Mandatory Boiler Updates?
A year or two ago my (now former) heating maintenance company presented me with a long list of upgrades which they said were mandatory to stay in code. Things like a low water cut off switch, spill switch, backflow preventer, etc. I got a bad feeling from them, thinking it was a skam. I asked…
A year or two ago my (now former) heating maintenance company presented me with a long list of upgrades which they said were mandatory to stay in code. Things like a low water cut off switch, spill switch, backflow preventer, etc. I got a bad feeling from them, thinking it was a skam. I asked another heating person I know who said that these were required for new installations, but not existing ones like mine. A heating repair person just brought these up again, saying they had spent their summer doing these upgrades. I asked if the buildings were 3 units houses like mine (with an installation that probably dates from 1985) and if maybe there was a difference between what larger buildings required and what I had to do. He didn’t know. Any ideas on this? Am I grandfathered? Thanks as always….
The annual inspection is not regulated by BTU rating…it’s based on occupancy….6 or more family, commercial or mixed use needs to file annually….if it’s mixed, there’s a little more to it…..
look up your boiler installation on the nyc dob …if a schedule c was filed you have to get a yearly inspection…you may have accumulated fines without knowing it
OP here. Upgrades aside, does anyone know if the 350000 BTU yearly boiler inspection requirement is a function of input or output? The DEP Website says “You are required to file annually with the Department of Buildings if your property has a boiler operating 350,000 Btu or above, regardless of building use or occupancy.” Sounds like output and operating are the same thing to me, but DOB has their own definitions. I’ve filed triennial reports forever, but not the annual one (even though they are now consolidated on the same form) and the DEP processed the triennial form without any questions.
I don’t disagree with wyckoff and lincolnlimestone about the upgrades, but I was simply asking about the code and what it mandates.
over 350000 btus, you should be filing a yearly boiler inspection and your boiler should be brought into current code compliance…. the dob is becoming really strict about this stuff and sooner or later will start issuing fines for noncompliant equipment…bite the bullet and pay for the upgrades
I totally agree with Wyckoff on this.
those are all basic safety measures to help ensure your boiler doesn’t explode, nobody dies from CO poisoning or your drinking water doesn’t get contaminated. Not only would it suck if you or someone in your building gets killed or injured from something that could have been prevented, but you could have serious issues with your insurance company trying to collect. Probably not the best place to save pennies.
It says 420,000 BTU/Hour input, 336,000 BTU/Hour output.
ho many btus on your boiler?