Master Plumbers Council of the City of New York, Inc. * 104-09 Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills, NY 11375 * (718) 793-6300

A NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION OF THE MASTER PLUMBERS COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, INC.

VoiceThe

o f t h e L i c e n s e d M a s t e r P l u m b e r

Vol. 13, Issue 5September 2013

In this Edition:Affordable Health Care Act

Mercury AwarenessCon Ed Oil-to-Gas Conversion Process

DOB Boiler Division UpdateGet the Lead Out - Appliances

AffordAble HeAltH CAre ACt requIrementS oCt 1, 2013

On October 1st the new healthcare markets, created because of the Affordable Healthcare Act, will open. Earlier this summer, the employer

mandate which states that every business with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees must offer workers acceptable coverage or face a $2,000 penalty per-worker/per year, was delayed until 2015. Most small employers (less than 50 employees) are not required to provide insurance coverage.

However, all employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (generally more than one employee and a gross income of greater than $500,000) are required to:

• Notify employees about the marketplace;

• Inform them that they may be eligible for a tax credit if they purchase coverage through the marketplace; and

• Advise them that if they do purchase their own coverage, they may lose the employer contribution to any health benefits plan offered by the employer.

This notice must be provided to all current employees by October 1, 2013, and all future hires within 14 days of their employment start date, regardless of plan enrollment or of part-time or full-time status.

In 2014, the US Department of Labor (DOL) will consider a notice to be served if provided in writing in a manner calculated to be understood by the employee. It may be provided:

• By first-class mail; or

• Electronically, if the requirements of the DOL’s

electronic disclosure safe harbor at 29 CFR 2520.104b-1(c) are met (http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/tr11-03r.pdf)

• Two sample notices are available from the Department of Labor. One is for employers who offer health insurance and the other for employers who don’t. They can be viewed on our website at nycmpc.org/ahca. The penalty for non-compliance can be $100 per day/per employee. It is unclear how the government will levy these fines. NYCMPC will keep you updated.

For more information visit the DOL website at www.dol.gov.

future emPloYer SHAred reSPonSIbIlItY

Beginning January 1, 2015, applicable large employers are required to provide their employees with health-insurance coverage under certain circumstances. These requirements are outlined in the employer shared responsibility (ESR) provisions of the Affordable Healthcare Act (also known as “pay or play”). To see how your business is affected, you will need to answer these questions:

• Do you have 50 or more full-time employees (taking into account full-time equivalent [FTE] employees)?

• How many of your full-time employees are eligible for health-care coverage?

• Does the coverage you offer meet affordability and minimum-value standards?

Continued on Page 10

Master Plumbers Council of the City of New York, Inc. The Voice of the Licensed Master Plumber 2

Master Plumbers Council of theCity of New York, Inc.

104-09 Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills, NY 11375Phone: 718-793-6300 * Fax: 718-793-6190

www.nycmpc.org

The Voice of the Licensed Master Plumber,a membership publication of the NYCMPC.

All text for articles is due by the 1st day of themonth prior to publication.

We welcome your suggestions and contributions.

NYCMPC Board PresidentMichael Loise

Executive DirectorAngela Cappiello, CMP CAE

angelac@nycmpc.org

EditorGeorge BassolinoAngela Cappiello

GraphicsJanene Meyerowitz

JM Image Management, LLCinfo@jmimagemgmt.com

GENErAL DIsCLAIMEr stAtEMENt:the information provided in this newsletter is to be used only to

educate businesses and the general public on plumbing and related construction issues that may affect their daily business or personal

lives. All opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors only and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the NYCMPC, its officers, Board of Directors, the NYCMPC newsletter or its editors. the NYCMPC does not guarantee the accuracy or

the correctness of advertising, articles or references to information sources herein, nor does the NYCMPC intend to endorse, rate, or

otherwise officially comment on products available. therefore, the readers are cautioned to rely on information contained herein at their own risk. All information that is available to you through this newsletter is provided “as is” without warranty or condition of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. the information contained in the newsletter is believed

to be correct and accurate. However, the NYCMPC cannot and will not assume responsibility for the consequences of errors contained

in the articles or misapplication of any information provided. NYCMPC expressly disclaims any liability for any special, incidental, or consequential damages, including without limitation, lost revenues,

or lost profits, resulting from the use or misuse.

