Q&A
Current requirements and qualifications for radiator repair work
0:42:33
·
159 sec
Council Member Sanchez inquires about the current requirements for radiator repair work and the qualifications needed for various types of repairs. DOB and HPD representatives provide information on the current state of regulations and practices.
- There are no specific procedures outlined for minor radiator repairs like replacing air valves
- Several professionals are mentioned as capable of working on radiators, including high pressure boiler operating engineers, master plumbers, and oil burning equipment installers
- Many property owners have staff capable of handling minor repairs
- For major system issues, a licensed qualified person would be preferred
- The lack of specific protocols for in-home radiator repairs is noted
Pierina Ana Sanchez
0:42:33
But a valve change valves are $10, $15, right, and they can be unscrewed and put in the new one.
Tarek Khalil
0:42:40
Right.
0:42:41
So you have you have you have different types.
0:42:43
Right?
0:42:43
You have thermostatic valves, etcetera, different types of valves, and they would require obviously shutting down the system to make sure the system cools down.
0:42:53
Alright?
0:42:54
And then you disconnect, you know, whatever you need to disconnect in terms of radiators.
0:43:00
Right?
0:43:01
And then, of course, you need to make sure there's no air in the system when you turn the system back on, etcetera.
0:43:05
So you need somebody who's qualified, who knows what they're doing, who to come to steam radiators,
Pierina Ana Sanchez
0:43:14
So so the repair work today for for issues within a radiator, If an air valve is broken or the radiator is loose or cracked or leaking or the shutoff valve is broken, does the city have requirements today for how those repairs are made?
Tarek Khalil
0:43:40
So a hair valve, a radiator in general, that's part of a distribution system side of it.
0:43:46
Right?
0:43:47
So in terms of addressing those kind of repairs.
0:43:53
The there's no specific procedure, right, to to placing it.
0:43:58
It's not it's not outlined, but you have a like most of the professionals who do work on this kind of stuff.
0:44:04
Like, if you talk to, for example, high pressure boiler operating engineer.
0:44:08
They know what needs to be done to take this radiator, replace it, and also start the system up again correctly.
0:44:17
Same thing for a master plumber.
0:44:19
Same thing for a oil burning equipment installer as well.
0:44:23
Those were 3 trades that certainly know what they're doing when it comes to steam radiators.
AnnMarie Santiago
0:44:29
And I think many, again, not to speak on behalf of owners, but I think that many property owners have staff who can handle a lot of this work, who are on staff, who are familiar with these types of systems, and doing the minor repairs that you're mentioning are capable of doing so.
0:44:52
I think, you know, in terms of real system issues, that's a that's a different question.
0:44:57
Certainly, and I think we would we would want a licensed qualified person doing that.
0:45:02
But I think the more minor repairs, the more general repairs that you're referencing, you know, a good building superintendent, we'll probably know how to address those issues.
