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Skilled Trades Project Requirements:
Mechanical Work & Site Requirements

The Department issues licenses to Contractors qualified to perform construction work. Permits for mechanical systems work are only issued to the Registered General Contractor (GC). However, renovations and alterations of 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-family homes and individual apartment units require a Home Improvement Contractors (HIC) license issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs in addition to the GC license.

The GC must have a place of business in New York City as per §28-401.18. All licensees shall include their license number and business information on trucks, business cards and advertisements. See the NYC Administrative Codes §28-418.

Mechanical Work Permit

Contractors must register first to use the Department’s online permit processing ePermit system. A permit application must be completed online by the registered Contractor for the issuance of a mechanical repairs permit. Prior to issuing a permit for the approved project, the following are required:

  1. Payment of any unpaid project application fees

  2. Identification of responsible Special Inspection Agencies

  3. Request for waiver of penalties, stop work orders or violations (former L2 Form).

  4. Licensee must have his/her license and insurance active and current

Work Site Safety Requirements

The Administrative Code of the City of New York §28-301.1 requires Owners to maintain their properties in a safe condition. Property Owners, Contractors and Construction Site Managers must minimize the risk of accidents and fire.

Mechanical Work Site Safety Regulations

  1. Smoking on construction sites is illegal. NYC BC §3303.7.3 and NYC Fire Code §1404.1.

  2. Tobacco, lighters and matches are prohibited on asbestos abatement sites. Local Law 35/09.

  3. Open fires are illegal on construction sites. NYC Fire Code §1404.3.

  4. Approved portable fire extinguishers must be available on floors where combustible materials or liquids are stored, combustible waste is being generated and at the entrance of each storage and construction shed. NYC Fire Code §1415.1.

  5. Temporary heating equipment used at construction sites. NYC Fire Code §1403.

  6. If you have a Fire Department variance to use a coal-fired heater, you must minimize the fire load on concrete construction projects. NYC BC §3303.6 and NYC Fire Code §307.2.2. To apply for a variance, contact FDNY’s Bureau of Fire Prevention at (718) 999–2377.

  7. Store materials away from flames. NYC Fire Code §308.2.

  8. All shanties and contractor sheds shall be built from fire-retardant or non-combustible materials and shall be located in safe area. NYC BC §3303.1.3

  9. Follow Tenant/Occupant Protection Plans. NYC BC 3303.10.

  10. Scaffold safety, per NYC BC 3314.

  11. Fall protection such as safety netting, per NYC BC 3308.3, and worker training, per NYC BC 3319.10.

  12. High pressure gas storage, per NYC FGC 301.7.2 and the NYC Fire Code.

Tenant/Occupant protection plan

Construction documents for renovation in an occupied building during construction shall include a Tenant Protection Plan.  Such plan shall contain a statement that the building contains dwelling units, offices, or similar, that will be occupied during construction. It shall also include the specific units that are occupied during construction and the means and methods employed to safeguard the safety and health of the occupants with details such as temporary fire-rated assemblies, opening protectives, or dust containment procedures. The elements of the Tenant Protection Plan shall have detailed and specific provisions for egress, fire safety, structural safety, health requirements, and demonstrate compliance with housing standards and noise restrictions (AC §28-104.8.4). Applicant of Record must fill out Tenant Protection Plan (TPP1) form prior to approval of application.

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