No new residential-type gas appliance that is equipped with a pilot light shall be sold in the state after an alternate means has been certified by the commission. This prohibition shall become operative 24 months after an intermittent ignition device has been demonstrated and certified by the commission as an alternate means. The commission may determine, after demonstration, that there is no feasible alternative means to the use of pilot light or that the use of a pilot light is necessary for public health and safety.
Gas AppliancesGeneral Provisions
Section § 25960
In California, once the commission certifies an alternative to pilot lights for residential gas appliances, selling appliances with pilot lights will be banned 24 months later. However, if no viable alternative is found or a pilot light is necessary for safety, the commission may allow them to be used.
residential gas appliances pilot light prohibition alternative ignition devices
Section § 25960.5
Even though there's usually a ban on selling swimming pool heaters with pilot lights, this law makes an exception for heaters made before February 24, 1984. These heaters can be sold until December 1, 1984, if they were already in stock or ordered by that date. After December 1, 1984, swimming pool heaters must have an intermittent ignition device or be designed for use with liquefied petroleum gas to be sold in California.
Notwithstanding the prohibition contained in Section 25960, any swimming pool heater with a pilot light which was manufactured prior to February 24, 1984, and in stock or on order as of that date, may be sold in this state prior to December 1, 1984. On or after December 1, 1984, no swimming pool heater may be sold or offered for sale, unless it is equipped with an intermittent ignition device or is designed to burn only liquefied petroleum gases.
swimming pool heaters pilot light manufacture date
Section § 25961
By January 1, 1976, a commission must work with industry and consumer representatives to create guidelines for certifying intermittent ignition devices. These guidelines should not make gas appliances more expensive compared to similar electrical ones. They must promote energy conservation, ensure public health and safety, and consider costs for consumers, including installation and maintenance.
The commission shall, on or before January 1, 1976, develop in cooperation with affected industry and consumer representatives, who will be designated as such representatives by the commission, the specifications for certification of intermittent ignition devices which shall not significantly affect the price of gas appliances in competition with similar electrical appliances. The specification shall be developed so as to result in the conservation of primary energy resources, shall include provisions necessary for public health and safety, and shall give due consideration to the initial costs, including installation and maintenance costs imposed upon the consumer.
intermittent ignition devices gas appliances certification specifications
Section § 25962
Within 90 days after a new type of spark-based ignition system for gas appliances is approved, the commission must inform all gas appliance makers in the state. They need to be told about the ban on certain pilot lights and about the new devices they can use instead.
Within 90 days after an intermittent ignition device has been certified by the commission, the commission shall notify all gas appliance manufacturers doing business in the state, as to the prohibition of affected pilot lights and shall inform the manufacturers of the devices available to comply with this article.
intermittent ignition device gas appliance manufacturers pilot light prohibition
Section § 25963
This law requires the commission to design and distribute a certification seal to all manufacturers who follow the rules outlined in this article. This seal must be attached to every new appliance sold within the state.
The commission shall create a seal of certification and shall distribute the seal to every manufacturer that complies with this article. The seal shall be affixed to every new appliance sold in the state.
certification seal appliance compliance manufacturer requirements
Section § 25964
Two years after a specific type of ignition device is certified, you can't sell or offer new gas appliances in California without a proper certification seal, unless the commission allows it. Also, within the same timeframe, cities, counties, and state agencies can't issue permits for buildings with new gas appliances unless they comply with certification rules. However, appliances that do not meet the new standards can be installed if they were bought under a contract before June 17, 1978, and the building permit was approved before July 8, 1978.
After 24 months after an intermittent ignition device has been certified by the commission, no person shall sell or offer for sale in this state any new gas appliances, as defined in Section 25950, without obtaining the proper seal of certification from the commission, unless the commission otherwise permits such action. Beginning 24 months after an intermittent ignition device has been certified by the commission, no city or county, city and county, or state agency shall issue a permit for any building to be equipped with any new gas appliance, as defined in Section 25950, unless such building permit shows that the gas appliance complies with this chapter. However, any new gas appliance which does not comply with this chapter may be installed if the appliance was purchased pursuant to a contract executed prior to June 17, 1978, and if the building permit was approved prior to July 8, 1978.
intermittent ignition device seal of certification new gas appliances
Section § 25965
This law states that 24 months after an intermittent ignition device is certified, the commission will regularly check manufacturers and distributors of gas appliances to ensure they follow the rules. The commission can also inspect retail stores and building sites where these appliances are installed or will be installed to ensure compliance.
After 24 months after an intermittent ignition device has been certified by the commission, the commission shall make periodic inspections of manufacturers and distributors of gas appliances and may inspect retail outlets, including gas appliances that have been or are to be installed by contractors or builders at building sites in order to determine their compliance with this article.
intermittent ignition device certification gas appliances
Section § 25966
This law allows a court to stop anyone from breaking or planning to break the rules in this chapter. The court can also take actions like appointing a receiver to prevent illegal practices or to return any money or property obtained through these practices.
The Attorney General, local prosecutors, or other specified officials can take legal action to enforce this law on behalf of the people of California. They can do this based on their own complaints or those of organizations or individuals representing public interests.
Any person who violates or proposes to violate this chapter may be enjoined by any court of competent jurisdiction. The court may make such orders or judgments, including the appointment of a receiver, as may be necessary to prevent the use or employment by any person of any practices which violate this chapter, or which may be necessary to restore to any person in interest any money or property, real or personal, which may have been acquired by means of any practice which violates any provision of this chapter.
Actions for injunction under this section may be prosecuted by the Attorney General or any district attorney, county counsel, city attorney, or city prosecutor in this state in the name of the people of the State of California upon their own complaint or upon the complaint of any board, officer, person, corporation or association or by any person acting for the interests of itself, its members or the general public.
injunction court action appointment of receiver
Section § 25967
This law section states that if someone breaks any rule in this chapter, they may face a civil penalty up to $2,500 for each violation. The penalty can be imposed through a lawsuit filed by the State Attorney General, or a local district attorney, county counsel, or city attorney.
Half of the money collected from penalties, if the Attorney General brings the case, goes to the county where the case was decided and half to the State Treasury. If a district attorney or county counsel brings the case, all the money goes to the county. If a city attorney or prosecutor is involved, half goes to the county and half to the city.
Additionally, if a case is started at the request of a commission, the court will decide on paying reasonable costs related to the commission’s investigation and prosecution from the penalties collected before paying out the remainder as specified earlier.
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 25967(a) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for each violation, which shall be assessed and recovered in a civil action brought in the name of the people of the State of California by the Attorney General or by any district attorney, county counsel, or city attorney in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 25967(b) If the action is brought by the Attorney General, one-half of the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered, and one-half to the State Treasurer. If brought by a district attorney or county counsel, the entire amount of penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered. If brought by a city attorney or city prosecutor, one-half of the penalty shall be paid to the treasurer of the county and one-half to the city.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 25967(c) If the action is brought at the request of the commission, the court shall determine the reasonable expenses incurred by the commission in the investigation and prosecution of the action.
Before any penalty collected is paid out pursuant to subdivision (b), the amount of such reasonable expenses incurred by the commission shall be paid to the State Treasurer.
civil penalty violation Attorney General
Section § 25968
This law states that inspectors, who are appointed or authorized by the commission, have the right to access the premises and inspect the equipment, materials, products, and records of anyone covered by this chapter's rules.
Any inspector appointed or authorized by the commission shall have access to the premises, equipment, materials, partly finished and finished articles, and records of any person subject to the provisions of this chapter.
inspectors commission authorization premises access
