Fire and Fire Suppression Issues & Resolutions

When Patricia Lancaster was appointed the Building Commissioner we asked that she create a permanent forum, staffed by a high level DOB executive, to resolve plumbing and fire suppression issues. Maurice Cosentino, the new Executive Chief Plumbing Inspector, has been meeting with the industry in such a forum. Below please find some of the issues we have raised and their resolution (we may not always be pleased with the disposition, but we are getting answers to our questions and we can plan accordingly).

• Issue 1: Some boroughs were requiring a contractor to stand in line to take out permits (i.e. no drop offs) and limited the number to 3. When taking out 70 plumbing permits for a tract housing development, these restrictions caused long and unnecessary delays.
  Resolution: All boroughs will allow permits to be dropped off for processing.
  
  
• Issue 2: Can another licensee from the same firm witness the gas test on a self certification?
  Resolution: Yes, as long as the licensee has identification showing he is with that firm.
  
  
• Issue 3: Will a minor error on a self certification inspection (e.g. no seal on an authorization letter from licensee of the firm) prohibit any and all further self certifications on the job?
  Resolution: Yes, any error found upon a self certification inspection (including minor paperwork errors) will not only lead to the failure of the particular inspection but will also bar the contractor from using self certification for any future portion of that job. (While a minor discrepancy may be corrected on a DOB inspection, the rules for self certification are stricter.)
  
  
• Issue 4: Are perforated plans required for an inspection?
  Resolution: No. Plans are required for an inspection but they can be copies showing the perforations. (Failure to have plans at a self certification will lead to the entire job be barred from the self certification process-see above)
  
  
• Issue 5: Are floor urinals allowed?
  Resolution: Yes.
  
  
• Issue 6: How does a contractor make emergency repairs to a gas system without risking a violation for work without a permit?
  Resolution: Pursuant to Administrative Code Section 27-156, a contractor who performs emergency gas repairs, should send in a letter to the Borough Commissioner and then file an ARA as soon as possible.
  
  
• Issue 7: In order for the developer to get a certificate of occupancy in 1, 2 and 3 family homes, plumbing contractors are being asked to supply letters to the Department of Buildings that they will install certain appliances (e.g. gas dryers, fireplaces and barbeques) after the homeowner moves in even though the contractor has no relationship to the homeowner nor has the contractor agreed with anyone to install such appliances. DOB has informed us that if they inspect and find that the contractor has not kept his promise to install the appliances, they will seek action against the contractor.
  Resolution: In lieu of the letter from a plumber, DOB will now accept a letter (signed and sealed) from the developer’s architect/engineer that the developer will arrange to have a licensed plumber install the outstanding devices.
  
  
• Issue 8: Delays in processing/inspection build up to unacceptable levels because there is no tracking.
  Resolution: DOB has agreed, on a regular basis, to disclose the following information. 1) Time from submission of OP39 to time it is reviewed (by borough), 2) Time from submission of ARA to time it is reviewed and 3) Time between when a DOB inspection is requested and the date the inspection is scheduled (by borough).
  
  
• Issue 9: On FP85s, if the job is only for a portion of the building, does the contractor have to supply all the information (i.e. meters, roof tanks, alarms, pumps, etc.) which he does not have access to?
  Resolution: No. For small jobs, only 4 areas of the form must be completed (premises, supply, dry valve and Siamese)

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