Gas leaks, gas-related fires, and performance of seismic gas shutoff valves during the Northridge earthquake
- Strand Earthquake Consultants, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
On the day of the Northridge earthquake, fire departments in the area received numerous calls reporting gas leaks, fires, and other incidents. Fire departments responded to over 1,000 reported gas leaks, and at least 50 gas-related structure fires in Fillmore, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Santa Monica, and Simi Valley. The gas utility reported over 14,000 natural-gas leaks on consumer`s lines. The author conducted a survey of the performance of over 400 seismic gas shutoff valves (SGSVs). Most surveyed SGSVs within 29 km of the mainshock`s epicenter tripped; with one exception, the closest one that did not trip was over 14 km away. Los Angeles passed a law requiring SGSVs to be installed on all gas-serviced new construction and significant commercial remodels, which will lower the risk from post-earthquake, gas-related fires and explosions.
- OSTI ID:
- 403466
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9508226-; ISBN 0-7844-0101-2; TRN: IM9651%%501
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 4. U.S. conference on lifeline earthquake engineering, San Francisco, CA (United States), 10-12 Aug 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Lifeline earthquake engineering: Proceedings of the fourth U.S. conference; O`Rourke, M.J. [ed.]; PB: 823 p.; Technical Council on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering, Monograph number 6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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