HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 188-1936 AN ORDINANCE REGUIATING THE SALE, INSTALLATION, ""-.~
M~AI~TENANCE AND REPAIR OF APPLIANCES DESIGNATED
TO EI~PLOY NATURAI., MIXED OR NANUFA~RED GAS AS
A FUEL ~IUM, AND HOUSE GAS PIPING IN THE CITY
OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO; PROVIDII'.~G FOR THE IN-
SPECTION OF SAID APPLIANCES AND HOUSE GAS PIPING;
PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PER~ITS FOR THE
INSTALLATION AND FOR REPAIR OF SAID APPLIANCES
AND HOUSE GAS PIPING AND THE C013.ECTION OF FEES
THEREFOR; PROVIDING FOR THE LICENSING OF PERSONS
ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF INSTALLING AND FOR
REPAIRING SAID APPLIANCES AND HOUSE GAS PIPING;
PROVIDINO FOR PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION OF
THIS fRDINANCE .
The City Council of the City of South San Francisco do
ordain as follows:
DEF INITI 0NS
Section 1. For the interpretation of this ordinance,
the words and terms referred to in Section 2-A to 2-~I inclusive,
shall be defined as follows:
Section 2-A. Person shall include firm, corporation or
copartnership. Masculine gender shall include feminine gender.
Singular shall include plural.
Section 2-B. GAS APPLIANCE DEALER: One who maintains
an established place of business for the installation, repair or sale
of gas appliances.
Section 2-C. GAS APPLIANCE: A fixture or apparatus
manufactured and designed to use natural, manufactured or mixed gas
as a fuel medium for developing light, h~ at. or power, and shall in-
clude ranges, plates, gas space heaters, water heaters, steam and hot
water boilers, ovens, furnaces, together with any attachment or ap-
paratus designed to be attached to any gas appliance, such as solid
tops, pilot lights, governors, regulators and safety devices, provided
however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to apply
to tubing, appliances, appurtenances or devices used for strictly
experimental or scientific purposes or to gas burning appliances for
Section 2-D. VENT: A pipe designed to convey the pro-
ducts of combustion from a gas appliance to a flue or chimney.
Section 2-E. FLUE: A conduit or pipe, vertical or nearly
so in direction, designed to convey the products of combustion to
the outside atmosphere.
Section 2-F. VENTED APPLIANCE: A gas appliance designed
or installed in such manner that the products of combustion are
conveyed to a flue or chimney.
Section 2-G. UNVENTED APPLIANCE: A gas appliance de-
signed or installed in such a manner that the products of combustion
are not conveyed to a flue or chimney.
Section 2-H. COMBUSTIBLE I~LATERIAL: Walls, floors, ceil-
ings, shelves, or other parts of a building constructed of wood,
composition, or paper, and including walls constructed of wooden
studding ,lath and plaster.
Section 2-I. PROTECTED COMBUSTIBLE ~MATERIAL: Combustible
material protected with a metal shield extending over an area ex-
posed to the effects of heat from a gas appliance, so formed that
an air space of not less than o~ne (1) inch is created between such
shield and the combustible material; provided that, in lieu of such
air space, cellular asbestos not less than one-quarter (3) inch ~in
thickness may be used between such metal shield and any combustible
material.
Section 2-J. HOUSE GAS PIPING: Any run of gas piping or
fittings installed on any premises or in any buikling on the outlet
side of the gas meter, beginning within thirty (30) inches of the
meter location or extending from gas pipes anywhere beyond said
location, and ending at the capped or plugged outlets ready to
connect with gas fixtures or gas appliances, but does not include
the connection of the gas fixtures, gas appliances or gas meter or
any portion of the gas service piping from street mains.
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Section 2-K. GAS SPACE HEATER: An appliance designed
to develop warm air for heating purposes, and installed above the
level of the floor of room or other enclosure to be heated.
Section 2-L. GAS FURNACE: A heating appliance designed
to develop warm air for heating purposes, and installed below the
level of the floor of room or enclosure to be heated.
Section 2-M. MINOR REPAIRS: "Minor repairs" are adjust-
ment of appliances, replacement of parts, repairing leaks and
similar work which does not involve rearrangement or complete
installation of any appliance and gas piping.
LICENSES, PERMITS, FEES.
Section 3, It shall be unlawful for any person to
install, maintain or repair any gas appliance or house gas piping
in the City of South San Francisco until he shall have first ob-
tained a gas appliance dealer's license from the City of South
San Francisco authorizing him to perform such work; provided, how-
ever, that any person directly employed by such licensed gas appliance
dealer shall be permitted to perform such work by authority of his
employer's license, in which case said licensed employer shall be
responsible for the work so performed; and provided further that
no person licensed as a master plumber or as a gas fitter by the
City of South San Francisco shall be required to be licensed as a
gas appliance dealer, in addition to such master plumber's license
or gasfitter's license. No license, however, shall be required of
thos.e performing work defined as "minor repairs" in Section 2-M.
Section 4. Each applicant for a gas appliance dealer's
license shall file an application in writing with the health de-
partment on an application blank furnished by that department.
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Section §. Every license issued hereunder shall be
subject to revocation or suspension by the City Council for
violation by the holder of such license, or by his agent or em-
ployees, of any provision or requirement of this ordinance, or of
the rules and regu~stions hereunder established, or ordinances
amendatory thereto, or for the making of any false statement in
the application for such license, or for any other cause which the
City Council shall deem to be good and sufficient after notice.
