Avoid Earthquake Related Fires

A fire caused by earthquake damage is a true emergency because the resources to fight fires may be spread out by a large number of fires, or access to a fire area may be limited or blocked. Further, following an earthquake, fire suppression systems such as water systems, water sprinklers, and sheetrock siding may be compromised. Many earthquake fires totally destroy the structure of origin and spread to neighboring structures.
Fire following the 1995 Hyogoken-Nanbu, Japan earthquake

In the worst cases fire storms are created. Fire prevention measures for earthquakes include:

• using flexible gas hose lines
• securing water heaters, wood stoves, and propane tanks,
• inspecting for gas leaks following an earthquake
• turning off the gas if there is a gas leak or significant damage
• not using any ignition source near potential fire areas; this includes matches, candles, and not turning on electrical switches
• inspect chimneys, flues, and stoves for damage before using following an earthquake

Anchoring Your Water Heater
Water heaters are heavy and can cause injury if they fall. They can cause fires when shaking of the heater breaks the gas line. Water heaters are also excellent emergency water supplies when they survive shaking and water lines are not broken. Anchor unsecured water heaters with metal tubing, heavy metal strapping, and lag screws to wall studs. Use flexible water and gas connections to help avoid breakage. Water heaters over 100 gallons or more than 12" from a wall require a designed system beyond this suggested anchoring.

• Use 3/4" x 24-gauge metal strapping to hold water heater and attach support tubing (connect with a 1/4" x 1" round-head machine screw with washers and a nut).
• Use 1/2" diameter thin wall electrical conduit (pipe), flattened at ends to anchor the strapping that is holding the water heater to 2" x 4" studs in the wall. Connect the tubing to the studs using 5/16" x 3" lag screws with washers.
• Install flexible gas pipe and water pipe connections.
• Keep water heater area clear for easy access.
• To use water heater for an emergency water supply, turn the water heater off first. When turning back on, follow procedures for turning on an empty water heater.

Securing Wood Burning Stoves
Free-standing wood burning stoves pose an additional risk in an earthquake. Many fire codes leave stoves unsupported on all four sides and vulnerable to sliding or overturning in an earthquake. If a stove were to tip and/or separate from the stove pipe, cinders or sparks might easily cause a fire in the home. This has happened during past Nevada earthquakes.

In order to reduce the potential fire hazard following an earthquake, the stove should be anchored to the floor and stove pipe sections secured. It is important that the seismic anchors or braces do not conduct heat from the stove. Although there are many types of stoves in use, the following recommendations can be used for common installations:

• Stoves resting on a brick hearth can be anchored using bricks and mortar.
• Mobile home approved units come with predrilled holes in the pedestals or legs and can be safely anchored to the underlying floor framing.
• Those resting on a concrete slab on grade can be directly anchored into the concrete.
• Stove pipe should be anchored to the flue exit and the stovepipe segments should be fastened securely together.

Many residents in Nevada have aboveground propane tanks. Propane tanks may move, slide, or topple during heavy ground shaking and are potentially hazardous unless both the tank and the piping are properly secured and a flexible hose connection is used. Gas leaks are frequently the cause of earthquake-related fires. The following recommendations can be used to reduce the post-earthquake fire hazard associated with propane tanks.

• Mount the tank on a 6" thick continuous concrete pad and using four 1/2" diameter bolts attach the four legs to the pad with a minimum embedment of 3".
• Install flexible hose connection between tank, supply line, and entrance to home.
• Clear area of tall or heavy objects that can fall and rupture tank or supply line.
• Keep a wrench tied on a cord near the shut-off valve and make sure family members know how to use it.
• For large tanks (such as farm and commercial use), seismic shut-off valves are available.