Chapter 1 Administration

This code shall be known and may be cited as the "New York City Mechanical Code," "NYCMC" or "MC." All section numbers in this code shall be deemed to be preceded by the designation "MC."

This code shall regulate the design, installation, maintenance, alteration and inspection of mechanical systems that are permanently installed and utilized to provide control of environmental conditions and related processes within buildings. This code shall also regulate those mechanical systems, system components, equipment and appliances specifically addressed herein. The installation of fuel gas distribution piping and equipment, fuel gas-fired appliances and fuel gas-fired appliance venting systems shall be regulated by the New York City Fuel Gas Code.

The purpose of this code is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property, public welfare and the environment by regulating and controlling the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location, operation and maintenance or use of mechanical systems.

If a section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this code.

Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall govern. Where, in a specific case, different sections of this code specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.

Except as otherwise provided for in this chapter or elsewhere in this code, a provision in this code shall not require the removal, alteration or abandonment of, nor prevent the continued utilization and maintenance of, a mechanical system lawfully in existence on the effective date of this code.

Mechanical systems, both existing and new, and parts thereof shall be maintained in proper operating condition in accordance with the original design and in a safe and sanitary condition. Devices or safeguards that are required by this code shall be maintained in compliance with the applicable provisions under which they were installed.

Additions, alterations, renovations or repairs to a mechanical system shall conform to requirements for a new mechanical system without requiring the existing mechanical system to comply with all of the requirements of this code. Additions, alterations or repairs shall not cause an existing mechanical system to become unsafe, hazardous or overloaded.

Refer to Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code.

The standards referenced herein shall be those that are listed in Chapter 15 and in the rules of the department and such standards shall be considered as part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference. Where differences occur between provisions of this code and the referenced standards, the provisions of this code shall apply. Refer to Article 103 of Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code for additional provisions relating to referenced standards.

Requirements necessary for the strength, stability or proper operation of an existing or proposed mechanical system, or for the public safety, health and general welfare, not specifically covered by this code, shall be determined by the commissioner.

Refer to the New York City Charter and Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code.

The commissioner shall have the authority to render interpretations of this code, adopt rules, and establish policies and procedures in order to clarify and implement its provisions. Such interpretations, policies, procedures, and rules shall be in compliance with the intent and purpose of this code. See the New York City Charter and Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code for additional provisions relating to the authority of the Commissioner of Buildings.

Refer to Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code.

Permits shall comply with this section, with Article 105 of Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code, and with requirements found elsewhere in this code.

Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, add to, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, add to, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application for construction document approval in accordance with Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code and this chapter and obtain the required permit.

Exemptions from permit requirements of this code as authorized in Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code and the rules of the department shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or rules.

The issuance or granting of a permit shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this code or of any other law. Permits presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or other law shall not be valid. The issuance of a permit based on construction documents and other data shall not prevent the commissioner from requiring the correction of errors in the construction documents and other data. The commissioner is also authorized to prevent occupancy or use of a structure where in violation of this code or of any other law.

For permits with respect to limited alteration applications refer to Sections 28-101.5 and 28-104.6, Exception 1 of the Administrative Code.

Construction documents shall comply with Article 104 of Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code and other applicable provisions of this code and its referenced standards. Such construction documents shall be coordinated with architectural, structural and means of egress plans.

The applicant shall submit all of the documents specified in Sections 107.3 through 107.10 as appropriate to the nature and extent of the work proposed. Construction documents shall indicate the heating, ventilation, refrigeration, and other mechanical work to be performed, so drawn as to conform to the architectural and structural aspects of the building and to show in detail compliance with this code.

The lot diagram shall be provided where applicable to the work proposed, including but not limited to the installation of exterior or rooftop equipment.

Where applicable to the proposed work, the statement shall identify:

1. The occupancy group or groups that apply to parts of the building in accordance with Section 302 of the New York City Building Code;
2. The occupancy group of the main use or dominant occupancy of the building;
3. The construction type of the building in accordance with Section 602 of the New York City Building Code;
4. The structural occupancy/risk category in accordance with Table 1604.5 of the New York City Building Code;
5. The height of the building as defined in Section 202 of the New York City Building Code;
6. The applicable measurements to the highest and lowest level of Fire Department access;
7. Whether the building is inside or outside of the fire districts; and
8. Whether the building is inside or outside a flood hazard area as such term is defined in Chapter 2 of the New York City Building Code.

