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Remote Quality Bookkeeping Gives 3 Vital Tips To Keep Your Business Afloat During COVID-19™

The Founder and CEO of Remote Quality Bookkeeping; Mark Kilduff in a recent interview has shared his powerful advice based on his 20+ years of experience in the industry. Coming out of tough economical situations in the past has enabled him to put together his 7 best tips which he believed businesses in this day and age should follow to ensure better financial wellbeing. Mark has been very kind to share these 7 tips with us in this interview.

BRIDGEWATER, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 6, 2020 / Remote Quality Bookkeeping have been working on finding ways to put the pieces together in terms of how to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote Quality Bookkeeping or "RQB" in short, has seen it all during their 20+ years in the accounting and bookkeeping industry. They have seen a lot of ups and downs in terms of the economical situations and have assisted their clients by coming out of it through their experience and expert guidance.

RQB has nine associates who work with hundreds of small business owners across the United States in various industries as well as 13 franchise systems where they support the accounting for franchisees who are in need to account for their business as well as providing payroll service, accounts receivable and payable services, meals and sales tax services, along with CFO level interpretations reviews and so much more.

Another interesting aspect for them, and which to our knowledge no one else has done before, is that they have perfected three pieces of intricate software that drive a beehive Bookkeeping service for the masses. They've built their infrastructure to support over 500 clients where one of the software is a time tracker so that their staff can document promptly the time spent on individual tasks for individual clients. Now they're able to give the client analysis on where the time is being spent. The second is an encrypted safe database perfected for associates where quick access to client's banking and credit card information is readily available so they can quickly move from task to task without the cumbersome aspects of today's world of verification. The third is the most impressive, a document management system that not only integrates storage and archival but creates workflow and OCR readable documents so that said documents can be channeled through work process as well as prepare table for importing data into accounting softwares so that there is no more need for data entry and human error.

RQB services small business owners with businesses who desperately need to relinquish accounting so that they can focus on growing their brand. Or a person who needs better information and answers from their books. Or someone who is trying to grow and cannot get out from under the paperwork.

In a recent one-to-one interview, the Founder and CEO of RQB, Mark Kilduff highlighted the recent COVID-19 situation and explained how to gain clarity in times of fear and uncertainty. In the same interview, Mark stated his intentions for the future. His primary goal for the next 12 months, he states, will be to adapt to this new environment post COVID-19 which is why he has written:

THREE TIPS ON HOW TO KEEP YOUR BUSINESS THRIVING DURING COVID-19:

If you own a small business right now that means that you operate with an entrepreneurial mindset. No matter how scary things may get during virtual assistant fee calculator this pandemic, you are already at an advantage because you are a problem solver by nature. The true test of an entrepreneur is not how much money they make, it is how well they adapt to change. Right now there are some huge challenges for small businesses around the country but if you are willing to adapt your business model and change some of your habits, you may find yourself staying afloat or even coming out ahead when the economy gets back to normal. So, here are 3 tips to keep your business thriving during COVID-19.

1. Analyze your costs

Where are you spending money and why? Is some of this spending avoidable? Some businesses find it inevitable that they need to layoff staff, but this is dangerous. Not only will that further damage the economy by contributing to unemployment, but your business will suffer as well because your staff are who service your customers and bring in the revenue. Ask yourself if these layoffs are necessary, or can you reduce overhead somewhere else, for example, switching to an outsourced bookkeeping service. Then, think about reducing any excess; marketing, rent, etc. without affecting quality. Be efficient!

2. Adapt to current market trends

This can be tricky, and it takes a lot of creativity, but consider the advantage you will be in if you are able to provide your products and services remotely. For example, dine in restaurants are struggling because people cannot sit down and enjoy a meal, however, those who are offering carryout and delivery are doing pretty well. Our business started out by offering traditional bookkeeping and payroll services within driving distance, but has adapted to work remotely, and now serves hundreds of businesses across the US. It has grown to the point where we have 13 franchises in multiple industries that use our system!

3. Use your time wisely

If you are not using the first two tips and adapting quickly, your revenue will come to a halt. It is cliche, but time is money. In 2020 you cannot afford to slowly change your habits if they are resulting in waste. One of the biggest wastes of time for any small business is bookkeeping. It is a necessary evil, but results in a diversion of focus. It is hard to grow your business while keeping track of employee records, recording transactions, reporting irregularities in data to management, completing tax statements, etc. This is why, after working as a CFO for 18 years, I realized that I could offer remote bookkeeping as a way to outsource clients data.

By using cloud accounting, Remote Quality Bookkeeping can save you time and money so that you can focus on your small business's challenges during this complicated time. For one low monthly fee, you get a team of professionals with CPA and CFO level staff with over 25 years of experience. As well as fully trained and certified intuit QuickBooks Pro Advisor bookkeepers.

Our service is tailored to give you peace of mind, and as a small business owner, your creativity is the tool you will use to adapt to market trends and put you ahead of the competition. If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it. It is hard to be creative while you are stressed out from paper work. The mind is a delicate thing, and you should never underestimate the value of strong mental health. Do not view this quarantine as a setback, instead look at it as an incredible opportunity to become a level-up entrepreneur, and come out of this stronger than before.

Will Local Law 152 Force Your Illegal Laundry Room To Come Clean?™

Complying with the gas piping inspection requirements of Local Law 152 is putting owners of small buildings with illegal laundry rooms in a lather. Local Law 152 was passed as part of a larger package of regulations concerning gas line safety. Specifically, it imposes periodic inspections for gas piping systems. The Insider spoke with Carl Borenstein, president of Veritas Property Management, who explains why-and offers some potentially cheaper solutions to the compliance problem.

