On June 24, 2005 the Housing and Buildings Committee of the City Council
held a hearing on Intro. 478A. As part of the City’s effort to revamp the New York City
Building Code, the Bloomberg Administration has decided to follow the format of the
International Building Code and modify those sections that need changes for the
New York City area. Intro. 478A addresses the Administrative and Plumbing sections
of the Building Code. Other sections of the Building Code (structural, foundations,
concrete, egress, etc.) will be submitted to the City Council by the end of the year.
Buildings Commissioner Lancaster was the first to testify at the hearing and
described the massive undertaking that includes over 400 volunteer professionals
and DOB staff reviewing thousands of pages of Code. Given the large amount
of material and the often competing interests of the participants in the process,
she reported on an inclusive process to seek consensus whenever possible.
The Commissioner was followed by approximately 30 speakers almost all of whom
testified in support of the bill.
Below is a highlight of the Administrative and Plumbing Code provisions of the
proposed new Code:
Administrative:
- increase ARA limit to $25,000
- increase license term to 3 years
- maintain the current scope of work that must be performed by a licensed firm
- require license applicants to be first “registered” with DOB (7 years experience for a license remains the same)
- create a once a month filing for completed “ordinary plumbing” - one form, $50 fee, for all work performed
by the licensed firm in the previous month (“ordinary plumbing” will include replacement of gas heaters/boilers,
repair/replacement of branch piping/fixtures limited to 2 bathrooms, kitchen, etc.)
- 51% ownership requirement retained
Plumbing:
- Glazing of Shower Encloeure Windows and Doors: A new requirement insures that the glazing of windows
and doors in shower enclosures conforms to recognized standards.
- Whirlpool Bathtub Safety: A new requirement insures that November 2004 whirlpool bathtubs
conform to recognized national standards.
- Water Heater installation: This section updates the current NYC Code and adds additional safety measures.
- Plastic Pipes: The use of plastic pipe in residential drain, waste, and venting systems has been increased
from the current maximum height of three (3) storIes to (5) five stories.
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