earthquake safety valve free sample

​Seismic shut-off valves are a simple, but effective way to ensure you never experience a gas fire after an earthquake. They are designed for earthquakes, accidents and any event of impact. We have installed thousands of automatic gas shut off valves to the manufacture’s specification to ensure safe, trouble free use.

The seismic valves work on a simple, consistent and accurate principle. A sensor moves when the valve is subjected to a 5.4 magnitude or larger earthquake, releasing the valve float which blocks the line and prevents gas going in to the building. The valve is then manually reset once a safety inspection has been done and you’re sure there are no leaks in the building.

Each valve is tested and certified before leaving the factory to meet approval from the State Board of Architect and LA Counties stringent requirements. They are tested to ASCE 25-97, State of California 12-23-1 & ANSI Z21.70-1981 Standards for Seismic Gas Valves.

Some cities and counties in California have regulations that require the installation of automatic gas shut-off devices, which may include excess flow gas shut-off valves and/or seismic gas shut-off valves. Regulations vary, but generally apply to new building construction, or significant alterations or additions to existing buildings.

If a customer installs an automatic gas shut-off valve, it should be one that is certified by the State of California and it should be installed by a licensed plumbing contractor in accordance to the manufacturers instructions.PG&Edoes not install or service seismic actuated or excess flow gas shut-off valves, or recommend specific contractors for customer applications.

​Non-emergency shut-offs will occur if the automatic gas shut-off is not installed according to manufacturer’s specifications. For example, the impact of heavy vehicles can trigger a non-emergency shut-off. They operate on movement and shut off the supply of gas to a building, when triggered by a 5.4 magnitude or larger Earthquake.

Homes that are equipped with a gas line that runs from the utility line to the home should have an automatic gas shut-off valve (ASV) (Figure 1), which is a valve that shuts off the flow of gas into a home due to an earthquake or other event that causes a rupture of the gas line, thus reducing the chance of explosion or fires from leaking gas. Shaking or movement of a building or the appliances in the home in the event of an earthquake or other natural disaster can cause damage to the gas piping and appliances, causing the accidental release of natural gas, which can lead to fires or explosions. Structural weaknesses, the absence of appliance anchors, and lack of flexible pipe connectors can all contribute to a greater possibility of gas leaks (Danville 2021).

All homes that have natural gas have a manual shutoff valve located on the gas meter that can be closed using a wrench to stop the flow of natural gas into the home in the event of an emergency (Figure 5). However, the home’s occupants may not be available to close the line in the event of a natural disaster or may not be aware of a rupture of the line due to some other cause such as digging. If an automatic gas shutoff valve is installed on the line, it can stop the flow of gas quickly in the event of an emergency with no human intervention needed, preventing large gas spills from occurring and potentially causing fires or explosions.

There are two types of automatic gas shut-off devices: earthquake-actuated gas shut-off valves (also known as seismic valves) and excess flow valves. The differences between the two valves are summarized in Table 1 and described below. Requirements for shutoff valves for natural gas lines vary by jurisdiction. The requirement typically applies to new building construction and significant alterations or additions to existing buildings (PG&E 2021). Because an earthquake valve is triggered by movement, not an actual line break, while it will prevent gas leakage from the initial quake or aftershocks, it will shut off the gas even if no rupture occurs to the gas line. In contrast, an excess flow valve is triggered by sudden high flow on the line, indicating a leak has occurred; earthquake movement alone won"t trigger it. Utilities note that restoration of utility gas service after an emergency will take time, whether the gas valve has been shut manually or automatically, because the utility may require that its crews inspect the gas meter and equipment to verify there are no leaks in the line, clear active lines of residual gas, restore service to the lines, and relight pilot lights (PG&E 2021).

Stops flow of gas on the service line between the main line and the meter when it detects high gas flow and/or loss of line pressure depending on valve model.

