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Pipecaster

Since 1962, the most reliable source of information on NYC’s plumbing industry.

Pipecaster Issue 4: Vol. 46

The Plumbing Foundation Guest at Local No. 1 Apprenticeship Graduation

Apprenticeship graduation ceremony group photo

JATC, Local No. 1, and the Association of Contracting Plumbers (ACP) at Local No. 1 JATC Apprenticeship graduation ceremony

On November 9, 2023 a ceremony was held in New York City to acknowledge apprentices who graduated from the apprenticeship program jointly administered by the Association of Contracting Plumbers of the City of New York (ACP) and U.A. Plumbers & Gas- fitters Local Union No. 1. This five-year apprenticeship program is approved and overseen by the New York State Department of Labor (DOL).

There were 71 graduates overall, each receiving a completion certificate as a “Qualified Plumber” from the DOL. All carry Certificates of Fitness from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). All hold a “Limited” fuel-gas work Qualification from the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). All have a DOB Site Safety Training (SST) 40-hour card as well as a DOB Scaffold User Card. All have OSHA 30. All have made application to the DOB to be newly listed as a “Registered Journeyman Plumber” and receive their Journeyman’s card. All are prepared and have applied to take the city exam to obtain their “Full” fuel-gas work Qualification. All graduates are certified in Medical Gas installations.

In the Spring class there was a tie for the winner of the George Meany Academic Achievement award, with the winners being Adam Root and Alyssa Pascion-Dakaitis. The Meany award winner in the Fall class was Shira Levine. Nine graduates were recognized for perfect attendance over the five years of apprenticeship. Shown in the photo are Contractor and Union members of the Joint Apprenticeship Committee, along with Training Center staff and graduates.

Congratulations to all the graduates!

NYC Council Introduces Important Plumbing Safety Legislation

The Plumbing Foundation and industry representatives were successful in negotiating the introduction of Int. 1247-2023 in the NYC Council. We commend Council Member Pierina Sanchez, the Housing & Buildings Committee, and the City Council staff for their hard work on this legislation.

Int. 1247 includes important safety enhancements and clarifications to Local Law 152 of 2016 (periodic building gas inspections) such as making clear the scope of inspection and the distinction between abnormal operating conditions that are considered immediately hazardous versus those that are not immediately hazardous. The law will help owners certify in an easier manner if their building has gas piping but is not currently supplied with gas.

The bill also reinstates the Master Plumber and Master Fire Suppression Contractor License Board which advises the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) on applications for licensure as well as bad actors in the industry including unlicensed and cover-up plumbers. The Board is an essential peer-review process to ensure proper transparency, oversight, and enforcement.

Finally, the bill makes important clarifications to several other code provisions such as emergency work and ordinary plumbing work, and expands the DOB’s seizure and forfeiture authority on all unlicensed construction.

The Plumbing Foundation believes this is a landmark piece of legislation and will ensure safety of NYC residents.

NYC DOB Proposes Rules To Implement LL157 Natural Gas Alarms

The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) proposed rules implementing Local Law 157 of 2016 (LL157). LL157 was passed in a package of gas safety laws following horrific gas explosions in New York City. LL157 amended the NYC Housing Maintenance Code and the NYC Building Code to require the installation of natural gas detecting devices in residential buildings and required the DOB to promulgate a rule regarding the installation and location of natural gas alarms after an industry standard had been established. The National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”) issued standard 715, effective April 9, 2022. The DOB’s proposed rules adopt provisions of NFPA 715 but make changes to refer to the NYC Administrative and the Electrical Codes and to add a cut-off date for existing buildings.

A major part of the Plumbing Foundation’s mission is to protect the public health and safety, and natural gas alarms enhance safety. As we submitted to the NFPA Standards Council in 2021, we strongly supported the passage of 715 which, if adopted into the NYC Rules, would exponentially enhance the safety of NYC residents. The Plumbing Foundation commended the NFPA Standards Council for developing Standard 715, which is comprehensive and detailed to ensure any Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) has the necessary guidance to implement. We especially supported language requiring AHJ licensure for personnel qualifications, as well as the requirements for inspections, maintenance, and detailed record keeping of fuel gas detecting devices. When safety-related laws and rules mandate stringent inspections, maintenance, and recordkeeping, that allows for the enforcement agencies to effectively do their jobs.

