November 2016 Service Update from NYC DOB

The New York City Department of Buildings has issued the following Service Update entitled “Manhattan Gas Emergency Work Notification”
Please click here to download a pdf version.

Manhattan Gas Emergency Work Notification

Effective Tuesday, November 22, 2016, Gas Test and Gas Finish self- certifications will no longer be allowed for work done in Manhattan. A physical inspection by the Department of Buildings will now be required. This will also apply for all emergency work requiring Gas Finish inspections in Manhattan. All other emergency work will continue to be accepted as a self-certification in DOB NOW: Inspections.

How to Report and File a Gas Emergency Work Notification

A Licensed Master Plumber (LMP) must submit a gas Emergency Work Notification (EWN) to the LAA Unit by emailing DOBEWN@buildings.nyc.gov.

The appropriate utility should also be notified per the instructions below. The sender will receive an auto-reply email response from the Department and can commence emergency work. The auto-reply email must be posted at the site until the LAA Unit provides an Emergency Work Issuance Notice.

The EWN email must include:

• Subject Line
  • Address of the emergency
  • Licensee’s name and license number
  • A brief description of the emergency
• The body of email should note:
  • What system is affected
  • Description of the emergency condition

Utility Notification

• National Grid – EWN submission to the LAA Unit should include egr@sharepoint.ngrid.com in the ‘To’ section of the email
• Con Edison –The DOB EWN auto-reply must be uploaded to the Con Edison Project Center.

The LAA Unit will provide an Emergency Work Issuance Notice which includes the EWN number within 24 hours of the next normal business day. The Emergency Work Issuance Notice must then be posted at the site.

Subsequent Filing Requirements

An LAA application for a permit must be filed with the Department in accordance with Section §28-105.4.1 after receiving the Emergency Work Issuance Notice but before the expiration date of the notice.

Final Inspection Request in DOB NOW: Inspections

When the LMP is ready for a Gas Finish inspection, the Department requires the inspection request be submitted through DOB NOW: Inspections using the LAA application number related to the EWN.

The request for the Gas Finish inspection must include the following to avoid rejections or failed inspections:

• In the comments section, include ‘emergency work gas leak EWN#’
• Upload a scanned copy of the EWN approval from the LAA Unit and a sealed Statement of Emergency Work completed on the licensee’s letterhead with a statement that there was a gas test performed by the utility and that the utility has re-energized the gas.
• Email the appropriate borough Plumbing Unit.

Sign-Off Request in DOB NOW: Inspections

After the Department has performed the Gas Finish inspection, the Licensed Master Plumber must submit the sign-off request.

The request for sign-off must include the following to avoid rejections:

• Select the Emergency Work checkbox on the sign-off request form
• Enter the EWN number in the EWN# field.

Sign-Off Approval
The LAA will be signed off upon approval by the Plumbing Unit.

POST UNTIL: February 1, 2017

Bill de Blasio, Mayor
Rick D. Chandler, P.E. Commissioner
nyc.gov/buildings