Sensors on the gas line detect a large increase in gas flow rate due to a rupture of the service line (for any cause, such as earthquakes, tree roots, excavation equipment, severed line in house)

An earthquake-actuated gas shutoff valve (also known as an earthquake valve or a seismic valve) is a simple mechanical device installed just downstream of the meter on the pipe between the meter and the house (Figures 1 and 2). If the valve is subjected to significant movement, a ball or “float” in the valve drops into place to block the flow of gas through the pipe and into the building. If an earthquake does impact the home, gas flow will be stopped by the valve so gas will not continue to flow into the home, where it could potentially leak from any ruptures in the line downstream of the meter and possibly catch fire or explode. Earth movement equivalent to an earthquake registering approximately 5.4 or greater on the Richter scale will activate the locking mechanism. (The Richter scale ranges from 1.5-barely detectable to 9.5-catastrophic; a 5.4 quake could cause considerable damage.) Many utilities require the installer to attach a stabilizing bracket to the piping near the valve to minimize the likelihood that an accidental bump will activate the valve.

Seismic valves can be required by insurance companies or local departments of building and safety in areas prone to seismic activity. Some city, state, and/or county regulations require the installation of seismic valves; some leave this up to the owner’s discretion. Seismic valves are typically located on the homeowner’s side of the meter, on the pipeline leading from the meter into the house, which is usually located in an easily accessed location outside, above ground on the side or front of the house. The seismic valve is located downstream of the utility manual gas shut-off valve, pressure regulator, meter, and the service tee (see Figures 1 and 2).

Seismic valves are purchased by the homeowner and installed by either the homeowner or a licensed plumber or contractor who has been certified to do so. Most utilities do not install seismic valves (for example, SoCalGas 2021). Some utilities offer assistance in purchasing the valves. For example, the City of Berkeley, California, offers free seismic valves to homeowners who complete a training program (City of Berkeley 2018). The City of Malibu, California, requires a plumbing permit to install valves but waives fees for the permit process (City of Malibu). Utilities do not typically allow attachments or connections of any kind on the utility’s piping and equipment before the point where the service tee connects to the gas houseline piping. After installation, the valve must not obstruct any gas operations or utility services in or around their piping, gas service shut-off valves, gas meters, or gas pressure regulating equipment (PG&E 2021).

Seismic valve products should meet the requirements of ASCE 25-97 and ANSI Z21.70-1981 Standards for Seismic Gas Valves. Some locales require that installers use a state-approved model for excess flow gas shut-off valves and earthquake-actuated gas shut-off valves. Seismic valves installed in California should be certified by the California State Architect"s Office as meeting California Standard No. 12-23-1 for Earthquake-Actuated Automatic Gas Shutoff Systems. The State of California’s Division of the State Architect (DSA) oversees the certification of both types of gas shutoff valves as required by the Health and Safety Code and lists approved models on the website of the DSA Gas Shut-off Valves Certification Program. Products used in Los Angeles need to be approved by the City of Los Angeles. Examples of seismic valves approved for use in California are shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Seismic valves will operate to shut off the gas when they sense enough earth movement, whether a line rupture occurs or not. If the gas is shut off by a seismic valve, some utilities specify that the homeowner is not to turn the gas back on themselves but should notify the utility to have a utility representative perform a safety check, restore gas service, and relight appliance pilot lights. For this reason, some utilities do not encourage the installation of seismic shutoff valves for residential service due to the time required to go around and reset all of the valves following an earthquake. Some jurisdictions require excess flow valves instead. Check the applicable jurisdiction for specific requirements in your area (FEMA E-74, 2011).

The valve is manually reset once a safety inspection has been done to verify there are no leaks in the building.  Some jurisdictions allow homeowners to reset their own automatic shutoff valves. This is one reason some homeowners prefer to have an earthquake-actuated shutoff valve even if not required to do so by the local building department or their homeowner’s insurance company. In the event of an earthquake, an earthquake-actuated valve will shut off gas flow as soon as significant earth movement is detected without waiting to sense a gas leak. If, after the quake, no leaks are detected, the homeowner may be able to reset the valve or hire a plumber to reset the valve and re-establish gas service. Many homes have both types of valves.

Excess flow valves automatically stop the flow of gas on the service line between the main gas line at the street and the customer"s meter (on the "utility side" of the meter) if excess flow or loss of pressure is detected, indicating a rupture of the gas line (American Gas Association 2011), whether the rupture is caused by an earthquake, or some other natural cause such as a sinkhole or a washout, or damage from digging or drilling equipment, or motor vehicle impact to the meter, or line breakage in the home.