Such notice of hearing will be deemed to have been given when said
notice is deposited in the United States Post Office in a sealed
envelop addressed to the licensee at the address given in his
application, and the postage prepaid, at least five (0~ days prior
to the date of such hearing' When the license of any person shall
have been revoked, no succeeding license shall be issued to such
person without the approval and consent of the City Council. Upon
revocation of any license, all permits outstanding under such
license shall thereupon become void and shall be cancelled. When any
license shall have been suspended, no permit shall be issued to the
holder of such license and no new work for which a permit is re-
quired shall be undertaken by such holder during the period of such
suspension; b~ut this shall not be construed to prohibit the performance
of any work duly authorized under permits issued under such license
prior to the date of suspension thereof. The penalties of revocation
and suspension prescribed in this section shall not be a bar to or
affect any other remedy or penalty prescribed in this ordinance, but
shall be cumulative and in addition to such other remedies or penalties.
Section 8. It shall be unlawful for any person to install
or cause to be installed any gas appliance or house gas piping in
the City of South San Francisco without obtaining a permit from the
plumbing inspector so to do; except that no permit shall be required
for work defined as ~minor repairs" in Section
Section 7.
The plumbing inspector may issue to an individual not
licensed hereunder a special owner's permit, authorizing said indi-
vidual to install gas appliances in or about a building of which
said individual is owner, or tenant; provided, however, that no
such installation authorized under such special permit shall be
done except personally by such owner or tenant or by a member of
his individual family living and residing with him; and, if this
or any other provision hereof shell be violated by the holder of
such special permit, such permit shall be subject to immediate
cancellation by the inspector, and the holder thereof shall be
liable to the penalty hereinafter provided for violation of this
ordinance.
Section 8. Fees for gas appliance permits shall be paid
in advanc~e and shall be computed from the number of such appliances
proposed to be installed, as follows:
For each gas appliance, except
warm air furnaces, and gas-fired
boilers 30 · 50
Warm air furnaces, each $1.00
Gas-fired boilers, each ~l.00
except that, in the case of re-installation of a gas range or plate
and a tank water heater in a dwelling, then the total fee for such
reinstallation shall be fifty cents ($0.50).
For every house gas piping permit issued a fee shall be
paid in advance as follows:
For each gas outlet $0.25
Minimum fee $1.00
INSPECTORS, INSPECTIONS.
Section 9. The plumbing inspector is hereby authorized
and directed to enforce all of the provisions of this ordinance, and
he is hereby empowered to enter any building or premises for the
purpose of making inspection or preventing violation of this or-
dinance; and any further reference in this ordinance to the "inspector-
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shall be deemed to refer to the plumbing inspector, or deputies
acting under his authority~
Section 10. The inspector is hereby authorized to dis-
connect any gas appliances or house gas piping which shall be
found not to conform to the requirements of this ordinance, or
which may be found defective and in such condition as to endanger
life or property. ~here such disconnection has been made, a
notice shall be attached to such appliance or house gas piping
which shall state that the same has been disconnected, together
with the reasons therefor, and such notice shall not be removed nor
shall the appliance or house gas piping be reconnected until
authorized by the inspector to do so.
Section ll o The inspector shall ma~e the following in-
spections and shall either approve that portion of the work as
completed or shall notify the permit holder wherein the same fails
to comply with the law.
ROUGH PIPING INSPECTI0kV:
To be made after all piping aut~orized by the permit has been in-
stalled, and before any such piping has been covered or concealed
or any fixture or gas appliance has been attached thereto.
TEST OR FINAL PIPING INS~ECTION'~
To be made after all piping authorized by the permit has been in-
stalled and after all portions thereof, which are to be concealed by
plastering or otherwise have been so concealed and before any fix-
ture or gas appliance has been attached thereto. This inspection
shall include a pressure test at which time the piping shall stand
an air pressure equal to an eight (8) inch column of mercury and the
piping shall hold this air pressure for a period of ten (10) minutes
without any perceptible drop. All necessary apparatus far conducting
said test shall be furnished by the permit holder, and the test shall
be made in the presence of the inspector.
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APPLIANCE INSPECTION: To be made after all fixtures or
gas appliances authorized by the permit have been installed and
after the house piping is connected with the meter or service gas
piping of the gas company or other utility supplying or furnishing
the gas which is to be used as fuel for the operation of said
fixtures or gas appliances.
In cases where the work authorized by the permit consists
of additional piping or fixtures or gas appliances to be installed
on house gas piping which is already connected with the meter, the
foregoing inspections may be waived, in which event the inspector
shall inspect the work in such manner as he deems advisable in order
to assure himself that the work has been performed in accordance with
the intent of this ordinance.
Section 12. Except as permitted in Section 14, upon com-
pletion of the installation of any gas appliance or house gas piping
and prior to the use thereof, the plumbing department shall be
notified that such gas appliance or house gas piping is ready for
inspection. The inspector shall make such inspection within
twenty-four (24) hours of such notice. If the installation is
found correct, a certificate of inspection shall be issued.
Section 13. In the case of rough inspections of house
gas piping, the inspector shall issue a rough inspection card which
shall be posted in the meter box and kept there until after the
final piping inspection, as in this ordinance provided.
When the final piping inspection has been made and approved,
a copy of the certificate of such final piping inspection shall be
issued to the gas company, or other utility supplying gas to the
premises, notifying it that such house gas piping has been found
satisfactory and ready for the setting of a gas meter or meters, and
it shall be unlawful for any gas company, or other utility furnishing
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gas, or persons to set or cause to be set or connected, any gas
meter or meters with any gas pipe until such certificate of
final inspection, as herein provided, shall have been given.
Section 14. All domestic appliances may be installed
and supplied with gas prior to the inspection thereof, provided a
"permit for use" tag, which shall be supplied by the plumbing
inspector, is attached thereto. This tag shall have written thereon
the name of the gas appliance dealer or master plumber ma~ing the
installation, the date of installation, and the address where
appliance is located.
Section 15. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm
or corporation, excepting an authorized agent or employee of e
person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of furnishing
or supplying gas and whose service pipes supply or connect
with the particular premises, to turn on or reconnect gas service
in or on any premises where and when gas service is not at the time
being rendered.
