Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-08-06
THAT PIUmBINc onDIrANcE.

THAT PLUMBING ORDINANCE.
Professor chandler Explains Its
Features and Wherein It is Be
lieved to be a Great Improvement
over Old Methods The Essential
Points of the New Measure.
Alderman Chandler said last night re-
garding the new proposed plumbing ordi-
nance which was referred Monday night
by the aldermen to the committe on ordi
nances It provides for good plumbing
and good work well done, done as it
should be; also for its proper inspection
and testing Of the work such as is done by
water and gas companies. The inspection
must be by competent inspectors It pro-
vides for penalties for non compliance
with it's requirements, and if any attempt
is made to hoodwink or deceive the in
spector there is penalty for that also,
and from 500 to $500 for false swearing.
It provides for having good work done,
properly inspected and tested, and then
it requires the inspector to file sworn
statement regarding the work, to be
lodged on file with the board of public
works. The statement scertifes that
all requirements and rules have
been complied with and that the work
is done as required by law. The tendency
Of all this will be to improve the value of
real estate A buyer can go right to the
records and ascertain if the house has
proper plumbing. He can see who did the
plumbing and when it was done and the
sworn statement that the law is complied
with. This is at once certificate to 60
by and depend upon. The Objectionable
features of the old way are taken out, such
as the allowing of anybody to make
complaint-m malicious it may be Or other
wise-as to the plumbing, to the board Of
health, with the consequent inevitable
visit of the inspector whose report may
be based on imaginary evils, and may re-
suit in causing the owner or owners of the
house burdensome and unnecessary expense.
The complainant in the case may be at
loggerheads with the landlord and make
needless complaint and annoyance. He
he smells it, and gas or no gas the result
may be needless annoyance and ex-
pense. Now, our city is not New York.
We are not to be classed in this matter
with New York, where houses are SO
crowded together Our city is spread out
over large space There is plenty of
room. We are not jammed together as to
tenements like New York is. What we
need is to apply the law in the future to
all new buildings which are being erected,
and to old buildings that are being built
over or overhauled. Then again, the old
plan calls for salaried inspectors, whose
pie. In the new or proposed plan the ex-
pense of inspector is borne by the property
owner who happens to own the property.
We think the Objectionable features of the
old bill are eliminated in this new measure,
and that it is great Improvement. Any
way it will be step in right direction,
and pave the way for further improve
ments in this matter in question as time
may bring them to light.
The principal features of the new bill,
emitting such portions as are only routine
matters and matters of detail, are as fol-
lows:
The bill provides that the law shall take
due effect and be obligatory as to all new
plumbing and house drainage work after
the passage of the ordinances 1t provides
for the choice of an inspector by the COM
mon council, and for repeated inspections
until thorough work has been done. There
shall be three inspections, at least, during
the progress of the work, the inspectors to
receive proper notification as to when to
inspect.
One of the three (9 inspections shall be
of the connection of the building with the
sewer, or with cesspool, before said con-
nection is covered from view.
One of these inspections shall be of the
work when ''fnished in the rough" before
| any. part thereof isScovered from view. AT
this inspection test of the work shall be
| made by water, or by air pressure of from
three to five pounds.
The third and final inspection shall be OF
the work when completed.
The bill provides for the fling of a
sworn statement with the board of public
works as to the work when completed.
The penalty for false swearing on the
| part of the inspector shall be to forfeit and
pay a sum not less than one hundred mol
more than three hundred dollars.
H-proper materials or improper work |,
being done the Inspector must give due
! reasonable time proper attention is not
paid by the contractor to the notification,
complaint to the city attorney and prose
cution will follow.
The inspectors fees shall not be more
than per cent. on the contract price fol
the same, after deducting the contract
price for all fixtures.
The fee shall be paid by the owner OF
owners Of the building in which sale
plumbing and house drainage has been ex
I ecuted.
Any person violating any of the provis
ions of these bylaws shall forfeit and pay
| penalty of not less than one hundred MOI
l more than three hundred dollars.