A Local Law 152 inspection doesn't have a simple pass or fail grade. What happens next depends on what the licensed master plumber finds. A gas leak or other hazardous condition is reported right away and the gas can be shut off until it is repaired. Other defects, such as corrosion or non-code installations, must be corrected and certified to DOB within 120 days, or up to 180 days when the certification shows more time is needed.
There is no simple pass or fail
The inspector reports the conditions found in the building's exposed gas piping. What happens next depends on how serious they are.
If the inspector finds a gas leak or hazardous condition
- It is reported right away. Hazardous conditions, such as a gas leak, are reported immediately to the gas utility, DOB and the owner.
- Gas can be shut off. The utility (National Grid in Brooklyn and Staten Island, Con Edison in Manhattan, the Bronx and parts of Queens) can lock off the affected piping, sometimes the whole building.
- The repair is filed with DOB. A licensed master plumber repairs the piping and files the work.
- Inspection and turn-on. After DOB inspection and gas authorization, the utility turns the gas back on. See gas restoration.
In apartment buildings, a leak on a riser often means gas riser replacement, done floor by floor to get tenants' stoves back on as quickly as possible.
If the inspector finds other defects
Conditions that are not immediately hazardous include:
- Atmospheric corrosion on exposed piping
- Illegal or non-code connections
- Improper supports, unlabeled or inaccessible valves
- Deteriorated piping that isn't leaking yet
These must be corrected and certified to DOB within 120 days of the inspection, or up to 180 days when the certification shows more time is needed. The building still files its inspection certification on time; the correction certification follows once the work is done.
The timeline at a glance
| Step | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Inspection report to the owner | Within 30 days of the inspection |
| Certification filed with DOB | Within 60 days of the inspection, and by Dec 31 of the due year |
| Hazardous conditions | Reported and made safe immediately |
| Other defects corrected and certified | 120 days, up to 180 days when more time is needed |
Fines
Not filing the inspection certification on time can bring a DOB civil penalty of up to $5,000 per building ($1,500 for a three-family home). The building still has to complete the inspection and file.
How Nationwide Plumbers helps
We inspect, file the certification, give you a written estimate for every correction, do the repairs under NYC Master Plumber License #2023, file the corrections with DOB, and manage gas restoration with the utility if gas was shut off. Read our guide for co-op and condo boards to plan your next cycle.
What Happens If a Building Fails a Local Law 152 Inspection: FAQ
Will the gas be shut off if defects are found?
Only for hazardous conditions such as a gas leak. Those are reported immediately and the utility can shut off gas to the affected piping until it is repaired, inspected and approved. Non-hazardous defects are corrected on the 120-day timeline without a shutoff.
Can we still file the certification if defects were found?
Yes. The certification is filed with DOB within 60 days of the inspection and lists the conditions found. The corrections are then certified separately once the work is done.
What if we can't finish the repairs in 120 days?
When more time is needed, the certification can indicate it, and the deadline for corrections extends up to 180 days. Large jobs such as riser replacements should be planned as early as possible.
Who can do the corrections?
Gas piping work in NYC must be done by a licensed master plumber, and most of it is filed with DOB. It doesn't have to be the same plumber who did the inspection.
