Description

• This section outlines the design, installation, and maintenance requirements for not only sanitary drainage systems within the building premises but also stormwater management systems. It covers the comprehensive scope of work necessary for the effective disposal of wastewater and sewage from bathrooms, kitchens, and other facilities that generate sanitary waste. The focus is on ensuring a hygienic, efficient, and environmentally responsible management of sanitary waste through the appropriate selection of pipes, fittings, fixtures, and accessories. Standards for venting, traps, and cleanouts are detailed to maintain system integrity and prevent backflow and odor intrusion into living spaces. The section also addresses the necessity for compliance with local building codes, health regulations, and sustainable practices in the selection of materials and installation techniques. 

Baseline

• Provide insulation on all horizontal storm drainage piping and roof drain bodies to avoid condensation.
• In installing or removing any part of a drainage system, dead ends shall be prohibited. Cleanout extensions and approved future fixture drainage piping shall not be considered dead ends. Where required, all roofs, paved areas, yards, courts, and courtyards shall drain into a separate storm sewer system, or a combined sewer system, or to a place of disposal approved by NYCHA and NYC DEP.
  • Floor drains shall not be connected to a storm drain.
  • Locate cleanouts on building drains per the NYC Plumbing Code.
  • Building house traps shall be installed on all building drains per the NYC Plumbing Code.
  • Each fixture trap shall have a liquid seal of not less than 2 inches and not more than 4 inches, or deeper for special designs relating to accessible fixtures.
• Stormwater Drainage Systems
  • Stormwater shall not be drained into sewers intended for Sanitary sewer only. 
  • Stormwater discharge shall be designed per the NYC Plumbing Code and the NYC DEP Stormwater Manual. 
  • Extension/connection requirements from the public storm or combined sewer to the building sewer shall be determined by the NYC DEP. 
  • The conductors and the building storm drain shall be tested per Section 312 of the NYC Plumbing Code. 
  • Stormwater drainage systems shall be provided with backwater valves as required for sanitary drainage systems per Section 715 of the NYC Plumbing Code.  
  • Backwater valves for all buildings located in flood hazard areas shall be installed in stormwater drainage systems per the requirements of the NYC Plumbing Code and the additional requirements of Section 7.3.4 of ASCE 24 as modified by Appendix G of the NYC Building Code.  
  • Leaders and storm drains connected to a combined sewer shall be trapped. Individual stormwater traps shall be installed on the stormwater drain branch serving each conductor, or a single trap shall be installed in the main storm drain just before its connection with the combined building sewer or the public sewer. A hooded catch basin located within the property line shall be the equivalent of a building house trap for the connection to a public sewer. 
  • Stormwater traps shall be of an approved material in accordance with Table 1102.7 of the NYC Plumbing Code. 
  • An accessible cleanout shall be installed on the building side of the stormwater trap. 
  • If stormwater drainage system is connected to a combined sewer public system, the storm and sanitary lines shall be connected at the property line. 

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Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 7:59 am

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22 05 17 - Sleeves and Sleeve Seals for Plumbing Piping

22 05 18 - Escutcheons for Plumbing Piping

22 05 23 - General Duty Valves for Plumbing Piping and Equipment

22 05 29 - Hangars and Supports for Plumbing Piping and Equipment

22 05 53 - Identification for Plumbing Piping and Equipment

22 07 16 - Plumbing Equipment Insulation

22 07 19 - Plumbing Piping Insulation

22 10 06 - Plumbing Piping Specialties

22 11 00 - Piping Material

22 14 00 - Plumbing Drains

22 14 29 - Sump Pumps

Description

• Projects in this scope area may include installing new sewage ejector pumps, piping for conveying sewage and waste within a building and to the street, and piping for venting waste and odors. The full, detailed scope of work for this project including any additional work areas will be updated here after alignment with project stakeholders through scoping and design activities. 

