Wildfires Emphasize Need for Automatic Thermal Gas Shutoffs

Congressperson Laura Friedman representing California’s 30th Congressional District described in graphic detail the unconstrained release of natural gas during the 2025 Los Angeles fires, at the U.S. House of Representatives hearings on February 25, 2025: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

In her testimony, having witnessed natural gas-fed plumes of fires emanating from several thousands of burned-out houses, she questioned why the supply of natural gas continued to fuel fires two and three days after the houses were completely consumed. She describes victims navigating between 7 to 8 feet tall plumes of flame, even after the structures were gone. These towers of fire were buffeted by winds, spreading fires to other structures. Congressperson Friedman further advocated for robust standards to automatically stop gas flow to structures in such fire situations.

Given the availability of Fire Safety Valves, such as the FireBag Thermal Activated Shutoff, gas utilities can prevent recurrence of this significant fire hazard. The TECO® FireBag® thermally activated shutoffs (TAS) are essential safety devices used globally in fuel gas systems. Designed to automatically close during high temperature events, the thermally activated shutoff device prevents gas from venting into fires by shutting off the supply. Installed upstream of the gas regulator, the FireBag Fire Safety Valve provides a reliable means to protect property and public safety — while creating a safer environment for emergency personnel to manage fires and to evacuate occupants.

TECO FireBag Thermally Activated Shutoff (TAS) Features

• Fast activating trip temperatures of 203°-212°F, providing a gas-tight positive gas seal
• Once triggered, as per th DIN 3586 testing standards, the TECO FireBag TAS exceeds exposure temperatures at 1697°F for one hour
• Can undergo mechanical or thermal stress without misshaping, as thermal cooling occurs after a fire is extinguished.
• Tested & Approved for gas systems operating from inches water column to 150 psig MAOP
• Approved for Indoor & Outdoor piping applications
• NO external power or detectors required to activate
• Does not require regular inspections like active safety devices
• Approved for use by Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) – Installation and Design of Automatic Gas Shut Off Devices G.L c. 164, § 75A (2012)
• Approved for use under CMR 248, Mass Fuel Gas & Plumbing Code (2011)
• Over 14.5M TECO FireBag devices installed worldwide, with greater than 300,000 in the United States.

Certifications

The TECO FireBag is certified for domestic and international thermal gas shutoff standards, including:

• Tested and certified by Gas Technology Institute (GTI) according to DIN 3586 testing procedures (2013).
• Tested under GTI OTD technical program comparing commercially available Thermal Activated Shutoffs (2019).
• Meets and exceeds DIN 3586 Thermal Activated Shutoffs for gas applications
• European UNI EN 1775 Standard for indoor gas installations
• European Directive 90/396/CEE certification for durability in mechanical or thermal stress
• German DVGW TRGI 86/96 Standard for thermo-activated locking systems on gas heaters, water heaters & domestic gas fittings
• German Standard Muster-Feuerverordnung (FeuVo v. 02/95 – edition 9/97) for thermal-activated devices
• Italian UNI 7129 Ed 2001 Standard for fire protection & gas supply line components
• How to Order TECO FireBag Thermal Shutoffs