Insider: New York's initiative to have every building's gas lines inspected is causing unexpected problems in many smaller buildings with laundry rooms. What exactly is going on in these buildings?

Borenstein: Many smaller buildings have laundry rooms in their basement with gas-operated dryers, and these laundry rooms aren’t on the building’s certificate of occupancy, so they are not considered legal. In the wake of all the recent gas explosions, the Department of Buildings has been inspecting laundry rooms to make sure gas dryers have hard piping as opposed to flexible piping and have a sprinkler system over the dryers. Add to this Local Law 152, which requires that every building has to have overhead gas pipes inspected by a licensed plumber, and a sniffer gun has to be used. Part of that inspection also requires laundry rooms to be inspected to see if dryers are hard-piped or not.

Insider: What happens if the piping behind your dryers isn’t hard-piped?

Borenstein: If you have flexible piping, a report is submitted to the city saying that you need to make this repair and install hard piping. They might give you about six months, and then if you’re not compliant, there could be a $10,000 fine.

Insider: So couldn’t you just fix the piping problem?

Borenstein: You could hire a plumber to replace the flexible connectors and hard-pipe your dryers. The problem is you need to file a permit, and to get a permit you have to show that the laundry room is on your certificate of occupancy. It becomes this vicious little cycle that you can't do what you need to do because your laundry room isn’t legal.

Insider: Are there options for a building with an illegal laundry room and flexible piped dryers?

Borenstein: There’s a couple of options. The most expensive, legitimate way to do this is to hire an engineer and file a DOB permit, what's called an alteration type 2, to try to legalize the room without amending your certificate of occupancy. Legalizing the room normally requires that laundry rooms that have been in existence for who knows how many years have a lot of things they probably don't have right now-for example, a floor drain, a slop sink, a lint catcher, a hardwired smoke detector, air vents, and proper exhausting. All these things would have to be put in. So between an engineer, a plumber, an electrician, and filing, you're probably going to spend between $25,000 to $50,000 to get this legalized.

Insider: Are there any other options?

Borenstein: There are two other options. Some buildings might say, "Forget about having a gas dryer, let's upgrade our electrical panel and put in enough amperage, and ask the laundry company to switch out the gas dryers to electric dryers." But your building may not have enough power for three or four dryers. While this option is not nearly as expensive as trying to legalize the laundry room, it’s still a costly fix. Depending on your current amperage, what you need to bring in and the number of dryers you have, it could be $7,000 to $15,000.

Then there's option three, which is to bring in a plumber without filing for a permit and simply hard-pipe the dryers on your own. So when an inspector comes in, they will see hard-pipe dryers and you’ll meet Local Law 152 requirements, assuming there's no other gas leaks within the building. To be honest, I have seen buildings deciding to go with this option because at the end of the day, filing for an alteration type 2 permit and doing the hard piping of the gas line accomplishes the same thing-making a safer laundry room-even if it isn’t legalized.

Insider: For many buildings, it really is a matter of money, since they may not have enough for legalizing the laundry room.

Borenstein: In the past, laundry companies were What is Local Law 152 actually very generous by offering to give a building money to legalize its laundry room if it renewed for a 10-year deal instead of seven years. But in Manhattan, laundry companies have taken a huge beating because of the exodus from the city and are not making the same income as they once did, so they're no longer as generous. Hopefully they will come back as the pandemic ends. People start to move back in. But right now, most have probably taken it on the chin, and are not about to give out any funds to buildings to do anything other than putting in their equipment.

Insider: What are most of your clients choosing to do?

Borenstein: A number of buildings are upgrading to electric dryers. If you're in the outer boroughs, and you haven't suffered the mass exodus as Manhattan has, some of the laundry companies are still offering bonus options to help you legalize your room. I actually manage a building in Riverdale that's doing this. Because Local Law 152 inspections are in different cycles depending on community board groups, their inspection is due next year. This will hopefully give us more than enough time to get the legalization of the room. Not have to be concerned about when we do the Local Law 152 tests. So the outer boroughs might be faring a lot better than Manhattan at this point.

How To Build An Energy-Efficient Home™

The last time you decided to plant something in your garden, where did you begin? Maybe you looked at the particular plant and analyzed its characteristics and what it needed to thrive. How much sun did it require? Was it hardy enough to survive in your growing zone? Once you gathered the facts, you determined the location in your yard where the plant would flourish.

It’s a similar situation when you’re choosing a site for an off-grid home. Do you want the sun to illuminate the kitchen in the morning? Will the western sun be too harsh or cause too much glare in the dining room in the late afternoon? Establishing your goals early on will allow the architect to fit these pieces together with the overall site constraints, ensuring a high-performance, energy-efficient home.

Since a true off-grid house is able to operate completely independent of all public utilities, you will want to minimize the amount of work your systems will have to do from the start by using what the environment has already given you.

Architect Lisa Moffitt’s Ontario client wasn’t sure if she wanted to build off-grid. “She wanted the house to sit lightly on the land. To minimize consumption of resources as much as possible. However, we were also working to a tight budget, so most decisions were made based on a range of variables, including aesthetics, environmental concerns and costs,” says Moffitt.

Related: See More Ideas for Making the Most of Your Landscape

To get the most out of the renewable energy systems, Moffitt went back to the basics.

“In terms of going off-grid, the importance of reducing electrical demand can’t be overstated,” Moffitt says. “Photovoltaics and other microrenewables generate fairly small amounts of electricity, so it is essential that consumption is minimized first.”

This is achieved through home orientation and window placement, the use of energy-efficient appliances and keeping the home’s footprint small.

“Once these measures have been considered, going off-grid is fairly straightforward,” Moffitt says. “The technologies are reliable, and there is something very satisfying about knowing that your home is running in a way that is attuned to larger natural cycles.”

