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Registrant Project Requirements:
Residential & Community Facilities:
Work & Inspections

Special Inspections

As per Chapter 17 of the Building Code, sign 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. Inspection discrepancies and hazardous conditions shall be reported to the super-intendment of construction, as well as to the site safety coordinator or site safety manager, for correction, 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, a renovation project may be required to comply with the following Special and Progress Inspection requirements:

*Note: See BB 2014-017 for a more comprehensive Table*

Structural Steel

May include steel welding, High Strength Bolting 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.  Precast may be needed during façade renovation project.  (BC 1704.4)

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

When raising a building in a flood zone, subject to requirements of BC 1704.7.1.

Wall Panels, Curtain Walls and Veneers

Required for exterior architectural wall panels and the anchoring of veneers designed for installation on buildings above a height of 40 feet. Special Inspection of masonry veneer on such structures shall be in accordance with Section 1704.5 (BC 1704.10).

Sprayed fire-resistant materials

Special Inspections  for  sprayed fire-resistant materials applied to roof  and  wall assemblies, and to structural members, shall be in  accordance with  Sections 1704.11.1 through 1704.11.7.

Structural Stability – Existing Buildings

Any modification of existing structural systems or elements, such as columns, girders, beams, bearing walls, etc. where the stability or integrity of the structural  system is impacted, in accordance with Sections 1704.20.6 through 1704.20.10.

Excavations – Sheeting, Shoring and Bracing

Methods employed to protect the sides of excavations  shall be subject to Special Inspections in accordance with Sections BC 1704.20.3, BC 1704.20.2 and BC 1814. 

Fire-resistant  Penetration and Joists

Special Inspections for penetrations of fire-resistant elements and assemblies, and related firestops in accordance with BC sections 1704.27.1 and 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 progress inspection for lowest floor level per BC 110.3.2.

Masonry

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

Chimneys

Chimneys shall be subject to a special inspection. See BC 1704.26.

Footings, Foundation and helical piles

Footing and foundation 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. Helical piles may be required under certain soil conditions if raising a building located in a flood zone, per BC 1704.8.5 and BB 2014-020.

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, walls, floors, ceilings, shafts, and shutters as per BC 110.3.4.

Luminous Egress Markings

If egress impacted on high rise buildings, in accordance with BC 1704.30 and BC 1024.

Raising and Moving a Building

Periodic inspections of homes during this process, as per BC 1704.20.5.

Energy Code Compliance Inspections

Required Inspections

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

  • Boiler Inspection – Fuel Storage

  • Construction Inspection – Final Inspection

  • Cranes and Derricks Inspections

  • Electrical Inspection – Final Inspection

  • Elevator & Lifts Inspection – Final Inspection

  • Fuel Gas Inspections - including gas piping roughing

  • Oil Burning Equipment

  • Plumbing Inspection – including water supply, sanitary and storm water connection

  • Sprinkler and Standpipe Inspection – Work Progress and Final Inspection

Contractors and property Owners are responsible for scheduling and completing all required inspections. Prior to scheduling such an inspection, contractors must:

  • Confirm that all construction work completed matches the approved drawings.

  • Confirm that relevant progress and special inspections are on-site and clearly approved by the SIA.

  • Periodically check that no safety hazards exist on the active construction project.

  • Confirm that work complies with code, zoning, multiple dwelling law, and other requirements.

  • Confirm that all 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 require a DOB inspection or submit a self-certification of the completed work where applicable. Contractors opting to self-certify must submit a Notice of Intent to Self-Certify containing the dates of these self-certified inspections to the Department and then 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 unit conducts a random audit of all self-certified notices to ensure compliance of inspected work with Code and regulations.

Other Regulations

  • Submission of Special Inspections can be done online by Special Inspection Agency.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • If the completed project has changes that are not minor, an “As-Built” submission shall be allowed. The applicant must submit revised “As-Built” drawings 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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