The State of California requires that all water heaters must be strapped to resist motion during an earthquake. … All water heaters must be strapped in
at least two locations
; the upper one-third of the unit and the lower one-third. The lower strap must be a minimum of 4′′ above the water heater control unit.
How do you strap a water heater in California?
One strap shall be
placed within the upper 1/3 of the water heater's vertical dimension
and the other shall be placed within the bottom 1/3 of the water heater's vertical dimension. At the lower point, a minimum distance of 4 inches shall be maintained above the controls with the strapping.
Are electric water heaters required to be double strapped in California?
In 1989, the state Legislature established the following health and safety standards: (1) All water heaters sold in California shall be braced. … (1)
All water heaters must be strapped
, whether gas or electric. (2) Two straps are needed, one in the upper one-third and one in the lower one-third of the fixture.
What states require double strap water heaters?
In addition to
California and Alaska
, areas of Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii also fall under the Uniform Codes' seismic zones 3 and 4, where water heaters are specifically required to be anchored.
Do short water heaters need earthquake straps?
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. The code specifically requires that water heaters be strapped or anchored to resist horizontal displacement from earthquake motion.
Can you shower without a water heater?
To ensure that your water is the right temperature, you need to make sure that you pay attention to your water heater. … They're the workhouse of your plumbing system, and often one of the most underappreciated.
How much clearance do you need around a water heater?
Water heaters must be surrounded by a certain amount of clearance, or air space, to function properly and safely. A clearance area
of 12 inches
is required on all sides of a hot water heater. A certain amount of airflow is also required for proper combustion and ventilation.
How many straps are required on a 75 gallon water heater?
Approved strap kits may be used. Use of plumbers tape or EMT conduit is allowed, as long as it is installed per the Guidelines for Earthquake Bracing of Residential Water Heaters, published by the Division of the State Architect. 75 gallon water heaters shall have
3 straps
. 100 gallon water heaters shall have 4 straps.
How is a water heater supposed to be strapped?
Secure both the top and the bottom, rather than just the top or just the middle, of the tank. Use
heavy-gauge metal
strapping rather than plumbers' tape. Replace all copper and metal piping with flexible natural gas and water line connectors.
Does FHA require water heater straps?
What does FHA say about water heaters? … Lastly, regardless of whether the water heater is gas or electric,
earthquake straps are required in California on standard water heaters
. Ultimately since the gas water heater was on the ground during an FHA appraisal inspection, it had to be raised to meet current code.
Do water heaters need to be strapped in Oregon?
Installation: Portland plumbing regulations require that all homeowners and Portland plumbers follow specific water heater installation steps. For instance, “
water heaters installed within 12 inches above the floor are required to be strapped between the top one third and top one-half of the tank”
.
Are expansion tanks required in Florida?
You must install protection against Thermal Expansion
any time a water system is contained
. A contained system is any water system that has a backflow protection device installed on the incoming water supply of the building.
Does a water heater need to be secured?
A typical water heater holds 30 to 50 gallons of water. However, this supply of water is extremely vulnerable to the ground undulation (swells and rolls) and ground acceleration of earthquakes, causing them to tip over. You can protect this valuable resource by securing your
water heater to the wall studs
.
How do you anchor a water heater to the wall?
Anchor one end of each length of
plumber's
tape (4 total) to a support stud with a 1/4” diameter x 3” lag screw, wrap the plumber's tape around the water heater, and pull the tape tightly against the support stud on the opposite wall.
Are water heater straps required in Washington?
Water heaters shall be
anchored or strapped to resist horizontal displacement
due to earthquake motion. Strappings shall be at points within the upper one-third and lower one-third of its vertical dimensions.
