Protect Your Property: Use Flexible Connections on Gas and Water Lines
What You Can Do
Earthquake protection can involve a variety of changes to your house and
property -- changes that can vary in complexity and cost. You may be able to
make some types of changes yourself. But complicated or large-scale changes and
those that affect the structure of your house or its electrical wiring and
plumbing should be carried out only by a professional contractor licensed to
work in your state, county, or city. One example of earthquake protection is
installing flexible connections on gas and water lines. This is something that
only a licensed contractor should do.
Use Flexible Connections on Gas and Water Lines
Because most gas and water lines are rigid, they can be torn from their
connection points during an earthquake. The results could include not only
serious damage to your house but also injury to you and members of your family.
A broken gas line is especially serious because of the potential for a fire or
even an explosion.
One way to prevent broken gas and water lines is to have flexible connection
pipes installed between appliances and their supply lines. The figure shows a
flexible connection installed on a gas furnace. The same method can be used for
other appliances, such as a hot water heater, clothes dryer, or stove. A
licensed contractor can usually do this for you easily.
Tips
Keep these points in mind when you have flexible connections installed:
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Changes to the gas lines and plumbing in your house must be done by a licensed
contractor, who will ensure that the work is done correctly and according to
all applicable codes. This is important for your safety.
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A flexible connection will help protect against a small amount of movement but
is not designed to function when the appliance it is connected to moves
extensively or falls. So you should also consider anchoring the appliance to
the floor or wall.
Estimated Cost
Having a flexible connection installed on a furnace or other large appliance
will cost you about $75.
Other Sources of Information
Seismic Retrofit Training for Building Contractors and Building Inspectors:
Participant Handbook, FEMA, 1995
Reducing the Risks of Nonstructural Earthquake Damage: A Practical Guide,
FEMA-74, 1994
Protecting Your Home and Business from Nonstructural Earthquake Damage, FEMA,
1994