[HISTORY: Adopted by the Suffolk County Legislature as indicated
in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable. Uncodified
sections of local laws amending these provisions are included at the
end of this chapter.]
[Adopted 11-10-1987 by L.L. No. 42-1987 (Ch. 230, Art. I,
of the 1985 Code)]
The Suffolk County Legislature hereby finds as follows:
A.
That pursuant to the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building
Code (referred to hereafter as "Uniform Code") Act, enacted as Article
18 of the Executive Law by Chapter 707 of the Laws of 1981, the County
of Suffolk is required to administer and enforce the Uniform Code
in regard to County-owned buildings that are constructed or altered
after January 1, 1984.
C.
That the role of the Fire Marshal's Office in the administration
and enforcement of the Uniform Code was partially defined in Local
Law No. 13-1987.
D.
That the Department of Public Works and the Fire Marshal's Office
shall be responsible for the administration and enforcement of the
Uniform Code which affects their area of expertise.
A.
Building permits shall be required for any work on buildings in the
custody of the County of Suffolk which must conform to the Uniform
Code and shall be issued after review by the Department of Public
Works and the Fire Marshal's Office. The application for a building
permit shall require sufficient information to permit a determination
that the intended work accords with the requirements of the Uniform
Code.
[Amended 3-22-2016 by L.L. No. 4-2016]
B.
Exceptions to the requirement for building permits may be allowed
for:
(1)
Necessary repairs which do not materially affect structural features.
(2)
Alterations to existing buildings, provided that the alterations:
(a)
Cost less than $10,000;
(b)
Do not materially affect structural features;
(c)
Do not affect firesafety features, such as smoke detectors,
sprinklers, required fire separations and exits;
(d)
Do not involve the installation or extension of electrical systems;
and
(e)
Do not include the installation of solid-fuel-burning heating
appliances and associated chimneys and flues.
(3)
Small noncommercial structures not intended for use by one or more
persons as quarters for living, sleeping, eating or cooking; for example,
a small storage building.
(4)
Nonresidential farm buildings, including barns, sheds, poultry houses
and other buildings used directly and solely for agricultural purposes.
C.
Where no permits are necessary from the Department of Public Works,
a permit may be necessary from the County Fire Marshal's Office
for any alteration, installation or repairs to any buildings which
will affect the safety of the occupants.
Certificates of occupancy or certificates of compliance shall be required for all work for which a building permit is required to be issued under § 344-2 above and for all buildings which are converted from one general occupancy classification to another, as such classifications are defined in Part 701 of Title 9 of the New York Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations. Such certificates shall be issued by the Department of Public Works. Prior to the issuance of the final certificate of occupancy and certificate of compliance, approval shall be obtained from the County Fire Marshal's Office, along with a New York State Board of Underwriter's certificate attesting to the fact that all work is in accord with the code.
Provisions shall be made for:
A.
Construction inspections where a building permit has been issued,
at such times during the course of construction as will permit the
observation of the foundation, structural elements, electrical systems,
plumbing systems, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems,
fire-protection and -detection systems and exit features.
B.
Inspections where a certificate of occupancy or a certificate of
compliance is required, prior to its issuance.
C.
Inspections in response to bona fide complaints regarding conditions
or activities allegedly failing to comply with the Uniform Code.
Additional rules and regulations necessary to implement this
article may be promulgated by the departments responsible for administration
and enforcement of the Uniform Code in their respective areas of expertise.
Such rules and regulations shall become effective 60 days after they
are filed with the County Executive and the Clerk of the County Legislature.
[Adopted 8-2-2011 by L.L. No. 37-2011]
A.
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that backflow prevention
devices prevent contamination from entering potable water distribution
systems and thereby protect the public water supply system. This Legislature
also finds and determines that such devices must be tested annually
to ensure they are in proper working order. This Legislature further
finds and determines that the water supply must be shut off while
a backflow prevention system is tested. The water supply must be restored
to the system after successful testing of the device has been completed.
This Legislature finds that the improper shut-off or restoration of
water to a system can have serious negative consequences, including
dangerously low water pressure. This Legislature determines that the
New York State Department of Health requires individuals to take a
course on backflow testing before they may be certified to perform
this work. This Legislature also finds that this course, while a minimum
of four days in length, only provides a basic overview of state and
local plumbing and building codes applicable to backflow prevention
devices, with no requirement for more extensive instruction on plumbing.
This Legislature determines that licensed Master Plumbers have the
requisite knowledge and skills to ensure that a system's access
to water is turned off and restored safely. This Legislature further
finds that certified backflow prevention testers should be licensed
Master Plumbers or employed by licensed Master Plumbers that are also
certified backflow prevention testers, who can address any problems
which may arise during or after testing. This Legislature also determines
that a certified backflow prevention tester employed by a public water
supplier in Suffolk County is exempt from the requirements of this
article, provided they are conducting backflow prevention device tests
as authorized by the public water supplier by whom they are employed.
B.
Therefore, the purpose of this article is to require that a certified
backflow prevention tester conduct tests only while he/she is a licensed
Master Plumber who has been certified as a backflow prevention tester
or is employed by a licensed Master Plumber who has been certified
as a backflow prevention tester.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any mechanical device installed on water supply piping used
to prevent backflow or back-siphonage from a property or dwelling
into a public water distribution system, private water main or internal
water piping system. This definition shall include, but not be limited
to, reduced pressure zone assemblies and double check valve assemblies.
Any person who has completed coursework and holds a certificate
in backflow testing from a program approved by the State of New York.
The Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any certified backflow prevention tester
to test backflow prevention devices within the County of Suffolk without
first obtaining an identification card from the Department, subject
to and in accordance with this article. A certified backflow prevention
tester shall obtain an identification card for each licensed Master
Plumber by whom he is employed.
B.
Any person seeking to register as a certified backflow prevention
tester must provide documentation certifying that he/she is currently
certified to test backflow prevention devices pursuant to state law.
C.
No identification card shall be issued unless a valid license has
been issued to the Master Plumber by whom such certified backflow
tester is employed.
D.
A transfer or assignment of a Master Plumber's license pursuant to the provisions of § 563-6F shall be deemed to transfer or assign without charge the identification cards of certified backflow prevention testers employed by the original licensee.
E.
The fee for each identification card or renewal thereof shall be
$50 per annum.
All backflow prevention devices in Suffolk County must be tested
at least once annually. Testing shall be performed by a certified
backflow prevention tester who is certified pursuant to the New York
State Department of Health regulations, 10 NYCRR 5-1.31, and either
is a licensed Master Plumber or is employed by a licensed Master Plumber.
Certified backflow prevention testers employed by a public water supplier
in Suffolk County are exempt from the licensed Master Plumber requirements
when conducting backflow prevention device tests within the scope
of their employment.
Violation of this or any portion of this article shall be punishable
by a civil penalty of $250 for the first violation. Any subsequent
violations shall be punishable by a civil penalty of $500.
This article shall be enforced by the Department of Consumer
Affairs.
The Commissioner of the Department of Consumer Affairs is hereby
authorized and empowered to establish all rules and regulations necessary
for the implementation of this article.
This article shall apply to all actions occurring on or after
the effective date of this article.
This article shall take effect 180 days after filing in the
Office of the Secretary of State.