In 2006, Congress mandated the use of excess flow valves on all new or replaced gas distribution lines serving single-family residences (49 CFR 192.383(a)). By the end of 2014, an estimated 9 million excess flow valves were in service and over 800,000 new valves were being installed every year (P&GJ 2016). In a Final Rule published in the Federal Register on October 14, 2016, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) made changes to 49 CFR Part 192 to expand the requirement to include multifamily residences and small commercial buildings, and required gas utilities to notify customers who had existing homes without excess flow valves of their right to request installation of one. For new homes, the cost of installation is included in the charge for the new line.

Dates at which utilities began installing excess flow valves for new homes vary by utility, although many pre-date the 2006 Congressional mandate. For example, all homes with gas service built in Oregon after 1993 have an excess flow valve installed by the utility at construction. With an existing home, if you are unsure if an excess flow valve is already installed, contact the gas utility. In  existing homes without an excess flow valve, the customer can request that the utility install one, at the homeowner’s expense (Colorado Springs Utilities). The utility or their service contractor will install the excess flow valve on the underground service line pipe running from the street to the meter. Costs vary depending on location and difficulty of the installation, with reported costs ranging from $400 to $7,000. For example, the City of Ellensburg, Washington, estimates $500 to $1000 (City of Ellensburg). TECO Peoples Gas in Florida estimates $1,200 to $1,800 (TECO Peoples Gas). PG&E estimates $2,500 to $6,000 or more, based on the specific site (PG&E 2017).

In an emergency, some utilities tell their homeowners that the gas can be turned off at the main gas service shutoff valve, with the following guidelines (for example, PG&E 2021, SoCalGas 2021).

Locate the main gas shutoff valve. It is typically next to the gas meter. It may be on the side of front of the house, or in a cabinet meter outside of the house, under the house, or underground.

Give the valve a quarter turn in either direction. The valve is closed when the tang (the part of the valve you put the wrench on) is crosswise (perpendicular) to the pipe. See Figures 5 and 6.

Manually turn off the gas shutoff valve at each appliance. For safety, a shut-off valve should be installed at every natural gas appliance. If a leak happens at a specific appliance, the valve allows you to turn off the natural gas at the appliance rather than shutting off the natural gas service line to the whole house. Some valves require a wrench. See Figure 7.

While it"s possible to manually shut off your natural gas, the following specialized valves are available that can automatically shut off your service in case of an emergency:

Earthquake natural gas shut-off valve (also known as a seismic natural gas shut-off valve) automatically shuts off your natural gas service when an earthquake of a sufficient magnitude occurs at your home.

An excess-flow valve (EFV) automatically closes and restricts the flow of natural gas in the event an underground pipe is damaged or if there is a significant increase in the flow of natural gas to the meter.

If you want to have an earthquake natural gas shut-off installed, or are required to have one by your insurance company or the local Department of Building and Safety, the valve must be installed on your house line.

Under the regulations of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), General Order 112-E, only SoCalGas® or its certified contractors are authorized to operate the natural gas service shut-off valve.

When you hire a qualified professional to install your earthquake valve, you"ll need to make sure that the valve is installed on your house line, not on SoCalGas" facilities. SoCalGas" facilities include all of the pipe fittings installed and maintained by SoCalGas, up to and including the last elbow or tee connecting to your house line. See the diagram below for to see where your house line starts.

All unauthorized valve installations found on SoCalGas" facilities will be removed. In addition, earthquake valves are not permitted in utility curb meter vaults.

If an earthquake or other significant event causes your earthquake shut-off or excess-flow valve to close, you can follow the manufacturer"s instructions for resetting the valve so that natural gas flows again. However, we recommend that you contact a qualified professional or SoCalGas to reset the valve, and to perform a safety check of your natural gas appliances before they are placed back in operation to verify that no natural gas leaks exist, and to re-light your pilot lights.

Remember that following a major emergency it may take many days or even weeks before someone can come to your location. (SoCalGas charges a fee to reset valves and re-light pilot lights when your earthquake shut-off valve has closed due to a non-earthquake occurrence.)

Price: The cost of the valve is going to vary based on the type and size of the valve, as well as the installation requirements and the company installing it.

