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Building Inspection Commission urges formal review of gas lines in soft‑story retrofits; recommends PG&E sign‑off or sleeving
Summary
After expert testimony and public concern about gas lines running through retrofit grade beams, the commission recommended DBI require PG&E sign‑off or permanent sleeving (with photos) before approving foundation pours and asked the Board of Examiners for a fast‑tracked written determination. DBI will report back in 90 days.
The San Francisco Building Inspection Commission on June 16 recommended interim, precautionary practices for soft‑story seismic retrofits after a detailed briefing on gas lines that run through new grade beams.
DBI assistant director Christine Gasparek told commissioners the department is “identifying the projects that have this condition and verifying that PG and E has or will soon include those properties in their gas pipe replacement project,” and pledged a progress report in 90 days. She said DBI will update inspector directions, consider requiring photos in inspection documentation and prepare an information sheet for contractors and engineers on approved protection methods.
The conversation followed disclosures in recent press reporting and testimony from engineers and members of the Board of Examiners. Pat Buskovich, a board member and licensed engineer, recommended a physical protection standard — citing a practical minimum thickness for acceptable wrapping — and urged the commission to get a written opinion from the Board of Examiners. Board members said sleeving (a protective conduit) is a well‑established method and PG&E has design details for protecting its service lines.
Commissioners pressed DBI on whether the department’s field records and inspection history clearly show when a gas line was present and how it was protected. Interim Director Patrick O’Reardon told the commission, “We own this issue,” and said DBI will audit work by projects, coordinate with PG&E, and hold staff accountable if oversight lapses are found.
Commissioner Alexander Toup moved that, until the Board of Examiners issues written guidance, DBI should not approve foundation pours over PG&E lines unless PG&E has signed off or the utility pipe is sleeved. Deputy City Attorney Rob Capla advised the commission it may recommend but not unilaterally suspend department operations; the commission’s recommendation asks DBI to adopt the interim practice pending a formal written determination. The motion passed unanimously.
DBI said it will take several steps immediately: (1) instruct inspectors to require sleeving where feasible and to document conditions with photos; (2) fast‑track a written opinion request of the Board of Examiners on acceptable wrapping or sleeving methods; (3) identify the subset of retrofit projects that included grade beams and cross‑reference that list with PG&E’s replacement work; and (4) ask PG&E to prioritize upgrades for any properties that remain exposed.
The commission’s action does not change the building code; it is a policy recommendation to DBI and a request for formal technical guidance from the Board of Examiners. DBI committed to return to the commission and the Board of Supervisors with audit results and a status update within 90 days.
Provenance: DBI presentation and the commissioners’ discussion of the soft‑story retrofit program and gas‑line protection (transcript discussion began item 7 at SEG 1793; major Q&A, expert testimony and motion through approximately SEG 4149).
