Meeting Summary:

Chimneys

FOR FUEL TYPE CHANGES ONLY

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 proof or evidence as to the method in which the chimney was inspected and attested to on the PW1-C as being in good condition (e.g. video scan, smoke test, or other approved method).  If a video scan, for instance, is performed then it must be a detailed and thorough video scan of the entire interior of the chimney.  This video 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.  

Supplemental to either a video scan, smoke test, or other approved method initially performed, an inspector and/or supervisory team of the NYC Boiler Division can also at their own discretion request a smoke test, as applicable, in accordance with 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.  

A chimney attestation letter must be provided and uploaded to DOB NOW.

Inspections and the letter should contain the following information:

1.  Letter must be signed/sealed/notarized by a Licensed Professional Engineer, Special Inspector, or Licensed Plumber/Oil Burner Installer.

2.  Company Name on Official Letterhead

3.  Provide Licensee Name & Licensee No.

4.  Include Job number & address

5.  Statement that the chimney and/or vent is code compliant

6.  Clean (free of obstructions & debris)

7.  Properly sized (i.e. adequate draft) & provide sizing

8.  Has proper material along with material identification/type

9.  Has proper clearances to the chimney wall (if lined)

10. Has a cleanout

11. Not unsafe

12. Smoke tested, as applicable (Fuel type changes or requested by inspector)

13. Terminated as per code/does not present any nuisance or environmental hazard

14. State whether a chimney cap or no cap is required, etc.

Smoke Tests:

As per section FGC 507 of the 2014 Fuel Gas Code and section MC 807 of the 2014 Mechanical Code, “the chimney design must meet the requirements of the referenced chapters for the conversion fuel and the chimney is to be test run and smoke tested in accordance with Sections 503.5.6.4 and 503.5.6.5, 810.  The chimney should be sized to provide adequate draft and to vent the combustion products for the new fuel.  The chimney is to be thoroughly cleaned prior to the conversion to remove collected flue deposits.”

As per section 1704.26 of the NYC Building Code, “New and altered chimneys shall be subject to special inspection. The chimney shall be inspected to verify compliance with the approved construction documents, and proper clearance or isolation from adjacent combustible construction.

Testing of the chimney shall be performed in accordance with Section 810 of the New York City Mechanical Code and Section 503.5.6 of the New York City Fuel Gas Code. 

Exception: A pressurized smoke test need not be performed on an existing negative pressure chimney (i.e. masonry chimneys with terra cotta or clay liners or U.L. Listed negative pressure chimney systems) if the lining of such chimney is not affected by alterations and the registered design professional specifies on the approved construction documents that such test does not need to be performed on such chimney. Refer to Section 810 of the New York City Mechanical Code and Section 503.5.6 of the New York City Fuel Gas Code for smoke test requirements.”

Combustion Air

If means of combustion air is provided via a duct with a fire damper or combination smoke/fire damper then it is required to be electrically interlocked with the appliances served in accordance with NYC Fuel Gas Code section 304.10.1.  This is also required for existing combustion air intake louvers with fire or combination fire/smoke dampers on exterior walls. 

Sources

NFPA 211

2014 NYC Fuel Gas Code, Mechanical Code, and Building Code

Powerpoint Presentation from NYC Boiler Division distributed on August 15^th, 2018