It shall further be unlawful to turn on or connect gas on
or in any premises unless all outlets are properly and securely con-
nected to appliances or capped or Dlugged with screwed joint fittings.
HOUSE GAS PIPING
Section 16. 0nly those licensed to do plumbing or gas
fitting worm in the City of South San Francisco may install house
gas piping, except that a licensed gas appliance dealer may install
the necessary piping to connect gas appliances sold by himself, with
gas meter or gas pipes of any building, provided such piping is not
to be run or concealed within walls, partitions, or other wholly en-
closed building construction spaces, and provided further that the re-
quirements of this ordinance for the installation of the piping are
complied with, the required permits secured, and the necessary fees
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paid. The installing of piping through walls, part'i~tions or
floors constructed entirely of solid material with no spaces be-
tween, is not to be construed as concealing same within enclosed
spaces.
Section 17. Permits for house gas piping shall show
the totel number of gas outlets to be provided for and such other
infor~ation as may be required by the plumbing inspector.
Section 18. The following regulations as set forth in
Section 19-40 inclusive, shall be the standard for the construction
and installation of house ges piping work.
Section 19. The diemeter of house gas piping installed
in any building, the number of lineal feet end the number of open-
ings or branches allowed shell be in conformity with thc following
table:
No. of Openings or Rranches Allowed·
Length to Feeder Capacity
Most Distant Pipe in Cu.Ft.
Appliance Size ~" 3/4" 1~ i 1/4" l~" 2"' 2~~ 3" 4~ Per Hr.
10' 1/2" 1 75
70 ~ 3/4" 2 1 60
100' 1" 4 2 1 105
· 125' 1 1/4" 10 4 1 1 205
150' 1 1/2s 14 6 3 1 1 290
200' 2" 31 14 6 3 2 1 510
250' 2 1/2~ 51 23 11 5 3 1 t 746
300' $' 94 41 20 9 6 3 2 1 1240
350' 4" 197 87 42 19 13 6 4 2 1 2410
For a given size pipe 1/4 of l~ngth will deliver twice the
discharge or 4 times the length 1/2 the discharge.
In no case shall the diameter of the supply pipe tc any
gas appliance be of smaller size than the inlet connection of such gas
appliance.
The above table is based on a gas pressure equal to four
(4) inches of water colunm. Where the pressure of gas as delivered
for use is in excess of ten (10) inches of water column, such as in
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special cases of certain large industrial or commercial installa-
tions, then the required size of pipes shall be in accordance with
the gas flo?~ tables of the American Gas Association or other nation-
ally recognimed standard gas f~ow tables.
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Section ~0. Except as permitted in Section ~l, all
pipe used for the installation, extension, alteration or repair of
any house gas piping shall be Staf~dard ~eight wrought iron or steel
pipe, or brass or copper pipe of iron pipe size, and such pipe shall
either be new or shall previously have been used for no other pur-
pose than for the conveying of gas. All such pipe shall be free from
internal obstructions, splits, or other imperfections which would
render it unfit for the purpose intended, and the ends thereof shall
be properly reamed.
All fittings used in connection with the above piping shall
be of malleable ii~on, brass, copper or equal.
When said pipes are used on the exterior of a building,
underground, embedded in concrete or masonry, or when exposed to un-
usually damp conditions, only galvanized wrought iron pipe and galvan-
ized malleable fittings, or standard brass pipe and brass fittings,
or standard copper pipe and copper fittings shall be used.
Section ~l. In large commercial or industrial installations,
gas line pipe in sizes of two (S) inches or lerger with welded joints
or fittings may be used for house gas piping; provided that all such
welded piping must be tested, in the presence of the inspector, to
withstand an air pressure of fifty (00) pounds per square inch for a
period of ten (10) minutes without any perceptible drop, instead of
the test provided in Section ll. All necessary apparatus for conduct-
ing this test shall likewise be furnished by the permit holder.
When welded gas line piping is used on the exterior of a
building, underground, embedded in concrete or masonry, or when ex-
posed to unusually damp conditions,it shall be wrapped with Pabco pipe
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covering or its equivalent.
Section 22. All gas pipes shall be graded toward the
meter wherever possible. Vertical pipe risers shall have
placed at the bottom of each riser a tee plugged with a long
nipple and cap, the same size as the vertical pipe, to serve as a
dirt pocket.
Section 23. Piping trapped by a change of grade shall be
provided with a suitable drip pipe, which drip pipe must be of the
same size as the pipe it serves, the outlet of such drip pipe to
be carried to an exposed accessible location.
Section 24. All branches must be taken from sides or top
of horizontal runs.
Section 25. All gas piping must be rigidly supported by
straps or hooks in such a manner as to prevent moving.
Section 26. Where practicable all ceiling outlets or
drops must be square bent and securely fastened, and where straight
drops are necessary straps must be soldered thereto and securely
fastened.
Section 27. All meters when owned or under control of
the person, firm or corporation supplying gas shall be installed by
the person, firm or corporation supplying the gas. All gas meter
locations must be approved by the plumbing inspector or his deputies
and shall be located as near as practicable to the point where the
service pipe enters the property.
All gas meters, when owned by any one other than the person,
firm or corporation supplying the gas, and which are installed as in-
termediate or sub-meters on the outlet side of the main meter of the
gas utility, shall be installed only at such location or locations as
may be approved for that purpose by the plumbing inspector.
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Section 28. Where more than one meter is set in a
building they must all be set at one location, and so placed as to be
at all times accessible for inspection, reading and testing,
and shutting off gas supply, except that intermediate or sub-
meters, as specified in Section E?, may, when owned by any one other
than the gas utility, be permitted to be installed at other locations
on approval of the plumbing inspector.
