Local Law 152 of 2016 regulated periodic inspections of gas piping systems. Nearly two years later, the DOB has released proposed rules on requirements going forward. While these rules aren’t final, they’re likely close to it. Here’s some of the key components of the proposed rules:Building gas piping systems except for gas piping systems classified in occupancy group R-3 must be periodically inspected. Per the building code, occupancy group R-3 includes “buildings or portions thereof containing no more than two dwelling units,” like convents and monasteries with fewer than 20 occupants, group homes, and 1 and 2 family dwellings. If you’re unsure of your property classification, you can find your building’s occupancy group on the Certificate of Occupancy.Inspections must be performed and submitted once every five years, with different due date cycles for each borough:
- January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019: Staten Island
- January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020: the Bronx
- January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021: Manhattan
- January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022: Queens
- January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023: Brooklyn
As of January 1, 2024, due dates for periodic inspections will be the five-year anniversary of the previous inspection (as indicated on the submitted certification). In addition, the inspection cannot be conducted more than 60 days prior to the due date.For example, if you initially filed on March 1, 2020, you would have to file again by March 1, 2025. You would not be able to perform the inspection more than 60 days prior to March 1, 2025.For new buildings (a building or any portion thereof approved for occupancy after 12/31/18), the gas piping inspection should be completed during the 10th year after the DOB issues a Certificate of Occupancy for the building (the rules currently make no distinction between temporary and final CO). Subsequent inspections would follow the above five-year rule—due five years after the first inspection was performed. If your building doesn’t have a gas piping system, you’ll still be required to comply with this law.Per the proposed rules, buildings without gas piping systems have to file a certification (from a registered design professional) stating the building contains no gas piping system. Similarly to the five-year inspection cycle, this certification would follow the borough calendar (see above bulleted list). The biggest difference is that the due date for this certification would remain December 31st of every fifth year, as there is no inspection date to key off of.If your property previously submitted this certification then subsequently installed a gas piping system, the due date will be the five-year anniversary of that certification. For example, if your building submitted a certification of no gas piping system on November 1, 2019, then installed a gas piping system in 2021, the first inspection due date for the system would be November 1, 2024.Inspections must be conducted by a qualified gas piping system inspector on behalf of the building owner.
Qualified inspectors are either licensed master plumbers or individuals working under the “direct and continuing” supervision of a licensed master plumber who has met additional training requirements.The qualified vendor performs the inspection, then submits a certification of inspection to the owner no later than 30 days after the inspection date. The owner must submit the certification to the DOB (instructions to come at a later point) no later than 60 days after the inspection date. Corrections (if necessary), must be corrected and submitted within 120 days from the initial inspection date, though additional time can be requested if needed.All reports and certifications must be kept on file for 10 years after the inspection date, and be made available to the department upon request. Failure to comply can result in civil penalties of up to $10,000.*Source Mann Publications
