There’s more gas piping changes in NYC, this time coming from the latest city council meeting.
With proposed rule changes and a recent NOD issuance, it’s been a big month for Local Law 152 requirements. Here’s everything you need to know from the Council’s latest update:
Background: Rules vs Laws
A big question we usually get is, what’s the difference between council laws and the recently proposed DOB rules?
This is a simplified explainer, but typically local laws are approved by the City Council, and then handed down to the relevant city agency for rulemaking. The agency will then release proposed laws clarifying penalties, processes, cycles, etc., which is open for public comment before approval.
Timing here isn’t exact. Sometimes we’ll see new laws years in advance of rule changes (parking structure re-cycling and upcoming facade changes spring to mind), and other times we’ll see laws passed after agency-led changes (due date extensions, filing processes, etc.).
In this case, the DOB proposed adjustments to the rules at the same time as the council approved changes to the original Local Law 152.
But is there any overlap? Let’s take a look at the approved law:
Inspection Changes
Most of the new law references changes to the inspection itself, and who can perform gas piping inspections. Key parts from the law’s summary says:
- The inspecting entity of a periodic gas piping inspection must be either a licensed master plumber or a licensed journeyman plumber working under the direct supervision of a licensed master plumber;
- Inspections [must] include the point of connection with gas appliances.
The above are critical to remember, especially as you’re planning ongoing gas piping inspections for this cycle.
The bill also adjusts the definition of ordinary plumbing work, including “the replacement of gas furnaces, household gas appliances, and gas appliance connectors.”
Finally, the bill would amend certain requirements for the plumbing industry. While these changes aren’t directly related to property owners and managers, they’re something you should be aware of – especially when you’re selecting vendors and managing ongoing work. From the summary:
Specifically, this bill would: i) reinstate the plumbing and fire suppression license board, ii) amend the definition of emergency work to allow the repair of a plumbing system to protect the public from an unsafe condition or restore water to a building or dwelling unit; and iii) expand the Department of Building’s ability to seize equipment used for unlicensed work.
For more details on gas piping inspection processes, you can view the DOB’s FAQ page here. We’ll keep you posted on any subsequent rules that may come from these changes to the law.
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