Local Law 152 was created to reduce the risks associated with exposed gas piping while eliminating illegal connections and any conditions that don’t meet codes. In a few words, the law requires mandatory inspections for exposed gas piping at four-year intervals, and there are penalties for not delivering them on time.
To manage the LL152 compliance process more easily, the NYC Department of Buildings has classified buildings into four groups, based on their community districts. Each group is assigned a different year to submit the report, and the cycle repeats itself when all four groups of buildings have submitted their reports.
The requirements of LL152 change depending on the type of building, including who must sign the report. This article will provide a quick guide on what to do in each case.
Buildings that are classified as occupancy R-3 are not subject to LL152/2016, which means there are no periodic reports or penalties involved. This group includes the following types of buildings:
If your building belongs to occupancy group R-3, there is no need to worry about Local Law 152. Regardless of the gas piping used by the building, no inspection or notification is required. However, a professional inspection of the building and its installations is still recommended, since it can reveal potential ways to improve performance or safety.
Keep in mind that any gas piping work must be reviewed and approved by the NYC Dept. of Buildings, even if the building is not subject to LL152 of 2016. In the same year, the NYC DOB published Local Law 150, which only allows gas work to be performed by:
It is important to note that the gas work qualification is permanent once achieved, but the limited gas work qualification must be renewed after five years.
Buildings without gas piping are a special case since they are subject to LL152 even when there is nothing to inspect. For example, these requirements would apply to a building that only uses electric heat pumps. These buildings are subject to the same reporting schedule as those with gas piping systems, with some important differences:
In these cases, LL152 can be met without the services of a Licensed Master Plumber. However, if gas piping is added to the building at any time, it will then be subject to periodic inspections.
In these buildings, the gas installations must be inspected by a Licensed Master Plumber, or a qualified individual according to NYC DOB rules, supervised by an LMP. In these cases, reports are delivered according to the following timeline:
The LMP is under a legal obligation to notify unsafe conditions immediately, without waiting until the Inspection Report GPS1 form is complete. This requirement also applies to illegal connections and code violations.
The inspection must cover all exposed gas piping in the building, downstream from the main service connection. However, gas piping located inside private dwellings is exempt. Common areas, boiler rooms, and mechanical rooms must be tested with a portable combustible gas detector.
Depending on the type of building, the requirements of LL152/2016 can be an inspection and certification, a certification only, or none. If you are unsure about the specific requirements for your building, or the assigned dates to submit the inspection report, you can get a professional opinion.