A Message from the Presidentof the Master Plumbers Council

Welcome back!

Please allow me to take this opportunity to welcome ecveryone back after the summer break. I hope the summer months were enjoyable and all are ready for the fall and winter seasons to come. These usually bring us work not available during the warmer months. Along with the additional workload comes additional obstacles. As always, the membership is there for all and any help or guidance needed is only a phone call away. We had our September membership meeting and some important information was provided by the NYC FIRE DEPT. Both Mr. Barracato and Mr. Cendegorta offered important updates on the new NFPA 25 Code requirements. All information discussed is available to all NYCMPC members on our website. I personally had the chance to speak to all members present regarding my recent email pertaining to the DMPAC contributions. Since this meeting, I am glad to see members have begun to to contribute. I personally wish to thank all who have already participated and to helped our efforts.

We are now gearing up for what appears to be a fantastic high efficiency EXPO. The NYCMPC, National Grid, Con Edison and ASHRAE will be holding their annual event this year at Russo’s on the Bay on October 8th. We hope all members take advantage of the pre-registration which allows up to 10 employees to have access to the show at no cost. It looks like this show will be a complete sellout, with suppliers, manufacturers, reps and other related services for our industry all exhibiting. As in the past there will be educational workshops. We look forward to seeing all there.

Due to the tradeshow, we will not have our normal membership meeting in October. I look forward to seeing a great turn out at our next meeting on November 6th. At our September meeting we started a fundraising project in the form of a 50/50 raffle. There was a great response to this and all proceeds go directly to our new scholarship fund. This will continue this all membership meetings. It was kind of exciting. As a rule any member who wins the 50/50 will not be allowed to donate the winnings back to the fund at the meeting.

On behalf of myself and fellow Board members, I thank the membership for the opportunity to help make a difference.

With Warm Regards,

Michael LoiseNYCMPC President

Master Plumbers Council of the City of New York, Inc. The Voice of the Licensed Master Plumber 3

Master Plumbers Council of the City of New York, Inc. The Voice of the Licensed Master Plumber 4

2:00 - 3:30HYbrId Hot WAter boIler SYStemS

Summary: This course will introduce to engineers, contractors and end users to the concept of the Hybrid Hot Water Boiler system approach to building heating. The Hybrid Approach uses a combination of conventional non-condensing and condensing hot water boilers to provide the end user with a high efficiency heating system that matches the building heating requirements whether it be new or existing. The Hybrid approach results in lower capital cost and allows hot water boilers in existing buildings to remain in service. The course will provide for a brief overview of non-condensing and condensing hot water boilers and associated operational differences. From here, the course will provide a demonstration on how to properly select the heating equipment based on the climate conditions for a particular location. Installation, piping, hot water pumping and controls will be discussed.

Credits: 1.0 Hour of Professional Development

Presenter(s): Ian Rowburrey

lookIng to mAke energY SAVIngS ImProVementS? nAtIonAl grId And Con edISon CAn HelP!

Summary: National Grid and Con Edison will be presenting information about their new 2013 and 2014 Energy Efficiency incentive programs available for New York City and Long Island residential, commercial and multifamily firm gas heating and oil to gas conversion customers. These new incentives are designed to help National Grid and Con Edison customers reduce the incremental costs of installing new high efficiency heating equipment, help customers save money and ensure a cleaner “greener” future all at the same time!

