REMARKS
Concerns about tenant safety and Intro 429's emergency work expansion
0:45:13
·
5 min
Council Member Sanchez expresses concerns about the lack of protocols for in-home radiator issues and tenant safety. The discussion then shifts to Intro 429 and the proposed expansion of the emergency work definition for gas piping systems.
- Sanchez highlights the gap in procedures for inside-home radiator issues
- The conversation transitions to discussing Intro 429 and its implications
- DOB expresses concerns about the expansion of emergency work allowances, particularly for commercial establishments
- Potential misuse of the expanded definition is discussed, including the possibility of work being done without proper permits
- DOB argues that the current emergency system is sufficient and that expansion may not be necessary
Pierina Ana Sanchez
0:45:13
I had a broken air valve in my home, and I tried to change it, and I did not do it right.
0:45:17
So it's scary.
0:45:20
It's scary.
0:45:20
I and then I left it off because I it was still leaking, and I still don't have heat.
0:45:25
But, you know, for for tenants who are are living in a home, I think there's there's just concern.
0:45:31
I I have concern for for New Yorkers who are in their homes and they don't know whether their supers are qualified and do know.
0:45:38
Right?
0:45:39
There there are some basic things, but I think there's a there's a gap here certainly with how, you know, how deep our processes are with code revisions that for inside the home where radiator is and where an issue can happen and has happened in the case of these to horrible tragedies.
0:45:58
We don't have procedures.
0:45:59
We don't have protocols.
0:46:00
We only have protocols outside of the home.
0:46:03
So I think that's worth talking more about in addition to your recommendation about about education for New Yorkers.
0:46:13
Okay.
0:46:13
So turning turning to 529 now, 429.
0:46:17
Did you know there was another bill?
0:46:19
No.
0:46:19
I'm kidding.
0:46:21
Turning to 429.
0:46:25
So 4 29, as as we've been discussing, is in relation to periodic inspection of gas piping systems, and the the administration department of buildings laid out a number of concerns.
0:46:37
And I look forward to industry professionals who are here responding to some of those later in their own testimony.
0:46:44
But I'm just going to start with a couple of clarifying questions, deputy commissioner, from your testimony.
0:46:51
So Starting with emergency work, AC section 28 dash 105.4.1.
0:46:59
You mentioned that expanding let me say this correctly.
0:47:16
Yep.
0:47:17
That such an expansion coupled with other proposed edits would significantly expand the allowance beyond what was originally intended, and this could pose potential safety concerns.
0:47:27
Can you explain why there would be safety concerns with this expansion?
Constadino 'Gus' Sirakis
0:47:36
So restoring the system to good working condition.
0:47:40
I think in and of itself is the it doesn't describe an emergency.
0:47:46
It describes something that's just not working, but not necessarily the scenario of why a permit can't be obtained the proper steps to go through the inspection process, and sign off process can't be followed prior to beginning the work.
0:48:02
Combine that maybe with the expansion of remove of the phrase serve for equipment servicing education or residential occupancies.
0:48:12
You now have a scenario where any commercial establishment that has equipment that's not in good working order.
0:48:19
Could begin performing work on their system that would otherwise require a permit without having any filings on on record with the Department of Buildings.
0:48:30
And then we have to play catch up afterwards from that same way.
0:48:33
And there's no reason why the filings can't can't occur.
0:48:37
We have multiple also to address maybe part of the the some of the steam issues that some of the work might be ordinary repairs that can be performed directly by a licensed trade person without the need of a permit.
0:48:49
But then as you start getting into more serious work, a permit is needed, but some of it can be performed by the licensed trade person with what's called the limited alteration application.
0:48:59
The tradesperson can apply for that occasion digitally 90, some odd percent of those go straight to permit.
0:49:05
There's no plan review in advance.
0:49:07
It's literally the trades telling us what work that they are doing and putting us on notice that we would need to come out for an inspection, and that work is going on.
Pierina Ana Sanchez
0:49:15
Is is it DOB's interpretation of this change that in in in this expansion where commercial facilities could, you know, theoretically start work without a a permit that they would never file the permit.
Constadino 'Gus' Sirakis
0:49:29
That's a potential misuse there that it could be done.
0:49:32
And if it's done in the middle of the night with no one to check that, you know, dispute sometimes arise between owners and trades folks that, you know, you didn't pay enough to go follow through with the permit.
0:49:45
I'm not sure where someone would end up there.
0:49:47
But the I also, on the reverse end, our emergency system, I don't we haven't seen necessarily an issue where people have not been able to undertake emergency work notifying the department in advance and saying we're we're in need of of doing this work immediately.
0:50:06
We have the 5 borough offices.
0:50:08
We have central inspection divisions that are available to assist and give guidance as to what can be done with without a permit in those emergency situations.
0:50:18
So I'm not sure that we need an expansion here as of yet.
Pierina Ana Sanchez
0:50:22
Thank you.