Baseline

• Extensions of public sanitary or combined sewers shall be made per the regulations of the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
• All abandoned building connections to public sewers shall require plug permits from the NYC DEP and shall be securely sealed at a point inside the curb line and as close thereto as practicable.
• All waste and vent pipe materials should conform to the NYC Plumbing Code.
• Trap seals of emergency floor drain traps and trap seals of floor drains located in utility rooms shall be protected by one of the methods outlined in the NYC Plumbing Code.
• Fresh Air Inlets
  • Every sanitary or combined building drain shall be provided with a fresh air inlet pipe connected to the building drain immediately upstream from and within 4 feet of the building trap.
  • The size of the fresh air inlet pipe shall be at least one-half the diameter of the building drain at the point of connection, but not less than 3 inches.
  • Fresh air inlets located in flood hazard areas shall be located above the design flood elevation per Section G304 of Appendix G of the NYC Building Code.
  • Vent connections to horizontal drains and the fresh air inlet pipe shall be extended to the outer air and shall be terminated in an open end at least 6 inches above grade. The open end shall be protected by a perforated metal plate permanently fixed in the mouth or by a return bend with its unprotected open end at least 6 inches above grade and located inside the street line.
• Where fixtures, floor drains, or area drains are subject to overflow as the result of backwater from the public sewer system, accessible backwater valves shall be installed in the fixture drainpipe from such fixture.

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Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 8:00 am

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22 05 17 - Sleeves and Sleeve Seals for Plumbing Piping

22 11 00 - Piping Material

22 13 16 - Sanitary Waste and Vent Piping

22 13 19 - Sanitary Waste Piping Specialties

Description

• Domestic Hot Water (DHW) refers to water that has been heated and distributed for sanitary use (bathing, showering and other personal hygiene), cleaning use (dishwashing, laundry, etc.), and heating system. The scope involves demolishing, installing, modifying, and replacing, or upgrading domestic hot water systems. The equipment and accessories installation involves Boilers, Hot water storage tanks, heat exchangers, circulation pumps, pipelines, flow meter, pressure relief valves/temperature relief valves, shut-off valves, etc. as per the updated NYCDOB plumbing codes, NYC Energy Code and ASME pressure vessel codes or standard. The pipes, valves and tank will be supported as per the updated code of NYC Department of Buildings. The pipes will be insulated as per the updated NYC Energy Code. The NYCHA Design Guidelines should be followed.

Baseline

• Hot water lines must be insulated to comply with the NYC Energy Conservation Code.
• NYCHA discourages the use of mixing valves for DHW, but if one is necessary for a particular project, it should be motorized and electronically controlled.
• As per the 2022 NYC Plumbing Code Section 607.1.1, a thermostat control for a water heater shall not serve as the temperature limiting means for the purposes of complying with the requirements of this code for maximum allowable hot or tempered water delivery temperature at fixtures. Specify how the temperature of DHW will be controlled.
• As per NYC Administrative Code Section 27-2031, in multiple dwellings hot water shall be supplied at a constant minimum temperature of one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit from a central source.
• Locate heat and DHW equipment above flood elevation.
• Provide a preliminary cost estimate for decoupling domestic hot water systems where applicable. [COMPMOD]