The Plumbing Foundation submitted comments to the NYC DOB supporting the rule as well as the Northeast Gas Associations’ comments. The Foundation did make recommendations for the DOB to tie in verification of natural gas alarms with Local Law 152 of 2016 periodic building gas inspections, and to revise the installer qualification exceptions for battery operated or plug-in alarms to also allow installation by licensed contractors and subcontractors like licensed master plumbers and fire suppression contractors. Comments were submitted on November 20, 2023. The DOB is reviewing all comments and will either issue a final rule or a modified rule and second hearing. We will keep the industry apprised of our efforts.

NYS Congestion Pricing Update

In case you missed it, 2023 has been a turbulent year for the State’s Proposed Congestion Pricing Plan, which was initially passed in the NYS Executive Budget in 2019. After much delay in completing a federally required environmental impact analysis, in August 2022 the long-awaited analysis on the proposed congestion pricing plan for NYC was released. The lengthy analysis included seven scenarios evaluated by the MTA which propose prices from $9 to $23 per vehicle entering the Central Business District (CBD) zone. As a reminder, the 2019 law defines the zone as Manhattan at and below 60th Street with exemptions for the FDR Drive and West Side Highway. The only exceptions proposed in the analysis include certain vehicles carrying people with disabilities and authorized emergency vehicles. In addition, people whose primary residence is inside the district and whose income is less than $60,000 would be eligible for a state tax credit equal to the amount of their tolls. But 24/7 service vehicles (e.g., plumbers answering emergency calls) are not a proposed exemption. The Plumbing Foundation submitted written comments in September 2022, stating a request for a service vehicle exemption or discount. The MTA issued responses to those comments and a second period of time for public comment again. In response to our comments and concerns, it was noted that any pricing scheme and any exemptions/discounts would be proposed in rule.

Most recently, news articles stated that a toll structure program from the Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB) is being presented for recommendation. That proposal recommends a $15 fee for entering the CBD as a passenger vehicle and $24-$36 as a truck or non-transit/non-commuter bus, once per day when entering the zone. It would apply M-F 5am-9pm and weekends 9am-9pm. Rates still would apply at night at 75% less than the daytime fee. A credit for certain tunnel tolls would be applied to the CBD toll rate, and for-hire vehicles (FHVs) would have their fees included in the fare trip ($1.25 for taxis and $2.50 for other FHVs). The only exemptions are emergency vehicles and vehicles transporting people with disabilities, and low-income vehicle owners will have a 50% discount for the first 10 trips a month. These, again, are recommendations and are not final. At the same time the proposal was in the press, John Samuelsen, President of Transport Workers Union of America, announced his resignation from the TMRB, stating “congestion pricing will likely fail to reduce congestion to a level which meets the expectations of many who robustly support its goals” because the MTA failed to make improvements to its public transit service.

Also important to note is the ongoing lawsuit filed by the State of New Jersey, against the federal government and MTA challenging the environmental assessment approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Finally, Governor Kathy Hochul praised the work of the MTA and TMRB at a congestion pricing rally on December 5, 2023. Mayor Adams, however, still seeks full exemptions for taxi drivers, people traveling to medical appointments, and school buses.

A formal rulemaking process must follow before any pricing schemes are adopted. We will keep the industry apprised of updates on congestion pricing.

Update on Plumbing Foundation’s Unlicensed Tips To NYC DOB

Over the course of 2023, the Plumbing Foundation received several tips as well as devised our own investigations into potential illegal plumbing work. When such tips are received, our staff investigates the matter to see if there is any other corroborating information, and then sends the matter to the Multiple Dwelling Inspection Unit and/or Buildings Special Investigations Unit (BSIU) at the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). While various matters are still pending, the following people/companies were reported by the Plumbing Foundation and were issued violations for unlicensed and/or cover-up plumbing work within NYC, or received some other disciplinary action this year:

COMPANY NAME SUMMONSES ISSUED (2023)
City Pro NYC AVPS# for electrical 0213713060 and plumbing 0213713070 (most recently issued, not in OATH system yet)
Mark Hertz AVPS# for plumbing 0204446175 and electrical 0204446157 (most recently issued, not in OATH system yet)
Golden Pipes Mechanical VPS# 0213711008 (ILLEGALLY ENGAGING IN BUSINESS OCCUPATION W O REQ D LICENSE OR AUTH. $5000 but now $25,000 due to default) issued July 26, 2023
Dependable Mechanical Corp. AVPS# 0213710200, 0213 710173, 0213710164 (ILLEGALLY ENGAGING IN BUSINESS OCCUPATION W O REQ D LICENSE OR AUTH. $5000 but now $25,000 due to default) issued March 1, 2023
Total Change Inc. AVPS# 0213713089 (most recently issued, not in OATH system yet)
Grace Millennium AVPS # 0213 710 980 (ILLEGALLY ENGAGING IN BUSINESS OCCUPATION W O REQ D LICENSE OR AUTH. $5000), issued June 29, 2023
IAG Energy AVPS# 0213710155 (ILLEGALLY ENGAGING IN BUSINESS OCCUPATION W O REQ D LICENSE OR AUTH. $5,000) Issued July 12, 2023

There are many others that have been reported with pending investigations. Please reach out to us for any updates on those complaints. We continue to follow up with DOB. Thank you to those submitting tips!

