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Registrant Project Requirements:
Mechanical: Allowable Work Without A Registered Design Professional

Permits are tied to the project scope of work and work type, in addition the permits are regulated according to the nature of the work, licensing, and registration requirements for the work being performed. There are several aspects of Mechanical Work, including but not limited to piping, fuel-burning equipment, ductwork, air-conditioning equipment, electric wiring, and repair/replacement of interior/exterior finishes, which can only be performed by designated Skilled Trades or Contractors with specialized licenses to perform such required work. Permits are issued to these registered trade license holders.

Master Plumber

The work outlined can only be performed by a Licensed Master Plumber. However, if the project exceeds the work allowed under the two categories of limited boiler work listed, a Registered Design Professional must submit construction plans for approval by the Department in order to obtain a work permit.

Limited Boiler Work (Gas)

Limited Gas Boiler Alteration. Administrative Code §28-101.5 provides the definition of Limited Plumbing Alteration, to specify repair to a gas boiler system that is limited in scope under two (2) categories:

Category 1
Has cost and time period limitation - $35,000 cost limitation per building including appliance and labor in any 12 month period – only the following can be done:

  1. Piping.  Installation of new plumbing or fuel gas piping. (not including Category 2 work)

Category 2
Has no cost or time period limitation but only the following can be done:

  1. Piping. Reroute existing plumbing or fuel gas branch piping to serve the same number of existing fixtures and appliances within the same unaltered fire-rated enclosure, or room.

  2. Gas-fired Boilers. Replace gas-fired boilers of 1 million Btu/h (293 kW) or less.

  3. Gas Burners. Replace gas burners of 2.8 million Btu/h (821 kW) or less.

  4. Relocate gas burner/boiler. Relocate gas burner/boiler within the same unaltered fire-rated enclosure or room.

  5. Direct-vent Appliances. In-kind replacement of direct-vent gas-fired boilers, hot water heaters and furnaces servicing one or two family dwellings four stories or less in height

  6. Temporary Gas-fired Boiler. Placement of a registered gas fired temporary boiler at a site for emergency heat.

Licensed Oil Burner Installer

The work outlined can only be performed by a Licensed Oil Burner Installer. However, if the project exceeds the work allowed under the two categories of limited boiler work listed, a Registered Design Professional must submit construction plans for approval by the Department in order to obtain a work permit.

Limited Boiler Work (Oil)

Limited Oil-Burning Boiler Alteration. Administrative Code §28-101.5 provides the definition of Limited Oil-Burning Boiler Alteration, to specify repair to an oil burner/boiler system that is limited in scope under two (2) categories:

Category 1
Has cost and time period limitation - $35,000 cost limitation per building including appliance and labor in any 12 month period – only the following can be done:

  1. Replace Equipment or Piping. Replacement of oil equipment or oil piping including oil tanks with 330 gallons (1250 L) or less capacity.

Category 2
Has no cost or time period limitation but only the following can be done:

  1. Replace oil-burning boilers or water heaters. Replacement of oil equipment or oil piping including oil tanks with 330 gallons (1250 L) or less capacity.

  2. Replace oil burners. Replacement with heat input of 2.8 million Btu/h (821 kW) or less.

  3. Relocate oil burner or oil-burning boiler or water heater. Relocate within the same, unaltered fire-rated enclosure or room.

  4. Temporary oil fired mobile boiler. Placement of a temporary Department of Buildings registered oil fired mobile boiler at a site for emergency heating.

Licensed Electrician 

A new installation, alteration, or repair of electric wires, wiring apparatuses and appliances or equipment shall be performed by a New York City Licensed Electrical Contractor.  All electrical work such as, but not limited to, installing conduits, wires, lighting fixtures and switches, panelboards, fire alarm devices, boiler line voltage work and controls, etc., require an electrical permit before commencing such electrical work.

The Electrical Contractor will coordinate with the Registered Design Professional, other members of the design team, and all other construction trade Contractors where projects have other aspects to the work in addition to electrical.  For such projects, the Department only requires the submission of a separate electrical permit application.  When an electrical permit application by the Licensed Electrical Contractor includes a large electrical installation (see classifications of large installations under electrical advisory board plan examination listed below) or requires Energy Conservation Code (ECC) compliance, such an electrical permit application must reference the general project application number for permit issuance.

Electrical construction documents are not required to be submitted by a Registered Design Professional to the Department as part of the electrical or general permit application, except electrical construction documents must be submitted to the Department to obtain an electrical permit as follows:

  • Electrical Advisory Board plan examination. Submitted by either a Registered Design Professional or a Licensed Electrician

    • Electrical Equipment with a capacity of 1000 KVA or larger.

    • Electrical installation that utilizes 1000 Volt or higher.

    • Electrical Service Installations with 1000 KVA totaling.

  • Energy Conservation Code compliance. Submitted by a Licensed Electrician
    • Lighting Power Density to demonstrate energy code compliance (small jobs using a simple calculation). Please note this is in addition to other construction document submittal requirements required for ECC Plan Examination; please refer to ECC section C406.3, and Table C405.5.2(2) for these requirements.
  • Fire Alarm System (FDNY plan examination). Submitted by a Registered Design Professional
    • Construction documents are required for the new installation or alteration to an existing fire alarm system as part of the project submittal.

Additional Requirements for Registrant

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