Stretch

• Convert central steam systems to distributed condensing boilers and hydronic convectors.
• Convert steam-to-DHW converters to a gas-fired condensing boiler and storage tank.
• Assume electric heat pump heaters for all buildings and identify a specific system and manufacturer. [COMPMOD]
• Prioritize decentralized and/or distributed domestic hot water systems (per building). [COMPMOD]
• Install heat exchanger from waste lines. This is more feasible if replacing waste lines. [COMPMOD]
  • Locations within the sewer system for energy recovery from wastewater are at the apartment level, at building level, and in the sewer pipe network. The wastewater shall be prescreened prior to being pumped to the heat exchanger to prevent debris from affecting system operation. Due to the chemical and biological properties of wastewater, a biofilm will build up on the heat transfer surfaces which can impair heat transfer. Preventative cleaning of the heat exchanger surfaces is required.
  • Manufactures of systems include SHARC Energy Systems – Pirahana Series, Huber Technology – Huber Heat Exchanger Rowin, Huber Technology – Huber Heat Exchanger ThermWin, Renew Ability Energy (REI) – Drain Water Heat Recovery Systems 
• Prioritize decentralized and/or distributed domestic hot water systems (per building or per unit, as appropriate). [SA]
• Decouple and electrify domestic hot water systems. [SA]
• Submeter make-up water usage and connect to BMS to monitor both boiler make-up water, condensate tanks, and pumps to identify leaks and quickly repair them. [SA]
• Recycle water in steam condensate heating. [SA]
• Build raised annexes to protect mechanical, electrical, and plumbing equipment. Note, this requires installation of new site-wide distribution. [FR]

RAD Conversions 

• Assume electric heat pump heaters for all buildings.

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CompModRADSustainability AgendaCommercial BathroomsCommunity CentersCommercial KitchensFlood Resilience

Last Updated on July 1, 2026 at 9:07 am

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22 05 17 - Sleeves and Sleeve Seals for Plumbing Piping

22 11 00 - Piping Material

22 34 00 - Fuel-Fired Domestic Water Heaters

Description

• A domestic water system is a system that provides water for domestic purposes. It is used to carry hot and cold water throughout the house, and pipes convey water from the source to various appliances. The system can take water from a public water system (Municipal). The domestic water system has two parts: the first part brings in clean water, and the second takes away the wastewater. 

Baseline

• Domestic water line chases must be adequately protected to drain or otherwise capture condensation from cold water lines.
• The sizing of domestic water supply system must be based on the minimum pressure available for the development buildings. The designer must ensure that the required pressure is maintained at the most hydraulically remote fixture.
• The designer should investigate the main water pressure available at the project site. If there is no sufficient pressure available, then a booster pump will be required and if the pressure is too high, then a pressure regulating valve will be required.
• All design must follow NYC DOB & DEP standards.  
• The flow velocity of the water distribution system shall be controlled to reduce the possibility of water hammer. A water hammer arrestor shall be installed where quick-closing valves are utilized and when otherwise required by this code. Water hammer arrestors shall conform to ASSE 1010.
• Valves shall be the following types: Globe Valve, Ball Valve, Butterfly Valve, Check Valve, Gate Valve, and Needle Valve.
• Identify locations where existing insulation on domestic cold and hot water piping is worn-out or missing and provide insulation. It is not clear how to identify worn-out or missing insulation on piping installed into chase walls. [COMPMOD]
• Provide valves at the kitchen water supply to allow easy installation of resident-purchased washing machines. [COMPMOD]
  • For proper drainage of the washing machine, ensure that the following elements are installed: a standpipe at least 2 inches in diameter that is tall enough to extend past the washing machine’s overflow line, a P-trap to prevent hazardous and potentially flammable sewer gases from entering an apartment, a vent at least 1 1/2 inches in diameter, a washer box for supply line connections, a wastewater drain, and a water-hammer arrestor in the line designated for washing machines.

RAD Conversions 

•   Washer hookups should be fully inset into the wall and include a water supply and drain line; a dedicated electrical outlet nearby should be located.  
• Existing exposed piping should be sanded and repainted.  

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Last Updated on July 1, 2026 at 9:05 am

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22 05 17 - Sleeves and Sleeve Seals for Plumbing Piping

22 11 00 - Piping Material

22 11 16 - Domestic Water Piping

22 11 19 - Domestic Water Piping Specialties

Baseline

• Heat pumps having supplementary electric-resistance heat must have controls that prevent unnecessary supplemental heat operation. [COMPMOD]

Stretch

• Systems options include but are not limited to unitized heat pumps (PTHP, HPAC 2.0, CH4A window-integrated heat pump), centralized systems (VRF/VRV), and geothermal or ground-source heat pumps.
• Refer to NYC Pre-feasibility web map to determine if the property suite for geothermal energy conversion.

