Retrofit Improvements: Anchorage of Appliances

Published Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, and washing machines may shift and/or tip over during an earthquake. Anchorage of appliances can greatly reduce the risk of injury, damage, and inconvenience as a result of an earthquake. Appliance hoses and/or pipes are attached to water and gas lines that may be wrenched loose by the movement of the appliance. To decrease the possibility of this dangerous situation from occurring, anchor large appliances to the wall using safety cables or straps and screw eye fasteners attached to studs or structural members. Locate the restraint in the mid-to-upper portion of the appliance to provide the greatest resistance to overturning. Replace rigid gas or water connections with flexible connectors, and install automatic shut-off valves for both the gas and water supply system. This will further reduce the possibility of a water or gas line break.

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