Consider the Known Conditions: Sun, Wind and Light

A few tools can help you make a smart decision about the orientation of your home.

Obtain a sun path diagram for your site’s location. This will help you determine the orientation of your home by giving a visual of where the sun travels in the sky throughout the day. Make note also of any obstructions surrounding the site (buildings, trees, telephone poles etc.) and potential obstructions (for instance, a vacant lot that could be developed) that might block potential passive solar gain. A wind rose notes the direction. Frequency of prevailing winds. The United States Department of Commerce has wind data collected from many airport locations, so you may be able to find one close to your site. This is key in determining the effectiveness of a windmill to help produce electricity.

It’s also important to be aware of your predominant sky conditions throughout the year: overcast, clear or partly cloudy. This will become useful knowledge when you’re determining how to light the home’s interior. By taking advantage of natural light, you can reduce your electrical load and your dependency on artificial illumination.

Did you know that an overcast sky is three times brighter at the zenith (the highest point in the sky dome) than at the horizon? If you live in a predominantly overcast area like the Pacific Northwest, this is the perfect environment to let in that bright light from above and maximize free illumination. In an area with predominantly clear skies, be aware of the placement of windows, so as not to have unwanted glare from direct sun.

Building Orientation

Based on the information you’ve collected about the site’s sun, wind and light, you can now make a meaningful decision regarding where the home will be located.

Both the shape and the construction of your home will greatly influence the heating and cooling requirements. For example, a building in a hot, arid climate experiences a large load from the sun in the summer. If the building is shaped in a way that reduces exposure to the sun - the glass is shaded by a large overhang and the walls are well insulated - the solar gain can be minimized and cooling requirements can be decreased, saving energy.

The best tip for minimizing energy consumption is to orient the home facing south (in the Northern Hemisphere) to capture solar gain in the winter and block solar gain in the summer, as shown in this plan for an off-grid home in Nova Scotia by Solterre Design.

Building Envelope

Remember the last time you were wrapped up in a wool blanket? It was just a simple layer between you and the ambient temperature of the room, but it worked to keep you warm. The building envelope acts in much the same way a blanket does. Depending on the insulation and system used, the building envelope helps to keep the interior temperature at the level you desire. And it works whether you want the house to be warm on a cold winter night or cool on hot summer day. If there are holes in your wool blanket, the outside air will easily travel in. The larger the blanket, georgia energy benchmarking the more work it has to do maintaining the temperature differentials. Keep this in mind when you want to conserve energy.

According to Stephanie Horowitz, architect and managing director at ZeroEnergy Design, “every square foot you don’t build is energy saved. Scrutinizing the program. Being creative with space is key. Regardless of size, we make it a goal to design all homes to perform at least 50 percent better than code.”

Although the ZeroEnergy-designed house shown here is not off-grid, it illustrates some of the basic, low-tech solutions that form the foundation of off-grid design. These walls conceal a big reason for this home’s energy efficiency: a combination of spray-foam. Rigid-foam insulation; the two work in tandem to eliminate thermal bridging.

“Low-tech solutions such as continuous insulation and air sealing have a big impact on the energy efficiency of a home - especially in cold climates,” says Horowitz. “These systems don’t break. There is no maintenance. And they have been around for a really long time. A blower door test during construction can identify potential air leaks. Remedy them before construction concludes.

Earlier we stressed the importance of minimizing west-facing glass to reduce cooling loads. Yet the majority of the time, no site is perfect. What happens if the site has a spectacular west-facing view? It may even be the very reason you wanted to live there in the first place.

Though not off the grid, the home shown here still manages to be energy efficient while framing westerly views with walls of glass; the rest of the building envelope was constructed with a double stud frame and a continuous layer of foam insulation. This, together with a geothermal system and radiant heating, allows the overall home to be extremely energy efficient without sacrificing views.

Increasing the amount of insulation will lower the loads on your heating and cooling system. For this Colorado home, which is not off the grid but was designed using Passive House methods, the insulation package consists of R-100 for the roof, R-55 for the walls and R-50 for the floor. Thanks to that, the primary spaces can be heated using only a small gas fireplace.

Home insulation isn’t limited to the rigid-foam, batt and spray-foam products found at your local hardware store. Here, straw bales provide the home’s insulation. Straw bale R-values have been widely debated; different tests have found that they can range from R-20 to R-50. However, low costs and low environmental impact make it an intriguing option.

When will you know you have a superefficient building envelope? When the weather outside is beautiful to look at, but you’re glad you’re inside.

This off-grid Vermont cabin uses a hybrid insulation system to achieve energy efficiency. It has both a closed-cell spray-foam insulation and batt insulation. The home stays airtight and warm in the cold winters with help from a radiant floor heat system.

Remember the Basics

When beginning a project with the goal of off-grid or energy-efficient living in mind, always rely on building orientation and passive solar design to do the heavy lifting before leaning on mechanical and electrical systems. Understanding and responding to your site’s natural context will greatly influence how much energy your home uses.

Gas Piping Inspection - Buildings™

Gas piping systems in all buildings, except for one- and two-family homes, and other buildings classified in Occupancy Group R-3, must be inspected by a Licensed Master Plumber (LMP), or a qualified individual working for an LMP. Gas piping systems must be inspected at least once every four years according to the schedule below.

*and no later than December 31 within every fourth calendar year thereafter

NOTE: The deadline for buildings in Community Districts 2, 5, 7, 13, and 18 in all boroughs has been extended! These buildings are not required to submit Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certifications until June 30, 2022. Please see additional information regarding this extension.

