Summons for Backflow Prevention test?
Thanks in advance, fellow homeowners for information on this. I’ve found a few posts by searching the forum but they are a few years old.
We received a summons in the mail today for an appearance in May related to failing to submit a annual test report for backflow prevention device. Maximum penalty is $1000 but looks like first offense could be $50.
I’ll admit (and ignorance isn’t an excuse) I had never heard of this, nor did I really know I had a backflow device. Based on the summons, it looks like a test was submitted a handful of years ago, likely this was during our gut renovation when this was presumably installed. So I guess I have been in violation a few years now… Ouch.
From what I’ve read, a single family home like ours would often be exempt from this. However, we have a fire prevention/ sprinkler system. I think this is what makes it a requirement for us. Other criteria all seem to apply to businesses….
We are going to contact our plumber tomorrow but some questions:
– Any similar experiences?
– What lesser known other annual tests might I not know about that I might be in violation of?
– Is there anywhere to check ourselves with the device serial # when reports were filed?

mc33433
in General Discussion 6 years and 4 months ago
16
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transworld | 6 years and 4 months ago
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How many preventers do you have? This price is for one.

landlord | 6 years and 4 months ago
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transworld – I am paying $230 per year for the inspection. Who do you use?

Guest User | 6 years and 4 months ago
string(1) "3" string(6) "195579"
FYI – not all ECB violations appear on the BIS system – FDNY, DEP, Sanitation summonses aren’t captured there. You can get a more complete picture of your property’s violation situation using the ECB ticketfinder (http://a820-ecbticketfinder.nyc.gov/searchHome.action?) which you can search with your address to find tickets. Depending on how old the ticket is you can also download copies of the scanned ticket for your records.

Guest User | 6 years and 4 months ago
string(1) "3" string(6) "195579"
FYI – not all ECB violations appear on the BIS system – FDNY, DEP, Sanitation summonses aren’t captured there. You can get a more complete picture of your property’s violation situation using the ECB ticketfinder (http://a820-ecbticketfinder.nyc.gov/searchHome.action?) which you can search with your address to find tickets. Depending on how old the ticket is you can also download copies of the scanned ticket for your records.

mc33433 | 6 years and 4 months ago
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Thanks everyone for the very thoughtful feedback. We absolutely intend to get the inspection before the appearance date next month. Unfortunately neither our architect nor our plumber during the gut renovations and sign offs ever mentioned this to us so we were unaware. Ignorant of us not to do the research to find the requirement, but even when I did try to look it up yesterday it was hard to pinpoint the sprinklers being the trigger except for reading the forum here. 🙂 Lesson learned and now I’m scouring information to find out what other requirements we may not be aware of.

transworld | 6 years and 4 months ago
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This wont appear in bisweb as it’s just a simple ticket. In any case yes, you will sleep better at night by doing what you have to do.

lkrshacmzcy | 6 years and 4 months ago
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ECB Violations are directly on your buildings DOB Profile and even labeled separately/taken with more weight than standard violations due to contamination purposes and therefore affecting more than just yourself.
My advice is based purely on experience; I try to keep myself, friends and clients as far from violations when possible due to the situations I have seen some in.

lkrshacmzcy | 6 years and 4 months ago
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ECB Violations are directly on your buildings DOB Profile and even labeled separately/taken with more weight than standard violations due to contamination purposes and therefore affecting more than just yourself.
My advice is based purely on experience; I try to keep myself, friends and clients as far from violations when possible due to the situations I have seen some in.

transworld | 6 years and 4 months ago
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It’s actually not a DOB violation, so it won’t show in their database. It’s ECB.

lkrshacmzcy | 6 years and 4 months ago
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I would personally say paying the annual inspection fee (which is different from company to company) is better than being on any type of list the DOB has for violations.
From attending the few NYCDOB Sub-Ops meetings that I am allowed to with our owner on the board, avoiding any lists in any way possible is the best thing to do. Once you are flagged, the DOB eyes get a little more focused, and their scrutiny knows no bounds unfortunately.

lkrshacmzcy | 6 years and 4 months ago
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I would personally say paying the annual inspection fee (which is different from company to company) is better than being on any type of list the DOB has for violations.
From attending the few NYCDOB Sub-Ops meetings that I am allowed to with our owner on the board, avoiding any lists in any way possible is the best thing to do. Once you are flagged, the DOB eyes get a little more focused, and their scrutiny knows no bounds unfortunately.

transworld | 6 years and 4 months ago
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Except the homeowner saved himself some money by not doing the $130 annual test for few years, as he will pay only a $50 ticket. Unfortunately that works only once. After you have had this fine, no choice but to do the test every year.

lkrshacmzcy | 6 years and 4 months ago
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You definitely should have been aware of the need for the Backflow Testing and should have your plumber double check on other situations you may need. For instance, even single family homes can require MP Boiler Inspections if they are over a certain BTU output. We have a client in Brooklyn Heights who was unaware of this, had a company put in a very large boiler (much bigger than needed) that now needs a BD Inspection to start and a MP Inspection every year after.
Knowledge is power as a homeowner.

lkrshacmzcy | 6 years and 4 months ago
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You definitely should have been aware of the need for the Backflow Testing and should have your plumber double check on other situations you may need. For instance, even single family homes can require MP Boiler Inspections if they are over a certain BTU output. We have a client in Brooklyn Heights who was unaware of this, had a company put in a very large boiler (much bigger than needed) that now needs a BD Inspection to start and a MP Inspection every year after.
Knowledge is power as a homeowner.

eman134 | 6 years and 4 months ago
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sounds like your original sprinkler plans called for the installation of a RPZ valve… once installed you have to submit a yearly report that it is working order so that the domestic water lines are not being contaminated.. Your architect or plumber should have let you know that this was a requirement going forward

transworld | 6 years and 4 months ago
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Yeah, you will have to go and pay the $50 fine, but you need to schedule and do the inspection before you appear. Show the proof of inspection in court. The annual inspection is around $130.