Do the electric water heaters require earth quake straps

[David Nasser]

Is this a requirement in Southern Calif.

David

[Joshua L. Frederick]

All water heaters.

The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), section 510.5 says "In seismic zones 3 and 4, water heaters shall be anchored or strapped to resist horizontal displacement due to earthquake motion. Strapping shall be at points within the upper one-third (1/3) and lower one-third (1/3) of its vertical dimensions. At the lower point, a minimum of four (4) inches (102mm) shall be maintained above the controls with the strapping." Washington, Oregon and California are all seismic zones 3 or 4. At FAST, we use only the best earthquake strapping kits available. If you live in a seismic zone, earthquake strapping is a very important part of your water heater installation.

http://www.seismic.ca.gov/HOG/waterh...g_08-11-04.pdf

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by jfrederick

All water heaters.

Almost.

All storage type (tanks) heaters require strapping - gas or electric. Tankless type heaters need not be strapped.

[Brian K. Smith]

it's a water heater right!