As of February 2024, New York has enacted Local Law 157, which requires the installation of natural gas detectors in residential buildings, and it changes some standards on carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. The first state to adopt similar changes was Maine in 2022. Now, the states of Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Tennessee have all followed suit to have legislation pending that requires natural gas alarms. New York lawmakers made the change in the hopes of reducing the instances of gas leaks, gas explosions, and flashback explosions in apartment buildings. The new standards will affect residential buildings and occupancies with gas-fired appliances as well, who must become compliant with the changes by May 1, 2025. In light of this, we have a case study that you may use as an example as you prepare to ensure your own compliance with the new regulations.
Lawmakers enacted Local Law 157, which requires the use of natural gas detecting devices in residential buildings. Section 1 of local law 157 states that the law will become effective “within 180 days, by rule, establish or adopt a standard governing the installation and location of single- or multiple-station alarms responsive to natural gas.” To clarify, the NY Dept. of Buildings is required to enact gas detection standards 180 days after a national standard for gas detection has been adopted. Before this, New York was hit with a series of devastating gas explosions in 2014. Most notably, the 2014 East Harlem gas explosion was a strong driver behind the decision. The explosion collapsed two buildings in East Harlem, killing 8 people, injuring 70, and displacing around 100 families. Following this event was another gas explosion in East Village, which further necessitated changes regarding gas detection, and a quicker response to dangerous conditions in urban areas.
Years later, the new laws are being introduced in New York and will be enforced around mid 2025. Local law 157 requires gas detectors in residential buildings, and closely follows NFPA code. As such, the requirements set by the NYC Department of buildings declare that gas detectors should be installed within one foot of the ceiling and between 3 to 10 feet (3 meters) from the gas-fired appliance. For a full list of requirements, you can visit New York City Building’s FAQ article. The installation requirements mirror those set by the NFPA for smoke detectors, with a few caveats for gas-specific applications. These changes affect nearly 90 percent of residents in NY, and 3.6 million apartment units in Manhattan that use natural gas appliances in some form.
We undertook a comprehensive project to upgrade and install the fire alarm system in a commercial kitchen. This case study illustrates the successful implementation of an advanced fire alarm system that meets regulatory requirements while enhancing safety and occupational efficiency.
The commercial kitchen required an upgrade to its existing fire alarm system to comply with the new regulations, as the outdated equipment lacked gas detection capabilities, posing safety risks in a high-heat environment filled with various gas appliances. For this case study, we commissioned and installed a gas detection system that detects a gas leak at each burner and around the area of the burners. This system meets UL 864 9th edition standards, as well as the NFPA 72 standard development requirements. Consequently, the system features the Macurco GD-2B and GD-2A gas detectors, which were installed to monitor carbon monoxide and natural gas levels, providing essential early warning capabilities. To add, the GD-2A and GD-2B light commercial gas detectors tie directly into the fire alarm panel for local or remote monitoring. The light commercial gas detectors are also designed to meet UL 1484 for sensitivity, and UL 2075, for the standard for safety for gas and vapor detectors.
Central to the operation was the Advanced Axis fire alarm control panel and D9068P, which integrated all components for centralized monitoring. Upon an alarm state, the system may access the gas shut off valve to terminate the gas line connection. Complementing this system are the notification devices like the Gentex SSPKB24-15-75PWW, SSPKA24-15-75PWW, and SSPK24WLPR, strategically placed throughout the facility to guarantee that alerts could be clearly heard and seen, even amidst the noise of kitchen operations.
In addition to the gas detection and notification systems, several other components were incorporated to enhance safety. The Axis AX-SA5800-450ADV heat detectors were positioned in critical areas to ensure rapid response in the event of a fire. Moreover, this detector is compatible with the Soteria UL range, and is designed to give low sensitivity to very rapid changes in the sensor output, since these are unlikely to be caused by real fire conditions, resulting in lower false alarms.
To further enhance monitoring capabilities, the Advanced AX-DACT-CP2-09 digital alarm communicator transmitter was integrated, allowing for remote monitoring and reporting, and the Advanced D9068P facilitated seamless integration with existing systems for improved data reporting. Overall, the implementation of this comprehensive fire alarm system not only adhered to regulatory requirements, but also significantly improved safety protocols within the commercial kitchen.
The new system met and exceeded the requirements of Local Law 157, providing peace of mind to the building owners and staff. Also, with centralized control and supervision, staff could focus on their tasks, knowing that safety measures were in place.
The recent trend in regulations foreshadows that more states will eventually require natural gas detection. Gas explosions pose a significant risk, and time is limited to achieve compliance with the new regulations; however, FireAlarm.com’s compliance experts are ready to assist. From assessments and planning to procurement and full installation, we provide all the resources needed to attain full compliance within days. FireAlarm.com has been a reliable authority in the fire alarm industry for more than 20 years. If you are interested in our comprehensive fire alarm installation service, please contact us now.
