HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LOCAL LAW 152
Department of Buildings (DOB) introduced LL 152 in 2016, which mandates that all buildings having gas systems beinspected regularly. Fast forward to 2020, this law is now enacted and enforced with a heavy hand. Not sure what this means for you? Below you’ll find answers to any questions you might have regarding this new gas inspection law.
What is Local Law 152 and Who Needs to Comply?
LL 152 requires periodic inspections of gas piping systems in buildings that have them. The only exception to this rule is buildings with gas piping systems classified in occupancy group R-3, which are buildings that have two or fever dwelling units in them with fewer than 20 occupants, such as group homes and one or two family dwellings. Not sure what your occupancy group is? You’ll find this on your Certificate of Occupancy for your building.
How do you Know When you are due for an LL 152 Inspection?
Starting January 2020, Inspections for buildings containing gas piping systems are organized by community district. After the initial inspection, inspections must be performed and submitted to DOB every four years. Below you will find due dates for community districts for the first four year cycle:
- Community Districts 1, 3, and 10 (all boroughs): 1/1/20 – 12/31/20
- Community Districts 2, 5, 7, 13, and 18 (all boroughs): 1/1/21 – 12/31/21
- Community Districts 4, 6, 8, 9, and 16 (all boroughs): 1/1/22 – 12/31/22
- Community Districts 11, 12, 14, 15, 17 (all boroughs) 1/1/23 – 12/31/23
If you would like to find out what community district you belong to, click here! After this first cycle, every district will be due four years after the initial date. Therefore, community districts 1, 3, and 10 will be due for their next inspections in 2024. You are allowed to test early, but testing cannot be performed more than 60 days prior to your due date.
What if you Have a new Building?
New buildings (approved for occupancy after 12/31/19) must complete and submit a gas piping inspection on the 10 year anniversary of DOB issuing you a Certificate of Occupancy.
What do I do if my Building Doesn’t Have gas Piping?
If your building doesn’t have a gas system, you’ll need to hire a registered design engineer to draft a certificate stating there is no gas system in your building, and file it every four years in accordance with your relative community district.
How to get your gas piping inspected
In order to have your system inspected, building owners must hire a qualified inspector, which is defined by DOB as a licensed master plumber or someone working under the direct and constant supervision of a licensed master plumber who has also met additional training requirements. We at Evergreen Mechanical have already performed dozens of gas tests in 2020 across all community districts in all boroughs!
Now That You’ve had Your Building Inspected, What’s Next?
Your licensed master plumber will execute, sign, and seal an Inspection Certification (GPS1) to the building owner within 30 days of the inspection. The owner must then submit that certification filled out by the licensed master plumber, and a second Inspection Certification (GPS2) filled out by the building owner and submit both to DOB within 60 days of the inspection. If you fail to file an Inspection Certification within 60 days of your building’s inspection, the inspection must be performed again.
If corrections to the gas system are necessary, the must be completed and submitted within 120 days from the initial inspection date. If more time is required, you can request a 60 day extension from DOB.
Prior to starting up a boiler for the season, it’s important to have your heating system inspected and maintained by a licensed professional. Servicing boilers typically include the following:
- Draining and flushing the unit itself. This will ensure that any soot or scale built up during the warm months is evacuated. During this time, a professional can examine the unit for corrosion and damage, or remove potential mineral sediment prior to refilling the unit.
- Cleaning and potential adjustment of the fuel burning equipment. This includes the main gas burners which often times need to be removed, cleaned, then reinstalled from season to season.
- Visual inspection and exercise of the control valves and fuel safety shutoff valves to make sure they’re operating as they should.
- Lubrication of mechanical components.
- Servicing the low water cutoff and water feed by disassembling, cleaning, then reassembling.
- Visual inspection of the tank, cold water supply, hot water discharge, and all connections. During this time your plumber can assess potential deterioration or leaks.
- Examination of the gas supply line and gas connections for any evidence of leaks or damage. This is extremely important as potential leaks can expose combustible gas to a potential open flame.
- Check the condition of the vent piping from the boiler for leaks and obstructions all the way to the outside of the home.
- Starting up the system to observe check the burner flame’s color and height for proper operation. Once the system is up and running, your professional can check to make sure the water temperature and pressure are adequate.
What if the Inspection Uncovers Unsafe Conditions?
If the inspections reveal any hazards on your gas piping system, the inspector is required to notify the building owner, the utility company providing gas service to the building, and to DOB. These hazards can be defined as:
- Gas leaks
- Evidence of illegal connections or non-code compliant installations, or;
- Any other conditions, which if verified by a utility company would constitute a class A condition as described in part 261 of title 16 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations, or constitutes an imminently dangerous condition.
The building owner must take immediate action to correct these conditions per NYC Construction Code.
Are There Penalties for Noncompliance with Local Law 152?
There sure are! Failure to file an Inspection Certificate before your due date may result in fines up to $10,000.
We got it! Now how do we make sure we don’t miss our date?
Not to worry! Call Evergreen Mechanical today for more information regarding Local Law 152. We have a team of qualified inspectors and license holds to walk you through every step of the way.
