Department of Buildings Adopts Rule Guiding Inspection of Gas Piping: Section 103-10 to Title 1 of the Rules of New York City

On September 13, 2019, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) adopted a new Section 103-10 to Title 1 of the Rules of New York City, regarding the periodic inspection of gas piping systems.

Inspections must be completed by a New York City Licensed Master Plumber, or an individual working under a Licensed Master Plumber, who is satisfactory to the DOB.

Introduction to Section 103-10 to Title 1 of the Rules of New York City:

The new rule includes provisions that are intended to give effect to Local Law 152 of 206, which requires periodic inspections of “building gas piping systems.” The gas piping systems referred to are all exposed gas piping from point of entry into the building, but the rule does apply to homes classified as R-3.

The requirement for inspection does not apply to gas piping within apartments but is applicable to inspection in public areas, hallways, corridors, and mechanical and boiler rooms. For new construction, the new law will not apply until at least 10 years following the completion of such new construction.

Violation of the new Section 103-10 to Title 1 of the Rules of New York City will subject a non-compliant building owner to fines of up to $10,000 for each instance of violation.

Immediate Reporting Requirements by the Licensed Master Plumber to the Building Owner, Responsible Utility Company, and the Department of Buildings:

• Gas leak
• Illegal connection, or non-code compliant installation
• Any condition defined as “Class A” by the utility company, which is any imminently dangerous condition

Reporting Requirements for the Master Licensed Plumber:

• Submit a certified report to the building owner within 30 days of inspection
• The building owner must submit the certified report to DOB within 60 days, and no earlier, of the applicable due date for the building in question (as prescribed by the DOB)
• In the event any conditions were found requiring remediation, the owner must, within 120 days of the applicable due date, submit a certified report that the conditions were remediated. In certain instances, a building owner may have up to 180 days to remediate
• Building owners must keep inspection reports on file for 10 years

Gas Piping Inspections to Be Conducted on a Cycle Based on Community Boards Within Each Borough:

• Between 1/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 and every 4 years, CBs 1, 3, 10 in all Boroughs must have building gas piping systems inspected
• Between 1/1/2021 and 12/31/2021 and every 4 years, CBs 2, 5, 7, 13, 18 in all Boroughs must have building gas piping systems inspected
• Between 1/1/2022 and 12/31/2022 and every 4 years, CBs 4, 6, 8, 9, 16 in all Boroughs must have building gas piping systems inspected
• Between 1/1/2023 and 12/31/2023 and every 4 years, CBs 11, 12, 14, 15, 17 in all Boroughs must have building gas piping systems inspected