NYC DOB Boiler Rules: What You Must Know to Own or Manage Properties

Most properties in New York City have boilers on the premises to provide steam heat and hot water for occupants. Therefore, if you own or manage one of these buildings, it’s essential to know all the NYC DOB boiler rules. You don’t want to miss a deadline with the Department of Buildings, which could lead to a citation from the city or even stiff fines. Here are three important topics you should be familiar with as a landlord or superintendent, courtesy of the boiler experts at Calray Boilers.

Annual Boiler Inspection

Making sure your boiler is operating properly

Boilers in larger properties are required to have an inspection when they are first installed (first test inspection by the city) and a yearly inspection thereafter. This is to ensure your boiler is functioning properly, which affects everything from building safety to city air quality.

Which properties are exempt from boiler inspections?

• Boilers in one- to five-family properties
• Boilers that heat individual dwelling units
• Boilers in mixed-use buildings that only heat residential units
• Boilers rated at a heat input of less than 100,000 BTUs
• Domestic hot water boilers rated at a heat input of less than 350,000 BTUs
• Boilers owned by federal or state government agencies, the United Nations, foreign consulates, or the Port Authority

How do low-pressure boiler inspections work?

If you have a low-pressure boiler, it can be inspected by an authorized inspector, like a licensed master plumber or certain other professionals certified by the city. The inspection cycle runs from January 1 through December 31 each year. Within 45 days of the inspection, the inspection report must be filed with the Department of Buildings by the authorized inspector. You can get an extension on the deadline, but unexcused late reports will be penalized with a fine. Answers to other common questions can be found online with the Department of Buildings.

Boiler Room Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Safety for building workers and tenants

In spite of attentive boiler inspection and regular maintenance, problems can still occur with your boiler system. To safeguard against issues with carbon monoxide, your boiler room should be outfitted with carbon monoxide detectors.

What is carbon monoxide and why is it dangerous?

Small amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) are produced in combustion reactions (like burning fuel for a boiler). It can become harmful with either inadequate venting or incomplete combustion. When inhaled by people in the immediate environment, CO can cause sleepiness, confusion, loss of consciousness, or even death.

Does your boiler room need a carbon monoxide detector?

Yes, every room used for boilers, furnaces, and hot water heaters is required by the New York City Department of Buildings to be equipped with a carbon monoxide detector. Similar to the way a smoke detector works, this will alert you to the presence of excess carbon monoxide in the area. Some models of carbon monoxide detectors will alert tenants or even shut off the gas entirely until the situation is remedied through ventilation.

Make sure your boiler room has the appropriate carbon monoxide detection devices, and teach your building staff about the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Always dial 911 if you think there is CO in the environment, and remove all people from the affected space.

Boiler Registration

DEP clean air initiative

While not governed by the Department of Buildings, boiler registration is also required for your property. This is administered by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Boiler registration is part of a city-wide initiative for cleaner air and improved respiratory health. Cleaner air also makes for less buildup of pollution on buildings and a more attractive city.

Why does boiler registration contribute to cleaner air?

By keeping track of boilers, especially those that are still burning #4 and #6 heating oil rather than natural gas, the city can make sure they are compliant and don’t need to be removed. Also, the fees generated by boiler registration help pay for programs like the Clean Air Tracking System (CATS).

How do you register your boiler?

You must register your boiler if it falls into one of these categories:

• Boilers with outputs of 350,000 BTUs per hour to less than 2.8 million BTUs per hour
• Boilers with outputs of 2.8 million BTUs per hour to 4.2 million BTUs per hour
• Boilers over 4.2 million BTUs per hour (special work permit and certificate of operation required)

Please call today if you have questions about your DEP registration.

Assistance with Boiler Installation, Maintenance, and Safety

New York City’s hyper-local blue-chip boiler professionals

Whether you need an annual inspection, help installing boiler room carbon monoxide detectors, installation of a new boiler, or maintenance work to ensure your boiler passes its annual inspection, Calray Boilers is here to help. We’re part of the Omnia Mechanical Group, and we’ve been boiler experts serving New York City for nearly a century.

Don’t wait until your inspection is overdue or you have a problem with your boiler system to reach out. Call Calray Boilers today at 212-722-5506, or schedule an appointment online at your convenience. Ask about our annual service agreements that make boiler upkeep even easier and more economical.