Vote Advances Gas Shut-Off Valve Proposal : Quake safety: City Council orders ordinance drafted. Opposition is strong.

Despite opposition from gas company officials, realtors and developers, the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday took the first step toward requiring that all new buildings be equipped with valves that automatically shut off gas mains during an earthquake.

After nearly an hour of vehement debate, the council voted 12 to 3 to instruct its staff to draft an ordinance that would require installation of shut-off valves in all new buildings--including homes, apartments, commercial and industrial structures--after July 1, 1995.

The council refused to adopt a similar measure last month when Councilman Hal Bernson, who represents Northridge, proposed it, saying that current state standards for the valves would result in service being shut off too often--such as in minor earth tremors, vandalism or accidents.

But Bernson agreed to revise the proposal so it would not take effect until next year, exempting existing buildings and those completed by then, and giving manufacturers time to improve the valve.

Bernson and fire officials portrayed the valves as an essential safety measure that would reduce the number of fires fueled by gas leaks in the next major quake.

Under Bernson’s proposal, about 3,000 to 5,000 shut-off valves would be installed annually on new residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

The Northridge quake caused nearly 17,000 gas leaks throughout the city, Bernson said, asserting that if most residents had not been home to shut off their gas after the pre-dawn quake, there could have been 17,000 fires.

“I have to opt for public safety,” he said. “We are going to have more earthquakes.”

The proposal was opposed by representatives of Southern California Gas Co., the Building Industry Assn., the Los Angeles Assn. of Realtors, the state Public Utility Commission and the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn., among others.

They argued that the valves are a financial burden to residents and may shut off gas flow unnecessarily, causing a dangerous situation if people try to reopen the valves and reignite pilot lights on their own. They suggested that the city let property owners install the devices voluntarily.

“There are just too many unanswered questions at this time,” said Mel Wilson, a representative of the San Fernando Valley Assn. of Realtors.

The Southern California Gas Co. opposes mandatory installation of shut-off valves because the devices will shut down the gas flow whether there is a gas leak or not, a representative said.

Councilwoman Laura Chick wondered whether the city would be liable for damages if a resident were injured while trying to reignite a pilot light after the device shut off the gas--a question the city attorney’s office was unable to answer.

Chick and council members Rudy Svorinich Jr. and Rita Walters voted against Bernson’s proposal.

A homeowner would have to pay, on average, between $100 and $200 for the shut-off devices, plus $75 to $100 for installation and about $30 for a permit and inspection, according to the city.

The shut-off devices are mandatory in Japan, and all federal government buildings in quake-prone areas of the United States have the valves.

(San Fernando Valley Edition) How Automatic Shut-Off Valves Work Cross-section shows how one common type of valve blocks the flow of gas during an earthquake. Incoming gas supply pipe. Steel ball slides down to block the flow of gas. To reset, spring-loaded button pushes ball back to its origina position.