Seismic gas isolation is appearing more frequently in NZ commercial property insurance requirements — as a condition of cover, a factor in premium assessment, or a recommendation from risk engineers. If you're not sure what your policy says, or what your insurer actually expects, here's what to look for.

Where insurance requirements come from

Insurance requirements for seismic gas isolation don't come from a single source. They typically arise through one of three channels:

• Policy conditions: Some commercial property policies explicitly require a seismic gas shutoff device as a condition of cover for gas-related fire damage. Failure to have one installed could affect a claim.
• Risk engineer recommendations: Insurers carrying large commercial risks often commission risk surveys. The resulting report may recommend or require seismic gas isolation before renewal.
• Premium loading: Some insurers load premiums for buildings in high seismic zones without automatic gas isolation. Installing a compliant device may reduce this loading — worth asking your broker.

What to look for in your policy wording

Policy language varies. Look for these terms in your commercial property policy, particularly in the conditions or exclusions sections:

• "Seismic gas shutoff" or "seismic shutoff valve"
• "Automatic gas isolation" or "automatic gas shutoff"
• "Seismic safety device" or "earthquake safety system"
• References to NZS 4219 or the Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010

If your policy uses any of these terms as a condition of cover, confirm with your broker what specific device type satisfies the requirement. A mechanical shutoff valve and an electronic earthquake trigger recorder are different devices with different capabilities — your insurer may have a preference or requirement for one over the other.

What to ask your broker

If you're not sure of your position, put these questions to your broker directly:

• Does our policy require a seismic gas isolation device as a condition of cover?
• If we have a gas-related fire claim following an earthquake and no shutoff device was installed, how would that affect the claim?
• Does installing an automatic seismic gas shutoff reduce our premium or excess?
• Does the policy specify a mechanical valve, or does an electronic trigger recorder satisfy the requirement?
• Do we need event logging capability — i.e., a record showing the shutoff activated?

What an electronic trigger recorder provides that matters to insurers

Beyond gas isolation, an electronic earthquake trigger recorder provides an event log — a factual record of every activation, including the date and number of events. After an earthquake, this log demonstrates that the system functioned, supports a claim timeline, and shows due diligence in building management. A mechanical valve provides none of this — if gas did shut off, there is no record of it.

The Solid State Seismic Shutoff — MK6 provides automatic isolation and event recording in a single device, NZ-manufactured since 1971. If you're assessing your insurance position or responding to a risk engineer's recommendation, contact us — we can provide technical documentation to support your insurer assessment. See also the compliance and standards page for the NZ and Australian standards context.