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Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 8:02 am

Description

• This section shall govern the design of gas piping systems. The scope covered by this section includes piping systems from the point of delivery to the connections with the appliances and includes the design, materials, components, fabrication, assembly, installation, testing, inspection, operation, and maintenance of such piping systems.

Baseline

• Within dwelling units, gas piping must have threaded connections, run outside of chases, and have new 48 foot long gas flexible connectors at all ranges.
• When run within concealed, inaccessible spaces, gas piping should not have fittings, unions, bushings, compression couplings, or swing joints. 
• When installed in public corridors, the piping shall comply with Fuel Gas Code and NYC Building Code and have a fire rated enclosure. 
• When gas meters are installed inside the building, meters shall be located as near as practicable to the point of entrance of the service. 
• Gas meter room ventilation shall be provided by one of the following methods: 
  • An opening to the outside air in the wall of such room or space. 
  • A duct or pipe leading to the outside air. Under no circumstances shall the means of ventilation for the gas meter room or space be from an adjoining room or space within the building. 
• If gas risers are to be exposed due to other work in the building, the NYCHA preference is to remove existing piping, rather than abandoning it in place. [COMPMOD] 
• Perform all required tests of gas risers. Perform all shutdown, purging, and restoration of services. Coordinate all utility shutdowns with the utility company and NYCHA Building Management. 
• Asbestos abatement might be required based on the scope of work.  

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Last Updated on July 1, 2026 at 9:01 am

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22 16 16 - Facility Natural Gas Piping

23 09 14 - Natural Gas and CO Gas Leak Detection Equipment

23 11 23 - Gas Piping

Description

• The work includes drinking fountains, utility sinks, eye shower stations, fixtures in locker/shower rooms, exterior spray showers, and associate plumbing aspects.

Baseline

• All new plumbing fixtures should be low-flow and comply with efficiency rates set by Local Law 57 and Enterprise Green Communities Criteria.
• All plumbing fixtures installed in community centers, senior centers, training centers and children centers, etc. shall comply with current NYC DOB plumbing code.  

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Last Updated on July 1, 2026 at 8:46 am

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22 40 00 - Plumbing Fixtures

22 45 00 - Emergency Plumbing Fixtures

Description

• General plumbing in NYCHA developments encompasses the design, installation, and maintenance of sanitary drainage and stormwater management systems. These systems ensure the efficient disposal of wastewater from bathrooms, kitchens, and other facilities while adhering to NYC plumbing codes and health regulations. Proper venting, traps, and cleanouts are implemented to maintain system integrity and prevent backflow or odor intrusion into living spaces. Additionally, stormwater drainage is carefully managed to prevent contamination, with backwater valves installed in flood-prone areas. The plumbing infrastructure is designed to be both hygienic and environmentally responsible, supporting the long-term functionality of NYCHA properties 

RAD Conversions 

• Existing plumbing systems should be thoroughly investigated through on-site inspections and testing and ensure proper allowance for percent repair or replacement, as indicated in cost estimates, if full replacement is not required.  
• RAD Conversion Partners should identify in their proposed building systems scopes where a proposed approach to heating and cooling and domestic hot water repair, replacement, or conversion may allow for abandoning certain plumbing infrastructure in place. 
• RAD Conversion Partners should consider enclosing existing pipe chases. At a minimum, existing exposed piping should be sanded and repainted. Piping should be insulated where indicated for Local Law compliance and Enterprise Green Communities certification. 

