San Francisco supervisors question safety of gas pipeline installation in soft story retrofits

San Francisco County officials are grappling with significant safety concerns regarding gas pipelines that run through concrete foundations in residential buildings. During a recent government meeting, supervisors raised alarms about the adequacy of current safety measures, particularly the methods used to protect gas lines during seismic retrofitting.

The discussion centered on the distinction between "sleeving" and "wrapping" gas pipes. Sleeving, which involves encasing the pipe in a protective sleeve, is widely regarded as the safer option, allowing for movement without imposing structural loads on the pipe. In contrast, wrapping, which uses compressible materials around the pipe, has been deemed less reliable by some experts. This discrepancy has led to confusion among city officials and contractors about the best practices for ensuring safety.

Supervisor Ronan expressed concern over the lack of clarity in safety protocols, particularly given that approximately 5,000 soft-story retrofits have been completed in the city. She questioned how the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) would verify that these projects adhered to safety standards, especially since many inspections do not track whether gas lines were properly sleeved or wrapped.

DBI representatives acknowledged the challenges in confirming compliance, stating that while they could review inspection histories, they could not definitively determine the methods used for each gas line. This has raised fears about potential safety hazards, especially in light of past incidents, such as the San Bruno disaster, which highlighted the dangers of inadequate gas line protections.

In response to these concerns, PG&E representatives indicated their willingness to collaborate with DBI to develop a plan for reviewing the safety of these installations. However, the lack of a clear strategy for addressing the existing installations has left many supervisors frustrated.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive review of safety practices surrounding gas pipelines in San Francisco, particularly as the city continues to prioritize seismic retrofitting. As discussions progress, officials are urged to ensure that safety measures are not only implemented but also effectively monitored to protect residents from potential hazards.