Section ~9. When one building is in the rear of another
building on an in~erior lot, the location of the meters will be
determined by the plumbing inspector.
Section 50. In order that gas may be supplied, the house
gas piping must be brought to within thirty inches (50") of the
proposed location of the gas meter, and where it is necessary to set
more than one gas meter, the ends of such house gas pipes must be
eighteen inches (18") apart horizontally, at the meter location.
If more than one horizontal line of meter openings be required, then
the vertical distance between such horizontal lines shall be not
less than thirty inches (50") and the outlets shall be so arranged
as to terminate at the right of the inlet location of gas meter.
Section Z1. Gas meters shall not be located under show
windows or stairways, or in engine, boiler, heater or electric meter
rooms~ except by special permission ~nd where no hazard would exist.
Access to all gas meters must be through an opening or door not less
than ~0 inches by ~0 inches in area.
Section ~. House gas piping at the meter location shall
be plainly marked with tags to designate the section of the building
supplied.
Section ~. On each house gas piping run of E9 outlets or
less, the opening at the meter location shall terminate at a height of
not less than thirty inches (50 ~) above the floor, and where there
are more than B9 outlets the said opening shall terminate at a height
of not less than forty-eight inches (48") above the floor.
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Section 34- When a gas meter is located outside of a
building or when the same is exposed, the same must be protected
ag&inst the weather.
Section 35. Before making any connection to supply gas
to any building that has not already been supplied with gas prior
to the taking effect of this ordinance, the person, firm or cor-
poration about to furnish gas thereto shall ascertain whether a
certificate of inspection has been issued for the gas fitting or
gas piping to be supplied, and for that purpose may demand the pro-
duction and exhibition of such certificate by the owner, tenant or
occupant of the building in which such house gas piping or gas fitting
is located before supplying gas therefor.
Section 36. When temporary use of gas is desired the
plumbing inspector may grant a permit for such use for a period not
to exceed thirty (30) days, provided that the gas piping which it is
desired to be used be given a test equal to that required as a final
inspect ion.
Section 37. It shall be unlawful to remove or .disconnect
any gas fixture or gas appliance without capping or plugging with a
screwed joint fitting the outlet from which said fixture or gas
appliance was removed. All outlets, to which fixtures or gas
appliances are not connected, shall be left capped gas tight on any
piping system being installed, altered, extended or repaired.
Section 38. No gas piping shall be built in brick, stone,
masonry, or conc[oete walls. When necessary to conceal pipe in this
manner, it must be run in suitable recesses.
Section 39. No acid, cement or any other composition
shall be used for the purpose of repairing or stopping leaks; nor
shall water, acid, matches or fire of any kind be used to locate
leaks. Soap and water, however, may be applied on the outside of
the house piping system for locating leaks.
In no case is it permissible to repair defects in piping
or fittings, but, having been located, the defective pipe or fitting
must be removed and replaced with perfect material.
Section 40. No running thread joints shall be used. Where
necessary, ground joints unions or right and left couplings may be
used. Bushings shall not be used in concealed work.
GAS APPL I AM CE S-- GEhrE P~L
Section 41. The health officer of said city is authorized
and directed to prepare, adopt and promulgate such rules, regulations,
requirements and specifications as are necessary or proper to assure
safety and protect life, health and property in the sale, installa-
tion and use of gas appliances and to assure the most improved methods
of construction for safety to life and property. In preparing and
adopting said rules, regulations, requirements and specifications,
said health officer may consider the rules, regulations, require-
ments and specifications of the American Gas Association or any other
national rules, regulations, requirements or specifications relating
to such subjects. All rules, regulations, requirements and speci-
fications so promulgated shall be published and shall be sent to
all licensed gas appliance dealers, licensed master plumbers, licensed
gas fitters, and to any person applying therefor.
Provided, however, that the inspector may authorize the
sale and use of any gas appliance that is in the stock of any gas ap-
pliance dealer or jobber on the date of the adoption of this ordinance,
by stenciling an approval upon such appliance on or before the 1st
day of July, 1936, provided the use of such appliance will not endanger
life, health or property.
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Section 42. Gas appliances installed hereafter shall be
marked or labeled with a distinctive mark or name by the manufacturer or
dealer.
Section 43. Used gas appliances may be reinstalled when,
in the opinion of the inspector, such appliances may be used without
danger to life or property.
Section 44. Except as provided herein, and in Section 45,
every gas appliance shall be rigidly connected to the house gas piping
outlet with standard weight wrought iron or steel pipe and malleable
iron fittings, or copper pipe and copper fittings or brass pipe and
brass fittings, and a ground-in valve and a ground joint union or right
and left coupling shall be placed between the outlet, and the appliance.
Unless rigid connection is hereafter specifically mentioned
as a requirement for the installation of any type of appliance, brass
or copper tubing may be used for the connection between an approved
unvented appliance and the house gas piping outlet, if the rated max-
imum gas burning capacity of such appliance is fifteen thousand
(15,000) B.T.U. or less per hour; provided that such tubing shall be of
not less in weight than No. 18 gauge, and of not less than three-
eighth (3/8) of an inch outside diameter; and that all connections
shall be of approved expansion joints, and that the length of such
tubing used to connect any one gas appliance shall not exceed six (6)
feet. Each appliance so connected shall have a ground-in valve, with
lever handle cast integral, at the house gas piping outlet.
Section 45. Approved flexible metal tubing may be used for
connecting gas appliances designed for portable use, such as washing
machines, ironers, or other appliances the location of which must be
changed during operation; provided, however, that such flexible metal
tubing shall not exceed six (6) feet in length. There shall not be any
shut-off or gas cock between such tubing and the burner or burners.
Where such tubing is used, a shut-off valve or gas cock shall be installed
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at the point where tubing is connected to the gas supply pipe.
