Int. No. 986-A

By Council Member Gentile, the Speaker (Council Member Quinn), Baez, Vallone, Avella, Fidler, Gonzalez, James, Koppell, Liu, Nelson, Sanders, Weprin, Gerson, Lappin, Eugene, Gennaro, Jackson and Sears (in conjunction with the Mayor).

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York and the New York city building code, in relation to hydrostatic pressure testing of standpipes and sprinklers.

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

                     Section 1.  Section 1704.21 of the New York city building code, as added by local law number 33 for the year 2007, is amended and a new section 1704.21.1 is added to read as follows:

1704.21 Sprinkler system special inspection. New and altered sprinkler [system] systems shall be inspected in accordance with [Section] Sections 903 and 1704.21.1. The permit holder responsible for the sprinkler work shall perform all required acceptance tests, complete and sign the appropriate contractor’s material and test certifications. The special inspector shall witness all required tests, and shall verify that all installations of all materials, fittings, hangers, assemblies and signage are in accordance with the approved construction documents, that  painting of the sprinkler system required by Section 903.6 of this code has been performed and that the contractor has transmitted required maintenance literature and instruction to the owner. The special inspector shall verify that the material and test certification forms have been transmitted to the Fire Department and the department.

Exception: [Special inspection of] The special inspector need not witness the hydrostatic pressure test [shall not be required] when such test is witnessed by the department.

1704.21.1 Hydrostatic pressure testing.  All new or altered sprinkler systems in buildings shall undergo successful hydrostatic pressure testing by a licensed master plumber or licensed fire suppression piping contractor in accordance with the requirements of this code, including Section 901.5, and NFPA 13. 

§2.  Section  1704.22 of the New York city building code, as added by local law number 33 for the year 2007, is amended and a new section 1704.22.1 is added to read as follows:

1704.22 Standpipe system special inspection. New and altered standpipe systems shall be inspected in accordance with [Section] Sections 905 and 1704.22.1. The permit holder responsible for the standpipe work shall perform all required acceptance tests, complete and sign the appropriate contractor’s material and test certifications. The special inspector shall witness all required tests, verify that installation of all materials, fittings, hangers, assemblies and signage are in accordance with the approved construction documents, that painting of the standpipe system required by Section 905.11 of this code has been performed and that the contractor has transmitted required maintenance literature and instruction to the owner. The special inspector shall verify that the material and test certification forms have been transmitted to the Fire Department and the department.

Exception:  [Special inspection of] The special inspector need not witness the hydrostatic pressure test [shall not be required] when such test is witnessed by the department.

1704.22.1 Hydrostatic pressure testing.  All new or altered standpipe systems in buildings shall undergo successful hydrostatic pressure testing by a licensed master plumber or licensed fire suppression piping contractor in accordance with the requirements of this code, including Section 901.5, Sections 1704.22.1.1 through 1704.22.1.5 and NFPA 14.  

Exception: When the standpipe system is exposed to freezing conditions, a hydrostatic pressure test required by this section may be postponed until such conditions no longer exist, notwithstanding any requirement that the standpipe be maintained in a state of readiness, provided that the system undergoes an interim test with dry nitrogen or air using a compressor in accordance with NFPA 14.  Any such air pressure tests shall be witnessed by the special inspector unless witnessed by the department.

1704.22.1.1  New buildings under construction. For standpipes required to comply with Section 3303.8 of this code, an initial hydrostatic pressure test of the entire system shall be performed when the building reaches a height of 75 feet (22 860 mm) and additional successful hydrostatic pressure tests of the entire system shall be performed at 175 feet (53 340 mm), and at every 100  feet (30 480 mm) in height thereafter.  The permit holder shall perform a final acceptance test of the completed system in accordance with the requirements of Section 901.5 of this code. 

1704.22.1.2 Enlargements or additions to existing system.  Where there is an enlargement that triggers a new standpipe system or there is an addition to an existing standpipe system, hydrostatic pressure tests of the entire system shall be performed for every 75 feet (22 860 mm) of additional height added to the system.  The permit holder shall perform a final acceptance test of the completed system in accordance with the requirements of Section 901.5 of this code. 

1704.22.1.3 Removal of stories, including full demolitions.  Where stories are removed from a building served by an existing standpipe system, hydrostatic pressure tests of the entire system shall be performed prior to the commencement of work.

1704.22.1.4 Alterations.  For alterations not covered under Sections 1704.22.1.2 or 1704.22.1.3 above, the permit holder shall perform a final acceptance test of the completed system in accordance with the requirements of Section 901.5 of this code. 

1704.22.1.5 Readiness. No standpipe system shall be considered in readiness until there has been a successful hydrostatic pressure test.

§3  Within 120 days of enactment, the department of buildings shall promulgate rules pursuant to section 28-103.19 of the administrative code amending NPFA 14 and establishing the minimum standards for hydrostatic pressure tests of standpipe systems under sections 1704.22.1.1 and 1704.22.1.2 of this code at not less than 20.7 bar (300 psi) of pressure for one hour.

§4.  This local law shall take effect 120 days after enactment except that the commissioner of buildings may promulgate rules or take other administrative actions for the implementation of this local law prior to such effective date. 

9/09/09 8:30 p.m.