File #: Int 1281-2025    Version: * Name: Deadlines for installing natural gas detectors and to repeal section 8 of local law 157 for the year 2016 relating thereto.
Type: Introduction Status: Laid Over in Committee
Committee: Committee on Housing and Buildings
On agenda: 5/28/2025
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to deadlines for installing natural gas detectors and to repeal section 8 of local law 157 for the year 2016 relating thereto
Sponsors: Eric Dinowitz, Erik D. Bottcher, Robert F. Holden, Farah N. Louis, Chris Banks, Nantasha M. Williams, Amanda Farías, Kevin C. Riley, Linda Lee, Sandra Ung, David M. Carr, Inna Vernikov, Joann Ariola , Frank Morano, Vickie Paladino
Council Member Sponsors: 15
Summary: Local law 157 of 2016 required the installation of natural gas alarms in dwelling units on May 1 of the year after the department establishes applicable standards and rules for those alarms. This bill would postpone that mandate and would instead provide that natural gas alarms will be required one year after the department of buildings determines that natural gas alarms are sufficiently available and affordable, but no earlier than January 1, 2027.
Indexes: Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1281, 2. Int. No. 1281, 3. May 28, 2025 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Fiscal Impact Statement - City Council, 5. Fiscal Impact Statement - OMB, 6. Committee Report 6/3/25

Int. No. 1281

 

By Council Members Dinowitz, Bottcher, Holden, Louis, Banks, Williams, Farías, Riley, Lee, Ung, Carr, Vernikov, Ariola, Morano and Paladino

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to deadlines for installing natural gas detectors and to repeal section 8 of local law 157 for the year 2016 relating thereto

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Subparagraph c of paragraph 1 of subdivision b of section 27-2045(b)(1)(c), as added by local law number 157 for the year 2016, is amended to read as follows:

[Provide] One year after the commissioner of buildings makes a determination that such devices are sufficiently available and affordable pursuant to section 28-315.2.4.1 of the administrative code, and no earlier than January 1, 2027, provide and install one or more approved and operational natural gas detecting devices in accordance with [section 908.10] section 908.13 of the New York city building code or section [28-315.2.3] 28-315.2.4 of the code, as applicable, or, in the alternative for class B multiple dwellings, provide and install a line-operated zoned natural gas detecting system with central annunciation and central office tie-in for all public corridors and public spaces, pursuant to rules promulgated by the commissioner of buildings or by the commissioner in consultation with the department of buildings and the fire department;

§ 2. Section 28-315.2.4 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 157 for the year 2016, is amended to read as follows:

§ 28-315.2.4 Natural gas alarms. Natural gas alarms shall be provided and installed in accordance with section [908.10] 908.13 of the New York city building code [on or before May 1 of the first year that commences after the department, by rule, establishes or adopts a standard governing the installation and location of natural gas alarms.] 1 year after the commissioner makes a determination that such devices are sufficiently available and affordable pursuant to section 28-315.2.4.1, and no earlier than January 1, 2027.

Exception: In existing buildings, natural gas alarms shall not be required to comply with the power source and interconnection requirements for smoke alarms in accordance with Sections 907.2.11.2 [through 907.2.11.3] and 907.2.11.5.

§ 28-315.2.4.1 Report on market availability. No later than January 1, 2026, and every year thereafter, the commissioner shall submit to the mayor and speaker of the council, and post on the department’s website, a report on and determination of the market availability and affordability of natural gas detectors that meet standards established or adopted by the department. In determining whether the devices are sufficiently available and affordable, the commissioner shall consider whether a sufficient number of natural gas detectors are readily available for purchase in relation to the expected needs of all dwelling units for which they are required, and whether purchasing natural gas detectors would present a reasonable likelihood of creating an undue financial burden on owners of those units in view of compliance costs and the expenses incurred by owners of dwelling units.

§ 3. Section 8 of local law 157 for the year 2016 is REPEALED.

§ 4. Section BC 908 of the New York city building code is amended by adding new section 908.13 to be read as follows:

908.13 Natural gas alarms. Natural gas alarms shall be provided and installed in accordance with Sections 908.13.1 and 908.13.2.

908.13.1 Location. Natural gas alarms listed in accordance with a standard established or adopted by department rule shall be provided and installed in accordance with department rules.

908.13.2 Additional installation requirements. Natural gas alarms shall comply with the power source, interconnection and acceptance testing requirements for smoke alarms in accordance with Sections 907.2.11.2 through 907.2.11.3 and Section 907.7.1.

§ 5. This local law takes effect immediately, except that section four of this local law takes effect 1 year after the commissioner of buildings makes a determination that natural gas alarms are sufficiently available and affordable pursuant to section 28-315.2.4.1 of the administrative code, or January 1, 2027, whichever is later.

FO

LS #19005/19205/19490

05/20/2025 2:20 PM