Presenter(s):

National Grid: Louis Rizzo

Con Edison: Pat Matos – Residential; Warren Gary – C&I; Rebecca Reich – Small Business and John Skipper – Multi Family

AgendA1:30 - 5:00 p.m.:

Attendee Registration Open

1:30 - 8:30 p.m.:

Exhibitor trade Show Open

2:00 - 3:15 p.m.:

Educational Workshop Track 1

4:30 - 6:00 p.m.:

Educational Workshop Track 2

5:00 - 6:30 p.m.:

Cocktails & Hors’ douvres in the Exhibitor Section

7:30 - 8:30 p.m.:

Buffet Dinner Reception and Networking Opportunities

2013 EDUCAtIOnAL & EnErGy EffICIEnCy trADE ExPO

Master Plumbers Council of the City of New York, Inc. The Voice of the Licensed Master Plumber 5

ExPO COntInUEDCombuStIon effICIenCY & energY SAVIngS

Summary: A review of combustion basics followed by a comparison of different combustion control strategies and their impact on combustion efficiency. Fuel to steam/water efficiency versus combustion efficiency. Discussion of other methods to improve combustion efficiency.

Credits: 1.0 Hour of Professional Development (pending)

Presenter(s): Ed Twiss

4:30 - 6:00nYC fuel gAS Code & PlumbIng uPdAteS

Summary: Plumbers you won’t want to miss this workshop! This well anticipated workshop sponsored by the Master Plumbers Council will provide an overview of how to work with the Department of Buildings and local utilities to file your jobs in a timely manner.

Some of the topics discussed will be:

•Fuel Gas piping updates

•New York City LAA filing procedure updates

•Con Edison Oil to Gas Conversions

•Con Edison Energy Services

Presenter(s): George Bassolino, Master Plumbers Council, DOB Sub-Operations Committee

CHImneY deSIgn & CombuStIon/VentIlAtIon AIr requIrementS for gAS utIlIzAtIon equIPment

Summary: This course is accredited through the Practicing Institute of Engineering for one PDH. The course will cover ANSI & AGA appliance classification methodology, practical examples, and the necessary flue materials. The course will also explore the various methodologies for sizing chimney and gas vents, pertinent local codes and national standards and the effect of draft on performance. NYC Fuel Gas Code and

Mechanical Code combustion, ventilation, and dilution air requirements will also be detailed.

Credits: 1.0 Hour of Professional Development

Presenter(s): Brian W. Ryglewicz

SmArt WAter uSe: deVeloPIng An ASHrAe WAter StAndArd

Summary: This workshop provides the following Learning Objectives:

• Describe the purpose of SPC 191 and the opportunities for water efficiency in building HVAC systems.

• Describe how interactions with non-HVAC systems are affected.

• Explain the water-energy nexus.

• Describe how Standard 191 applies to other standards like 189.1 and how it may be applied on future building design projects.

Credits: 1 AIA HSW learning unit (1 AIA HSW LU);

1 Practicing Institute of Engineering Professional Development hour (1 PIE PDH);

1 GBCI Continuing Education hour (1 GBCI CE HR)

Presenter(s): John M. Swift, Jr., PE, CEM, LEED

** Please note all workshops are subject to change without notice.

nYCmPC memberS

the Expo will be held in lieu of the October Membership Meeting. Be sure to register

online in advance.

Master Plumbers Council of the City of New York, Inc. The Voice of the Licensed Master Plumber 6

This message is for all plumbers working on natural gas piping within Con Edison’s service territory. Due to a number of mercury spills found recently within residential homes, Con Edison is taking this opportunity to explain the protocol that should be followed during your routine work to help prevent/mitigate future mercury

spills, which can affect customer safety and your safety and be very costly and difficult to clean up. The following requirements should be followed by all plumbers working within Con Edison’s natural gas service territory – i.e., Westchester, Queens, the Bronx & Manhattan:

• For pipe work on elevated pressure gas systems that require customer vent lines (shown in the diagram below) to be disconnected, such disconnection work must ONLY be performed by Con Edison gas mechanics or Contractor gas mechanics working for Con Edison. When needed, this vent line disconnection work will take place while Con Edison gas mechanics or Contractor gas mechanics working for Con Edison are on site to perform gas service shut down.

