Permitting a Roof AC Unit
Just bought a house with central air that he been installed incorrectly and without a permit. We have secured the unit properly (it was sitting ont he roof and now is on steel dunnage). Ideally I would like to get it permitted as I’m not sure the neighbors are that happy about it (the dunnage…
Just bought a house with central air that he been installed incorrectly and without a permit. We have secured the unit properly (it was sitting ont he roof and now is on steel dunnage).
Ideally I would like to get it permitted as I’m not sure the neighbors are that happy about it (the dunnage sits on the shared parapet / party wall).
An engineer named Song Mullen was recommended. Has anyone heard of him? Have another recommendation? He is quoting $1700 – $2500 depending on the size of the AC unit. Does this sound reasonable?
Thanks everyone for your help. Not sure what I would do without the advice from this community.
right, I wouldn’t try and get it permitted. Especially now that you’ve mentioned a deck. Once the inspector shows up, it’s open season, and the city needs money…
Thanks everyone for your thoughts. My guess is the neighbors don’t know this is normal / legal so they may place a phone call.
The property also came with a wooden deck which is also not legal. If I try to get the AC permitted, is there a chance an inspector will show up and ding me for the deck?
Denton – are you saying “Wouldn’t worry about it” as in we shouldn’t bother doing the permitting or that the permitting will not be a problem.
Absolutely it does apply to brownstones, and ALL buildings. I ran into it a year ago when trying to sign off a brownstone renovation. The contractor had put it in without my knowing about it, but we were able to get it through only because the rest of the work was reviewed and permitted before the new fire code came into effect.
Actually he says it was sitting on the roof and now is on steel. Keep in mind the steel needs to be permited as well. Get the equipment use permit for it or one day FDNY will show up and ask.
Question for Jim Hill… Do you know if that requirement holds on brownstones, where you only have party walls and not parapets? Our GC didn’t do that, and I’m not sure how it could have been done… Thanks!
“So you already built it and now you want to get it approved?”
op says he didn’t build it, he/she bought the house with it there, and wants to legalize it, if necessary.
It’s true the dob is erratic these days, so whatever you do, make sure it’s going to pass. Was it installed as part of a larger renovation that had permits and just overlooked? Or was the ac put in on its own?
Does the dunnage go from one wall to the other or diagonally in the corner? If the former, then you won’t be able to legalize it anyway as the fire dept now requires a 6′-0″ wide clear path from the front of the roof to the back.
Wouldn’t worry about it. I managed to get central air installed during my reno and didn’t even know I needed permits. An electrical inspector helped me out and added something, and the engineer ‘overlooked’ it.
It’s mainly the NYFD that wants AC equipment off the roof, and now you’ve done it right, so don’t think anyone will bust your chops.
So you already built it and now you want to get it approved?
Don’t know the wisdom in that. The DOB is totally crazed at the moment. They could say anything. You would be opening a huge can of worms.
Why are your neighbors concerned? Did you do a sloppy job? They can put in a dunnage on their side too if they wish. It is pretty standard practice.