Quake Watch 2: California Experienced More Than 250 Earthquakes Last Week; Manufacturers Say Safety Should be No. 1 Job of All State Officials.

Business & News Editors

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 2001

The U.S. Geological Survey stated that California experienced more than 250 earthquakes this past week. While most did not cause significant damage, there are real concerns that temblors of greater frequency and magnitude are on the horizon.

In response, a group of manufacturers of flexible gas piping known as corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) are urging that state officials look past political pressures and remember that the safety and well-being of Californians is their number one job, whether the threat of danger is natural or man made.

The group has rallied behind Governor Davis' declaration that his number one job is to keep Californians safe. They are calling on the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the California Building Standards Commission to honor the Governor's declaration and continue recognizing the value of CSST in preventing fires, injury and property damage from earthquakes.

CSST is a flexible material that does a better job than rigid black iron piping in providing natural gas to residential or commercial structures. Industry experts state that every earthquake, regardless of size, places stress on rigid gas piping and can result in gas leaks. Because CSST is flexible to more than 360 degrees, it withstands the extensive bending, pulling, stretching, and crushing that come with earthquakes, and is therefore less prone to leaks or ruptures compared to rigid piping.

While, CSST has been used in California -- with regulatory approval -- since 1993, HCD recently made a preliminary decision to not recognize CSST in the proposed 2001 edition of the California Plumbing Code. That decision is now being challenged, and until the challenge is resolved the current code, which does include CSST, will continue to be in effect. If HCD's preliminary decision is not reversed, earthquake-prone California will be the only state not recognizing the technologically advanced material in its building code. CSST is also approved for use in Canada, Mexico, South America, several European countries, Australia, and Japan.

CSST manufacturers also point out that other state agencies even recommend the use of flexible gas piping:

-- The California Seismic Safety Commission's "The Homeowner's Guide to
Earthquake Safety" states, "Flexible pipes for gas and water lines are safer in
an earthquake than rigid pipe."

-- The State of California's "Guide to Strengthening and Repairing Your Home
Before the Next Earthquake," developed by the Governor's Office of Emergency
Services, states "If your gas water heater has a rigid line only, call your
utility company or a licensed plumber to install a flexible line."

The California Building Standards Commission will hold a public hearing on Nov. 15, 2001 to receive statements related to its preliminary decision and will also be accepting written comments until 5 p.m. Nov. 30, 2001. The Commission address is 2525 Natomas Park Drive, Suite 130, Sacramento, CA 95833. Phone: [phone]; Fax [phone]; E-mail: [e-mail]. Comments should be directed to Executive Director Stan Nishimura.