During the course of completing boiler work or repairs of equipment, Contractors should check the following applicable notes to ensure regulatory and Code compliance with NYC Building, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes:
Boiler Inspections, per NYC Mechanical Code chapter 10 section 1011.1
NYC Fuel Gas Code: Gas Authorization, per FGC section 406
NYC Energy Code: Commissioning Replacement Equipment >600kBTU/h
Commissioning preliminary report: Must be submitted to DOB prior to sign-off Commissioning final report: Must be submitted to DOB 90 days after sign-off, as required by ECC section C408.
Boiler work may require, per Building Code Chapter 17, certain Special and Progress Inspections, and other construction requirements to be performed during and at the end of construction, as per the table below. The Registered Design Professional is responsible for indicating which Special Inspections are required at application intake. The Owner must engage the responsible Special Inspection Agencies, as required by Fuel Gas Code Section 406, for such Special and Progress Inspections.
SPECIAL/PROGRESS INSPECTION |
DESCRIPTION OF CODE REQUIREMENTS |
High Pressure Gas Piping |
Per FGC Section 403.1.1, all welded gas distribution piping is subject to a special inspection. See BC 1704.19 |
High-pressure-steam |
High-pressure-steam piping and high temperature hot water piping shall be subject to a special inspection. See BC 1704.18 |
Mechanical Systems* |
Mechanical systems shall be subject to a special inspection. See BC 1704.16.2 |
Heating Systems |
Special inspection is required for new and altered boilers and heating systems. See BC 1704.25 |
Chimneys |
Chimneys shall be subject to a special inspection. See BC 1704.26 |
Special Inspection for Fuel Storage and Fuel-Piping Systems |
Fuel-oil storage equipment, including tanks, pumps, valves, |
Seismic Isolation System |
There shall be periodic special inspection during the fabrication and installation of isolator units and energy dissipation devices for equipment and piping that are integral to the seismic isolation system as per BC 1707.8 |
Fire Resistance Rated Construction |
As per BC 110.3.4, Fire-resistance-rated construction shall be inspected to determine compliance with the approved construction documents, including inspection of the following work:
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Flood Zone Compliance |
Special inspection for flood zone compliance shall be as required by BC Appendix G105.3. |
Final Inspection |
There shall be a final inspection of all permitted work. Final inspections shall comply with AC 28-116.2.4. |
NYC Energy Code: Progress Inspections, as required by BC 109.3.5 and NYCECC |
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* Some special inspections listed may not be applicable for boiler installations, but are essential to complete the required project work, i.e. plumbing and mechanical.
Fuel storage installations/modification of tanks require FDNY notification. FDNY requires an annual permit for fuel storage tanks.
DOB inspections are required at various stages of completion of the boiler work, as well as at the final completion. Based on the work or repair project’s scope of work, the following boiler inspections may be required:
For boiler work, contractors have the option to either require a DOB Inspection or submit a self-certification of boilers in one- to five-family residential buildings with devices having heat input less than 350,000 BTUs. For fuel storage, the contractor has the option of self-certification for all work. Contractors must submit the results for self-certified inspections (online inspection results).
The Enforcement division conducts a random audit of all self-certified results to ensure compliance of inspected work with Code and other regulations.
An online tool for scheduling appointments for required DOB inspections must be used. DOB NOW provides robust online accounts, making it easier to submit applications, make payments, schedule appointments, check the status of an application or inspection, pull permits, and make renewals.