To georgia energy benchmarking determine which Community District your building is in, please visit the NYC Department of City Planning’s website and search the address of your building. Once you determine your Community District and applicable inspection deadline from the schedule above, use the following step-by-step guide to comply with Local Law 152 of 2016 Periodic Inspections of Gas Piping Systems.

Local Law 152 of 2016 Step-by-Step Compliance Guide

STEP 1: Determine if your building is required to comply with Local Law 152 of 2016.

LL152 of 2016 applies to all buildings except one- and two-family homes and other buildings classified in occupancy group R-3. If your building is classified under the following classification codes, you do not need to comply with LL152 of 2016: A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, B1, B2, B3, B9, M3, M4, or N2.

The occupancy group classification for your building is listed on the Certificate of Occupancy (CO) for your building. To find the CO for your building, follow the instructions on DOB’s website. If no CO for your building is available, look for the NYC Department of Finance’s Building Classification on the building’s Property Profile in the Buildings Information System (BIS).

STEP 2: If LL152 of 2016 applies to your building but the building does not contain gas piping

If your building does not contain gas piping, a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification, signed and sealed by a Registered Design Professional (a New York State licensed professional engineer or registered architect) or a Licensed Master Plumber, stating that such building contains no gas piping must be submitted to DOB. No further action is necessary.

STEP 3: If LL152 of 2016 applies to your building, the building contains gas piping, and the building is currently supplied with gas

Hire a Licensed Master Plumber (LMP) to Inspect the Gas Piping System in Your Building. LMPs are licensed by DOB to perform plumbing work in New York City. DOB encourages anyone hiring an LMP to check both their current license status and disciplinary and voluntary surrender records.

Before hiring an LMP:

- Use the License Search tool to make sure the LMP's license is active. The tool allows you to search a licensee by name, business name, or license number. - Review the disciplinary actions taken against a licensee by DOB or voluntary surrender records by using the Know Your Construction Professional tool.

STEP 4: LMP must submit a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Report to the building owner within 30 days of inspection

Within 30 days of the inspection, the LMP you hired must provide you with a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Report showing the results of the inspection.

If an inspection reveals any unsafe or hazardous condition(s), the LMP must immediately notify you, the utility providing gas service to your building, and DOB. You must take immediate action to correct the unsafe or hazardous condition(s) in compliance with the NYC Construction Codes, including obtaining any required work permits.

STEP 5: Submit Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification to DOB within 60 days of inspection

Within 60 days of the inspection, you must submit a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification signed and sealed by the Licensed Master Plumber who conducted or supervised the inspection using DOB's using online portal.

- If the Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification submitted to DOB indicates that conditions requiring correction were identified during the gas piping system inspection, you must submit to DOB, within 120 days of the inspection, a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification signed and sealed by the Licensed Master Plumber who conducted the inspection, stating that the conditions have been corrected. - If the Gas Piping System Inspection Certification submitted to DOB indicated that additional time was needed to correct the condition(s) identified during the gas piping system inspection, you must submit to DOB, within 180 days of the inspection, a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification signed and sealed by the Licensed Master Plumber who conducted the inspection, stating that the conditions have been corrected. - Correction of conditions identified during a gas piping system inspection must be performed in compliance with the New York City Construction Codes, including obtaining any required work permits.

What Is Local Law 152 & How Will It Affect Me?™

What is Local Law 152 & how will it affect me?

February 22, 2021

Local Law 152 requires that NYC buildings have their gas piping systems inspected periodically.

Introduced in 2016 as part of a gas line safety package, the law went into effect on January 1, 2019 and affects around 280,000 buildings across all boroughs.

To help clarify how this law might affect your building, below we’ll break down:

1. Which buildings the law applies to

2. What the inspection will look for

3. How much an inspection will cost

4. When inspections are due

5. Who can perform an inspection

6. What happens if you need a repair

If you recently had your Local Law 152 inspection and are in need of repairs, we can help. Request an appointment online or call (718) 767-0707. With 50+ years of experience and a team of licensed master plumbers, you can rest assured you’re in good hands with Ranshaw.

Which buildings do Local Law 152 apply to?

Local Law 152 applies to all buildings in New York City except those that are zoned R-3(two families or less).

Per NYC code, occupancy group R-3 includes the following types of buildings:

- One and two family dwellings

- Convents/churches/monasteries with fewer than 20 occupants may fall under R-3

- Some group homes may fall under R-3

If you're unsure of your building’s property classification, you can find it on the Certificate of Occupancy and/or the Department of Finance website.

Don’t have gas pipes in your building? You’ll still need to submit an inspection certification proving that you don’t, and by the same due dates as buildings with gas. Your report can be certified by a registered design professional though, and not a licensed plumber.

What will the inspection look for?

Inspectors will be looking for “imminently dangerous conditions,” such as:

- Gas leaks (regardless of odor)

- Illegal connections

- Non-code compliant installations

- Poorly maintained systems

- Atmospheric corrosion

- Piping deterioration

- Carbon Monoxide detection

- Meter problems

- Fire or explosion risks

If an unsafe condition is found, the inspector will report it to the building owner, Department of Buildings (DOB) and the utility company. If the danger is an immediate threat, it will require an immediate call to the utility company, DOB and owner and may result in an evacuation of the building.

Inspections do not include gas piping within apartments. Therefore, you won’t need to give tenants prior notice of the inspection.

During the inspection, all exposed gas lines in public areas of the building will be inspected, including:

- Points of entry into the building

- Services meters

- All gas piping in public spaces, such as: Hallways, Corridors, Mechanical rooms, Boiler rooms and Rooftops

How much will an inspection cost?

Inspection costs can range from $1,000 and higher.

