Q&A
Concerns and explanations regarding plastic piping provision in ADU legislation
0:44:43
·
3 min
Council Member Pierina Sanchez raises concerns about the plastic piping provision in the ADU legislation, specifically related to health and safety. Kim Darga and Constadino Sirakis provide explanations for the allowance of plastic water pipes in ADUs.
- The provision allowing plastic water pipes is based on the International Code Council standards
- The goal is to create a clear, cost-effective code without sacrificing safety
- The New York state codes, which are based on the international code council family of codes, are referenced for approved materials
- Materials go through rigorous testing and certification processes, including third-party testing and surveillance
- The allowance aligns with national standards and potentially accommodates the use of the New York State modular program for detached ADUs
Pierina Sanchez
0:44:43
Got it.
0:44:44
Thank you.
0:44:45
I've I've received some some feedback already from folks who are concerned about the plastic piping provision in the ADU legislation, specifically, u 103.5.5.
0:44:58
I've I've heard concerns around health and safety.
0:45:02
Is that, on do the department's radar, and, do you have a response at this time for why plastic piping could pose health and safety concerns within ADUs?
Kim Darga
0:45:13
So I'll maybe cover the very basic, and then I'm gonna turn it over to my colleague from the department of buildings.
0:45:18
So, as I mentioned before, our goal is both to create a clear code that is cost effective as possible given the overwhelming cost of creating these units without sacrificing safety.
0:45:34
We did look at we we are the code the code does include allowance for plastic water pipes, and this is based on the international code council.
0:45:49
And so I will talk I will, defer to my, colleague from the department of buildings to talk more about, how we believe that that is a safe option.
Constadino (Gus) Sirakis
0:46:05
Yes.
0:46:06
As, Kim mentioned, the requirement here, we're actually referring back to the, New York state codes themselves for whatever materials are approved for use in the rest of the state.
0:46:20
And the state code similar to the city code is based on the international code council family of codes.
0:46:26
Those codes are put through a pretty rigorous process.
0:46:28
They it is the national model code for, construction in the country.
0:46:32
In some instances, it's adopted internationally as well.
0:46:36
It relies on many, nationally recognized standards, including for the material standards.
0:46:43
All the materials that are approved for use in these standards are then listed for their usage, which means a third party testing entity, takes the products that are, there, does testing, does on-site, I believe, surveillance visits to the manufacturing plants on some kind of a recurring basis to make sure that they're still in compliance with whatever listings that are issued, and then gives them the the according national listing.
0:47:11
The the goal here was to try and align with national standards, given that these are ADUs.
0:47:17
There was also mention that there could potentially be for some of the detached ADUs, potentially, the use of the New York State modular program, which is already in effect here.
0:47:28
We have New York State, built modular programs, for 1 and 2 family homes.
0:47:34
I believe they're, they might be height limited, but the idea is that they are, subject to the New York state code except for all of the work that is performed here locally on, at the job site.
0:47:44
So foundations, site connections, but what's inside the box complies with the state code already.
0:47:52
The idea was that we would not wanna preclude or otherwise inhibit, whatever the options are, especially when it comes to affordability, perspective, what is safe to be utilized.