Section 46. Appliances, so constructed that the burners
are not shielded by metal or other approved insulating material,
shall not be located within twelve inches (1E~l of any combustible
material. All appliances, except floor and wall furnaces Csee
Section 5~), so constructed that metal shields or other approved
insulating materials are an integral part of their construction,
shall not be located so as to permit such metal shields or other
approved insulating material to be within six inches (6") of com-
bustible material nor within three inches (~"~ of protected combust-
ible material. Gas appliances having open gas flames, such as gas
plates and ranges, shall not be installed within three (~ feet of
any ceiling of combustible material.
All vented appliances except gas ranges, radiant type
heaters and incinerators shall be equipped with an approved type
of draft hood, if not integral in their construction.
GAS PLATES AMD RANGES
Section 47. Gas plates or ranges shall not be installed
in rooms used for sleeping purposes; they may, however, be installed
for cooking purposes in a room designed to conform to the legal re-
quirements for a kitchen. The oven of every gas range shall, however,
be connected with a vent to a proper flue or chimeny. Combination
gas ranges and trash burners may be vented by a common vent to any
flue or chimney constructed in accordance with the provisions of the
building code for use by trash burners. Every gas range shall be
rigidly connected to the house gas piping outlet.
Section 48. Gas plates may be used for commercial purposes
in any room having a floor area of not less than fifty (00) square
feet; provided, however, that such roam has a permanent ventilation
consisting of an opening not higher than one (l~ foot above the floor
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and an opening not lower than one (ll foot below the ceiling.
Each such opening shell have an unrestricted area of at least
one hundred and twenty (1E0) square inches and each such opening
shall lead through unrestricted ducts to the outside of the
building, where an uninterrupted supply of fresh air is assured.
GAS WATER HEATERS
Section 49. Gas water heaters shall not be installed in
bathrooms, room~ used for sleeping purposes, or closets, nor in any
room or enclosure having a floor area of less than sixteen (16~
square feet. Gas water heaters shell not be installed in recesses
unless such recesses shall have one side entirely open and not
equipped with any door or other closing device, and the inside,
including the top, bottom and sides of such recess, shall be lined
with asbestos board~ not less than one-quarter (~ of an inch in
thickness, or other approved insulation, and in no case shall a gas
water heater be located less than three (~1 inches from any such
insulated walls. Every gas water heater installed shall be rigidly
connected to the house gas piping outlet and shall be properly vented
to a flue or chimney.
Section 50. All manually operated tank water heating
appliances which are installed in a closed system of water piping,
shall be provided with a water pressure relief valve set at a
pressure not higher than fifty (50) pounds above the pressure of the
wat e r supply.
All automatic storage water heaters will be equipped with an
approved automatic shut-off valve set below the boiling point of water,
and with an automatic device so designed that the supply of gas to
the main burners in connection therewith will be automatically shut
off ~vhen combustion of gas is not taking place at the pilot; and,
if installed in a closed system of water piping, shell be provided
with a water pressure relief valve set at e pressure not higher than
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fifty (00) p'aunds above the pressure of the water supply.
GAS SPACE HEATERS
Section 01. Unvented gas space heaters, such as blue
flame, luminous flame, radiant type, wall heaters, hot air radiators,
and gas steam radiators, shall not be installed in any room or
other enclosure having a floor area of less than fifty (00) square
feet, nor shall any unvented appliance be installed in any room used
for sleeping purposes. Vented appliances installed in sleeping rooms
shall be rigidly at~ached to the house gas piping outlet.
Section 0E. Gas space heaters may be installed in fire
places, provided such fireplaces conform to the requirements of the
building law of the Clty of South San Francisco. Gas space heaters
may be installed in imitation fireplaces, provided the recess of
such imitation fireplaces is not more than thirteen inches
in depth, and it shall be so constructed as to be not adaptable
for use as a coal burning fireplace. The recess of every such
imitation fireplace shall be protected with a lining of brick, tile
or other approved incombustible material not less than one (ll
inch in thickness. Such imitation fireplace shall be labeled by means
of a metal plate set permanently in the fire-proofing, bearing the
words ~For Gas Appliances only", and shall be properly vented.
GAS FUR~ACES
Section 05. Gas furnaces of the floor or wall type
shall not be installed in any location inaccessible for inspection
or repair. An opening or door, not less than twenty (20) inches
by twenty (E0) inches in size, shall be provided for access to
the room or enclosure in which any such gas furnace is installed, and
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such gas furnace shall be vented to a proper flue or chimney, and
shall be rigidly connected to the house gas piping outlet.
All floor or wall type furnaces hereafter installed shall have a
clearance between the bottom of the furnace and the ground level of
at least eight (8) inches. In case this clearance is less than
eight (8) inches a suitable pit must be provided beneath the
equipment which will maintain at all times the above mentioned eight
(8) inch clearance, and in addition provide and maintain in such
pit at all tim~s a clearance of at least six (61 inches on three
sides of the fu~nace, and on the fourth side, or side of approach,
a clearance of at least twenty-four (~) inches. All floor and wall
type furnaces shell be so installed as to prevent any possible
over-heating of combustible material adjacent to such furnace, or
any portion thereof, to a point where ignition of such combustible
material might occur.
Sectio~ 5~. Gas furnaces, except floor and wall furnaces,
shall be placed not l~ss than twelve (l~ inches from protected com-
bustible material, and not less than eighteen (18~ inc~hes from unprotect-
ed combustible material, and shall sit on masonry, concrete or other
incombustible floors or upon floors protected by top floors of masonry,
concrete, tile or similar material of at least two (El inches in
thickness, or asbestos board not less than one-quarter (¼) of an
inch in thickness and covered with Mo. 20 U.S. standard gauge galvanized
iron or steel. Such top floors shall extend out from the furnace at
least six C6) inches on the sides and back andteighteen (181 inches
in front thereof. The top of such furnaces shall not be less than
nine (91 inches from protected combustible material or less than
eighteen (18) inches from unprotected combustible material. All gas
furnaces ahll be rigidly connected to the house gas piping outlet,
and shall be vented to a proper flue or chimney.