The cost depends on a number of factors, including:

- The number of gas meters

- The size of your building

- The length of exposed pipe

- The number of mechanical rooms, laundry rooms and kitchens

- The number of floors where gas is utilized

- The hourly rate of the plumber you hire

While there are no official filing fees charged by New York City, if you fail to submit certification of your inspection on or before the filing due date, you could be fined $10,000. You’ll still have to pay for an inspection, so don’t miss the deadline!

When are inspections due?

Inspections are organized by the community district (not borough) and are required every 4 years. See the below calendar for when your community district is due:

January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020*: Community Districts 1, 3, and 10 in all boroughs (*Extended until June 30, 2021)

January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021: Community Districts 2, 5, 7, 13, and 18 in all boroughs

January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022: Community Districts 4, 6, 8, 9, and 16 in all boroughs

January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023: Community Districts 11, 12, 14, 15, and 17 in all boroughs

In addition to the above calendar, a few other key deadlines and timelines include:

1. Filing:

30 days for the GPS1 (Inspection) Report - Once an inspection is complete, the inspector has 30 days to provide the building owner with a “Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Report” (GPS1). This report provides the owner the results of the inspection, noting any unsafe conditions if found that need to be corrected.

60 days for the GPS2 (Certification) Report - After the initial inspection, the building owner then has 60 days to file a “Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification” (GPS2) with the Department of Buildings. This report must be signed and sealed by the same LMP who performed the initial inspection, even if repairs were made by another technician.

120 days for repairs - If the GPS2 certification shows that conditions still need to be met, you have 120 days to make the repairs and file a new GPS2 report.

180 days for repairs - If 120 days is not sufficient time to complete the repairs, you can request 180 days.

2. Corrections: If you need to make a correction, any changes must be submitted within120 days from the certification date, as marked by the LMP on the View website GPS2 report. 3. Records: Building owners must keep all reports. Certifications on file for10 years. Records: Building owners must keep all reports. Certifications on file for10 years.

A note on new buildings: If your building is new, following the Certificate of Occupancy date after 12/31/2019, you won’t need another inspection for 10 years. After that, you’ll need to follow the same 4 year inspection cycle as noted above.

Who can perform an inspection?

Inspections must be conducted by a “qualified gas piping system inspector” who has either of the below credentials:

1. They’re a Licensed Master Plumber (LMP).

Or

2. An individual working under the direct supervision of an NYC LMP meeting the following requirements:

- They have at least 5 years of full-time experience working under the direct and continuing supervision of an LMP

- Has successfully completed a 7-hour training program acceptable to DOB.

If you happen to need a repair, the contractor you hire doesn’t have to be the same as the original inspector. However, they do need the same qualifications (either a licensed NYC master plumber, or a qualified direct employee of the LMP).

What happens if I need a repair?

If your gas line needs a repair, it must be fixed and a new Inspection Certification submitted to the DOB within 120 days or 180 days if requested.

A couple of conditions can affect the timeline:

1. Hazardous Conditions - If the initial inspection reveals an unsafe or dangerous condition, the building owner must take immediate action to fix the repair. This can include shutting off the gas and/or evacuating the building.

2. Repairs requiring additional time to complete - If the repair is a major issue, the building owner can request an extension of 60 days, for a total of 180 days to fix the repair.

Regardless of the problem, the building owner is responsible for all costs and potential permits related to repairs.

Additionally, if gas service is interrupted in order to fix the repair, you won’t be able to turn it back on until the following steps are taken:

- Permit(s) filed with the DOB

- Repair(s) are performed by a licensed master plumbing company

- DOB inspection after work is completed

- Inspection from gas company

Need gas line repairs? Live in the Queens/NYC area. Need gas line repairs? We can help. Just contact us. We are licensed master plumbing company that will repair your gas lines safely and properly.

LL152 Plumbers NYC™

Local Law 152 of 2016 - Periodic Inspections of Building Gas Piping FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)Updated January 23, 20201. What is LL152 of 2016? LL152 was passed by the NYC Council in 2016 as part of a gas safety package. LL152 specifically requires that NYC building owners have their building gas piping inspected periodically.2. When does LL152 go into effect? LL152 went into effect January 1, 2019. However, full implementation of the law (i.e. commencement of inspections) could not go into effect without the adoption of rules by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). DOB issued final rules on September 23, 2019. While these rules became effective November 2, 2019, due to the provisions of the rules, no inspections can begin until January 1, 2020.3. Who must comply? Owners of all buildings except those in occupancy group R-3 (2 families or less). The estimated total amount of buildings affected is approximately 198,000 in NYC.4. What must be inspected? LL152 requires all exposed gas piping from point of entry of gas piping into the building, including building services meters, and all gas piping in public spaces, hallways, corridors, and mechanical and boiler rooms, up to individual tenant spaces (this does not include gas piping within apartments).5. When does my building have to be inspected? The rules implementing LL152 breakdown the inspection cycle by community districts within boroughs. See the below chart. DATE RANGE FOR INSPECTIONJanuary 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020 January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021 January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022 January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023BUILDINGS IN COMMUNITY DISTRICTS1, 3 and 10 in all boroughs2, 5, 7, 13, and 18 in all boroughs4, 6, 8, 9, and 16 in all boroughs11, 12, 14, 15, and 17 in all boroughs

1 Disclaimer: This document is supplied for informational purposes only for both building owners and licensed master plumbers, but is not intended to constitute legal advice or the viewpoint of the Plumbing Foundation City of New York, Inc. We advise consultation with an attorney for compliance with LocalLaws.

