HVACR Groups Sought NYC Refrigerant Rule Updates
Installation contractors must navigate Local Law 77 restrictions that differ from current national standards.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Remote Work
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HVACR trade organizations have petitioned the New York City Department of Buildings to amend Local Law 77 to align with updated safety standards. The proposed changes target requirements that currently drive up design and installation costs for mechanical systems.
Why it matters
Current city mandates regarding refrigerant piping and corridor access force contractors to use non-standard configurations that increase labor and material expenses. These groups are pushing for harmonization with national codes to eliminate design bottlenecks.
Local Law 77 currently anchors city safety requirements to 2022 ASHRAE standards. Industry groups are requesting a shift to 2024 editions and addenda published through June 2026 to resolve cost disparities.
The players
HARDI
A national trade association representing heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration distributors.
AHRI
An industry trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating, and commercial refrigeration equipment.
New York City Department of Buildings
The local regulatory agency responsible for enforcing building codes and safety standards for construction across the city.
The details
Industry advocates argue that existing rules, specifically requirements for pipe-in-pipe configurations and limitations on piping in public corridors, create unnecessary operational hurdles. By moving to the 2024 ASHRAE standards, firms hope to align NYC projects with broader national model codes. This change would standardize installation practices and lower overhead by removing city-specific design constraints.
Timeline
2022: ASHRAE standards were adopted for the current local law.
Earlier this year: Local Law 77 was implemented.
June 2026: The cutoff date for the requested ASHRAE addenda.
October 1, 2026: Industry comments were highlighted in public reporting.
Market Landscape
This push for regulatory alignment follows the implementation of Local Law 77, which currently forces a deviation from broader industry standards. The attempt to move toward ASHRAE 2024 marks a recurring effort by trade groups to harmonize municipal mandates with national building codes.
Operators should monitor whether the Department of Buildings adopts the 2024 ASHRAE updates, as this will dictate future design and installation costs for mechanical projects. Until new rules are finalized, factor in the current pipe-in-pipe and corridor restriction costs for all project bids.
The takeaway
Regulatory mismatches between local and national standards remain a primary driver of project cost inflation in NYC. Owners should track potential rule updates through the Department of Buildings to ensure that current mechanical designs account for the latest ASHRAE standards.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts and regulatory updates, see Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cooling Post.
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