Water Heater Strapping Blocking

Water heaters shall be anchored or strapped to resist horizontal displacement due to earthquake motion.

Water heater strapping blocking.

A water heater strap keeps the unit from tipping over in case of an earthquake or other dicey situation. The metal straps are threaded through two metal buckles screwed to this wood assembly. Experts modified the procedure for strapping water heaters following the 1989 loma prieta and 1994 northridge earthquakes. Water heaters shall be anchored or strapped to resist horizontal displacement due to earthquake motion.

One of the requirements is that one be in the top 1 3 area of the water heater and the other be in the bottom 1 3 area of the water heater. Find strap kit water heater accessories at lowe s today. The water heater is a few inches from the walls so cut some scrap 2x4 s and 2x6 s to fit behind it. When a water requires two straps.

The code dictates whether or not you need a strap how it must be installed and other specific guidelines. Strapping shall be at points within the upper one third 1 3 and lower one third 1 3 of its vertical dimensions. Strappings shall be at points within the upper one third and lower one third of its vertical dimensions. The straps then hold the assembly in place against the water heater.

The water heater strap code varies by state and is a set of mandates regarding how or if a water heater needs to be secured to a wall. Secure both the top and the bottom rather than just the top or just the middle of the tank. There are several states where you are not required to have a strap on your water heater. The bottom strap on a water heater should be a minimum of 4 inches above the gas valve controls.

Strap not 4 inches above the gas valve. To date this is all the plumbing code has to offer on the subject. Because so many tanks burst through this strapping experts now recommend.