California Law Regarding Water Heater Straps

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California law regarding water heater straps.

A the legislature finds and declares that there exists a serious threat of fire explosion or electrocution to the people of california from water heaters that overturn or experience damage to the plumbing or electrical wiring during an earthquake and that a large number of structures will suffer damage from water heaters due to the lack of adequate strapping or bracing. Every water heater sold in the state of california must be braced. According to california law all new water heater installations must have these straps as well as all existing ones at the time of property sale. Expansion tanks some systems are considered closed meaning the backflow is blocked.

Producers of water heaters must offer clear instructions for installation with seismic straps to be included with each unit sold. At a minimum any water heater shall be secured in accordance with the california plumbing code or modifications made thereto by a city county or city and county pursuant to section 17958 5. 2 manufacturers of water heaters must provide. All water heaters must be strapped in at least two locations.

1 all water heaters sold in california shall be braced. A the legislature finds and declares that there exists a serious threat of fire explosion or electrocution to the people of california from water heaters that overturn or experience damage to the plumbing or electrical wiring during an earthquake and that a large number of structures will suffer damage from water heaters due to the lack of adequate strapping or bracing. The required clearances from a wall to the heater as stated on the unit nameplate are critical. The upper one third of the unit and the lower one third.

The code specifically requires that water heaters be strapped or anchored to resist horizontal displacement from earthquake motion. In 1989 the state legislature established the following health and safety standards.