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PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	05/11/2015
Subject: Update on the Status of the County Gas Shut-Off Device Ordinance
Submitted For:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Department:	Conservation & Development
Referral No.:	N/A
Referral Name:	Update on the Status of the County Gas Shut-Off Device Ordinance
Presenter:	Jason Crapo, DCD Deputy Director	Contact:	Jason Crapo, 925-674-7722

Information

Referral History:

On September 25, during a presentation on Emergency Preparedness within Contra Costa County, the Board of Supervisors referred to the Public Protection Committee a report on the county Gas Shut-Off valve ordinance (Ordinance Code § 718-8 et seq.). Originally, the former Building Inspection Department was responsible for regulation related to the Ordinance, now the Department of Conservation and Development provides oversight through its Building Inspection Division.

The PPC received an initial report on this issue at the November 5, 2012 regular meeting and asked for a follow up presentation from Conservation and Development staff at a future meeting date. The department returned to the Committee on February 11, 2013 to provide that update. Following the report, the Committee directed staff to keep the issue on referral for future consideration by the Board.

Referral Update:

Contra Costa County has been a leader among local governments in California by requiring the installation of gas shut-off devices in many new and existing structures. The County first established requirements for gas shut-off devices in 2000. Since that time, thousands of these devices have been installed throughout the County, protecting both lives and structures from harm in the event of an earthquake or other incident resulting in ruptured gas lines.

In its current form, the County’s Gas Shut-Off Device Ordinance requires the installation of a gas shut-off device at the main gas meter for all residential, commercial and industrial structures in any of the following circumstances:

All newly constructed buildings with gas plumbing;
When a building permit is issued for construction work on an existing structure that involves gas plumbing and the value of the construction is greater than $5,000; or if the construction does not involve gas plumbing and the value of the construction is greater than $15,000;
At the time a property is sold

These three factors have resulted in a gradual and sustained increase in the proportion of the County’s built environment that contains gas shut-off devices. Recognizing the need to balance safety with costs imposed on property owners, the County has chosen triggers for requiring gas shut-off devices that coincide with other circumstances that facilitate cost-effective installation of the device and do not create a disproportionate financial burden on property owners.

By establishing three separate triggering events that require installation of the device, the County has created a regulatory framework that results in thousands of gas shut-off devices being installed every year. Over time, an increasing share of all structures in the County will contain these devices, resulting in an overall improvement in community safety and resiliency to a large seismic event.

Since the adoption of the initial gas shut-off device ordinance by the County Board of Supervisors in 2000, staff estimates that 11,520 devices have been installed at the main gas meter of new structures, 7,185 have been installed in connection with building remodels or additions, and approximately 2,400 have been installed when buildings have been sold. In total, staff estimates that over 21,000 gas shut-off devices have been installed in the County’s jurisdiction.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

ACCEPT report on the status of the Gas Shut-Off Device ordinance in Contra Costa County.

Fiscal Impact (if any):

No fiscal impact.

Attachments
No file(s) attached.