NYC BUILDINGS BULLETIN - BREECHINGS OUTSIDE BOILER ROOMS INSIDE BUILDINGS

Published: Thu, 07/27/17

E-NEWS

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• Licensed Professional Engineers

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• NYC Department OF Environmental Protection (DEP) Filing Services

• Engineers Specifications For Boiler Room and HVAC Equipment

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•Boiler Testing and DEP Performance Testing

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To Our Valued Clients:

Re: NYC BUILDINGS BULLETIN 2017-002 - BREECHINGS OUTSIDE BOILER ROOMS INSIDE BUILDINGS.

The New York City Buildings Department has issued “Buildings Bulletin 2017-002" which discusses boiler breeching outside the boiler room between the boiler room wall and the chimney base. See link for a copy of this bulletin. NYEA is providing this memo to perhaps simplify and make this memo easier to understand for our clients.

This memo pertains to breeching for Category 1 thru 4 appliances, (boilers and hot water heaters), low heat, low pressure, utilizing #2 oil and/or natural gas. According to this memo, there are two acceptable options to install this breeching. The codes are ASTM E2816 or ASTM E2336. Basically, these codes entail how the duct assembly is tested with respect to fire resistance inside or outside the duct. Even though in option 2 in the memo, standard ASTM E2336 is titled for grease ducts, the NYC DOB is accepting this fire test method for boiler room breechings and the assembly must be tested to these standards.

The following links are two examples of duct systems that can be used to fire-rate breechings outside boiler rooms. One is manufactured by Unifrax, the model is FyreWrap Elite 1.5 and the other is manufactured by 3M, the model is Fire Barrier Duct Wrap 615+. Both are ASTM E2336 tested and approved. These assemblies must be installed per the manufacturers specs including any fire-stopping. All is discussed in the installation manual.

According to this memo, the NYC DOB is treating the construction, materials and supporting of breeching outside boiler rooms, like grease ducts. The sections that the breeching must adhere to are the requirements for grease ducts. The following are the minimum thickness of the steel to be used for the breeching outside boiler rooms in accordance with table MC803.9(2):

AREA (square inches) EQUIVALENT ROUND DIAMETER (inches) MINIMUM THICKNESS

0 - 154 0 - 14 No. 16 gage steel
155 - 201 15 - 16 No. 14 gage steel

202 - 254 17 - 18 No. 12 gage steel

Greater than 254 Greater than 18 No. 10 gage steel

If stainless steel is used for ducts of any of the cross-sectional areas listed above, the gage steel may be increased upwards (resulting in a smaller thickness) by 1 even gage size. All of the seams must be welded. Any breeching supports shall not penetrate the breeching walls.

The memo requires that this portion of breeching be subject to special inspection. This means that the engineer must perform a “Chimneys” special inspection on this breeching. Additionally, this breeching is required to have a pressurized smoke test performed in accordance with MC810.3 and the test must be witnessed by the engineer. The point where the breeching exits the boiler room to the base of the chimney, must be pressure tested to ½" water column. The chimney should not be included in this pressure test. Additionally, the engineer is required to “Alternate Materials” as part of the TR-1 form. This means that the engineer must know what system is being proposed so that our plans and notes reflect the correct system.

If there are existing projects that are not signed-off due to the issue of insulating the boiler breeching outside the boiler room, an amendment must be filed to reflect what type of system would be installed. For existing NYEA projects that need an amendment filed, NYEA would charge $1,000.00 to update the plans, update the paperwork and witness the pressurized smoke test. Additionally, the DOB would require additional fees to add these inspections to the project.

If you have any questions please contact our office and refer to E-News 2017-002

New York Engineering Associates, P.C. / [email protected] / http://www.nyeapc.com

Disclaimer: The services provided by New York Engineering Associates, P.C., its officers, managers or employees are non-legal services. As such, the protection of the attorney-client relationship does not exist with respect to the services provided. The information contained in the above Newsletter is the opinion of the writer and his/her interpretation of the various NYC Construction Codes, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and/or other Laws referenced therein. It is also based on information that we have been provided. Although every effort was made to provide for a complete and thorough analysis, neither New York Engineering Associates, P.C., nor any of its officers, managers or employees guarantees the accuracy of any information contained herein. Reliance upon the information contained herein is entirely at your own risk. As this opinion is only for advisory, the final decision is the responsibility of the designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of said codes.

New York Engineering Associates, P.C., 270 Spagnoli Road, Ste.204, Melville, NY 11747

Phone: 631-753-0333, Fax: 631-753-0427, E-Mail: [email protected]