6. After the initial inspection, when is the next time my building has to be inspected? After the initial inspection of your building, you then must have your building inspected every four years, with the same due date of December 31st of that year.7. When do new buildings have to be inspected? New buildings have to be first inspected the 10th year from the date of the certificate of occupancy. Then subject to the cycle as noted in the above chart. 8. Must tenants be notified when there is an inspection? Because the law explicitly excludes piping within tenants’ spaces and because there has been no requirement issued by DOB to the contrary, there is no need to give prior notice to tenants of the inspection date. However, LMPs will ll152 gas piping inspection need full access to all public spaces or the inspection can not be completed. 9. What if my building does not have gas piping? Owners of buildings that contain no gas piping must submit to DOB a Gas Piping Inspection Certification (see box 4), signed and sealed by a registered design professional. The Inspection Certification must be submitted every four years. 10. What does the inspection look for? LL152 inspections require the qualified gas piping system inspector (see description below) to look for evidence of excessive atmospheric corrosion or piping deterioration; illegal connections; non-code compliant installations, as well as the following conditions which must be reported to the owner, utility company, and DOB immediately: gas leaks; illegal connections/ non-code compliant installations; and any condition defined as “Class A” by the utility company, which is considered an imminently dangerous condition. Gas piping system inspectors must use a portable combustible gas detection device for inside leakage surveys.11. What type of portable combustible gas detection device is acceptable for LL152 purposes? DOB accepts devices approved by the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) for inside leakage surveys.12. What is the inspection filing process? LL152 inspections must occur within the calendar year denoted on the above chart for those applicable buildings.2Disclaimer: This document is supplied for informational purposes only for both building owners and licensed master plumbers, but is not intended to constitute legal advice or the viewpoint of the Plumbing Foundation City of New York, Inc. We advise consultation with an attorney for compliance with LocalLaws. ● Within 30 days of the inspection, the licensed master plumber (LMP) must provide to the building owner a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Report (GPS1). ● Within 60 days of the inspection, the owner must submit to DOB a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification (GPS2) signed and sealed by the LMP who conducted or supervised the inspection.* There is no filing fee.● The DOB’s website to access the forms is here. In addition, here is the link to the submission portal.○ According to DOB, the law and rule state that the owner must submit the GPS2 form that has been completed by the LMP. *Please note that the DOB rules have created confusion on the required filing date (the rules read with the law require filing between October-December only, but that is not the case, the rules are to be revised according to DOB). ● If the Inspection Certification submitted to DOB indicates that conditions requiring correction were identified in the Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Report submitted to the owner, the owner must submit to DOB, within 120 days of the inspection, an Inspection Certification signed and sealed by the LMP who conducted the inspection, stating that the conditions have been corrected. ● If the Inspection Certification submitted to DOB indicated that additional time was needed to correct the condition(s) identified in the Inspection Report, the owner must submit, within 180 days of the inspection, an Inspection Certification signed and sealed by an LMP stating that all conditions have been corrected. ● Correction of conditions identified in the Inspection Report must be performed in compliance with the NYC Construction Codes, including obtaining any required work permits. ● All reports and certifications must be kept on file by the inspection entity and the building owner for 10 years.13. What happens if an unsafe or hazardous condition is observed? If an inspection reveals any unsafe or hazardous condition(s), the LMP must call 911, immediately notify the applicable utility company first as well as the building owner and3Disclaimer: This document is supplied for informational purposes only for both building owners and licensed master plumbers, but is not intended to constitute legal advice or the viewpoint of the Plumbing Foundation City of New York, Inc. We advise consultation with an attorney for compliance with LocalLaws.

DOB. The building owner must take immediate action to correct the condition(s) in compliance with the New York City Construction Codes and any required permits.14. How should the LMP notify the DOB of the unsafe or hazardous condition?LMPs should immediately report such conditions by calling 311 or by contacting the DOB Plumbing Enforcement Unit during regular business hours at (212) 393-2557.15. What happens if building owners do not comply? Failure to file an Inspection Certification before the applicable due date may result in a civil penalty of $10,000. 16. How long must building owners retain the inspection records? Building owners are required to retain the inspection reports for 10 years. The LMP who conducted the inspection should maintain reports for 10 years as well. 17. Who must conduct the inspections? These inspections must be completed by a qualified gas piping system inspector, which means: ● A licensed master plumber (LMP); or ● An individual working under the direct and continuing supervision of anLMP meeting the following requirements:○ At least 5 years of full-time experience working under the direct andcontinuing supervision of an LMP; and○ Has successfully completed a 7-hour training program acceptableto DOB. 18. As an LMP, how can I obtain qualification for my plumbing technicians?Plumbing technicians need to prove they have 5 years’ of experience working under the direct and continuing supervision of an LMP and must successfully complete a 7-hour training course. A description of the DOB-approved course is available here, which includes a written and practical knowledge check. A list of DOB-approved course providers is here. 19. How does DOB verify the 5 years’ experience requirement? According to DOB, it is the obligation of the employing inspection entity and LMP to ensure that individuals performing these inspections possess the qualifications per the law and rule. DOB has stated that the employing LMP should request whatever documentation is necessary to verify experience. 4 Disclaimer: This document is supplied for informational purposes only for both building owners and licensed master plumbers, but is not intended to constitute legal advice or the viewpoint of the Plumbing Foundation City of New York, Inc. We advise consultation with an attorney for compliance with LocalLaws.

