Chapter 12 of the 2022 California Plumbing Code is adopted in its entirety subject to the modifications thereto which are set forth below.

Retitle and amend Section 1209.0 Excess Flow Valves to read:

1209.0 Automatic Gas Shut-Off Valves

1209.1 General. Where automatic excess flow valves are installed, they shall be listed to CSA Z21.93 and shall be sized and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. [NFPA 54:5.13]

1209.2 General Requirements for Automatic Gas Shut-Off Valves. Automatic gas shut-off valves shall:

1.    Comply with all applicable requirements of the Berkeley Plumbing Code.

2.    Be tested and listed by recognized testing agencies such as the Independent Laboratory of the International Approval Services (IAS), Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) or any other agency approved by the State of California Office of the State Architect (OSA).

3.    Be installed on downstream side of the gas utility meter.

4.    Be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

5.    Provide a method for expedient and safe gas shut-off in an emergency.

6.    Provide a capability for ease of consumer or owner resetting in a safe manner.

1209.3 Definitions

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

AUTOMATIC GAS SHUT-OFF VALVE shall mean either a motion activated gas shut-off valve or device or an excess flow gas shut-off valve or device.

DOWNSTREAM OF GAS UTILITY METER shall mean all gas piping on the property owner’s side of the gas meter and after the service tee.

MOTION ACTIVATED GAS SHUT OFF VALVE shall mean an approved gas valve activated by motion. Valves are set to activate in the event of a moderate or strong seismic event greater than 5.0 on the Richter scale.

UPSTREAM OF GAS UTILITY METER shall mean all gas piping installed by the utility up to and including the meter and the utility’s service tee.

1209.4 Motion Activated Gas Shut-off Valve, Required. A listed motion activated gas shut-off valve shall be installed as follows:

1209.4.1 New Construction. In any newly constructed building or structure containing fuel gas piping.

1209.4.2 Existing Buildings with a single meter. In any existing building or structure containing fuel gas piping served by a single gas meter, when any addition, alteration or repair is made for which a mechanical or plumbing permit is issued.

1209.4.3 Existing Buildings with separate meters serving individual units or tenant spaces. In any existing building or structure containing fuel gas piping served by multiple gas meters, when any addition, alteration or repair is made to an individual unit or tenant space for which a mechanical or plumbing permit is issued. The requirement for a motion activated gas shut off valve shall apply to the gas meter serving the individual unit or tenant space and the gas meter serving common area(s).

Exceptions:

1.    Existing automatic gas shut-off valves installed prior to the effective date of this Section, provided the valves are maintained in operational condition.

2.    Automatic gas shut-off valves installed on a gas distribution system owned or operated by a public utility.

Note: For the purpose of the requirements of this Section, excess flow valves are not permitted to be installed as a substitute for motion activated gas shut-off valves.

1209.5 Mounting. Motion activated seismic gas shut-off valves shall be mounted rigidly to the building or structure containing the fuel gas piping, unless otherwise specified in the manufacturer’s installation instructions.