Local Law 152 – Gas Line Safety

Local Law 152 Plumbers are part of a larger group of regulations designed to maximize gas line safety. Building owners must have their gas piping systems inspected by a Licensed Master Plumber or someone working under their direct supervision every four years.

Local Law 152 Plumbers

A safety regulation passed by the city’s Department of Buildings in 2016 and taking effect in 2020, Local Law 152 requires periodic inspections of buildings’ gas piping systems. During these inspections, certified and licensed professionals check for leaks and other issues that could lead to dangerous incidents like fires or explosions. The inspections also require that building owners submit a report to the DOB to show they comply with the law.

The law explains how frequently buildings must be inspected, who can conduct the inspections, and other details about the requirements. For instance, a person conducting a Local Law 152 inspection must be either a licensed master plumber or work under the supervision of one. Additionally, only certain insurance policies are accepted by the DOB as proof that an inspector is qualified to perform a Local Law 152 inspection.

Buildings that stay current with maintenance will typically have no trouble passing their inspections. Regular service calls from a trusted plumbing and boiler specialist help prevent the need for major repairs that could fail an inspection. These preventive maintenance services also allow the expert to address small problems that can lead to big problems later on – like radiator water hammer or low water pressure in some apartments.

If a building fails its Local Law 152 inspection, it must have the inspection done again within 180 days of the date of the original inspection. Failure to do so can result in a fine of $5,000.

Local Law 152 inspections are essential to keep the city’s gas piping systems safe for everyone. Keeping up with the inspections will prevent dangerous gas leaks that can lead to disaster in a matter of seconds. It will also help ensure that every tenant has access to safe, reliable energy for heating and cooking.

Having an easy way to track your Local Law 152 inspection dates will help you avoid missing them. We’re happy to share that we now have a dedicated Local Law 152 inspection portal on our website so you can get reminders and never miss an inspection again.

The gas line in most buildings consists of metal lines that carry natural gas throughout the structure. These lines can be subject to corrosion over time, which can lead to dangerous leaks. If left unchecked, these leaks can cause a fire or even an explosion. To avoid these hazards, it’s important to keep an eye out for the signs of a possible gas leak. These can include the rotten egg smell, dead patches of grass near your pipes, bubbles in standing water, and even hearing a hissing sound.

If you notice any of these signs, call your Licensed Master Plumber right away. Licensed Plumbers are trained to know how to detect a potential gas leak, so they can catch it before it becomes a problem. Luckily, catching a gas leak early is the best way to prevent damage to your property or injuries to people who live or work in the building.

In addition to detecting dangerous gas leaks, a Licensed Plumber can also conduct a LL152 inspection to ensure your building is up to code. This inspection involves walking the entire exposed gas piping system from point of entry to tenant spaces (excluding restrooms), as well as inspecting for gas leaks and illegal connections. The Licensed Plumber must complete forms GPS1 and GPS2, submit them to the DOB, and report any unsafe or hazardous conditions.

While it may be tempting to skip a gas piping inspection, doing so can result in a $10,000 fine from the City of Most buildings that keep up with routine maintenance and schedule regular service calls from their plumbing and boiler experts will have no trouble passing their LL152 inspection. This is because small problems are fixed before they have a chance to grow into larger ones that would require costly repairs.

For most buildings, the LL152 inspection is due once every four years. However, if you have a major repair or renovation that needs to be done before the inspection date, you can request an extension from the DOB. Be sure to file this request before the deadline.

Ultimately, the responsibility for compliance with Local Law 152 falls on building owners. They must arrange for the required inspections of their exposed gas piping and submit a certificate of inspection to the Department of Buildings.

Buildings that fail to comply with the requirements of Local Law 152 can be subject to penalties, including fines of up to $10,000. Moreover, noncompliance can pose a serious safety risk to the health and wellbeing of building occupants. Aging gas piping can corrode over time, resulting in dangerous gas leaks or fires. Additionally, gas leaks can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

A building owner can avoid these consequences by working with a Licensed Master Plumber (LMP) to conduct the required gas piping inspections. An LMP has the necessary training and experience to ensure that all aspects of a gas piping system are inspected for compliance with Local Law 152. Additionally, an LMP can work with a building owner to correct any violations identified during an inspection and complete the required paperwork for submission to the DOB.

Additionally, building owners can help ensure that they will pass their LL152 inspections by scheduling regular maintenance visits with their plumbing and boiler specialists. These visits can catch small issues before they become larger, potentially hazardous problems. Small issues such as radiator water hammer, low shower pressure, and faulty valves can all be fixed before they lead to an inspection violation.

Finally, a building owner can avoid LL152 penalties by keeping detailed records of each inspection and any repairs made. This includes keeping copies of each certificate of inspection on file.

In addition to these measures, a building owner can also request an extension from the DOB for their LL152 gas piping inspections. This extension can be granted up to 180 days after the inspection due date, and it can only be requested once per inspection cycle.

After a series of tragic gas leaks and explosions that killed several people, injured others, and destroyed buildings throughout the city, the Council enacted a set of rules to protect building residents. One of those rules mandates that all buildings must have their gas piping system inspected periodically. These inspections must be conducted by a licensed master plumber or someone under their direct and continuing supervision. Building owners who fail to adhere to these regulations face severe fines.

A qualified local master plumber can help make the process of complying with this law as simple and stress-free as possible. They can assist with identifying problematic piping issues, filing the required paperwork, and bringing the gas system up to code. In addition, they can provide valuable insight on how to avoid future issues and keep the system up to date with the latest changes.

When a Local Law 152 inspection identifies a hazardous condition, the gas utility is forced to shut off gas service until the issue can be fixed by a licensed professional. This is known as a Class A violation and is the most serious type of violation that can be issued. When a class A violation is identified, it is important to work with a skilled master plumber to have the gas service restored and the violation removed as quickly as possible.

The costs associated with completing an LL 152 inspection and bringing the gas system up to code will vary depending on the specifics of each situation. A reputable and qualified master plumber can help determine what the total cost will be, including any necessary repairs, filings, or closeout costs.

While is not affiliated with the Department of Buildings, we can still help you stay in compliance with this regulation by performing your LL 152 inspection and filing the required paperwork on your behalf. Our goal is to take the burden of keeping your building compliant off of your shoulders, so you can focus on what matters most.

We can also file your LL 152 extension request for you if you are unable to meet the deadline for your next inspection. This gives you an additional 180-day period to have your building’s piping inspected by a certified LMP.