Choosing a valve: In order to choose the right valve size and manufacturer, contact your local Department of Building and Safety to find out their earthquake valve requirements.

Where to buy a valve: You can purchase an earthquake valve at supply retailers, licensed plumbing contractors, or directly from the valve manufacturer.

Using a contractor: You can hire a qualified professional to install the earthquake or excess-flow valve on your house line. SoCalGas will not install a valve for you.

Effective February 10, 2002, California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) Decision 01-11-068 prohibits installation of an earthquake valve on SoCalGas" facilities. In addition, SoCalGas no longer installs earthquake shut-off valves for its customers, and does not allow any customer owned equipment, including excess-flow valves, be installed on SoCalGas" facilities.

If you have an earthquake valve that was installed by SoCalGas or one of its authorized contractors on or before the February 10, 2002 cutoff date, that is located on SoCalGas" facilities, with proper documentation your installation may be allowed to remain in place. Authorized contractors are those who participated in SoCalGas" earthquake program and were trained by SoCalGas to work on their facilities.

Additional information regarding earthquake valves and natural gas service restoration after a valve activates can be found in Tariff Book, Rule 10, Section G, "Earthquake Valve Service."

An Excess Flow Valve, or EFV, is a safety device installed on natural gas distribution pipelines to automatically close and restrict the flow of natural gas in the event an underground pipe is damaged or if there is a significant increase in the flow of natural gas to the meter. These conditions are typically caused by digging or construction but can also be caused by damage to your natural gas meter by a vehicle impact.

EFV can reduce the risk of explosions, fires, and personal injury because they close or restrict any unplanned or excessive natural gas flow. Installation of an EFV will not protect a customer from household appliance malfunctions, small punctures in underground pipelines, and pipeline damage from earthquakes or flooding. It is

There are many sites that recommend an earthquake safety valve to be installed on a gas line but they also sell service of installing so seems like they are just selling their service. Considering that there are moving parts in an earthquake valve what is the expected life of an earthquake safety valve and how frequently it should be tested?

Looks like gas co does not recommend them because not everyone knows how to reset the valve and relight their water heaters so it is a logistical issue when an earthquake hits for the gas company to restore everyone"s gas.

The Cameron safety shutdown valve (SSV) control system provides fail-safe shutdown of flow when pressure in the flowline falls outside a preset range. The system can also be used to perform emergency shutdown (ESD). Using a hand pump with various control components, the system maintains a zero-leakage circuit to ensure that valve movement does not inadvertently occur until a fail-safe signal is received. Controls are typically pilot tripped, but solenoids can also be used for remote control where electricity is available. The control must be manually reset after a fail-safe operation has occurred. In the event of hydraulic control line pressure loss, the valve moves to the fail-safe position.

To open: Set the arming valve to the ready position and operate the hand pump until the actuator has reached the fully open position. For a remote option, a solenoid valve must also be energized prior to hand pumping. For an automatic option, normal sensing pressure must be available to pilot valve prior to hand pumping.

To close: For local operation, manually trip the arming valve to the fail position. For a remote operation, deenergizing the solenoid valve will trip the arming valve. With an automatic option, any abnormal increase or decrease of pilot sensing pressure will trip the arming valve.

To decide which items to include, we relied on the extensive research done for our larger guide to emergency preparedness, as well as on Wirecutter reporters’ testing of fire extinguishers, emergency radios, LED lanterns, and USB power banks, among others. We spoke with Tammy Franks, program manager for Home and Community Injury Prevention at the National Safety Council. And we considered our own experience. Personally, I’ve been through about 15 earthquakes (that I could feel) in California, and three in Indonesia (but no tsunamis, thank goodness). The worst tremor, by far, was California’s South Napa quake in 2014. I was in Napa Valley, at the epicenter, when the 6.0 magnitude earthquake—the largest in the Bay Area since the 1989 Loma Prieta quake—hit. The glass doors in the condo complex shattered, and the power lines twisted and sparked. I was sleeping on the floor in the living room, and I can still remember, after it was over, staring up at the ceiling, watching the big, black chandelier above me eerily, silently swinging.

