Re:  Boiler Division Meeting, July 17^th, 2018

Discussion:

NYEA met with NYC Boiler Division inspectors and with the Director Mr. Tarek Khalil to query and discuss as to the requirements for testing existing chimneys along with combustion air requirements for boiler rooms.

Meeting Summary:

Chimneys

Boiler Division attendees expressed concern over Installers and Professionals signing section 8 of the PW1-C form.  By signing this section, the Installer or Professional is attesting that the chimney is lined and/or in good condition.  The Boiler Division attendees have indicated instances in the past where this section of the PW1-C was signed and upon review at inspection the chimney was not lined or there was obstruction and/or signs of degradation.  In light of this, the Division will be requesting, as a minimum, a detailed and thorough video scan of the entire interior of the chimney.  This video scan must be available at the time of inspection for possible review by the Boiler Division inspector.  The video may also be submitted after the inspection for an administrative sign-off if not readily available at time of inspection.   This video will not be kept on file with the NYC Buildings Department and should be reserved in the records of the Installer or Professional.  The inspector and supervisory team can also, at his own discretion, request a non-pressurized smoke test in accordance with NFPA 211 or a pressurized smoke test as per the NYC Fuel Gas or Mechanical Code. 

This requirement is inclusive of existing masonry chimneys with ceramic liners or U.L. listed chimney lining systems and existing U.L. Listed Factory Built Chimneys.  If the U.L. listed lining or factory built chimney system is not listed as “positive pressure” then naturally a pressurized smoke test cannot be performed but a video scan as indicated as well as a non-pressurized smoke test per NFPA 211 can be performed.