20. What about the Plumbing Foundation’s Gas Operator Qualification program-does this training program count for LL152 inspections? The Plumbing Foundation’s GOQ program, which was originally created for compliance with state regulations for inspections and maintenance of US DOT jurisdictional gas piping and in anticipation of similar requirements for LL152, is acceptable for purposes of LL152 inspections through GTI/ Northeast Gas Association, DOB-approved course provider # 6T73. However, GOQ members need to be aware that the DOB also requires qualified gas piping system inspectors to have 5 years’ experience to conduct LL152 inspections.21. How does LL152 tie into the LL150 of 2016 DOB gas qualification requirements? LL152 inspections and qualified gas piping system inspectors are not the same as those seeking DOB gas work qualification and/or limited gas work qualification under LL150 gas qualification. LL150, which goes into effect January 1, 2020, requires those working under LMPs to hold a gas work qualification card or limited gas work qualification card to conduct gas work under the NYC Building Code. Gas work for purposes of LL150 does not include LL152 inspections. If you are seeking LL150 DOB gas qualification, please refer to this DOB service notice.Helpful Resources:Local Law 152 of 2016:https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/local_laws/ll150of2016.pdf Section 103-10 of Title 1 of the Rules of the City of New York (RCNY): https://a856-cityrecord.nyc.gov/RequestDetail/20190916106 NYC Department of Buildings Service Update (November 13, 2019): https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/ll_152of2016_sn.pdf Plumbing Foundation’s Pipecaster Newsletter: https://www.plumbingfoundation.nyc/pipecaster For Forms and Submission Portal:https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/master-plumbers-plumbing-forms.pagehttps://a810-efiling.nyc.gov/eRenewal/gaspipecert.jsp 5 Disclaimer: This document is supplied for informational purposes only for both building owners and licensed master plumbers, but is not intended to constitute legal advice or the viewpoint of the Plumbing Foundation City of New York, Inc. We advise consultation with an attorney for compliance with LocalLaws.

Sen. Manchin's Inaction On Climate Change Is The Real 'fiscal Insanity'™

Biden's problem is bigger than two unruly senators

Since 1980, the US has been hit with 308 weather and climate disasters that have caused more than a billion dollars each in damages, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). In total, these disasters have cost the American economy more than $2 trillion.

Manchin's West Virginia has not been spared. The Mountain State is facing one of the top ten largest increases in heat wave days nationwide, putting more than 60,000 vulnerable West Virginians at risk for heat illness or death, and has the highest percentage of homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, like power stations, roads, and police and fire stations, at substantial risk of being rendered inoperable by flooding.

With each passing decade, the number of disasters in the US crossing the billion-dollar mark has climbed steeply while the total annual cost has grown exponentially. Costs nationwide have ballooned from an average national price tag of $18 billion per year in the 1980s to more than $86 billion per year for the last decade, according to NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information. Extreme weather supercharged by climate change -- and compounded by increased economic development right in the firing line of hurricanes, wildfires, and floods -- is squarely to blame for these trends.

If we fail to make ambitious investments now to transition to a clean, low-carbon economy and make our communities resilient to climate change, damages from climate-fueled disasters are estimated to skyrocket to hundreds of billions of dollars per year. Indeed, we are already knocking on that door. NOAA's just updated report indicates that in the first nine months of 2021 alone, we've already clocked in nearly $105 billion in property and infrastructure damage and over 500 lives lost from 18 disasters, underscoring the urgency to act without delay.

Investing in clean power and transportation also promises huge savings not only by avoiding catastrophic disaster property damages but by protecting the health of American families and our children. Toxic air pollution like soot, mercury, and carcinogenic benzene -- emitted from the same fossil fuel sources that are fueling climate change -- currently cost the American economy an estimated $800 billion annually in work absences, hospital stays, years of life lost, and premature deaths.

Why 'Succession' is starting to fall flat

Accelerating the deployment of clean cars and clean power not only saves on avoided costs but also yields a powerful return on investment, making spending on carbon reductions and climate resilience now a darn good deal.

For every dollar spent to avert climate change, an estimated $4-7 is saved in extreme weather damages, according to a National Institute of Building Sciences study. Furthermore, every dollar invested in climate action could save an eye-popping $30 from avoided health costs due to air pollution, according to an Environmental Protection Agency report.

While some may be tempted to point towards the Senate-passed $1 trillion bipartisan 152 gas pipe inspection infrastructure plan with its many climate and pollution investments -- from plugging leaking abandoned oil and gas wells to swapping out diesel-powered school buses for zero-emitting electric ones and building a national system of electric vehicle charging stations -- as a job well done, the infrastructure bill only gets the ball rolling.

To truly secure the sound economic future, healthier environment, and safer climate our children deserve, we cannot afford to slash or water down the critical climate and pollution provisions proposed in the budget reconciliation framework.

This includes tax incentives for clean electricity, zero and low emission vehicles, and energy efficient homes and buildings; financing utilities and the power sector to speed up the switch to clean electricity to power clean cars, buildings, and manufacturing; holding the oil and gas industry accountable for fixing methane leaks in gas infrastructure and halting wasteful practices like venting and flaring that spew not only heat-trapping gases but also toxic air pollution; supporting America's farmers and foresters to adopt 'climate smart' practices to store more carbon in soils and forests; and establishing a Civilian Climate Corps to enhance natural climate resilience.

Baltimore mayor: What we can't afford to nix from the Build Back Better plan

Aggressively acting on climate is not only fiscally responsible on the macroeconomic level but also at the home economic level. The climate investments proposed in the reconciliation plan will create millions of new family-sustaining jobs across the urban to rural spectrum while also lowering household energy bills through increased home energy efficiency and accelerated access to electricity from utility-scale wind and solar, which have overtaken conventional fossil-powered energy as the cheapest sources of electricity when judged on a level playing field without subsidies.

However, with the national debt at the highest level it has been since the end of World War II, making such once-in-a-generation investments understandably may give deficit hawks pause. That's why a carbon-linked revenue-raiser like a carbon fee currently being discussed in Congress makes for a smart addition to the reconciliation plan.

