Valve Regulations - West Hollywood

ORDINANCE NO. 01-592

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD AMENDING THE PLUMBING CODE TO REQUIRE THE INSTALLATION OF APPROVED SEISMIC GAS SHUTOFF VALVES IN CERTAIN STRUCTURES AND AMENDING THE WEST HOLLYWOOD MUNICIPAL CODE.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Findings.

a. Due to local geological conditions, it is generally accepted that the Los Angeles Basin, including the City of West Hollywood, will experience moderate and severe earthquakes in the foreseeable future.

b. The danger of fires resulting from earthquakes poses a serious threat to life and property

c. Properly installed seismic gas shutoff valves can reduce the occurrences of fires stemming from moderate and severe earthquakes and thereby reduce the risks to health, safety, and welfare caused by such earthquakes.

d. Pursuant to Chapter 4 of part 2.5 of Division 13 of the California Health and Safety Codes (Health and Safety Code Section 18935 et. Seq.), the Uniform Plumbing Code, 1997 Edition, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, as amended, has been adopted as the California Plumbing Code, 1998 Edition (the California Plumbing code).

e.By ordinance 99-547U, the City has adopted Title 28 Plumbing Code of the Los Angeles County Code as amended and in effect on July 1, 1999 as the Plumbing Code of the City of West Hollywood. Title 28 Plumbing Code of the Los Angeles County Code incorporates the California Plumbing Code.

f.The City is authorized by Section 18941.5 of the California health and Safety Code to make such changes in the Plumbing Code of the City of West Hollywood as are reasonably necessary because of local climactic, geological, or topographical conditions.

g.The City Council of the City of West Hollywood finds, pursuant to Section 18941.5, 17958, 17958.5 and 17958.7 of the California Health and Safety Code, that the changes made to the Plumbing Code of the City of West Hollywood by this ordinance are reasonably necessary because of local geological conditions.

h.The City Council of the City of West Hollywood further finds that the changes made to the Plumbing Code of the City of West Hollywood by this ordinance establish more restrictive standards than are currently included in the California Plumbing Code.
SECTION 2. Title 13, Chapter 13.12 of the West Hollywood Municipal Code is amended by adding thereto a new Section 13.12.035 to read:

13.12.035. Seismic Gas Shutoff Valves.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.12.010 of this Code, the Plumbing Code is amended by adding Section 1219 to read as follows:

1219.0. Seismic Gas Shutoff Valves

1219.1. Scope. A seismic gas shutoff valve shall be installed in compliance with the requirements of this section on each gas fuel line in:

1219.1.1. Any building or structure for which a building permit was first issued on or after February 15, 2001.

1219.1.2. Any building or structure which is altered or expanded under a building permit first issued on or after February 15, 2001, when such alteration or addition is valued at more than $10,000.

1219.1.3.. Any building or structure that is sold to a new owner on or after February 15, 2001, where no less than 12 months have passed since the date of sale. However, when an individual condominium unit is sold in a building that has multiple gas lines, then the requirements of this section shall apply only to the line or lines serving the condominium unit that has been sold.

1219.2.Maintenance. Where the installation of a seismic gas shutoff valve is required by this section in any building or structure, that seismic gas shutoff valve shall be maintained for the life of that building or structure or shall be replaced with a valve complying with the requirements of this section.

1219.3. General Requirements. Where the installation of a seismic gas shutoff valve on a fuel line is required by this section, that valve must:

1219.3.1.Be mounted rigidly to the exterior of the building or structure containing the fuel line unless the building official determines that the seismic gas shutoff valve has been tested and listed for an alternate method of installation.

1219.3.2. Be installed downstream of the gas utility meter, except that a valve may be installed upstream of the gas utility meter at the discretion of the gas utility if the valve would otherwise meet the requirements of this section.

1219.3.3. Be listed by an approved testing laboratory and certified by the Office of the State Architect.

1219.3.4. Have a thirty year warranty which warrants that the valve is free from defects and will continue to properly operate for thirty years from the date of operation.

1219.4. Critical Facilities. The requirements of this Section shall not apply to any building that is used by any public agency for the provision of emergency services, including fire, police, and similar public safety services.

1219.5. Definitions. For purposes of this section, certain terms shall be defined as follows:

1219.5.1. Downstream of the Gas utility meter shall refer to all customer owned gas piping.

1219.5.2. Seismic Gas Shutoff Valve shall mean a system consisting of a seismic sensing means and actuating means designed to automatically actuate a companion gas shutoff means installed in a gas piping system in order to shut off the gas downstream of the location of the gas shutoff 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 terms "seismically activated gas shutoff valves" and "earthquake sensitive gas shutoff valves," are synonymous.

1219.5.3. Upstream of the Gas Utility meter shall refer to all gas piping installed by the utility up to and including the meter and the utility's bypass toe at the connection to the customer owned piping.

SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be filed with the California Building Standards Commission pursuant to Section 17958.7 of the Health and Safety Code.

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