Martinez Municipal Code Ch. 15.21 Excess Flow Gas Shut-Off Devices and Gas Shut-Off Devices Activated By…

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

A.

"Downstream of gas utility meter"

refers to all customer owned gas piping.

B.

"Residential building"

means any single family dwelling, duplex, apartment building, condominium, townhouse, lodging house, congregate residence, hotel, or motel.

C.

"Excess flow gas shut-off device"

shall mean 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 shall provide a proven method to automatically provide 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 without concern for safety. The operational and functional design of the device shall be certified by the Independent Laboratory of the International Approval Services (IAS) [formerly American Gas Association] or Underwriters Laboratory (UL).

D.

"Seismic gas shut-off device"

means a system consisting of a seismic sensing means and actuating means designed to automatically actuate a companion gas shut off means installed in a gas piping system in order to shut-off the gas downstream of the location of the gas shut-off 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 design of the device shall minimize or preclude the disruption to the flow of gas from erroneous vibrations, alien forces, or both erroneous vibrations and alien forces. Standards for such devices developed by the Z-21 American National Standards Committee, the California State Architect's office and the comments or suggestions from various public utilities shall be utilized to certify the appropriate utilization and design of these devices.

E.

"Upstream of gas utility meter"

refers to 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 shut-off device,"

as used in this Chapter, refers to either a seismic gas shut-off device or excess flow gas shut-off device.

(Ord. 1269 C.S. § 1, 1999)

An approved seismic gas shut-off device (motion sensitive) or an approved excess flow gas shut-off device (non-motion sensitive) shall be installed downstream of the gas utility meter on each fuel gas line where the gas line serves the following building or structures:

A. Any building or structure (commercial, industrial or residential) containing fuel gas piping for which a building permit is first issued on or after 60 days from the passage of the ordinance codified in this Chapter; or

B. Any existing building or structure (commercial, industrial or residential) which is altered or added to; and

1. Such a building or structure has fuel gas piping supplying the existing building or structure or the addition to the building or structure; and

2. The alteration or addition is valued at more than $10,000.00 and a building permit for the work is first issued on or after 60 days from the passage of the ordinance codified in this Chapter.

a. With respect to commercial or industrial buildings, alterations or additions to individual units or tenant spaces shall require a gas shut-off device to be installed for all gas piping serving that commercial or industrial building.

b. With respect to residential buildings, alterations or additions to an individual condominium or apartment unit shall require a gas shut-off device to be installed for all gas piping serving that building.

(Ord. 1269 C.S. § 1, 1999)

A. Gas shut-off devices may be installed upstream of a gas utility meter provided they are installed by a public utility in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines.

B. Gas shut-off devices installed on a building or structure prior to 60 days from the passage 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 shut-off devices installed on a gas distribution system owned or operated by a public utility shall not be subject to the requirements of this Section.

(Ord. 1269 C.S. § 1, 1999)

Gas shut-off device installed either in compliance with this Chapter or voluntarily with a permit issued on or after 60 days from the passage of the ordinance codified in this Chapter shall comply with the following requirements:

A. Be installed by a contractor licensed in the appropriate classification by the State of California.

B. In the case of seismic gas shut-off 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 shut-off device (motion sensitive) has been tested and listed for an alternate method of installation.

C. Be listed by an approved testing laboratory (IAS, formerly AGA, or IAMPO) or the office of the State Architect, or Underwriters Laboratory (UL).

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

E. Where gas shut-off devices are installed 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. 1269 C.S. § 1, 1999)

The Building Inspection Department shall maintain a list of all seismic gas shut-off devices (motion sensitive) and excess flow gas shut-off devices (non-motion sensitive) which are approved for installation in the State of California.

(Ord. 1269 C.S. § 1, 1999)