NYC plumbing rules do not require cast-iron pipes in all new buildings

In short: A claim that all new construction in New York City must use cast-iron plumbing is incorrect, because the city code allows several pipe materials.

What happened

A public policy group has said that New York City rules force new buildings to use cast-iron plumbing, and that this makes construction more expensive.

But the current New York City plumbing code does not set a blanket rule that all plumbing in new construction must be cast iron. Instead, the code lists cast-iron pipe as one approved option among others for different parts of a plumbing system.

The material lists in the code include alternatives such as brass and copper, and also several types of plastic pipe, including ABS, CPVC, and PVC. (Think of the code like a menu, not a single required ingredient.) Which materials are allowed depends on the exact use, such as drainage and vent piping, or parts that carry away water from air conditioners.

NYC and New York State standards also include specific requirements for cast-iron soil pipe products and the hardware that holds them in place. That shows cast iron is important and closely regulated, but it does not prove it is required everywhere in every new building.

Why it matters

Building costs can affect rent, home prices, and how fast new housing gets built. If the city required only one pipe material, builders would have less flexibility, and that can raise costs. However, based on the code materials described here, the strongest conclusion is simpler: cast iron is permitted and often used in NYC, but it is not the only legal choice.

Source: NYTimes