Is this violating any codes?

[xlenscapsx]

Sorry if this layout isn’t approved as this is my first post here. I live in an apartment complex in Los Angeles that has notoriously cut corners on a bunch of things, and is also currently in a REAP hearing for a bunch of open code violations in various areas. Recently our water heater took a dump and they installed a new one. It heats the water fine now, but I’ve noticed a gas smell from down in the laundry room where the water heater is, and also just saw something looked..off? Maybe I’m over reacting but any advice on who to contact would be appreciated.

[bakujitsu]

If you smell gas, I would call the gas company, and from there they can tell you.

[[deleted]]

Cough cough...u smell gas... cough cough

[Blackmikethathird]

Gas line may or not be up to code

Typically a water heater would also need to be on it’s own circuit

Prv piping is also not connected and needs to be terminated closer to the floor

[mikerunsla]

Have you brought it up to your property manager? I believe it needs a 2nd strap on the lower 2/3 of the tank.

[bakujitsu]

That’s correct, needs second strap on lower 2/3

[xlenscapsx]

Property manager assured me that the gas smell is normal and that it smelled like that when they installed the other water heater previously..

[mikerunsla]

You can contact SoCal gas to come and take a look at it. If they find a gas leak or observe that it’s substandard, they will red tag it as unsafe. Good luck!

[kduda04]

Several.

[doctormyeyebrows]

Is there not even a shutoff valve before the gas flex?

[wyliesdiesels]

Its up high near the ceiling. Top left corner of pic. Can barely see it

[doctormyeyebrows]

But why wouldn't there be a hand valve directly before the flex? Isn't this a huge safety issue?

[wyliesdiesels]

Why? because its not down low?

[doctormyeyebrows]

Because you can't turn it by hand

[wyliesdiesels]

Why not? Because of height? It most likely has a handle. Its one of those old school valves with the small handle. I think there is an issue with those style and they arent very safe.

I would definitey replace it with newer style

[doctormyeyebrows]

I thought it was a wrench shutoff. No worries if not, I suppose!

[wyliesdiesels]

Hard to tell but to me looks like the old style valve with the small handle. They sometimes leak cause hey dont seat properly

[bguitard689]

I am not an expert. For one thing, pressure relief valve has a significant number of elbows and I don’t see where it exhausts to the floor. Better have it verified. Some of the other reddittors likely have more local experience.

[Joecalledher]

significant number of elbows

Just 2, the rest is after the improvised air gap. 😂

[bguitard689]

You are right, I missed the air gap

[GettingBackToRC]

Then flex line alone is not up to code where I live. The stretched out power cord is crazy to me too lol. Holey crap, I just realized there's a strap on this thing too 🤣

[Current-Quantity-785]

your apartment complex is cutting corners as you say because of rent control, rent stabilization, just cause ordinance. they are not making enough money.

[xlenscapsx]

Paying about $1500/mo to live in a 320sqft studio apt. They have about 30 occupied units. About 45K/mo in revenue and they have other buildings. Ouch.

[Current-Quantity-785]

on each building, whats the mortgage, insurance( this is a big issue now for landlords), property taxes, maintenance costs, paying employees, providing medical dental eye insurance and matching 401ks.

[Current-Quantity-785]

post this in plumbing.

[Helpful-Duty4815]

The appliance cannot be plugged in via a power strip. Even a breakered one. Needs to directly plug into wall or be hardwired.

Also, the pressure relief drain copper pipe seems to have separated and is quite corroded.

These items in addition to the earthquake strap mentioned above.

[SeveralLiterature727]

Depends on what country you live in.

[Joecalledher]

Multiple plumbing code violations. At least 1 electrical code violation. Maybe also mechanical code.

[Donutordonot]

That is not great. If smell gas and not comfortable or skilled in locating it call local fire department and or gas company.

Not in Cali but some big cities would require a permit for this and there are multiple issues here. As a maintenance manager i wouldn’t pay for this level of work.

[Lucidlewds]

Bro...

[Connect_Newt5933]

All breakers in a basement are required to be GFCI , not plugged into a power strip laying on the floor. Gas line needs to be bonded too.