• Prior to performing work on customer gas piping, all plumbers should first perform a visual check of the immediate area (i.e., the area surrounding the Con Edison gas meter and regulator) to make certain there are no pre-existing mercury spill conditions.

• Should pre-existing mercury spill conditions be found, or a spill of mercury occur during your pipe work, the following steps must be taken to reduce mercury exposure and avoid spreading mercury from the spill area:

1. Immediately isolate the spill area. If you’ve come in contact with mercury (e.g. shoes or clothing) remove affected items to prevent further spread of mercury. Notify the property owner that a spill has occurred. All workers and other individuals should leave the spill area until cleanup is complete. DO NOT attempt to clean the spill. Only properly trained workers using appropriate equipment should clean up spilled mercury.

2. Immediately report the spill to a Con Edison Energy Services representative. If unable to reach Energy Services, report the spill to 1-800-75-CONED.

3. Because mercury easily vaporizes when spilled, controlling ventilation and air flow to/from the spill area is critical. For this reason, HVAC systems connecting the spill area to other indoor areas should be shut down immediately and isolated. If possible, open windows and doors to allow fresh air into the spill area. This will help reduce indoor mercury vapor concentrations.

4. Remain on site until a Con Edison representative arrives.

MErCUry AwArEnEssAn IMPOrtAnt MEssAGE frOM COn EDIsOn

Master Plumbers Council of the City of New York, Inc. The Voice of the Licensed Master Plumber 7

Master Plumbers Council of the City of New York, Inc. The Voice of the Licensed Master Plumber 8

The Gas Conversion Group handles the entire conversion process from initial request to meter turn-on. Since April 15, 2013, all new

oil-to-gas requests (cases) submitted by Manhattan, Bronx, and Queens customers, including all Area Growth participants, are being handled by their Case Management team. You can reach them at 1-800-643-1289. They have made some changes in procedures, correspondence and in how appointments are set.

The Master Plumbers Council Utility Committee recently met with the OTG Group to discuss some of the new policies and procedures. The meeting was very informative and Con Edison was receptive to our concerns. They would also like to remind plumbers who are submitting a request for oil to gas conversion that they must check off the box for “oil-to-gas conversions” or their request will not go directly to the group. You will lose valuable time in obtaining a ruling for your project. They also listened to our concern that it is a hardship for a plumber to be required to supply oil bills during the CWR process for a 1-2 family conversion. Con Edison

has stated that a contractor can submit a signed contract in lieu of the oil bills.

Some of these new changes will require plumbers to change the way they complete the conversion process. There are now hard deadlines that must be met to keep the cases active.

We will be having a detailed presentation on these new policies and procedures at th annual Educational and Energy Efficiency Trade Expo on October 8th, 2013 at Russo’s on the Bay. Last year’s presentation closed out quickly so be sure to register in advnace.

You can sign up to register at:

www.nycmpc.org/2013expo

nEw COn ED OIL-tO-GAs COnVErsIOn PrOCEss

Master Plumbers Council of the City of New York, Inc. The Voice of the Licensed Master Plumber 9

CaSELLa & CaSELLa, LLP1200 South Avenue, Suite 201Staten Island, New York 10314

www.CasellaAndCasellaLaw.comRalph P. Casella, Esq. has been representing plumbers since 1971 in the following:

Applications for Licensing, Buildings Department and OATH Investigations, Disciplinary Matters, Challenging License Application Denials in Court, Appeals, and Appearances before Licensing Board.

Ralph P. Casella is the former attorney for the Richmond County Plumbing Contractor’s Association, Plumbers Union Local 371; Plumbers Union Local 1, Brooklyn and Queens; Plumbers Union Local 1

for the City of New York.

