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Registrant Project Requirements:
Commercial, Mixed Use Buildings (Alterations) Work & Inspections

Special Inspections

As per Chapter 17 of the Building Code, alteration work 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 for a permit, the Applicant of Record is required to identify all required Special and Progress Inspections per 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. Inspection discrepancies and hazardous conditions shall be reported for correction to the super-intendent of construction, as well as to the Site Safety Coordinator or Site Safety Manager per BB 2016-006 and 1 RCNY 101-06. Per BC 1704.1.2, the Contractor cannot hire the special inspector.

Based on the scope of work, an alteration project may be required to comply with the following Special and Progress Inspection requirements: See BB: 2014-017 for a more comprehensive Table.

Structural Steel

May include steel welding, High Strength Bolting, Cold Formed Steel, and Steel Details (BC 1704.3).

Concrete –
Cast-In-Place

Required where the total concrete placement on a given project is more than 50 cubic yards or other conditions. (BC 1704.4). Also see BC 1905.6 and BC 1905.3, and BC 1913.5 and BC 1913.10.

Wood – Installation of Prefabricated I-Joists

Are subject to Special Inspections in accordance with BC 1704.2 and the requirements of BC 2303.1.2 (BC 1704.6.3).

Subgrade Inspection, Subsurface Conditions, Borings and Test Pits

Are Subject To Special Inspections In Accordance With Section BC 1704.7

Deep Foundation Elements

Are subject to Special Inspections in accordance with Section BC 1704.8.

Helical Piles

Are subject to Special Inspections in accordance with Section BC 1704.8.5.

Structural Stability – Existing Buildings

Alteration of existing structural systems or elements, such as columns, girders, beams, bearing walls, etc. where the stability or integrity of a structural system is to be temporarily diminished, in accordance with Sections 1704.20.6 through 1704.20.10.

Excavations – Sheeting, Shoring, Bracing and Underpinning

Methods employed to protect the sides of excavations shall be subject to Special Inspections in accordance with Sections BC 1704.20.6 through BC 1704.20.10.

Fire-resistant Penetration and Joists

Special Inspections for penetration of fire-resistant elements and assemblies; and related fire-stops in accordance with Sections BC 1704.27.1 and BC 1704.27.2.

Flood Zone Compliance

Special Inspection for flood zone compliance shall be as required by BC Appendix G and BC 1704.29. Also BC 1704.5 if raising or moving a building for flood zone compliance and BC 110.3.2 to record lowest floor elevation.

Masonry

Load bearing masonry, glass unit masonry and masonry veneer shall be inspected and verified in accordance with the requirements of sections BC 1704.5.1 through BC 1704.5.3, depending on the structural occupancy category of the building or structure

Footings and Foundation

Footing and foundation progress inspections shall be made after excavations for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel and required forms are in place as per BC 110.3.1.

Structural Wood Frame

Inspections shall be performed for wood structural framing to determine compliance with the approved construction documents as per BC 110.3.3.

Fire-Resistance Rated Construction

Fire-resistance-rated partitions, floors, ceilings, shafts, and shutters as per BC 110.3.4.

Energy Code Compliance Inspections

Progress & Special Inspections:

Other Progress and Special Inspections

Plumbing Systems, Fuel Gas, and Sprinkler Systems, Mechanical heating or cooling systems (including the seismic isolation of such piping and equipment per BC 1707), mechanical demolition, percolation tests for drywells and water detention systems, emergency & standby power systems, luminous egress paths, See other Project Guidelines for such Systems projects.

Required Department Inspections

During alteration work, DOB inspections are required at various stages of completion, as well as for final completion. Based on the scope of work, the following inspections from different DOB Inspection Units may be required:

  • Boiler Inspection – Fuel Storage Boilers
  • Construction Inspection – Final Inspection
    1. Final Inspection
      1. Completion of Work
      2. Conformance to Code and Approved Drawings

    2. Phased construction, as required for partial occupancy (TCO)
      1. Work Site Safety 
      2. Fire Protection
      3. Tenant Protection Plan (TPP)

    3. Work Progress (as required by DOB)

  • Cranes and Derricks Inspections

  • Electrical Inspection

  • Elevator Inspection

  • Fuel Gas Inspections - including gas piping rough-in

  • Oil Burning Equipment

  • Plumbing Inspection – plumbing, sprinkler and standpipe work
    1. Final Inspection
    2. Phased construction, as required for partial occupancy (TCO) 
    3. Pressure Testing of Piping

  • Sprinkler and Standpipe Inspection – Work Progress and Final Inspection

Contractors and property owner shall make sure to schedule and complete all of the required DOB Inspections. Prior to scheduling an inspection, contractors must:

  • Confirm that all construction work completed matches the most current approved drawings, and that such drawings are on site
  • Periodically check that no safety hazards exist on the active construction project.
  • Confirm that work complies with Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Fuel Gas Codes and other requirements.
  • Confirm that Energy Code requirements are met.

*Note: Contractors must also prepare for progress and special inspections by SIA in a similar manner to what’s indicated above.*

Required Commissioning Testing

During the course of completing mechanical system work, Contractors should check the following to ensure regulatory and Code compliance with NYC Energy Conservation Code: Commissioning is required on newly installed systems with a cumulative input heating capacity >600,000 BTU/h and/or cooling capacity > 480,000 Btu/h.

  • Commissioning preliminary report:  Must be submitted to DOB prior to mechanical sign-off.
  • Commissioning final report: Must be submitted to the Department 18 months after certificate of completion, as required by NYCECC Section C408.

Contractor Self-Certification of Inspections

Contractors have the option to either require a DOB Inspection or submit a self-certification of the completed work, if applicable. Contractors opting to self-certify must submit a notice of intent to self-certify, with the dates of these self-certified inspections to DOB, and follow-up with the submission of results for self-certified inspections. The following inspections may be self-certified:

  • Plumbing and Boiler - work progress and final inspection
  • Waste and Water Systems - work progress and final inspection
  • Sprinkler Work - work progress and final inspection
  • Standpipe Work - work progress and final inspection

DOB Inspection Units conduct a random audit of all self-certified notices to ensure compliance of inspected work with Code and regulations.

With respect to Contractor self-certification of inspections for plumbing systems, please note that no such inspections are allowed for gas systems, fire pumps, or pressure testing of piping. See the Guidelines of those systems for more information.

Other Regulations

  • DOB inspections may be required during various project stages. Such inspection requests may be made online and any objections raised may be resolved on-line.
  • The results of Special Inspection may be submitted online by a Special Inspection Agency.
  • If the applicant elected to self-certify the required DOB inspections, an online notice of intent to self-certify must have been submitted at the project start. Such self-certified inspections may be audited; audit results will be provided to applicant and must be resolved prior to final sign-off.
  • Depending on the above, DOB or the applicant shall complete the final sign-off inspection to close the project.
  • The applicant must submit revised “As-Built” drawings, indicating all changes, prior to project sign-off.

Inspection Requests

An online tool for scheduling appointments for required DOB inspections must be used. This system, DOB NOW: Inspections provides the ability to request and cancel appointments online, as well as view inspection results and documentation.

Additional Requirements for Registrant

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