HPD released new information about next year’s steam radiator inspection requirement, covered here in our previous post.

Starting in 2027, HPD will require steam radiator inspections once every two years for units with children under the age of 6. The department provided more clarity on requirements, though there are still rules to come.

Here’s what you need to know for now:

Basic Requirements

Owners of buildings with 3+ units will be required to inspect steam radiators if:

• A unit has a child under the age of 6, and;
• At least one steam radiator

Steam radiators in common areas must also be inspected.

Mailing Component

As part of this requirement, owners will have to acquire information from residents. This can be done as part of the established annual safety notice mailing process. 

While HPD has provided an official form for steam radiator questions, they’ve also said the following:

If a tenant is already providing information regarding the inquiry of a child using the Annual Notice for Prevention of Lead Based Paint Hazards-Inquiry Regarding a Child, then the tenant is not required to submit this information a second time using the Annual Notice for Inspection of Steam Radiators.

If you’re collecting resident information as part of the standard notice for lead paint, you don’t need to ask the same question regarding age again. That said, you will have to know which units – and common areas – have steam radiators.

Like base mailings, results for non-responsive residents must be submitted to the department on March 1st. There’s an email address (Radiatorinfo@HPD.NYC.GOV) where this information can be sent specifically for steam radiators. Editor’s note – HPD’s website does have different language regarding the typical February 15th “reachout” date, so we’re following up with them for clarification.

For condos and coops – Local Law 151 makes it clear that the law doesn’t change existing responsibility for staying in compliance:

Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, nothing herein shall be construed to alter existing or future agreements which allocate responsibility for compliance with the provisions of this article between a tenant shareholder and a cooperative corporation or between the owner of a condominium unit and the board of managers of such condominium.

That said, this law will apply for units occupied by anyone other than the unit titleholder/owner of record, or their immediate family. Basically – if a condo/coop is being leased out, and has a child under the age of six and a steam radiator, inspections will be required.

Inspection Overview

Inspections for covered units need to be performed once every two years. If a unit has already been inspected within that timeframe, then the owner must document that it isn’t required for the current year.

Who Can Perform Inspections?

The following people can perform steam radiator inspections:

• A licensed master plumber, high-pressure boiler operating engineer or stationary engineer, oil burning equipment installer, mechanical contractor; or
• An individual working under the direct and continuing supervision of a licensed master plumber, a licensed high-pressure boiler operating engineer or  stationary engineer, a licensed oil burning equipment installer, or a mechanical contractor that conducts inspections of steam radiators; or
• Heating plant technician or heating maintenance worker employed by the New York City Housing Authority

Alternatively, superintendents that go through a certification process can perform steam radiator inspections.

Supers would be responsible for reviewing The Steam Radiator Inspection Training Manual (not available yet – we’ll link it here when it is), and certifying that they’ve read the same by submitting this form to HPD.

What needs to happen during an inspection?

HPD’s inspection form provides for general defect commentary, with a few exceptions:

• Reports including any hazardous conditions must be provided to the resident and emailed to HPD
• Additionally, “Where an uncontrolled steam leak or severe corrosion is identified by the inspector, the inspector shall immediately de-energize the boiler by activating the remote shutdown switch or electrical disconnect switch”

Copies of everything, including inspector qualification forms, must be kept on file and provided to HPD upon request.

What’s Next?

For teams who use SiteCompli for annual safety notice mailings, stay tuned for updates this summer as we prepare for 2027. We’ll keep an eye out for official rules in the meantime, and post updates to the Blog.