Unless exempt, owners of buildings with gas piping in the city’s inspection districts must comply with Local Law 152. The requirements include a periodic inspection of the building’s gas piping system by a licensed master plumber (LMP) or a person with qualifying experience working under an LMP.
The inspector at NYC Gas Piping Inspection will look for atmospheric corrosion, deteriorating piping, and non-code-compliant installations.
The last thing you want to do is wait until the winter to schedule your gas pipe inspection. This is the busiest time for inspectors, and it will be harder to get an appointment at a convenient time. You also risk forgetting about the inspection until it is too late and then having to reschedule. Instead, you should work with your gas company to set up an inspection date during the summer, when you are less likely to forget.
It is important to note that Local Law 152 mandates that all buildings with a gas piping system except those classified in occupancy group R-3 must have an inspection conducted by a licensed master plumber (LMP) or a qualified individual working under the direct supervision of an LMP according to a schedule established by the Department of Buildings. In addition, LL152 requires that public spaces, hallways, corridors, and boiler rooms where gas piping is located be tested with a portable combustible gas detector.
Once an inspector completes your inspection, he or she must provide the building owner with a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Report (GPS1) within 30 days. This report will detail all findings and determine if there are any conditions that need to be corrected.
These conditions include frayed or worn piping components that may affect safe operation, the presence of combustible gas, illegal connections, and non-code-compliant installations. The inspector must report these unsafe conditions to the DOB, building owner, and utility company as soon as he or she finds them.
If the inspector finds an unsafe condition that poses a threat to the health and safety of residents in the immediate area, they will notify the DOB, utility company, and resident(s). In the event of imminent danger, the fire department may be called in to evacuate the building immediately.
If you’re moving into an existing building, check with the previous owner to see when their last inspection was. If they can’t provide this information or it has been many years since the last inspection, you will need to have your own inspection done as soon as possible. Then, you will need to submit an inspection certification with the DOB and a list of all the corrective actions taken.
Be prepared for the inspection.
Regardless of what type of building you own, you must have your gas piping system inspected by a licensed master plumber (LMP) or someone working under the direct supervision of an LMP at least once every four years. This includes commercial, mixed-use, and multifamily buildings, as well as community facilities and rooftop mechanical spaces.
During the inspection, the LMP looks for evidence of atmospheric corrosion on all exposed gas piping and checks all the plumbing fixtures in your building to make sure that they’re safe. The inspector also checks for any illegal connections or non-code-compliant installations and any conditions that could cause an immediate interruption of gas service. These include frayed piping, dangerous leaking conditions, and any condition that could cause an explosion.
If any of these conditions are found, the inspector must report them to the owner, utility company, and DOB, and you may be required to have those unsafe conditions fixed immediately. The DOB will also inform you if the problems discovered are deemed unsafe or hazardous, and they must be fixed within 120 days or your gas supply will be turned off until the problem is corrected.
Once the inspection is complete, the inspector must provide you with a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Report (GPS1), and you will have 30 days to file it with the DOB. You can submit your GPS1 through the DOB’s online portal.
Another thing to keep in mind is that if your building doesn’t have gas piping, you still need to submit an inspection certification to DOB. However, this must be signed and sealed by a registered design professional (a registered engineer or architect) or a licensed master plumber.
Sanitary Plumbing has been helping property owners meet their Local Law 152 obligations for years, and we know that the inspection process can seem daunting, but it’s important to get it done on time. Contact us today to schedule your next gas piping inspection, and we’ll help you ensure that your building is up to code! And don’t forget—if you don’t submit your GPS1 by the deadline, you could be fined $10,000.
Take precautions during the inspection.
In addition to scheduling your inspections at a time that works best for you, it’s also important to take some precautions during the actual inspection. For example, you’ll want to be sure that any gas appliances or pipes are turned off before the inspector arrives. You should also prepare for any repairs that need to be made before your inspector’s visit. Finally, if you have any concerns about your property’s plumbing or safety, don’t hesitate to address them with the inspector during your appointment.
A professional heating engineer can help you determine the best course of action for your property and ensure that all of your appliances are working properly. They can also offer solutions for any problems they notice. They can also make recommendations for repairs that are necessary to improve your property’s plumbing and gas piping.
When it comes to your property’s gas piping, you should be aware of Local Law 152, which requires all buildings in NYC to undergo periodic inspections by a licensed master plumber (LMP). This includes multifamily properties with exposed gas piping and those that contain boiler rooms, common areas, amenity spaces, rooftop mechanical spaces, and publicly accessible areas.
LMPs must inspect the exposed gas piping in these non-tenant areas and provide building owners with a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Report (GPS1) within 30 days of the inspection. The GSP1 will include any unsafe conditions found in the inspection that must be corrected within 60 days. Then, within 120 days of the GPS1 submission deadline, the LMP must submit to DOB a GPS2 Certification signed and sealed by them, stating whether or not the conditions identified in the previous report were corrected.
When excavating, you should always call 811. This will let you know where any underground piping is located. You should also use caution when working around any buried piping, as even a slight scrape or nick could lead to a leak or break in the future. It’s also a good idea to have any buried piping replaced with metal pipe whenever possible. Lastly, you’ll need to keep all of your inspection documentation in case you need to reschedule or appeal your decision in the future.
Be prepared for repairs.
Many properties rely on natural gas for heating, hot water, and cooking. But if the line isn’t properly maintained, it can lead to dangerous leaks and a loss of supply. This is why regular inspections are essential for homeowners and commercial property owners alike.
Local Law 152 of 2016 makes it mandatory that gas piping systems undergo inspections at least every four years. This applies to all buildings except one- and two-family homes and those classified as Occupancy Group R-3. These inspections look for evidence of excessive atmospheric corrosion or piping deterioration, illegal connections, non-code-compliant installations, and other hazards, including gas leaks.
Inspectors are trained to identify and report the existence of these conditions. If an unsafe situation is uncovered, the building owner must take immediate action to correct it. This could involve shutting off the gas or even evacuating the building. The building’s owner must also notify the utility company and the Department of Buildings (DOB) of any hazardous conditions uncovered during the inspection.
If an inspector finds anything that needs to be fixed, the property owner must have the issue remedied within 120 days of the original inspection. If the repairs are not completed in time, a new Certificate of Inspection must be submitted to the DOB. This must be signed and sealed by the LMP who conducted the initial inspection.
During the repair process, the inspector must conduct a second pressure test. The piping must stand up to an air, CO2, or nitrogen pressure of not less than 10 psi (69 kPa) gauge pressure for a length of time that is satisfactory to the inspector, but in no case for less than 15 minutes with no perceptible drop in pressure.
When it comes to your property’s gas piping, working with qualified professionals is the best way to ensure its safety. If you’re due for a gas piping inspection this year, get started on the process soon; it’s never too early to prepare! You may find that inspectors are in high demand towards the end of the year, so it’s important to schedule your inspection sooner rather than later.
