What Is a Seismic Earthquake Safety Valve?
The seismic earthquake safety valve is an attachment to your gas line that shuts it off if it gets rattled loose by a major earthquake.
As Californians, we’re all aware that the “big one” can strike anytime. Since earthquakes hit without warning, unlike other natural disasters like hurricanes and tornados, our focus is being prepared to act immediately after the ground stops shaking.
One of the biggest concerns post-earthquake is to mitigate secondary damage. Significant earthquakes can down power lines, shake loose gas lines, and crack water lines. Breaks in these utilities can lead to the release of toxic gases, potential fires and flooding. It’s not uncommon for gas leaks to cause the worst damage; 90% of the damage from the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake was attributed to gas main ruptures setting the city ablaze.
As such, every homeowner and renter must be aware of the location of the shutoff valves for all utilities. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to shut these off or where they’re located. That’s why since 2000, California has required all new buildings to install these earthquake safety valves.
What does the seismic earthquake safety value do?
The seismic earthquake safety value is automatically triggered to shut off the gas supply when it detects an earthquake over 5.1. And while California experiences earthquakes daily, the state can count on two to three significant quakes each year of magnitude 5.5 or higher.
How does the seismic earthquake safety value work?
The seismic earthquake safety value attaches to the gas meter that services a home or building. When the safety value detects significant shaking (magnitude 5.1 or greater), it dislodges a metal ball sitting on a suspension ring inside the valve so that the ball blocks the gas line.
If your dwelling was built before 2000, it wasn’t required to have a seismic earthquake safety valve installed in the original construction, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting one installed today. You can mitigate the risk of exposing your family and home to poisonous, flammable gases in an earthquake by reaching out to an expert like Divine Electric and Plumbing, who can install it to the specifications of the California Public Utilities Commission.
Earthquake safety valves are one of the many items that Divine Electrical and Plumbing can install in your home or office building. Got questions about the installation or product itself? Reach out today.