Dan Fortini of Plumbers Local 1 testifies on plastic piping opposition
He opposes expansion of plastic piping in buildings taller than five stories, says it poses fire safety and public health risks, and asks for public disclosure of task force recommendations.
Hello.
Chair Riley and members of the committee, my name is Dan Fortini, and I'm a proud member of Plumbers Local Union number one.
I also serve on the Plumbing Technical Code Committee alongside Paul O'Connor.
He's the business manager of Local One, and today I have the privilege of presenting testimony on his behalf.
For generations, our members have built and maintained the critical plumbing infrastructure
that delivers safe drinking water, removes wastewater, and protects the health and safety of millions of New Yorkers.
Let me be unmistakably clear.
Local One supports building more housing that working families can afford, but the housing crisis is not a blank check to weaken public safety.
We reject the false choice between affordability and safety.
And New Yorkers deserve both.
We unequivocally oppose the use and expansion of plastic piping in all capacities, including PEX.
This is not an opening bid for compromise.
Reducing construction costs cannot justify transferring risks to residents, building operators, or firefighters.
The administration cannot use the block-by-block housing plan
to bypass the established construction code committee process.
The affordable and efficient code reform task force cannot become a vehicle for reviving rejected proposals behind closed doors.
New York City's density and building standards
stock demand local scrutiny, not shortcuts dressed up as reform.
The council should demand public disclosure of the task force's membership, recommendations, supporting evidence, and dissenting views.
FDNY participation is essential.
Contemplating changes involving combustible materials without the firefighters to respond when systems fail is indefensible.
Fire safety is not negotiable.
Plastic piping systems can soften, melt, or burn, and the consequences of this extends beyond the failed pipe to residents and emergency responders.
Before expanding plastic piping, the city should subject fire performance and the integrity of affected fire stopping systems to independent technical review.
Public health demands scrutiny.
Concerns about plastic piping, biofilm, and safe disinfection require independent examination.
That review needs to address Legionnaire's disease.
The city has a responsibility to demonstrate that proposed systems can safely be maintained and remediated.
Testimony has been submitted and written.
Thank you for your time.
Thank you, Dan.
Anthony?