Plumbing Foundation Responds to Con Ed’s PSC Petition on Relocation of Meters

On October 20, 2023, Con Edison filed a petition with the NYS Public Service Commission (PSC), serving the Plumbing Foundation as an affected party. The petition seeks a declaratory ruling pursuant to 16 NYCRR § 8.1 confirming that: (1) a meter relocation under the Relocation Program is complete when, and remains ongoing, until Con Edison has restored service after installing the outdoor meter and reconnecting the service line; and (2) during a meter relocation under the Relocation Program, the Commission retains exclusive jurisdiction over all work necessary and proper for Con Edison to complete the relocation, including all pipework needed to reconnect the service line and restore service after removal of the indoor meter. In response, the Plumbing Foundation emphasized the history of the 2015 PSC rulemaking memorandum changing the definition of service line which led to the creation of the Gas Operator Qualification (GOQ) program and all the time and resources that went into that program. The Foundation’s response asks for a solution that serves a logistical and cost-savings purpose but also ensures the resources that went into the GOQ program are not wasted. Licensed Master Plumbers and their technicians who are operator qualified in Covered Tasks 86 and 87 are best suited to conduct work on both sides of the meter, are already on site for various reasons including maintenance and/or LL152 gas inspections, and are trusted contractors by so many customers. If logistics and costs are an ongoing issue for Con Edison, we believe a mutually beneficial solution could be reached regarding Con Edison’s own procedures for relocating meters in terms of their outreach timeline and involvement of a Licensed Master Plumber in the process. That response was filed by the PSC’s deadline of December 1, 2023 (click here and go to “Public Comments” or visit the NYS PSC website and search case # 23-G-0654.)

THE PIPECASTER is published by the Plumbing Foundation City of New York, Inc.

535 Eighth Ave., Fl. 17, New York, NY 10018 | Phone (212) 481-9740 | Fax (212) 481-7185 | (E) info@plumbingfoundation.nyc

Lawrence J. Levine, Chairman; Louis J. Buttermark, Vice Chairman; Barr Rickman, Treasurer; April McIver, Executive Director; Terence O’Brien, Editor. Board of Directors: Anthony D. Altimari, Paul Belli, Marc Breslaw, Louis J. Buttermark, Harris Clark, Alex Greenberg, Nicholas Katragis, Angelo Lemodetis, Lawrence J. Levine, Scott Lyons, Barr Rickman, Richard Turchiano

We wish you a Happy Holiday and a Safe and Healthy New Year!

NYC DEP Update on PARIS for Backflow Preventor Test Reports

On November 28, 2023, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued the following notice regarding updates to its “PARIS” system:

Dear DEP Partners,
We are excited to announce that we are launching a digital platform to submit your initial and annual backflow preventor test reports.
Beginning on 11/29/2023 initial and annual backflow preventor tests must be submitted using our new online form. We hope that this new process will streamline your submittals and improve your filing experience.
This link will take you directly to the online form: Link: Backflow Test Form Online Submission
[or visit www.nyc.gov/site/dep/about/cross-connection-controls.page to access the online form].

Please note that DEP is currently working on Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the rollout of the new form submission.

THE PLUMBING FOUNDATION’S ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

Since its establishment in 1986, the Plumbing Foundation has worked diligently to ensure the plumbing industry has as little a “carbon footprint” on New York City as possible. The plumbing industry has historically utilized environmentally friendly materials such as recycled cast-iron and copper piping/fittings. The Foundation will continue in its role of protecting New York City as well as being an advocate for the environment by strengthening its water/sanitary regulations and thereby reducing wasteful water consumption in the City.

WaterSense® Labeled Showerheads

WaterSense Labeled Showerheads: Showering is one of the leading ways we use water in the home, accounting for 20 percent of residential indoor water use. For the average family, that adds up to nearly 40 gallons per day. That's nearly 1.3 trillion gallons of water used in the United States annually just for showering, or enough to supply the water needs of New York and New Jersey for more than 18 months! By retrofitting your showerheads with WaterSense labeled models, you can save a considerable amount of this water.

WaterSense Labeled Showerheads


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