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Gas furnaces shall not be installed in any place or in
such a manner as to be inaccessible for inspection or repair, and in
no case shall they be located under any stairway, unless such furnaces
are installed within Class A fireproof enclosures.
Section 55. Every room or enclosure in which a gas
furnace is installed or operated shall be provided with permanent
ventilation which will furnish sufficient supply of air to properly
support combustion and ventilate such room or enclosure. Such
permanent ventilation shall consist of an opening not higher than
one (ll foot above the floor or adjoining ground level, and an open-
ing not lower than one (1) foot below the ceiling, and each of such
openings shall have an unrestricted area of at least one (1) square
foot and shall lead through unrestricted ducts to the outside of
the building, where an uninterrupted supply of fresh air is assured.
Such openings shall be screened with wire screens or grills having
a mesh not smaller than one-half (~1 inch in any dimension.
Section 56. For every warm air furnace using gas or any other
fuel, hereafter installed, an air intake shall be required. It shall
be either a fresh air intake from the outside of the buikt ing or a
return air intake flora the space to be heated by such furnace, or
combination of the two, and such air intake shall not be located in
such manner as to draw air from the room or enclosure in which
such furnace is installed or from the space immediately adjacent to
any openings which are required for permanent ventilation of such room
or enclosure.
Every air intake shall be constructed of metal or incom-
bustible material, or else be lir~d with metal or other approved fire-
resistive material.
The net cross-sectional area of a fresh air intake for a
warm air furnace shall not be less than the total cross-sectional area
of all hot air outlets.
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No damper shall be placed in an air intake, but the
end thereof may be screened with wire screen having a mesh not
smaller than one-half (~ inch in any dimension, or with
gratings, register plates, or similar devices having an effective
ventilating area not less than the required cross-sectional area
of the air intake.
CONVERSION BURI~YERS
Section 57. A warm air or other furnace or heater which
is designed to use fuel other than gas for the development of heat
may be converted into a gas appliance by means of the ins~tallation
of gas burners into the fire pot thereof, provided such gas burners
are of a design and construction as set forth in the specifica-
tions of the Burea of Standards of the Department of Commerce, and
provided further that they are installed in accordance with the
following provisions and in such a manner that their use therein
will not endanger life, health or property.
A. The heating element of a warm air furnace must stand
a test for gas tightness so that no products of combustion or gas
may enter rooms or spaces to be heated.
B. Vents and flues must be in good condition as to gas
tightness and draft, or made so before converting any such apparatus,
C. If refractory material is used as part of gas ~
burner or burners, same must be supported above ports of burner a
sufficient height to allow combustion before impingement upon said
re fract ory mat erial.
D. Burners must be equipped with continuous burning
pilot lights controlled from the manifold of the burner and fixed to
the burner in such a way as to provide a rigid relative position
between the pilot tip and ports of the burner. Provisions must
also be made for a simple means of lighting the pilot light which
will not make it necessary for the operator to reach into the fire pot.
E. Furnaces or boilers equipped with burners using over
60,000 B.T.U. per hour must be equipped with a partially opened
check damper in the vent or by a draft hood.
Fo The manifold of the burner must be equipped with a
main control valve of the plug type, with a metal handle which is
cast integrally with the plug, and operated with stops at 90 degrees
apart so to indicate at a glance the "on" and "off" positions.
G. The burner or burners shall be so located that no
part of the flames impinge on the surfaces of the combustion chamber
or heating elements, and shall be securely fastened in place to pre-
vent twisting, sliding or dropping out of position, but so install-
ed as to permit easy removal for cleaning and repair.
H. The furnace, heater or boiler converted shall be
checked for secondary air supply, and so regulated or altered that
proper and complete combustion will be provided for.
ILLU~INAT ING FIXTURE S
Section 58. Every illuminating fixtures installed in the
City of South San Francisco shall be of a design and construction
approved by the inspector.
Illuminating fixtures shall not be located within three
(3~ feet of any gas meter, back of a door, in a closet, nor in any
other location where, in the opinion of the inspector, any fire
hazard would be entailed. Swinging bracket fixtures are hereby pro-
hibited.
VE!~TILATION FOR GAS APPLIANCES.
Section 59. No gas appliance shall be hereafter install-
ed, or any existing gas appliance replaced, unless the room or place,
where such a gas appliance is located is ventilated so as to properly
support combustion. Except as provided in this section and in Section
60, no gas appliance shall hereafter be installed, or any existing gas
appliance replaced, unless the sa~ne shall be vented to a flue or
chimney which shall be the full size of the vent outlet of the appliance
to be vented. No damper shall be installed in any vent, flue or
chimney to which a gas appliance is vented, except as may be
specifically provided for elsewhere in this ordinance. Dampers
integral in the construction of kitchen heater type or combination
ranges are permissible.
Gas refrigerators, gas sad irons, gas mangles and gas
washing machines, the gas consumption, of which is less than five
thousand (5000) B.T.U. per hour are not required to be vented, nor
shall permanent ventilation, as specified in Section 60, be required
for the room or enclosure in which said appliances are installed
or operated.
