Residents back in E. Northport facility after gas leak

Residents evacuated from an East Northport assisted living facility because of a gas leak early Monday returned after town code violations were fixed.

The 65 residents of Birchwood Suites on Clay Pitts Road returned from a nearby Salvation Army facility Monday at about 9 p.m., Glenn Rappaport, executive director of the facility in East Northport, said Tuesday.

Town of Huntington officials had said they would not be permitted to return until the code violations discovered after the gas leak were addressed. Inspectors found several violations, including a large gas-fired heater - the source of the leak - that had been improperly installed and had undersized piping that caused a problem with exhaust escaping from the unit. Officials said the gas heater was installed without a permit.

A boiler room and two water heaters were also found to be improperly vented, and the facility did not have carbon monoxide detectors, town officials said.

"There were a lot of issues with duct work and improper venting," said Pat Del Col, Huntington's director of engineering services.

Rappaport said some of those violations existed before new owners bought the facility two years ago. "From our standpoint, the only thing we did incorrectly was the installation of the heater, which caused this gas problem, and we fixed it immediately," Rappaport said.

He said facility officials did not realize a permit was necessary for the heater, which was installed a little more than a week ago. He said it's in a room that requires key code access and is not near residents.

"At no point were any of the residents in danger," Rappaport said.

A plumbing inspector and a fire marshal remained on the scene late Monday to sign off as work progressed.

"They installed the carbon monoxide detectors, and they were also able - to the satisfaction of the town, fire district, National Grid and the health department - to get the boiler up and running and vent it properly," Del Col said.

She added some plumbing violations remain and the town is working with Birchwood Suites officials to resolve them."Those violations have to do with water hook ups," Del Col said. "Maybe they need to change a valve or flange; they are not violations that are a threat to life, safety or the residents there."