[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
The Examining Board of Plumbers.
The Commissioner of Codes Enforcement.
The holder of a valid master plumber's or master residential
plumber's license.
The practice, material and fixtures used in the installation,
maintenance, extension and appurtenances in connection with any of
the following: Sanitary or storm drainage systems; the attendant vent
systems and the potable water supply systems, within or adjacent to
any building or structure, to their connections with public or private
systems or other approved terminals; the connection of a steam or
hot water heating systems and the potable water supply; and sprinkler
protection systems; the installation of appliances specified in chapter
6 of the Fuel Code of New York State or any piece of equipment that
uses fuel gas.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
The purpose of this article is to provide basic and uniform
plumbing rules and regulations in terms of performance and to provide
specific requirements in order to establish reasonable safeguards
for sanitation in and adjacent to buildings to protect the public
health against the hazards of inadequate or insanitary plumbing installations.
In addition, the purpose of this article is to insure that installation
of equipment that uses fuel gas is installed in such a manner to preclude
the possibility of release of explosive fuels, vapors or fumes.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
The requirements of this article are applicable to the following:
(1)
Plumbing installations installed in new buildings and structures.
(2)
Additions, alterations, repairs or replacements to existing plumbing
installations in buildings or structures.
(3)
Existing plumbing installations in buildings or structures where
changes in occupancy occur.
(4)
Installation of any new or replacement piping system used by appliances
and equipment that use fuel gas as these terms are defined in the
Fuel Gas Code of New York State.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
(a)
The Commissioner shall keep permanent official records of all transactions
and activities conducted including all applications received, plans
and specifications approved, permits and certificates issued, fees
charged and collected, inspection and special reports, rules and regulations
established and adopted and notices and orders issued. All of the
Commissioner's records shall be public records open to inspection
during normal business hours.
(b)
The Commissioner shall submit to the Common Council an annual written
report and summary of all business conducted.
(c)
Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, ordinance, rule
or regulation or except as otherwise provided in this article, the
Commissioner shall administer and enforce all of the provisions of
the code.
(d)
The Board shall formulate and establish rules and regulations to
accomplish the purpose of this article.
(e)
The Commissioner or any duly authorized person shall have the right
during reasonable working hours to enter any building, structure or
premises during reasonable working hours in the discharge of official
duties or for the purpose of making any inspection or test of plumbing
installations.
(f)
The Commissioner shall investigate all complaints concerning insanitary
or defective plumbing installations and take action to bring the condition
into conformity with this article.
(g)
Whenever appropriate to determine compliance with the provisions
of this article, the Commissioner may accept and rely upon written
reports of tests in the field by experienced, professional persons
or by testing laboratories or by service and inspection bureaus or
agencies provided the reports are certified by a responsible official.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
The Commissioner shall issue in writing all appropriate notices
or orders to eliminate illegal or unsafe conditions, to require the
necessary safeguards during construction and to ensure compliance
during the entire course of construction with the requirements of
this article.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
The Health Commissioner, upon notification by the Commissioner,
may require to be vacated any building, structure or part of a building
or structure found to be unfit for human habitation because of defective
plumbing or a defective drainage system.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
(a)
Whenever the Commissioner has reasonable grounds to believe that
the plumbing work on any building or structure is being performed
in violation of the provisions of this article or is not in conformity
with the provisions of the permit application, plans or specifications
or is being performed in an unsafe and dangerous manner, the Commissioner
shall notify the owner of the property or the owner's agent to suspend
all work. Any person so notified shall stop-work until the stop order
has been rescinded.
(b)
The notice and order shall be in writing, shall state the conditions
under which the work may be resumed and shall be served upon the person
to whom it is directed, either by delivering it personally to the
person or by sending a copy of the notice and order to the person
by registered mail at the address set forth in the application. A
stop-work notice may also be posted upon a conspicuous portion of
the building where the work is being performed.
(c)
The person receiving the notice shall commence within 72 hours after
receiving the notice to make the changes, repairs or alterations set
forth in the notice and shall diligently proceed with the work. After
the Commissioner serves a written notice, no building shall be occupied
or used for any purpose until the person has complied with the instructions
of the Commissioner.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008; amended 11-3-2010 by Ord. No.
214]
A license is required to engage in the plumbing business. The
fees for examination and licensing of plumbers shall be as follows:
(1)
Applicants for a plumbing license shall pay an examination fee of
$25.
(2)
The annual fee for a plumber's license shall be $100 for the first
year, payable in full and in advance, and the annual renewal shall
be $100, payable in full on the expiration of the license.
(3)
Any holder of a plumber's license may place the license on inactive
status by notifying the Commissioner, in writing, of this intent by
refraining from actively engaging in any phase of the plumbing business
or work whatsoever. The annual renewal fee for any license which has
been placed on an inactive status shall be $50, payable in full on
the expiration of the license.
(4)
Any
plumbing license issued under the provisions of this article, either
active or inactive, shall expire 30 days after the annual renewal
fee becomes due and payable unless the fee is paid before the expiration
of the thirty-day period.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
(a)
Types, amounts. All holders of active licenses required under the
provisions of this division shall carry compensation insurance, unemployment
insurance and disability insurance when required by state law, and
all such holders of licenses shall furnish liability insurance, exclusive
of motor vehicles, of not less than $150,000 for one person and $300,000
for more than one person and $100,000 property damage, proof of which
shall be registered with the City Codes Department at the time of
renewal of the license.
(b)
Suspension, reinstatement of license. Any holder of a license required under the provisions of this division who is found to be operating without the insurance requirements specified in Subsection (a) shall have the license revoked until the requirements of this division are met, but in no case for less than 15 days for the first offense, 60 days for the second offense and six calendar months for the third offense. During the period of suspension, the license shall be null and void. After the termination of any period of suspension, the license shall be again valid and effective, provided that renewal fees which have become due on the license were paid when due.
