1210.10 Prohibited Devices. Devices shall not be placed
    44. 1210.11 Systems Containing Gas-Air Mixtures Out-
    45. 1210.12 Systems Containing Flammable Gas-Air
    46. 1211.1 Pipe and Tubing Other than CSST. Each aboveground porti…
    47. 1211.2 Bonding of CSST Gas Piping. CSST gas piping
    48. 1211.3 Arc-Resistant Jacketed CSST. CSST listed with
    49. 1211.4 Prohibited Use. Gas piping shall not be used as a
    50. 1211.5 Lightning Protection System. Where a lightning
    51. 1211.6 Electrical Circuits. Electrical circuits shall not util…
    52. 1211.7 Electrical Connections. All electrical connections
    53. 1211.8 Earthquake-Actuated Gas Shutoff Valves.
    54. 1212.1 Connecting Appliances and Equipment.
    55. 1212.4 Injection (Bunsen) Burners. Injection (Bunsen)
    56. 1212.5 Connection of Portable and Mobile Industrial
    57. 1212.6 Appliance Shutoff Valves and Connections.
    58. 1212.7 Quick-Disconnect Devices. Quick-disconnect
    59. 1212.2 Suspended Low-Intensity Infrared Tube
    60. 1212.3 Use of Nonmetallic Gas Hose Connectors.
    61. 1212.8 Gas Convenience Outlets. Appliances shall be
    62. 1212.9 Sediment Trap. Where a sediment trap is not incorporate…
    63. 1212.10 Installation of Piping. Piping shall be installed in
    64. 1212.11 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Facilities and Pip-
    65. 1213.1 Piping Installations. Prior to acceptance and initial o…
    66. 1213.2 Test Preparation. Test preparation shall comply
    67. 1213.3 Test Pressure. This inspection shall include an air,
    68. 1213.4 Detection of Leaks and Defects. The piping system shall…
    69. 1213.5 Piping System Leak Test. Leak checks using fuel
    70. 1213.6 Purging Requirements. The purging of piping
    71. 1214.1 General. The following regulations shall comply
    72. 1214.2 Volume. The hourly volume of gas required at each
    73. 1214.3 Gas Appliances. Where the gas appliances to be
    74. 1214.4 Size of Piping Outlets. The size of the supply piping o…
    75. 1215.1 Pipe Sizing Methods. Where the pipe size is to be
    76. 1215.2 Sizing of Gas Piping Systems. Sizing of piping
    77. 1215.3 Sizing Equations. The inside diameter of smooth
    78. 1215.4 Sizing of Piping Sections. To determine the size
    79. 1215.5 Engineering Methods. For conditions other than
    80. 1215.6 Variable Gas Pressure. Where the supply gas
  13. Chapter 13 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND MEDICAL GAS AND MEDICA…
  14. Chapter 14 — FIRESTOP PROTECTION
  15. Chapter 15 — ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS
  16. Chapter 16 — NONPOTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
  17. Chapter 17 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  18. Appendix A — RECOMMENDED RULES FOR SIZING THE WATER SUPPLY SYS…
  19. Appendix B — EXPLANATORY NOTES ON COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT S…
  20. Appendix C — ALTERNATE PLUMBING SYSTEMS
  21. Appendix D — SIZING STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
  22. Appendix E — MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOME PARKS AND RECREATIONAL V…
  23. Appendix F — FIREFIGHTER BREATHING AIR REPLENISHMENT SYSTEMS
  24. Appendix G — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS
  25. Appendix H — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
  26. Appendix I — INSTALLATION STANDARDS
  27. Appendix J — COMBINATION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION AND …
  28. Appendix K — POTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
  29. Appendix L — SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
  30. Appendix M — PEAK WATER DEMAND CALCULATOR
  31. Appendix N — IMPACT OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON THE POTENTIAL FOR …
  32. Appendix O — NON-SEWERED SANITATION SYSTEMS
  33. Appendix P — PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
  34. Appendix Q — INDOOR HORTICULTURAL FACILITIES
  35. Appendix R — TINY HOUSES
  36. Appendix S — ONSITE STORMWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

GoCodebook provides public access, search, citation, multilingual explanation, and practical interpretation of legally adopted building regulations. It is not a substitute for the official ICC or California code publications.