19180-19183

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
SECTION 19180-19183




19180.  The Legislature finds and declares that:
   (a) It is generally accepted that various areas of the state will
experience moderate and severe earthquakes in the foreseeable future.
   (b) A serious threat to life and property resulting from these
earthquakes is the threat of fire resulting from earthquake damage.
   (c) In order to mitigate, as much as possible, the effects of a
major earthquake, including fire resulting from an earthquake, local
governments should be authorized to adopt ordinances requiring
installation of earthquake sensitive gas shutoff devices in
buildings.



19181.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the governing
body of any city, county, or city and county may enact an ordinance
requiring the installation of earthquake sensitive gas shutoff
devices in buildings open to the public. Any ordinance adopted
pursuant to this section shall conform to standards adopted by the
State Architect pursuant to Section 19182.



19182.  (a) The State Architect shall adopt standards governing
earthquake sensitive gas shutoff devices for installation in
buildings. These standards shall reasonably provide for convenient
installation and maintenance of gas shutoff devices, as well as
maintaining the safety of persons occupying buildings equipped with
such devices.
   (b) In adopting standards pursuant to this section, the State
Architect shall consider standards for such devices developed by the
Z-21 American National Standards Committee and the comments or
suggestions from various public utilities.



19183.  Manufacturers of earthquake sensitive gas shutoff devices or
other devices required by an ordinance adopted pursuant to Section
19182 shall first obtain certification, pursuant to Article 7
(commencing with Section 19200), that the device meets the standards
established pursuant to Section 19182.