Section 60. Space heating appliances, designed by the
manufacturer to be used unvented, shall not be installed in any room
or enclosure, unless permanent ventilation be provided for. For such
appliances having a rated capacity of over twenty-five thousand
(25,000) B.T.U. per house there shall be two ventilating ducts or open-
ings provided, with not les than one hundred and twenty (120) square
inches of free area in each, and which shall lead to an area where
an uninterrupted supply of fresh air is assured. One such opening
shall be located at a point not more than one (1) foot above the
floor level, the other to be at a point not more than one (1) foot below
the ceiling. For such appliances having a rated capacity of twenty-five
thousand (25,000) B.T.U. or less per hour, only one such ventilating
duct or opening shall be required, which shall not have less than
thirty-six (36) square inches of free area and shall be located at a
point not more than one (1) foot below the level of the ceiling;
provided, however, that tile plumbing inspector may modify the pro-
vision as to the location of this required ventilating duct or open-
ing if, in his opinion, any other location thereof would'be more
practical for the particular heating appliance to be installed, and
would provide ample ventilation for the safe operation of said
appliance.
Section 61. hlo gas appliance shall be installed in a
public or commercial garage unless the design, operation and
installation of said appliance is such as to eliminate the
possible ignition of infla~amable vapors.
GAS FLUES Ah~D CHI~vEfEYS
Section 6~. Flues shall be constructed of terra cotta,
cement, or approved asbestos compound gas flue pipe of the male
and female type. Each joint shall be cemented to be gas and water
tight with the male end pointing down. Terra cotta or cement flue
pipe shall be cased in galvanized iron or steel~ of not less than
No. 26 U.S. Standard Gauge; provided, however, that any chimney
permitted under the building laws of the City of South San Fran-
cisco may be used for gas flue purposes, subject to the require-
ments herein specified.
All chimneys or flues, to which gas appliances are
vented, shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the
Building Code of the City of South San Francisco.
Section 65. Flues may start at any desired level.
When concealed they shall be securely supported between studding.
When exposed, flues may be supported on the ground, a floor, or
by means of a galvanized metal hanger not less in weight than
No. ~2 U.S. Standard Gauge. Starting sections of terra cotta or
cement flues shall be set upon a brick or concrete block not less
in area than the size of the flue, and not less than two and one-
half inches (2 1/2"~ in thickness.
Bends or offsets in gas flues shall be of one piece and
shall not be in excess of sixty (60) degress from the vertical,
except that bends and offsets in terra cotta or cement flues shall
not be in excess of thirty (30) degrees from the vertical.
Section 64. Except as provided in this section, the
internal area of any flue or chimney to which a gas appliance is
connected, shall not be less than the area of the largest vent con-
nection inlet plus fifty (50) per cent of the area of all other
additional inlets connected thereto; provided, however, that in the
case of a rectangular flue the total internal area of such flue
shall be increased not less than ten (10) per cent greater than the
total area as figured above. The following table shall be used for
the computation of flue areas in round flue pipe or vent inlets.
Round Square
Pipe Inche~
3" 7.1
4" 12.6
5" 19.6
6" 28.3
8" 50.3
10" 78.5 '
12" 113.1
Large commercial or industrial gas fired steam boilers,
hot ~ater systems and similar apparatus with vent outlets in excess
of twelve (12) inches ~y be vented to proper flues or chimneys of
an internal area less than said vent outlets, provided the internal
area of the flue or chimney, to which the installation is vented,is
not less than that figured as required in accordance with the standards
of the ~merica~ Society of Mechanical Engineers, or other nationally
recognized standards, for the particular gas fired apparatus
connected thereto.
Section 65. Flues shall extend up to and not less than
thirty (30~ inches above the place of emergence through the roof. No.
flue shall terminate within a point three feet (3') above or ten feet
il0') from any window or other opening designed to serve as a means of
ventilation of any building or room therein, nor shall a flue terminate
in any ~ourt or vent shaft which is designed or may be used to serve
as a source of air for the ventilation of any building or room therein.
Flues emerging from any lication, in which down drafts would interfere
with their proper functioning, shall be extended above the level of
the point of interference, and every such extension of any flue shall
be securely braced every six (6) feet of its length.
VENT INLETS TO GAg FLUES
Section 66. Vent inlets to gas flues shall in all casem
be provided by means of branch fittings, constructed of like
mat~erials as such flues. Cutting of vent inlets into flues is
prohibited. Vent connections made through a fireplace shall be
made either, (1) by means of a sheet iron or steel plate of not
lighter than No. 26 U.S. standard gauge, set in the chimney throat,
thoroughly cemented so as to be air and gas tight with the outle~
of the vent terminating at least twelve (12) inches above said
metal plate and fitted with a ninety (901 degree elbow to give it a
horizontal position, or, (2) by means of passing the vent through
a snugly fitting and firmly secured sheet iron or steel plate,
not lighter than ~o. 2~6 U.S. standard gauge, across the front of the
fireplace and extending said vent to a point at least twelve
inches above the throat of the fireplace, and fitting the outlet .of
the vent with a ninety (90) degree elbow so as to give it a horizontal
position.
Section 6?. Where two or more inlets are provided in auy
flue, such inlets shall be off-set in such a manner that no section
of any inlet shall be opposite to other inlets in such flue.
Vent inlets not in use shall be tightly closed by
means of au approved cap.
V~TS
Section 68. Every vent which is required by this ordinance
shall be constructed of metal, as herein specified, or of other
a~proved incombustible material of equal durability and adaptable
for such purposes.
Netal vents shall be constructed of sheet copper weighing
not less than sixtee~--~ (16) ounces per square foot or of Nonel metal
or equal not lighter than No. 26 U.S. standard gauge, and the edges of
such sheet metal shall be securely connected together with a locked
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or riveted seam in such a manner as to form a practically tight
pipe. Joints between lengths of pipe shall be at least two (2)
inch lap joints with the male end pointing down or toward the
appliance, and so constructed and fastened as to be practically
tight.
