As of December 7, 2015, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) has updated the inspection rules for Certificates of Compliance (formerly called Equipment Use Permits). The certificates are required for specified types of service equipment, such as air conditioning systems (including cooling towers), ventilation systems, refrigeration systems, and heating systems (excluding boilers).

Previously, all inspections were performed by DOB inspectors or registered design professionals, but the rules have changed.

• The DOB no longer accepts inspection requests or performs inspections for the service equipment referenced above. Any previously scheduled inspections requests will be conducted.
• All referenced service equipment must be inspected and certified by a Special Inspection Agency (SIA).
• A Technical Report (TR1) form identifying responsibility for the required special inspection and a PW4 (Equipment Use Application Permit) form for Certificate of Compliance for Equipment Form must be submitted at permitting.
• After inspection, the Special Inspector must submit a completed Certificate of Compliance card and the applicable certified TR1 form. If the equipment is properly certified, the DOB will issue an approved (stamped) Certificate of Compliance card. The SIA will securely post the approved Certificate of Compliance card on or adjacent to the service equipment.

Existing procedures for other types of service equipment not referenced above (elevators, escalators, moving walkways and dumbwaiters; fuel burning and fuel-oil storage equipment; and boilers) are unchanged.

For any additional questions or comments on this topic, please contact Milrose Consultants.