Construction documents for fuel-burning and fuel-oil storage equipment shall contain plans that include the following data and information:

1. Diagrams of all distribution piping, including vent and fill piping for oil systems, and all safety cut-off and relief devices and valves in piping; indications of the sizes of distribution piping to be used and the fire-resistive ratings of the shafts or spaces containing distribution piping where required to be fire rated.
2. Diagrammatic floor plans showing the size, location, material for all fuel oil and transfer distribution piping and related equipment.
3. Floor plans or partial floor plans showing the location, operating pressure, layout, size, and listing information for all fuel-burning equipment, tanks, vents, and chimneys. The plans shall also indicate the method or means of providing air to the equipment space, including duct and opening sizes or means of direct venting.
4. Plans indicating the location and type of any relevant smoke and heat detectors, alarm and fire extinguishing systems.
5. Seismic protection and restraint details for piping and equipment as required by Chapter 16 of the New York City Building Code.
6. Details indicating the location, size and materials for all breechings; the thickness and type of insulation materials; and the clearances from combustible walls, partitions, and ceiling; and the fire-resistive ratings of rooms and spaces containing the equipment.
7. Details describing the type, material, listing information, height, and termination distances to adjacent properties and structures for chimneys and vents.
8. Details showing structural supports for fuel-burning equipment where required.
9. A statement as to the kind or grade of fuel to be used.
10. Plans indicating the location, arrangement, size, load, and maximum capacity of the burning, storage and fuel-pumping equipment.
11. In special flood hazard areas, construction documents shall comply with Appendix G of the New York City Building Code.

Construction documents for heating systems shall include the temperature to be maintained in every room and the output capacity in BTU per hour of the central heating source.

Construction documents for boiler installations shall indicate the output capacity in BTU per hour, the operating weight of each boiler, the pressure setting of the relief valves, and such other data and information as required by this code.

Construction documents for air-conditioning and ventilating systems shall contain plans that include the following data and information:

1. The location and sizes of all ducts; the location of all fire and smoke dampers, motors, fans, and filters; the type, air capacity, and size of all equipment; and where not shown on accompanying structural plans, the operating weight and manner of support of equipment.
2. The locations of smoke detecting devices.
3. The location and size of the fresh air intake, the design population, and the required ventilation for each room or space.
4. The amount of air to be exhausted or supplied from each outlet for each room or space.
5. In the case of ventilating or exhaust systems for ranges, fryers, ovens, and other similar types of restaurant or bakery equipment, for which a hood is required, the plans shall also show the type of extinguishing system, the location of heat detection devices, nozzles, piping, gas controls, manual and automatic control valves, method of joining ducts, method and location of discharging exhaust from building, the location of break-glass controls, and the quantity in cfm designed for each hood.
6. The safety group classification of refrigerant utilized, if any.
7. The refrigerant concentration limit calculations and routing of all refrigerant piping for any air-conditioning system that contains more than 6.6 pounds (3.0 kg) of refrigerant. Refer to Chapter 11 for refrigerant piping requirements.

*Section MC 106.8 was amended by Local Law 195 of 2018. This law has an effective date of May 30, 2019.

Construction documents for refrigerating systems shall contain plans that include the following data and information:

1. The location of all machinery; the horsepower of compressors; the type and number of pounds of refrigerant to be used; and the air quantities for, and means of, ventilating the machinery space.
2. The location of refrigerant detectors and emergency switches for compressors and for ventilation in the machinery rooms.
3. The location of pressure relief piping and any city water connections and water-saving devices.
4. The tonnage capacity of the machine and the suction and discharge pressures at which the machine is rated.
5. The operating weight of the equipment.
6. The safety group classification of refrigerant utilized.
7. The refrigerant concentration limit calculations and routing of all refrigerant piping for any refrigerating system that contains more than 6.6 pounds (3.0 kg) of refrigerant. Refer to Chapter 11 for refrigerant piping requirements.

Construction documents shall include compliance documentation as required by the New York City Energy Conservation Code.

Refer to Section 28-104.12 of the Administrative Code.

Except as otherwise specified, inspections required by this code or by the department during the progress of work may be performed on behalf of the owner by approved agencies or, if applicable, by special inspectors. However, in the interest of public safety, the commissioner may direct that any of such inspections be performed by the department. All inspections shall be performed at the sole cost and expense of the owner. Refer to Article 116 of Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code for additional provisions relating to inspections.

In addition to any inspections otherwise required by this code or applicable rules, the following inspections shall be required: The requirements of Section 108.2 shall not be considered to prohibit the operation of any heating equipment or appliances installed to replace existing heating equipment or appliances serving an occupied portion of a structure provided that a request for inspection of such heating equipment or appliances has been filed with the department not more than 48 hours after such replacement work is completed, and all required inspections are performed before any portion of such equipment or appliances is concealed by any permanent portion of the structure.

Mechanical systems shall be tested as required in this code and in accordance with Sections 108.3.1 through 108.3.3. Tests shall be made by the permit holder and witnessed by the department or an approved agency.

Refer to Article 116 of Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code.

The commissioner shall have the authority to authorize the temporary connection of a mechanical system to the sources of energy for the purpose of testing mechanical systems or for use under a temporary certificate of occupancy.

Refer to Chapters 2 and 3 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code.