Resources

How likely is a natural gas fire in the event of a large earthquake?

"It is a well known and documented fact that fires following earthquakes are almost always the primary cause of property destruction.”
- Davis Parsons, Los Angeles Fire Marshall

“Earthquakes in urban areas are often followed by destructive fires because (1) gas lines break, (2) electrical shorts ignite fires, (3) damaged water tanks and broken pipes limit water for firefighting, and (4) clogged roads and collapsed bridges prevent firefighter access. These factors can lead to fires spreading, causing extensive additional damage and burning entire neighborhoods. ”
- US Geological Service

Related Links

• California Seismic Safety Commission's "Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Safety"
• California Seismic Safety Commission's "Commercial Property Owner's Guide to Earthquake Safety"
• National Fire Protection Association
• United States Geological Survey
  
• Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG): regional planning and services agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area
• Quake Kare: Earthquake Preparedness Kits and Supplies

DSA Gas Shut-off Valves Certification Program

• List of certified ESV
• List of qualified testing laboratories
• Regulations governing ESV certification
• Standard adopted by California for ESV

How likely is a magnitude 5.4 or greater earthquake in California?