Dave Parney of Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute testifies on plastic piping

Good afternoon, Chair Riley and members of the committee.

My name is Dave Parney.

I'm the Executive Vice President of the Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, or CISPE.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify.

Founded in 1949, CISPE represents U.S.

Manufacturers of cast iron soil pipe and fittings used in the building construction for drain waste and

vent plumbing systems here in New York City.

I'm here to express CISPE's strong opposition to a proposal in the block-by-block plan to expand the use of plastic piping in buildings taller than five stories.

On page 99 of this block-by-block program, the plan calls for a Department of Buildings task force to identify code changes that could reduce housing costs.

One proposal is to permit plastic piping in taller buildings based on its lower material cost.

However, New York City has restricted plastics use in these buildings for more than 20 years.

And similar restrictions exist nationwide due to significant safety concerns.

We support building more affordable housing, but affordable housing must never come at the expense of fire safety or public health.

I'll explain some of these issues in brief.

First, fire safety.

Plastic piping will melt, burn, and produce smoke during a fire.

These systems also depend on fire stop devices at wall and floor penetrations to prevent fire and smoke from spreading through the building and causing health and safety concerns to the residents.

Once concealed, these devices can be difficult to inspect and maintain.

Second, water safety.

Research has raised concerns of biofilm growth, Legionella bacteria in plastic pipings, inability to withstand disinfection.

Independent studies have found Legionella more frequently in systems using plastic piping than those using copper, raising serious public health concerns about expanding its use in larger residential buildings.

Finally, CISPI urges the Council oppose any code changes that would expand plastic piping's use in buildings taller than five stories.

New Yorkers deserve safe, reliable plumbing, and affordable housing must never mean compromising the safety of the people who live in it.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify, and I'm happy to answer any questions.

Thank you so much.

For your testimony today.

We appreciate it.

Thank you.

This is Pound's excuse.

Next, we're going to hear from Ron.

And can you guys please submit those testimonies to us as well?

Yeah, thank you.

Rhonda Wiss, John Biggers, and Patricia Legate.

If there's anyone else that has signed up to testify, please see the sergeant at arms.

Following this testimony, we're going to go into a virtual panel.

That virtual panel is going to consist of...

Kyle Ems, Cheryl Mervin, and Dominic Duriski.

That will be the virtual panel after this.

Yes, I did call you Patricia.

I'm sorry.

Maybe I mispronounced your name.

I'm sorry.

John, and is Rhonda here?

Rhonda Wiss?

Okay.

We'll start with Patricia, then followed by John.