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Strapping Your Water Heater

Strapping your water heater and making sure it is fitted with a flexible gas supply line will greatly reduce the danger of a fire or explosion from a gas leak after an earthquake. The water contained within your water heater can also be a vital source of drinking water in an emergency.  If your water heater does not have a flexible gas supply line, contact a licensed plumber to install one. These instructions are for a 30-40 gallon water heater within 12" of a stud wall.

The illustration below shows the strapping requirements for water heaters up to 40 gallons within 12 inches of a stud walls.  For water heaters over 40 gallon, but less than 100 gallons, use ¾ inch EMT conduit and 1-1/2 inch metal strap.  Water heaters over 100 gallons and/or water heaters more than 12 inches from a wall require a designed system.

NOTE:  Approved manufactured water heater support kits sold at building and plumbing supply stores may be used as an alternate to these requirements.

INSTALLATION CHECKLIST *

  • Locate wall studs on both sides of the water heater.  Pre-drill holes for anchor bolts in stud center.
  • Measure distance around water heater.  Cut two 1-1/2"x16 gauge straps to encompass water heater.
  • Drill holes in the ends of the straps and bend them 45 degrees.
  • Cut four pieces of ½" EMT conduit to the proper length as shown in diagram and flatten ends.
  • Drill holes in flattened ends of conduit.  Bend flattened ends 45 degrees on one side.
  • Install strapping.  Strapping shall be located at points within the upper and lower (1/3) one third of the vertical dimension of the water heater.  At the lower point, a minimum distance of 4 inches shall be maintained above the controls.  Wrap the straps around the heater and insert a 5/16" x 1-1/4" bolt with washer into the bent ends.
  • Install EMT conduit.  Insert ¼" x 3" lag bolts through hole in ends of conduit into the wall stud and tighten.  Insert 5/16" x 1-1/4" bolt, that is in strapping, through other end of conduit and tighten.

 

water heater

 

*This information was provided by City of Long Beach, CA.

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