Replies

1. 
   xJohn_Sprung | Dec 10, 2001 09:42pm | #1

   *
   It sounds like a good idea -- there are electric and water lines to bust, too. The flood from a fallen heater could be the biggest damage your house gets in an earthquake. Also, it takes water from the mains that may be critical to fighting fires elsewhere.

   -- J.S.

1. 
   Michael_Rimoldi | Dec 11, 2001 02:05am | #2

   *Rockford,Not here in Florida as most electric ones sit on the floor so tipping would be very rare. I guess ones on a stand or elevated wouldn't hurt to be strapped down but I don't think its a requirement?Mike

1. 
   CaseyR_ | Dec 11, 2001 06:46am | #3

   *California code requires that all water heaters (gas or electric) be strapped with one strap in the upper 1/3 of the unit and one strap in the lower 1/3 of the tank. A description of stapping is given for San Mateo at: http://www.ci.sanmateo.ca.us/downloads/building/bldwh.pdfI would assume that LA is the same. Oregon also requires the strapping of new hot water heater installations. I believe that both California and Oregon require water heaters in garages to be elevated 18" above the floor whether they are gas or electric. The 18" requirement is for anything that "sparks, glows, or flames" and in Oregon that refers to the heater element, on/off switch, and connections. The idea is to keep the gasoline fumes from your car from getting ignited and going boom...

1. 
   Thaddeus_Raven | Dec 12, 2001 01:13am | #4

   *A full 50 gallon unit weighs well over 600 pounds. If a third of a ton cylinder starts rolling around then gas leaking is only one of your worries. The sailing expression "loose cannon" comes to mind.

1. 
   Peter_Shlagor | Dec 12, 2001 03:26am | #5

   *Gee, I don't have this problem with my tankless model.

2. 
   Martagon_ | Dec 12, 2001 06:51am | #6

   *I can't believe Luka hasn't been here to make a comment about corporal punishment and water tanks. Luka, I'm disappointed in you.

3. 
   Rich_Beckman | Dec 13, 2001 01:35am | #7

   *Corporal punishment? My image was of a large water heater that had been working out!Rich Beckman

4. 
   Greg_Gibson | Dec 13, 2001 01:41am | #8

   *Around here, L.A. is Lower Alabama !!!Greg (lower Georgia)

5. 
   Luka_ | Dec 13, 2001 02:20am | #9

   *Out of control water heaters deserve all the strapping they recieve.

2. 
   Rockford_ | Dec 13, 2001 02:20am | #10

   *
   Do electric water heaters need to be strapped like natural gas ones? Here in the city of Los Angeles it's done for siesmic reasons, but with electric, there's no gas line to bust.
   Thanks!