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Skilled Trades Project Requirements:
Plumbing Work & Inspections
During the course of completing plumbing installation and modification work of equipment, Licensed Master Plumbers (LMP) should check the following applicable notes to ensure regulatory and Code compliance with NYC Plumbing Code:
Roughing + Finishing, per PC section 107
- Fernco couplings or Jim caps: Not permitted
- Bottle, Bell + S Traps: Not permitted
- Grease Traps (Interceptors): Both sides must be vented if on the floor, below the fixtures
- Two + Three Compartment Food Preparation Sink Drains: Must have individual air gaps
- Lavatory Sinks, No Overflow: 2” trap + grid strainer
- Laundry Standpipes: Must be 18” – 42” (not 48”) per PC 406
- Roughing Inspection: Tub/shower body and pressure-balancing valve piping must be completed
- Roughing Inspection: Stall shower venting and traps required (shower pans are not)
- Make-up Water, DDC, RPZ Connections: Must have air gap
- Pressure Relief Valves: Piped down; unthreaded end not directly connected to house drainage or vent lines
- Tub Connections: Separate inspection required if not inspected during the roughing inspection
- PVC Waste + Vent Lines: Allowed in residential buildings five stories or less
NYC Fuel Gas Code: Gas Pipe Test Requirements, per FGC section 406
- Meter Bars and/or Flanges: Must be installed
- Future tees not permitted; appliance valves installed
- System should have 5 PSI gauge with 3 PSI test for low pressure distribution systems
- Test must include outlet side of meter to appliance, including any section isolations
- New Gas Piping Risers: Drip leg prohibited, unless required by manufacturer; Branches taken off of a Riser shall have a minimum of two (2) elbow swing take-offs
- Foundation, Footing or Bearing Wall Penetrations: Steel sleeve required (fire stopping for other penetrations)
- Painted Gas Piping: 90 PSI test required
- Approved Commercial Gas Flex: Commercial cooking equipment on wheels with restraints
- Residential Stoves, Ovens + Dryers: Only these may use a gas flex; other equipment must be hard-piped.
NYC Fuel Gas Code: Gas Authorization, per FGC section 406
- Flue, Make-up Air, Venting + Safety Control Wiring: Must be complete for dryers, hot water heaters, boilers, HVAC units
- Fire Protection Inspections: Must be successfully completed when associated with a gas authorization request
- Gas Test: Must not be more than one year old
- Boiler Inspection Report or Boiler Work Type: Sign-off required
- Non-residential Cooking Equipment: FDNY fire suppression letter required
- Residential Stoves + Dryers (Not Installed Prior to Gas Authorization): LMP affidavit required
- Welder affidavit (gas pipe welding only ) from approved agency
- Color code: All gas piping in new or existing buildings shall be identified by a yellow label marked ‘Gas’ in black letters, at intervals not exceeding 5 feet. All labels must be in place at the time of the gas test. PC 401.5 (ASME A13.1)
NYC Energy Code: Commissioning replacement equipment >600kBTU/h
Commissioning preliminary report: Must be submitted to DOB prior to sign-off Commissioning final report: must be submitted to the Department 90 days after sign-off, as required by ECC section C408.
Special Inspections
Plumbing work may require, per Building Code Ch. 17, certain Special and Progress Inspections, and other construction requirements to be performed during, and at the end of construction, as per the table below. The Registered Design Professional is responsible for indicating which Special Inspections are required at application intake. The owner must engage the responsible Special Inspection Agencies, as required by Fuel Gas Code (FGC) Section 406, for such Special and Progress Inspections.
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High Pressure Gas Piping |
Per FGC Section 403.1.1, all welded gas distribution piping is subject to a special inspection. |
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Fire-resistance penetrations and joints |
Per BC 1704.27, special inspections - all penetrations of walls must be sealed to maintain fire-rating; similarly piping joints and insulation may need to be fire-rated. |
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Seismic Isolation of Piping |
Per BC 1707.8 – Compliance of piping with PC 106.5 to ensure earthquake protection of building and occupants. |
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Private on-site Sanitary / Storm Water Systems (Septic / Drywell) |
When private on-site sanitary OR storm water disposal systems and detention (drywell and septic) are installed or repaired the following Special Inspections may be required per BC 1704.21and BC 1704.22: (a) Design and construction standards for all types of systems.
(b) Soil and groundwater testing.
(c) Sand column construction.
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Post-Installed Anchors |
Per BC 1704.32
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NYC Energy Code: Progress Inspections, as required by BC 110.3.5 and NYCECC |
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Required Plumbing Inspections
Department inspections are required at various stages of completion of the plumbing work, as well as at the final completion. Based on the project’s scope of work, the following plumbing inspections may be required:
- Underground Piping. Water/Sanitary, Gas, Storm, Medical/Gas
- Roughing Piping in floors, ceilings and walls. Water/Sanitary, Gas, Storm, Medical/Gas, Sprinkler/Standpipe
- Piping Test. Hydrostatic, Water/Sanitary, Pressure (water), Storm Water, Gas, Medical Gas
- Finishes. Fixtures, Appliances and Equipment for Water/Sanitary, Gas, Sprinkler/Standpipe Finish, (PL) Storm, Medical/Gas
- Final Inspection. Sign-off
LMP Self-Certification of Plumbing Inspections
For plumbing work, LMPs have the option to either require a Department Inspection or submit a self-certification of the completed work. LMPs must submit a notice of intent to self-certify, with the dates of these self-certified inspections to the Department, (online inspection requests) and follow-up with the submission of results for self-certified inspections (online inspection results).
The Plumbing Enforcement division conducts a random audit of all self-certified notices to ensure compliance of inspected work with code and regulations.
*Note: Plumbing installation and modifications that involves side walk heaters, micro turbines and jeweler torches in its scope of work cannot be self-certified by the Contractors.
Inspection Requests
An online tool for scheduling appointments for required DOB inspections must be used. DOB NOW provides robust online accounts, making it easier to submit applications, make payments, schedule appointments, check the status of an application or inspection, pull permits, and make renewals.