Local Law 152 of 2016 requires all buildings with gas lines to be inspected. NYC Gas Piping Inspection will include looking for dangerous conditions, like gas leaks and non-code-compliant or illegal connections.
Only a licensed master plumber (LMP) or someone with the appropriate qualifications working under an LMP may perform LL152 inspections. This article will break down the GPS1 report so you can understand what your inspector is looking for.
Many properties rely on natural gas to heat, cool and power their appliances. However, when pipes corrode or develop leaks, the result can be serious. These problems can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which is responsible for around 400 deaths and 50,000 ER visits in the states each year. This is why the Department of Buildings recently introduced Local Law 152, which mandates that all buildings must undergo periodic inspections of their gas piping systems.
Licensed Master Plumbers, or LMPs, like are qualified to perform these inspections. In fact, they are required by law to inspect all gas piping in residential buildings classified in occupancy group R-3. All other commercial, multi-family, and industrial properties must also be inspected by an LMP or someone with the right credentials working under one. These inspections must be completed on a four-year schedule.
Once an LMP conducts an inspection, the property owner must receive a report within 30 days. Then, within 60 days, the property owner must submit a GPS2 certification to the DOB. The submission must be signed and sealed by the LMP who performed the inspection. If the report indicates repairs are needed, then a follow-up certification must be submitted once those issues have been corrected.
If you are due for a gas inspection in 2021, but weren’t able to complete the inspection by the deadline, then there is a simple solution: A one-time 180-day extension can be obtained through the GPS2 Online Portal. This will give you another opportunity to have the system inspected by an LMP before the original deadline passes.
For the 2024-to-2026 cycle, the scheduled inspection deadlines for each community district are available on the DOB’s website. We recommend that you start planning now to get your building inspected by a Licensed Master Plumber, or a registered design professional (if it does not contain a gas piping system) in order to avoid any late fees.
Get a Report
The inspector will check for public uncovered gas piping and use a combustible gas indicator to look for leaks. During this process, they’ll also check for any signs of atmospheric corrosion or deterioration, illegal connections, non-code compliant installations and other conditions that could pose a fire risk. If the inspection reveals any hazardous conditions, the inspector must notify the building owner, the utility company that supplies the gas and the DOB. It’s the building owner’s responsibility to immediately fix these issues according to construction codes.
Even if the inspector finds no problems, you’re still required to submit a GPS2 Gas Piping Periodic Inspection Certification signed and sealed by the LMP who conducted or supervised the inspection to the DOB within 60 days of the inspection date. This is done through a city portal specifically designed for this purpose and there’s no fee to file.
When you hire an LMP, make sure they are licensed by the DOB and have a good history with the department. You should also check out their current license status and any disciplinary or voluntary surrender records. If you’re going with an unlicensed plumber, be prepared to face fines of up to $5,000.
Local Law 152 of 2016 requires that buildings undergo inspections of their gas piping systems at least every four years. This includes apartment buildings, warehouses, factories, storage facilities, office buildings and many other commercial properties. The inspections are intended to eliminate dangerous conditions like gas leaks that can lead to explosions, fires and other health issues in the occupants of the buildings.
In addition to checking for a variety of safety-related issues, the qualified inspector will also test any appliances that are connected to the piping for leaks. The inspector will check for signs of corrosion and deterioration and inspect the mechanical and boiler rooms. Piping inside individual units is not inspected. The qualified inspector will also check for combustible gas leaks and look for any other violations of the Construction Codes. If the inspector finds any violations, the building owner must correct these problems before the next inspection date. In the case of an emergency, the inspector may call 911.
Fix the Problems
If you have a problem with your gas line when it’s inspected, the report will note this and give suggestions on how to resolve the issue. It’s best to have these problems resolved as quickly as possible to prevent a bigger problem down the road.
Whether from age, corrosion, or improper installation, damaged pipes are a dangerous and pressing problem. Even minor leaks can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, so these issues are always worth fixing immediately.
Leaks may occur in the pipes themselves, or at the pipe joints. In the latter case, it’s common for thread seals and valve connections to erode with age, so these are areas that should be inspected regularly for damage and potential replacements.
Corrosion is a serious concern for gas lines, so it’s important to keep up with routine inspections to ensure the integrity of the pipes and connections. It’s also important to use a licensed plumber for all gas line installations, and to get the right type of pipes installed. Copper piping, for example, produces sulfates that can lead to clogs and is more prone to leakage than other types of pipes.
Blockages are a major concern for gas pipes, and they can occur due to contaminants in the pipe, damage to the pipe, or even a buildup of gunk at the access point. If the blockage is bad enough, it will restrict or stop the flow of gas and prevent any appliances relying on the line from working.
A faulty pilot light is another indicator of a gas line problem. If the pilot light stops burning or goes out completely, it’s time for a gas line inspection to determine what’s causing the issue.
If the initial inspection reveals any damages that need to be fixed, this can be done by the same LMP who conducted the original inspection or by another one licensed by the DOB. The steps towards resolving the issue and removing the violation will vary, but a trusted licensed master plumber like Empire Plumbing can provide personalized assistance as you work to bring your building up to code.
Don’t Forget Your Inspections
If a problem with your gas lines goes unnoticed, it could lead to an explosion or fire, which can be extremely dangerous for anyone in the building. In addition, natural gas is highly flammable and toxic to breathe. Even the smallest nick in a line can result in a major emergency, which is why it’s so important to make regular inspections a priority for your property.
A gas safety check can uncover clogs, blockages, and leaks, which can be fixed before they cause any problems. It can also help your appliances run more efficiently and increase their lifespan, saving you money on energy costs.
The Local Law 152 requires an inspection of your building’s exposed gas piping systems every four years by a licensed master plumber (LMP) or someone working under the direct supervision of one. The inspection must be of the entire exposed piping system from the point of entry into the building up to, but not including, tenant spaces. The LMP will look for gas leaks, corrosion, illegal connections, and non-code compliant installations during this walk-through.
Over time, the constant pressure of running gas through a pipe can lead to material fatigue, which leads to micro-fractures that may not be visible to the naked eye. These fractures can weaken the integrity of a pipe, leaving it susceptible to leaks and more severe damage.
An LMP will also inspect the pipes for rust or any physical damage, which can be caused by various factors, such as weather conditions and construction activities near your property. Additionally, if the pipes are buried underground, an inspection will determine whether there have been any recent earth movements that could affect their condition.
If a gas inspector finds any unsafe or hazardous conditions, the LMP must immediately call 911 and report them to the DOB. The LMP must also notify the building owner, the utility company providing gas to the building, and any affected tenants. The owner must also take immediate action to fix any of these unsafe or hazardous conditions. In addition, the owner must submit a GPS2 certification to the DOB within 60 days of the inspection.