It’s a good idea to gather your supplies in a bin or bag and to include some nonperishable food. Storing supplies outside makes sense, if you can, especially if you live in a mild climate. In the 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake, garage doors were knocked off-kilter and jammed, trapping supplies inside. “Also make sure to have your critical documents,” Franks said. Those include (at the very least) copies of your ID, medical insurance cards, and insurance policy numbers. Keep them in a secure place where you can quickly grab them, in the cloud or even in a safe deposit box, “so you’re not having to try to access a file cabinet in a collapsed building.”

An Earthquake Shut-off Valve is a Gas Safety Device that is installed on your gas meter and automatically shuts-off the gas supply entering the structure in a 5.2 or greater earthquake.

Earthquake valves are important because they help mitigate damage caused by earthquakes. Earthquakes may break gas lines and cause gas leaks. An earthquake valve will stop the gas supply entering the structure. This will help prevent explosive fire caused by gas leaks. Earthquake valves protect your home, property and loved ones from harm in the event of an earthquake of magnitude 5.2 or higher.

Depending on the municipality, earthquake valves are required in different situations. Cities, with a high risk of earthquakes, are adopting new codes requiring earthquake valves to be installed in order to help protect their communities. Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Culver City are just a few of the cities which require earthquake valves. These cities require professional earthquake valves to be installed whenever you are building a new home, selling a home, or renovating your property in excess of $10,000.

During an earthquake, you may hear a roaring or rumbling sound that gradually gets louder. You may also feel a rolling sensation that starts out gently and, within a second or two, grows violent.

During an earthquake, most deaths and injuries are caused by collapsing building materials and heavy falling objects, such as bookcases, cabinets, and heating units.

By planning and practicing what to do if an earthquake strikes, you and your loved ones can learn to react correctly and automatically when the shaking begins.

Get the entire family to practice an earthquake drill, especially if you have children. Participating in an earthquake drill will help you and your loved ones understand what to do in case you are not with them during an earthquake.

Make sure you and your children also understand the school’s emergency procedures for disasters. This will help you coordinate where, when, and how to reunite with your children after an earthquake.

If an earthquake happens, you and your loved ones may need to evacuate a damaged area afterward. By planning and practicing for evacuation, you will be better prepared to respond appropriately and efficiently to signs of danger or to directions by civil authorities.

Stock up on emergency supplies that can be used after an earthquake. These supplies should include a first aid kit and emergency supply kits for the home and automobileexternal icon, including emergency water and food. Store enough supplies to last at least 3 days.

Assemble an emergency supply kit for your home. In addition to your standard emergency supply kit, some additional items that may help after an earthquake include the following:

Make sure to inspect your home and its surrounding for any possible hazards and secure them if you can. Remember: anything can move, fall, or break during an earthquake or its aftershocks.

Examine the structural safety of your house. If your house is of conventional wood construction, it will probably be relatively resistant to earthquake damage, particularly if it is a single-story structure.

For information on structural safety standards and qualified contractors in your area, contact your city or county government office on community development or building code enforcement. If you want to do the work yourself, many hardware or home-improvement stores will assist you with information and instructions.

Know where and how to shut off utilities, including gas, electricity, and water, at the main switches or valves. Check with your local utility companies for instructions.

The Cameron safety shutdown valve (SSV) control system provides fail-safe shutdown of flow when pressure in the flowline falls outside a preset range. The system can also be used to perform emergency shutdown (ESD). Using a hand pump with various control components, the system maintains a zero-leakage circuit to ensure that valve movement does not inadvertently occur until a fail-safe signal is received. Controls are typically pilot tripped, but solenoids can also be used for remote control where electricity is available. The control must be manually reset after a fail-safe operation has occurred. In the event of hydraulic control line pressure loss, the valve moves to the fail-safe position.

To open: Set the arming valve to the ready position and operate the hand pump until the actuator has reached the fully open position. For a remote option, a solenoid valve must also be energized prior to hand pumping. For an automatic option, normal sensing pressure must be available to pilot valve prior to hand pumping.

To close: For local operation, manually trip the arming valve to the fail position. For a remote operation, deenergizing the solenoid valve will trip the arming valve. With an automatic option, any abnormal increase or decrease of pilot sensing pressure will trip the arming valve.