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Design Professional Requirements: Other Construction Equipment

Applicability of Code and Zoning

All mechanical construction equipment projects for new buildings or alteration of existing buildings must be submitted for review under the current 2014 NYC Construction Code, and it is the responsibility of the Registered Design Professional to determine the applicable Codes and identify what is required to make the structure stable.

*Note: While the following is a list of key Codes and other regulations that may be relevant in the design of the project, it does not cover ALL applicable regulations.*

Zoning Regulations

Zoning regulations do not apply to mechanical construction equipment projects.

Codes

A listing of typical code regulations that must be considered for a project including mechanical construction equipment includes:

Project Element	Applicable Code and Regulations
Project Element	2014 Construction Codes
Administrative	2014 Administrative Code
Temporary Construction Equipment	BC 105.8 and subsections
Mechanical Demolition Equipment	BC 3306
Excavation Equipment	BC 3304
Safeguards During Construction Pedestrian Protection Safety zone	BC Chapter 33 BC Section 3307 BC 3306.2.1
Special and Progress Inspections	BC Chapter 17

Other Rules and Regulations

1 RCNY 3310-01 – Safeguards during Construction or Demolition
1 RCNY 3319-01 – Safeguards during Construction or Demolition
TPPN 10/88 – Procedures for the Avoidance of Damage to Historic Structures
Local Law 38/2015 – Use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel (this refers to city agencies and contractors working on city owned projects; and solid waste and recyclables contracts)

Other Agency Requirements

Additionally, projects must also comply with the rules, regulations, laws and codes of other city agencies, such as the Fire Department (FDNY), NYC Environmental Protection (DEP), NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, and others.

DEP Dust and Noise Mitigation Plan
OER Notification and authorization
FDNY inspections and approvals for fire safety
LPC regulates landmark districts
Utility company regulations
OSHA requirements
MTA Notification, approval and authorization
NYC Parks Department Tree removal and/or protection
DOT work permit
DEC Approval and authorization

Guidelines for Submission of Mechanical Construction Equipment Project Documents

Prior to preparing the design and construction documents, the Registered Design Professional (RDP) must perform a pre-design review that analyzes related elements of the building and other components affected by the proposed scope of work, to verify a code-compliant design of the proposed project scope. Based upon the complexity and scale of the project, the information provided on the drawings must clearly describe all of the work required for the Code-compliant execution and completion of the project per article AC 28-104 or 2014 BC 107.2.

Complete Submission of Mechanical Construction Equipment Drawing/Construction Documents

Construction documents should represent complete work, including multiple disciplines such as architectural, demolition and structural (if applicable). There must be coordination between the disciplines for the proposed scope of work to ensure code compliance;* reference AC 28-104.7, BC 107.2.

A complete submission of drawings should include:

Construction Documents. Where mechanical construction equipment other than handheld devices is to be used, a listing and description of all such proposed equipment, including the scope of equipment work and positioning of equipment on the structure and site is required. The description of the equipment shall include calculations showing the adequacy of the existing structure to support loads imposed by such equipment. If more than one piece of mechanical construction equipment is proposed to be used at the same time, the effect of the simultaneous loads imposed on the existing structure shall be described and analyzed. Equipment to be located on grade does not require calculations. The Applicant of Record may designate use of a specific piece of equipment but allow for alternates within the same weight range and type. Alternates must be listed on the plans.

Lot (Plot) Diagram. May include location and size of the property line, building, sidewalk, street, street names, location and path of all mechanical construction equipment, location of all utilities, and fixed street furniture. Identify any adjacent historical landmarks.
Construction Equipment Details. Details of the proposed mechanical construction equipment including capacities and manufacturer specifications, scope of work showing all the elements, with proper dimensions, notations, schedules and quantities.
- Plans/Sections/Elevations: Indicating heights, supports, relation to building and surrounding properties, length, clearances, and any other related construction equipment such as scaffolds or sidewalk sheds.
- Notes: Required for documenting project details – for example, these could include relevant Code sections, structural analysis, manufacturer specifications, installation, relocation and removal instructions, operational procedures, tenant safety notes, protection of pedestrians and adjacent property.

*Refer to Project Guidelines for Scaffolding, Full and partial demolition, Sidewalk shed, and Public Right-of-way Encroachments.

Submission of Construction Documents

Drawings. The mechanical construction equipment project drawings should reflect clear scope of work and include all affected elements. Examples of this are as follows:

Designator-Sheet Number	Sheet Description
EQ-100.00	Site/plot plan, general notes, manufacturers’ equipment specifications, list of Special and Progress Inspections
EQ-101.00	Plans, Sections and details of the mechanical construction equipment.

Drawing Legend to include: Symbols, abbreviations, notes and definition, and list all applicable Building Code section numbersand list of all construction materials to be used with estimated quantities.

Recommended Drawing Designators:
EQ: Construction Related Equipment: Includes all non-handheld temporary mechanical construction equipment
DM: Demolition: Mandatory designation for demolition drawings

Other Required Documents. Based on the location, designation and the project scope of work, the following submissions may have to accompany the drawings at intake:
- OER Notification and authorization
- Utility company “cut-off” letter
- NYC Parks Department Tree removal and/or protection
- DOT work permit
- DEC Approval and authorization
- FDNY Letter of No Objection
- MTA Approval
- LPC approval or authorization

Post Approval Amendments. Any changes to approved scope of work that are substantive must be submitted as a Post Approval Amendment (PAA). Approval for an amendment must be obtained before the work is completed. Changes that are not substantive do not require a PAA.
- Changes to the scope of work that require additional Special or Progress Inspection(s).
- Changes in type or capacity of equipment that is not an approved alternate.
- Change in location of equipment.
- Adding or removing equipment from scope of work.

Substantive changes that meet the following criteria should be submitted for review to amend the approved plans:

Special Inspections

As per BC Chapter 17, construction equipment projects may require certain Special and Progress Inspections to be performed during and at the end of construction as outlined in the table below. Prior to approval, the Applicant of Record is required to identify all required Special and Progress Inspections (BC 1704.1). Prior to DOB permit issuance, the Owner must typically engage a registered Special Inspection Agency (SIA) who will take responsibility for the Special and Progress Inspections. The Applicant of Record may perform these inspections if they are also an SIA. Per BC 1704.1.2, the Contractor cannot hire the Special Inspector.

Based on the scope of work, construction equipment projects may be required to comply with the following Special and Progress Inspection requirements:

Structural Stability – Existing Building	Alteration of existing structural systems or elements, such as columns, beams, bearing walls, seismic isolation, etc. where the stability or integrity of a structural system is to be temporarily diminished, in accordance with sections BC 1704.20.6 through BC 1704.20.10.
Mechanical Equipment Used for Demolition Work or to Move Material/Debris	When mechanical equipment is used within the building for demolition work or to move material/debris, per BC 3306.4 Mechanical Demolition is required prior to the pre-demolition inspection approval (Application for Best Recommendation for Mechanical Means of Demolition).
Welding	Special inspector shall verify the qualifications of the welder and welding equipment, per BC 1704.3, BC 1704.18.1, BC 1704.19, BC 2003.2.2, and FC Chapter 26).