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Project Checklists for Owner: Place of Assembly Certificate of Operation

This section contains a list of questions/tasks to help Owners, who are responsible for hiring professionals to provide compliance with the NYC Construction Codes and other regulations discussed in the Project Guidelines.

The project design team should be hired and assembled by the Owner prior to beginning any construction. As an Owner, if you are unfamiliar with construction regulations, consult a Registered Design Professional or reference the NYC Construction Code and other regulations referenced in this guide for more information.

Checklists include:

Initial Project Checklist

DO

  • Pre-Project: Hire a NYS licensed/Registered Architect (RA), or Professional Engineer (PE) to ensure your project is Code compliant.
  • Project Plans: Only a Registered Design Professional can submit construction documents, including drawings, an application filing for a TPA, and other submissions to DOB for approval.
  • Proposed Plans (Establishment Layout): The plans should include primary plans (the layout to be used most frequently) and up to two alternate plans. If you wish to include additional alternate plans, you must file an AI1 Form in addition to the PA1 Form.
  • Work Completion: Ensure that the contractor has completed inspections and obtained a sign-off to close out the completed work filed under project work permit from any associated construction, and if required, commissioning is filed with DOB prior to sign-off.
  • Required by DOB NOW: Owner must provide their e-mail address to DOB for correspondence, inspections and final project sign-off. For additional information, please see DOBNOW.
  • Seating Plan: Prior to occupancy, FDNY requires submission of a copy of the DOB approved seating plan, depicting the arrangement of seating, location of aisles and such other information in each place of assembly.
  • Post Certificate of Operation: Ensure that place of assembly certificate of operation is current, framed and permanently mounted in a conspicuous location that is visible to a person entering the space.
  • Post Occupant Load: Ensure capacity sign, where required, is permanently posted in a conspicuous place.
  • Approved PA Plans: Keep Place of Assembly plans available at the site for yearly Fire Department inspection.
  • Provide Contact Information: Per DOB NOW, owners must also provide their e-mail address to DOB for correspondence, during submission, permit, inspections and final sign-off of the project.

DON’T

  • Work Without a Permit: If construction work is involved, do not work without a permit. At completion of work, do not occupy the space(s) without a PACO from DOB. Property owners without a PACO may face violations with penalties, court appearances, civil and/or criminal penalties.

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Prior to Application Approval Checklist

  • Hire a Registered Design Professional (RDP), P.E., R.A., or landscape architect to consult and finalize scope of work.
  • Provide and consent to project submission requirements, and authorize the Registered. Design Professional, who is the Applicant of Record, to submit project plans (construction documents) for approval by the Department.
  • If construction work is involved, an associated NB or ALT filing is required and must be referenced on the PA application.
  • A project approval and inspection sign-off is required prior to issuing a PACO.

    • *Note: The Owner of the building/property is ultimately responsible for the project, and their signature/consent is required for submission of the project application by their Design Professional, and Department approval. The Owner may attend plan examination appointments only if accompanied by the Applicant of Record or the Filing Representative.*

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Pre-Permit & On-going Project Work Checklist

Pre-Permit

  • Licensed Contractor: If construction work is involved, hire a NYC licensed/registered contractor to obtain work permit for the associated NB or ALT application in order to begin work.
  • Confirmation: Verify that the associated New Building or Alteration construction complies with all required code and zoning regulations.

    • NOTE: If the Place of Assembly scope is modified after approval, verify if changes need an amendment – refer to Section AC 28-104.

On-going

  • FDNY Permit: Property owners must obtain separate permits from FDNY for alternative fire suppression systems (if applicable) and fire alarm systems.
  • PACO Permit: Property owners must renew their PACO every 12 months with the FDNY.
  • Signage: Post and maintain proper occupant load and capacity signage.

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Project Completion Close-out Checklist

  • FDNY Inspections: If the scope of work requires, FDNY must inspect any alternative automatic fire suppression systems and the owner must obtain final approval of the completed work.
  • Department Inspections: If construction work is involved, make sure that the contractor has completed DOB inspections for the associated NB or ALT project and obtained a sign-off of the completed work.
  • PA Inspections: Make sure that DOB has completed a PA inspection and obtain a sign-off of the completed work.
  • PACO Permit: Obtain initial PA Certificate of Operation from DOB. For subsequent annual permits, property owners must renew their PACO every 12 months with the FDNY.

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