Operating as a user fee for carbon polluters to pollute, a carbon fee is estimated to bring in up to $2 trillion over 10 years according to the Tax Foundation, effectively covering more than half -- to potentially all -- of the reconciliation plan's price tag. Indeed, a National Academies of Sciences' report released this year named an economy-wide carbon price, like a carbon fee, the most cost-effective and indispensable strategy to achieve a rapid, just, and equitable transition to a net-zero carbon economy that simultaneously unlocks innovation in every corner of the energy economy.

The definition of "fiscal insanity" is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Allowing billion-dollar disasters to batter our coastlines, burn our forests and family homes, and flood our farms and communities at an ever-increasing rate but continuing to do nothing about it is indeed insane.

Historic climate spending is not only fiscally responsible but necessary to passing a strong and secure economic future on to our children and ensuring they won't be saddled with trillions of unnecessary and destabilizing future spending.

To avoid the brutal fiscal reality wrought by unchecked carbon emissions and global warming, deficit hawks should cheer ambitious climate action and ensure that the level of climate investment within the current framework survives the reconciliation bill chopping block intact.

NYC Gas Pipe Inspection Services - Empire Plumbing™

Many properties in New York City rely on natural gas to power heating systems, cooling systems, and appliances. It’s an efficient and affordable power solution, but can be dangerous when pipes corrode, leaks develop, or connections to the utility line are improperly installed.

This is the reason that the NYC Department of Buildings has recently implemented Local Law 152, requiring property owners to have their gas pipe system regularly inspected. Other properties may need inspections when occupants notice a problem with the gas system or pipes are beginning to age.

For legally required gas pipe inspections and general maintenance on your property, Empire Plumbing is the company to call for gas pipe system inspections in NYC. We prioritize the safety of the buildings you own. Your time with services you can trust at affordable prices. Call Empire Plumbing at 718.494.7301 to schedule a gas line inspection.

Why Call Empire Plumbing for Gas System Inspections

Empire Plumbing is the company you can rely on for accuracy, transparency, and timeliness. We are a Licensed Master Plumber in NYC, enabling us to provide inspections for Local Law 152 and general inspections for all other purposes. We guarantee:

- Professional Service - Our plumbing professionals are experienced in their field, but they are also friendly and knowledgeable. - Affordable Rates - We complete our inspections at competitive prices. Compliance with LL 152 or a safety inspection does not need to be out of your budget. - Comprehensive Solutions - In addition Local Law 87 building owner responsibilities to inspections, we are experienced in repair and can provide immediate solutions if we ever find a problem.

We provide gas pipe system inspections in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, as well as other nearby communities, and work with every property type. Our customers include homeowners, property managers, corporate offices, apartment buildings, and more.

Our Inspection Services for Local Law 152

As of 2020, almost every property in NYC is required to receive periodic inspections of their gas piping system. This applies to all buildings except single family homes, two family homes, and any form of group housing with less than 20 residents. Apartments, condos, offices, commercial buildings, and all other property types must schedule an inspection from a Licensed Master Plumber like Empire Plumbing.

LL 152 requires buildings with a gas pipe system to receive inspections every 4 years. Failure to comply with LL 152 can result in fines up to $10,000. We are a Licensed Master Plumber. Experts in Local Law 152. Our LL 152 inspection services are in accordance with the requirements of Local Law 152 to make it easy. Hassle free to keep buildings you own in compliance with these new rules. We can also provide the expertise. Answers you need as you navigate this law.

How Our Local Law 152 Gas Pipe System Inspections Help You Stay Compliant

We use both the guidelines set forth by the DOB and our own years of experience to manage an inspection that is accurate and complete. Our process uses a visual inspection and NYC DOB compatible equipment to examine:

- Exposed Pipes - Gas Appliances - Gas Leaks

Per the law, our inspection only involves public spaces, entryways, hallways, boiler rooms, and similar spaces. We never have to enter tenants’ living spaces.

Within 30 days of the inspection, we provide you with an Inspection Report. We will also give you an Inspection Certification that you will need to submit online to the DOB within 60 days. This confirms that your LL 152 inspection was done. The expected timeline for repairs.

Local Law 152 is an extra step for property owners that are already busy managing their properties. From providing reminders when your LL 152 inspection is due to making the process as simple as possible, we are the plumbing company you can trust for periodic inspections.

Signs Your Property Needs a Gas Pipe Inspection

While many properties in NYC will schedule a gas pipe system inspection in response to Local Law 152, this is far from the only reason you may need a gas line inspection. Those properties not covered under LL 152 often still have gas lines. If these lines deteriorate or leak, your property, finances, and family could be at risk.

If your family or tenants in your building notice any of these signs, a gas line inspection can confirm whether there is damage or not:

- Sulphur Smell - Natural gas is invisible and naturally unscented, so companies put an additive in the gas that smells like rotten eggs. - Hissing Sound - A hissing noise coming from pipes or appliances can indicate a leak. - Dead Plants - Gas in the air or underground will kill otherwise healthy plants in the adjacent area. - Higher Bills - A leak will leave you paying for additional gas beyond what you are normally using.

We respond quickly when you suspect a problem with your gas line. Our inspection process is similar to that for Local Law 152 as we will visually examine pipes. Use combustible gas detectors to determine if gas is present in the air. Other technology lets us check pressure in the gas line for potential leaks.

An inspection can pinpoint a leak if one exists, or let you know where potential problems may arise due to corrosion and physical damage to pipes. We will also discuss options available to repair or repipe your system.

Schedule Your Inspection with Empire Plumbing - Call Us Today

We know how important it is to ensure gas pipe systems in your property are installed and working properly. It is a matter of safety, efficiency, and in the case of Local Law 152, legality. Empire Plumbing completes thorough inspections for properties throughout New York. If you are due for an LL 152 or have noticed an issue with your gas line, contact us at 718.494.7301.