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Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 8:05 am

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Specifications

22 05 17 - Sleeves and Sleeve Seals for Plumbing Piping

22 05 18 - Escutcheons for Plumbing Piping

22 05 23 - General Duty Valves for Plumbing Piping and Equipment

22 05 29 - Hangars and Supports for Plumbing Piping and Equipment

22 05 53 - Identification for Plumbing Piping and Equipment

22 07 16 - Plumbing Equipment Insulation

22 07 19 - Plumbing Piping Insulation

22 10 06 - Plumbing Piping Specialties

22 11 00 - Piping Material

22 14 00 - Plumbing Drains

22 14 29 - Sump Pumps

Description

• Roof Tanks are commonly used to serve potable water for domestic use to apartments, and they also preserve water to fight against fire through fire standpipe.
• The work involves the replacement of one or more rooftop water tanks, including related piping, pump controls, and any associated painting or improvements to rooftop structures. The detailed scope of work is determined based on engagement of stakeholders and the specific design for the site.
• Roof tanks at NYCHA are made with wood which prevents corrosion and acts as good insulation. No additional insulation is required. Therefore, during the summer, water remains cold, and during the winter, water never freezes.

Baseline

• All roof tanks should be equipped with a high-water level alarm, monitoring panel, emergency overflow outlet, emergency drain and sensors which maintain correct water level throughout the year. 
• Provide all electrical control and power wiring associated with tanks.  
• Domestic Water Tanks
  • Tanks must be inspected, cleaned, water sampled, and filed with the Department of Health (DOH) at least once per calendar year. Both the owner and vendor must maintain five (5) years of inspection results. Per Section 17-194 of the NYC Administrative Code and 24 RCNY Health Code Section 141.07, building owners or their agents must report the results of their annual drinking water tank inspections to the Department.
  • All work must be performed by a Licensed Master Plumber, Licensed Professional Engineer, or Architect Design Professional.
• Fire Reserve Tanks
  • Per NFPA 25 Chapter 9.1.1.2, all water storage tanks used for fire protection must be serviced every three (3) years, except those with corrosion protection (i.e., cement lining or epoxy coating), in which they must be serviced every five (5) years.

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Last Updated on July 1, 2026 at 8:45 am

Description

• Projects in this scope area include design and installation of underground chilled water distribution piping and associated appurtenances to serve the development’s HVAC systems and central plant. Work covers trenching, pipe bedding and backfill, insulated piping, fittings, isolation and balancing valves, expansion joints, vaults/manholes, thrust blocks, and connections to building risers and the central chilled water plant.  

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Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 8:09 am

Description

• Projects in this scope area may include installing new underground piping for heating and/or drinking water supply and restoring grounds or asphalt paving. The full, detailed scope of work for this project including any additional work areas will be updated here after alignment with project stakeholders through scoping and design activities. 

Baseline

• At developments where the existing heating system is hydronic, any new system should have the following features:
  • Low water content boiler with sealed combustion air intake and flue 
  • VFDs on heating hot water (HHW) pumps 
  • Hydraulic coupler on HHW pipe system 
  • Indirect-fired DHW with storage 
  • Outdoor reset boiler control 

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Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 8:10 am

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22 05 17 - Sleeves and Sleeve Seals for Plumbing Piping

22 11 00 - Piping Material

Description        

• Below-ground piping carries natural gas throughout the housing development and includes piping from the utility company curve valve.

Baseline               

• All underground natural gas piping work shall follow the latest NYC Building Codes and in accordance with the gas utility company’s requirements. 
• Coordinate with utility company to obtain the approval of the new underground gas service pipe to the buildings. Perform excavation and prepare the trench for new gas pipe if necessary.  

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Last Updated on July 1, 2026 at 8:44 am

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23 11 23 - Gas Piping

Description

• Projects in this scope area include connection to city water mains and installation of fire hydrants, valves, and meters. The full, detailed scope of work for this project including any additional work areas will be updated here after alignment with project stakeholders through scoping and design activities. The professional engineer needs to submit an application to DEP for a new water connection.   

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Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 8:11 am