Does Your Property Need a Gas Piping Inspection?
According to Local Law 152, building owners (besides one or two-family homes) have to submit a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification, or a GPS2 for short. Buildings that do not file a GPS2 by the deadline will end up getting a civil penalty fine of $5,000.
As deadlines approach, you want to complete these inspections as soon as possible to ensure they are done right the first time around. That’s why you should call on an NYC-licensed master plumber from Boris Mechanical. We’re ready to give your gas line a complete inspection, so you can file yours on time.
Contact us to schedule your gas piping system inspection today. This will help you avoid the fine and keep your building compliant.
What is the Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification?
Based on Local Law 152, the GPS2 is a required certification for industrial, commercial, and residential buildings across NYC. This law was passed in 2016 to address citywide issues with the poor installation and maintenance of natural gas piping.
The certification must be signed and sealed by a licensed master plumber. This plumber must perform or supervise the inspection of your gas line. It is mandatory for all buildings in NYC (one- and two-family homes) to have this inspection done before their districts’ deadline arrives.
Note: That includes buildings that don’t have gas piping, as they must state that they don’t contain a gas piping system.
Once an inspection is complete, it leads to a certification, which must be submitted through the Department of Buildings’ (DOB) online portal. Again, it must be signed and sealed by a/an:
- Licensed master plumber
- Registered design professional
- NY State licensed professional engineer
- Registered architect
Why the GPS2 & Local Law 152 Matter
Aside from avoiding costly violations or the potential shutdown of your business by the NYC Department of Buildings, there are a few serious reasons why following LL152 and submitting a GPS2 are important.
One of the biggest reasons is that gas lines run all over the city. Many lines are some of the oldest in the country, which means there’s a strong chance of gas leaks and even explosions under the wrong conditions or if left unremediated.
Additionally, getting your gas line inspected ensures the safety of your building and its inhabitants. Good, responsible ownership of a building in NYC means taking care of it, your staff, or your tenants. It’ll also make sure you keep your business running, whether you’re a landlord or a commercial business owner.
Before you hit the deadline, make sure you get your gas line inspected and your GPS2 submitted. If you want your inspection done quickly and efficiently, call Boris Mechanical.
Buildings That Must Comply With Local Law 152
All buildings must get a gas piping inspection every four years, with just a few exceptions.. Local Law 152 applies mainly to commercial, mixed-use, and residential buildings, including those without gas piping. Some examples of these common New York structures include:
- Apartment buildings
- Office buildings
- Industrial spaces and factories
- Detaches garages
All buildings, including those above and many others, must comply with Local Law 152. However, there are a few exceptions for specific types of homes and other structures.
Exceptions That Do Not Require a GPS2
- Single & Two-Family Homes: These are buildings categorized in the R-3 occupancy group, which are usually one to two-family homes, as well as group homes and convents/monasteries with fewer than 20 occupants. Local Law 152 solely applies to multi-occupant buildings and mixed-use properties, not individual homes.
- Structures With No Gas Service: Some older buildings have exposed gas piping systems, but don’t have gas running through them. For situations like this, you’ll need a signed statement from your utility company showing the last date it supplied gas to your building and the final date when service ended.
- Recently Constructed Buildings: Initial inspections that certify a new building for occupancy are enough to ensure that you don’t need to do one for Local Law 152. But, 10 years after those inspections, the new buildings will have to begin gas line inspections every four years, like all other structures in NYC.
How a Gas Line Inspection Goes
Once you determine that your building meets the inspection requirements, it is extremely important that you complete one before the deadline. That way, you can ensure that your building is safe and also avoid that hefty fine. Here are the steps to take and what to expect when you get a gas line inspection:
- Hire a Licensed Master Plumber: Book an appointment for an inspection with an NYC licensed master plumber (LMP), like Boris Mechanical. You can work with other certified technicians and professionals, but in the short term, a plumber will be more accessible.
- Your LMP Arrives & Inspects: On the agreed-upon date and time of your appointment, your plumber will arrive and begin inspecting the exposed gas piping system around your building. They’ll check for leaks, corrosion, and potentially dangerous installation methods.
- Dealing with Issues: If your inspection reveals problems in your gas line system or other related unsafe conditions, you’ll have to perform immediate actions for repair and maintenance. Our plumbers will also have to notify your utility company and the Department of Buildings. We’ll do everything we can to help fix the issues so you stay in compliance with NYC Construction Codes and so you can get your GPS2 certification.
- Documentation: Once the inspection is finished, our LMP will give you (the building owner) a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Report within the next 30 days. This report details everything our plumber found during the inspection.
- Certification: Within 60 days after your inspection, you must submit a GPS2 signed and sealed by the LMP to the Department of Buildings.
That is largely how the process should proceed when fulfilling your requirements for Local Law 152. To ensure it goes smoothly and efficiently, work with a team of plumbers who know their stuff and won’t hesitate to help.
Call Boris Mechanical, and we’ll send one of our licensed master plumbers to your building as soon as possible.
For a Proper Gas Line Inspection, NYC Calls Boris Mechanical.
When it comes to gas line inspections and any other plumbing issues, Boris Mechanical stands out. Our plumbers arrive on time, never leaving you without the service your home or building needs. With decades of experience under our belt, we have the experience and the tools ready to handle any job. On top of that, we give our prices upfront, so you don’t have to deal with any unexpected costs.
Talk to a professional at Boris Mechanical about getting your next gas line inspection. NYC is our home, which is why we’re available to serve Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Don’t wait for deadlines. Contact our team today.