How to Anchor Your Fuel Tank in an Earthquake
04/14/2023
Prep in and Around Your House | Strengthen Your Home • Earthquakes
Why does it matter?
Earthquakes may move fuel tanks. When a fuel tank falls, fire or an explosion is possible. Even when a tank remains on its legs, the shaking of an earthquake can break the supply line connection and escaping gas can cause a fire. Similar risks exist with smaller, compressed gas cylinders, which are often stored inside a house or garage.
Anchor your fuel tank to avoid serious threats to you, others, your property, public safety, and the environment.
What do I need to know?
- Anchor and brace propane tanks and compressed gas cylinders to prevent damage to them during an earthquake.
- Some compressed gas cylinders cannot be permanently anchored because they have to be periodically replaced. But you can use chains or straps to attach them to a wall so that they will remain upright.
- Provide a flexible connection between the fuel tank and the supply line, and where the supply line enters the house. Only a licensed contractor should add a flexible connection to a propane tank line for your safety and the security of your property.
Where do I start?
- Before you alter your fuel tank in any way, make sure that the tank is your property and not rented from the gas supplier.
- If you prefer not to do this work yourself, you can have a contractor anchor your tank.
- Clear the area around the tank to ensure that there are no tall or heavy objects that could fall on the tank or break the supply line connection.
- Store a wrench near the shutoff valve and ensure your family knows how to turn off the supply line if they smell a gas leak.
- On larger tanks, consider installing a seismic shutoff valve that will automatically turn off the gas by closing the valve during an earthquake.
- If you wish to secure a compressed gas cylinder or other such tank to a wall, use two lengths of chain around the cylinder: one just below the top of the cylinder and one just above the bottom. Attached the chains to eye hooks that are screwed into the wall structure. In wood-frame walls, the eye hooks must be long enough to penetrate the wall and the studs behind it. In concrete or masonry block walls, install the eye hooks with epoxy, expansion anchors, or toggle bolts.
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