Local Law 157: Natural gas alarms in residential properties.
What is it?
Local Law 157 of 2016 covers the required natural gas detectors in NYC residential buildings. The DOB has finally approved rules outlining installation and location specifics following the release of NFPA Standard 715 in 2022.
Local Law 157 of 2016 (Int. No. 1100-A and Int. No. 940-A).
LL 157 requires that, commencing May 1, 2015, all residences in NYC the mandatory installation of carbon monoxide / smoke detectors and natural gas detectors.
See below links for the full text of these important laws.
Executive Summary: After two fatal gas explosions in 2014 and 2015, the New York City Council passed Local Law 157, requiring all residences in NYC to have natural gas detection once there was a national standard. That national standard was published in 2022, and the DOB has since released its Final Rule, which went into effect on February 15, 2024. Requiring compliance on or before May 1, 2025, the law specifies that compliant gas detectors should be placed within one foot of the ceiling and at least 3 feet and no more than ten feet horizontally from all gas appliances. These gas detectors can be monitored, part of a system, or unmonitored. Buildings with monitored systems have the advantage of direct notification to building staff as soon as a gas leak is detected, allowing building staff to respond quickly to the site of the leak and potentially avoid whole building gas shut-downs.
Natural Gas Detection FAQs
What is Local Law 157?
Local Law 157 - also known as Local Law 157 of 2016, LL157 and the gas detector law - is a citywide ordinance that requires the mandatory installation of carbon monoxide / smoke detectors and natural gas detectors in New York City residences once an industry standard had been established. It amended the NYC Housing Maintenance Code, which repealed sections 27-2045, 27-2046, 27-2046.1 and 27-2046.2 of the administrative code of the City of New York relating to smoke and carbon monoxide detecting devices. This standard was published in April 2022 as NFPA 715 by the National Fire Protection Association.
What properties need to comply with Local Law 157?
As defined by the Housing Maintenance Code, the properties that must comply with Local Law 157 include private and Class A and B multiple dwellings.
Private dwellings are permanent dwellings.
One or more natural gas alarms must be installed in each dwelling unit.
Class A multiple dwellings are one- and two-family houses.
One or more natural gas alarms must be installed in each dwelling unit.
Class B multiple dwellings are transient housing such as hotels, lodging houses, dormitories, etc.
One or more natural gas alarms must be installed in each dwelling unit.
A line-operated zoned natural gas detecting system, designed in accordance with NFPA 715-2023 by a registered design professional, must be installed in all public corridors and public spaces.
What type of gas detectors comply with Local Law 157?
The gas detectors that comply with Local Law 157 are natural gas detectors that meet the requirements of NFPA 715-2023, installed within one foot of the ceiling, and no less than three feet or no more than ten feet from each gas appliance.
The detectors must be labeled UL1484 or UL2075.
The devices can be hardwired, plugged into a constant power source, or battery-powered by a listed monitored low-power radio wireless system.
In existing buildings, any of the above is allowed.
Devices must also be periodically replaced upon expiration of its useful life, or if stolen, removed, missing, or rendered inoperable.
Generally, residential requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are outlined here by HPD
What are the natural gas detector installation requirements that comply with Local Law 157?
Hard-wired detectors require installation by a licensed electrician.
Detectors powered by a battery or a plug in power source require installation by building owners, maintenance personnel, or tenants.
In the case of kitchens and laundry rooms that don’t have an outlet within a foot of the ceiling and to avoid unsafe and unsightly draped cords, the standard for compliance will likely be battery-powered devices to avoid the disruption and expense of installing a new electrical outlet near the ceiling.
Monitored sensors that are part of a low-power radio wireless system such as LoRaWAN, like those provided by ProSentry, deliver near-instant notifications and relay the exact location of the gas leak (this includes the address, apartment number, and the precise locale or appliance within the unit), and allow the building staff to respond quickly and efficiently.
The results of complying with installation standards are lives saved and potentially avoiding the costly and damaging process of having the building’s gas shut off.
The final rule was published on February 15, 2024, with detectors to be installed by May 1, 2025.
What are the signs of a natural gas leak?
According to Constellation Energy, the signs of a natural gas leak include:
A rotten egg smell. Utilities add an odor to odorless natural gas to help detect and locate the leak.
Hissing sounds
Air bubbles
Dying plants
Health symptoms associated with exposure to lower gas levels are headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and irregular breathing. In addition, health concerns caused by high levels of gas exposure are fatigue, severe headaches, memory problems, loss of concentration, nausea, loss of consciousness, and suffocation.
Higher than normal gas usage.