Contact Ralph Casella at (718) 979-1137“Ralph Casella is the most knowledgeable attorney I’ve met regarding the plumbing industry, licensing, disciplinary matters and general plumbing business practices”

Emmanuel A. Troise, Jr.

Most boilers listed for the firing of oil are also listed for gas operation. There are exceptions. A recent case was with Peerless

Model ECT is the case in point. The manufacturer stated these models were listed for oil use but they have not been tested for gas operation. The manufacturer would not prepare a letter for use on natural gas. There are other manufacturers with similar cases. The installer must verify with the manufacturer that the boiler is approved for gas operation. You must also verify that the boiler is not being over fired. Check the burner and the boiler nameplates.

Remember, when you replace a burner, DOB considers the installation to be a new boiler. The installation must meet current codes. The boiler must have two low water cutoffs. One must be manual reset type.  The boiler must have isolation valves. If the device is 8’ high, there must be a fixed ladder to the top of the boiler with a platform on top of the boiler.

DOB BOILEr DIVIsOnOIL tO GAs COnVErsIOns

On January 04, 2014, a new federal law will go into effect that will change the plumbing industry. We provided an overview of this law in the previous issue

of the Voice. We will be following that article with a series of articles listing how this law will potentially

exemptions: Pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings or fixtures, including backflow preventers that are used exclu-sively for NONPOTaBLE water services such as irrigation, manufacturing or aNY other uses where the water is not anticipated to be used for human consumption or toilets, bi-dets, urinals, fill valves, flushometer valves, tub fillers, shower valves, service saddles, or water distribution main gate valves that are 2” in diameter or larger.

note: Interpretation of this wording is open to the Author-ity having jurisdiction. That being said the Department of Buildings has initially stated that they may not be authorities enforcing this law. Enforcement may fall to the Department of Health and the Department of Consumer Affairs. How will they be enforcing this law and will they have their own inter-pretations? Stayed tuned for answers in upcoming issues.

GEt tHE LEAD OUtAPPLIAnCEs, fIxtUrEs AnD DEVICEs

Master Plumbers Council of the City of New York, Inc. The Voice of the Licensed Master Plumber 10

Continued from Page 1...

It is important to note that if you have 25 or fewer employees and offer health-insurance coverage in 2014, you may qualify for a credit of up to 50% of the premium. Consult with your accountant or advisor to obtain more information.

Love it, or hate it, the Affordable Healthcare Act is here to stay!

To operate a successful business you need to understand this law and how it can, and will, affect your company now and in the future.

NYCMPC will publish more information in future issues.

WEdNESdaY, NOvEmBEr 6 aT 6:00 Pm Chapter Membership Meeting

Vetro’s Restaurant and Lounge, Howard Beach

Topics: Update on Boiler Rulings; Con Edison – Mercury Awareness

TuESdaY, dECEmBEr 3 aT 6:00 Pm Chapter Membership Meeting – Holiday Party

Central Lounge, Astoria

Topics: Installation of 2014 Officers and Board; Update on HUB Inspection Ready and Skyscraper Project

UPCOMInG EVEntsAHCA COnt.

Master Plumbers Council of the City of New York, Inc. The Voice of the Licensed Master Plumber 11

Master Plumbers Councilof the City of New York, Inc.104-09 Metropolitan AvenueForest Hills, NY 11375(718) 793-6300

Gregory T. ChillinoAttorney at Law

Former Director of Prosecutions and Investigative Attorneyfor NYC Department of Buildings

administrative Hearings, Licensing matters and disciplinaryProceedings, article 78’s, ECB violations, Civil Litigation.

315 Madison AvenueSuite 901New York, NY 10017

(646) 395-0500GC@GClicensinglaw.com

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDFLUSHING, NY

PERMIT No. 1045