Rialto lies directly in the seismically active Inland Empire, positioned between the San Andreas Fault to the northeast and the San Jacinto Fault running directly through San Bernardino County. In major earthquakes, ruptured natural gas lines cause more structural destruction than the ground shaking itself.
How Automatic Seismic Shut-Off Valves Work
An earthquake shut-off valve is installed on your exterior gas meter. Inside the valve, a precision-weighted stainless steel ball rests on a calibrated pedestal. When seismic vibrations of 5.4 magnitude or greater shake the home, the ball drops off the pedestal into the gas channel, sealing off gas flow within 0.5 seconds.
California Building Standards and Insurance Discounts
Many Southern California municipalities require seismic gas shutoff valves on major home renovations. Furthermore, installing a certified valve frequently qualifies homeowners for reductions on annual California earthquake and property insurance premiums.