Simi Valley Earthquake Preparedness – Emergency Gas Shutoff
Emergency Gas Shut Off Diagram
In the event there is an earthquake do not shut off your gas unless you have a leak. The reason for this is that if you any non electronic pilot light you will need to know how to relight any that exist. It might be a long time before the gas company can come to your home to turn your service back on and reset your appliances. You may need to boil water for several days after a major event and again if you do not detect any leaks in your gas system after an earthquake, you may need the gas more than you realize.
Additionally if your water heater falls over and causes a break at the gas connection there usually is a gas shut off at the wall where the water heater gas line connects, you can shut off the gas there if that is the only place you have a leak and this way you will be able to use your stove and furnace. To prevent your Water heater from falling over in an earthquake make sure it is properly strapped. Check out this diagram for proper water heater.
Great tip and I am glad you tell people not to shut off the gas unless there is a leak.
One thing I would like to mention is to use caution when shutting off the gas, not to cause a spark with the tools one uses, especially if gas smell is present around the gas meter.