Metal vents ten (10) feet or less in length, and com-
pletely exposed to view or easily accessible for inspection, may
be constructed of galvanized sheet iron or steel not lighter than
No. 26 U.S. standard gauge, provided, however, that all seams and
joints shall be made in the same manner as is customary in the
construction of ordinary stove pipe and stove-pipe fittings,
and provided further, that gas ranges, stoves, water heaters, cir-
culating heaters~ radiant heaters, luminous flame heaters, gas steam
radiators and blue flame heaters installed in domestic kitchens,
living quarters, pop'ch, office or store room, may be connected to
a flue or chimney with stove pipe, where such stove pipe is complete-
ly exposed to view for its entire length.
Section 69. Vents shall be properly connected to appliances
and shall be securely supported by means of substantial hangers at in-
tervals of not more than ten (1G) feet on all horizontal runs. Vents
shall also be proPerly connected to a flue or chimney by means of an
approved metal thimble at~ached to the flue or. chimney in a gas
and water-right manner, and shall not extend through into any portion
of the internal area of said flue or chimney.
Horizontal runs of vents depending on natural draft shall
not exceed twenty (20) feet in length, except by special permission of
the plumbing inspector, nor in any event shall such horizontal runs
exceed in length the height of the chimney or flue to which connec-
ted, measured as the vertical distance between the top of the burners
of the appliance and the outlet of the chinLuey or flue. All horizontal
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runs exceeding four (4) feet in length shall have a grade of not
less than one (1) inch to each lineal foot of length rising toward
the flue or chimney.
Vents, except by special permission of the plumbing
inspector, shall not be placed less than three (3) inches from
any combustible material nor less than one and one-half (1
inches from protected combustible material. Bends or offsets in
horizontal portions of vents shall be avoided wherever possible,
and where necessary shall be made at the widest angles possible.
Vents passing through walls, partitions or floors shall have
approved double insulating sleeves and shall be installed in
accordance with the provisions of the Building Code.
Section 70. Except as specifically provided in sectic~
84 for large commercial and industrial installations, no vent shall
have an area less than the area of the vent opening or collar on
the appliance to which such vent is connected and every vent
which is connected, to more than one such vent opening or collar,
shall have an area not less than the a.rea of the largest vent
opening or collar plus fifty (50) per cent of the areas of all
other additional vent openings or collars of appliances to which
such vent is connected.
Section 71. No vent connected to any gas appliance
having pilot provision for automatic or remote control, except gas
ranges, shall be connected to any chimney or flue which is used
as a smoke flue for any stove, boiler, heater, or other apparatus
designed to burn wood, coal, oil, or any fuel other than gas,
unless such pilot provision is so designed that the supply of gas
to the main burners in connection therewith will be automatically
shut off when combustion of gas is not taking place at the pilot.
Manually controlled gas apparatus may be connected to chimneys or
flues serving apparatus using fuels other than gas.
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Section 7E. Co~ercial clothes pressing mschines may
be vented to the outside atmosphere by means of a vent pipe serving
in the capacity of a Combination vent and flue, provided such vent
pipe is constructed of copper as specified in section 88, and
provided that all horizontal joints shall be soldered and that a
suitable condensation drip outlet shall be provided, and provided
further, that such special combination vent and flue be extended to
a point of termination as required in section 65.
NAIi~TENA~CE OF VE~S
Section ?5. Every vent, shall be maintained in good
condition; provided, however, that no vent not conforming to the
requirements of this ordinance, shall be used or maintained, if in
the judgment of the plumbing inspector the use or maintenance
thereof would endanger life or property.
VIOLATIONS ~f'~D PEi~ALTIES
Section ?4. Any person violating any of the provisions
of this ordinance or who causes, permits, or suffers the same to
be done, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such
person shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every
day or portion thereof during which e_ny violation of any of the
provisions of this ordinance is com~nitted, continued or permitted,
and upon conviction of any such violation such person shall be
punished by a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty dollars
($E50.00) or by imprisonment for not more than fifty (50) days, or
by both such fine and imprisonment.
MON-LIABILITY OF CITY
Section ?5. This ordinance shall not be construed as im-
posing upon the City of South San Francisco any liability or respon-
sibility for damages to any person injured or asphyxiated by any
defects in e_ny gas appliance or ho~se gas piping, or by the installa-
tion thereof, or to any person on account of the loss of the life
of any person by reason ~of s~ch defects, nor shall the City of
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South San Francisco, or any official or employee thereof, be held
as assuming any such liability or responsibility by reason of the
inspection authorized hereunder or certificate of inspection issued
by the plumbing inspector. I~or shall the City of South San Fran-
cisco, or any official or employee thereof, be held as assuming any
liability or responsibility for property damage, from any cause
whatsoever, which may have been caused by gas leakage, fire or
explosion of any sort coming from, or during the operation of any
gas appliance or house gas piping.
VALIDITY.
Section 76. If any section, sub-section, sentence,
clause or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held to be
invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions of this ordinance. Said City Council of the
City of South San Francisco hereby declares that it would have
passed this ordinance and each section, sub-section, sentence,
clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or
more sections, sub-sections, sentences, clauses or phrases be de-
clared invalid.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 0RDI~ir~CE.
Section 77. This ordinance shall be published once in
"The Enterpirse and The South San Francisco Journal", a weekly
newspaper published and circulated in said City of South San Fran-
cisco, and shall take effect and be in force on the expiration
of thirty (301 days after its passage and adoption.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Introduced this/~y of ~ay, 1936.
Passed and adopted as an ordinance of the City of South
San Francisco at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City
of South San Francisco, this~ _~'~day of ~~ , 1938,
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by the following vote:
Aye s, Counc i linen ~/~d~
I~o~s, Councilmen
Absent, Councilmen
Attest:
Oity G~er~. ~/
I hereby approve the foregoing ordi~~bi~s /~
Mayor of the City of So~h ~
San Franc i s co. ~ ~