USE FLEXIBLE CONNECTION ON GAS AND WATER LINES
Protecting Your Property from Earthquakes
FEMA
April 2008


Because most gas and water lines are rigid, they can be torn from 
their connection points during an earthquake. The results could 
include not only serious damage to your property but also injury to 
you and others. A broken gas line is especially serious because of 
the potential for a fire or even an explosion. 

One way to prevent broken gas and water lines is to have flexible 
connection pipes installed between appliances and their supply 
lines. The figure shows a flexible connection installed on a gas 
furnace. The same method can be used for other appliances, such as a 
hot water heater, clothes dryer, or stove. A licensed contractor can 
usually do this for you easily.

BENEFITS OF UTILIZING THIS MITIGATION STRATEGY

* Helps to prevent tearing of gas and water lines from their 
connections

* Helps to prevent serious damage to a structure

* Helps to prevent fires or explosions

* Helps to prevent injuries to occupants

TIPS 

Keep these points in mind when you have flexible connections 
installed: 

* Changes to the gas lines and plumbing in your property must be 
done by a licensed contractor, who will ensure that the work is done 
correctly and according to all applicable codes. This is important 
for your safety. 

* A flexible connection will help protect against a small amount of 
movement but is not designed to function when the appliance it is 
connected to moves extensively or falls. So you should also consider 
anchoring the appliance to the floor or wall. 

ESTIMATED COST 

Having a flexible connection installed on a furnace or another large 
appliance will cost approximately $75.

OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION

FEMA 74, Reducing the Risks of Nonstructural Earthquake Damage: A 
Practical Guide, Third Edition, September 1994, 
http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1574. 

To obtain copies of FEMA documents, call the FEMA Publications 
Warehouse at 1-800-480-2520 or visit FEMA’s Library online at 
http//:www.fema.gov/library.