Seismic straps for water heater

Do I Need EARTHQUAKE STRAPS for My Water Heater ? Do you need an earthquake strap on your water heater? Where are earthquake straps installed? What gauge wire for water heater?

Free delivery with $order. Seismic Water Heater Restraining Strap in Galvanized Steel. At the lowest point, there should be a minimum of four inches clearance from the strapping to the controls.

If you live in California and have a larger tank water heater , the state’s Architect’s Office requires that you have a third or even a fourth strap. Shop water heater accessories and a variety of plumbing products online at Lowes. You can protect this valuable resource by securing your water heater to the wall studs. Prior to this, a single strap of plumbers’ tape was commonly used. Get free shipping on qualified Restraint Water Heaters or Buy Online.

Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code (OPSC)requires water heaters to be anchored or strapped in seismic categories C, E, and F. However, this section does not provide minimum standards for anchoring or strapping methods or materials. Using a stud finder or another appropriate metho locate the nearest wall stud not directly behind the water heater (see illustration on page 4). A standard water heater’s weight is usually around 45 5pounds when full. Their narrow profile and high center of gravity often make them highly unstable if shaken. The feet at the base of many water heaters usually collapse as a result of the seismic motion during an earthquake, further throwing the.

The QS-1galvanized water heater quick strap is the most tested and recognized water heater seismic restraint, and supports up to 1gallon water heaters. Download specs and drawings, CAD and BIM files today. Water heater strapping for earthquake safety is a code requirement in California. Many water heaters go unsecured until the home is sol at which time the owner is required to do the work.

Earthquake strapping comes in different qualities. I suggest that you always choose the better grade. View the HOLDRITE line of Quick Strap Water Heater Accessories. Products include seismic restraint brackets supporting up to 120-gallon tanks.

View all available products today. It was written and filmed by home inspectors who are certified members of The Golden Gate Chapter of the American Society. See figure 12-for a method of installation. All hot water piping in unconditioned spaces including under slab shall be insulated with a minimum R-pipe insulation. Water heaters in areas that may be subject to earth quakes and in a number of states are recommended to be strapped so that they will not shift about in an earthquake.

Leaks, water damage and fires. Shifting about of a water heater from an earthquake may cause the water heater to tip over or fall off of its stand or platform. The metal straps are threaded through two metal buckles screwed to this wood assembly.

The straps then hold the assembly in place against the water heater. However, there are no installation standards for water heater straps method. Every water heater , gas or electric, has to be strapped. Dual straps are require with one being placed on the upper third of the unit, and the second along the bottom one-third of the unit.

Also, the bottom strap must be above the control unit. Do this simple, but important safety prep. The lower strap must be at least four inches above the controls. Unsecured water heaters often fall over, rupturing rigid water and gas connections. If your water heater does not have two straps that wrap completely around it and are screwed into the studs or masonry of the wall, then it is not properly braced.

Experts recommend these two important changes: 1. Plumbers’ tape is NOT strong enough to prevent water heaters from tipping over.