FDNY " Fuel Oil" permit - what is it?
Happy new year everyone! I just received a notice from the fire department stating they need to conduct an inspection relative to my “Fire Department Fuel Oil permit”. Can someone please clarify what this is? While I was in the purchasing process of my brownstone, the previous owner had just replaced the oil tank (about 6 months ago). I’m still learning what it takes to own a brownstone in NYC so thanks in advance for your help!!

lyndapak
in Building Code 10 years and 6 months ago
9
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brokelin | 10 years and 6 months ago
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It isn’t a big deal. They inspected the boiler room of my four-unit coop. They told us we had to remove some wood moldings someone had stored in there, and close up some holes that existed between the boiler room and the rest of the basement. We then signed a form saying we had done this, and all was well. The fee we paid was, I think, good for two years, if I remember correctly. We were required to post the notice that we paid the fee – which we did, on the wall outside the boiler room.

Arkady | 10 years and 6 months ago
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I think I recall a similar discussion on here a while back. One or two people said they got the letter every year but many others had never heard of it. Guess it’s the luck of the draw.

MAC | 10 years and 6 months ago
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Be very careful and do a little research. Oftentimes there are companies that exist that use an “official” city logo but it is actually a private company. I almost fell prey to a company that told me my sprinklers needed to be replaced because they were either old or inoperable. MY ENTIRE brownstone! at a cost of over $3K. I did research and found they were not an official city entity. Just giving you some info.

boredatwork | 10 years and 6 months ago
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Perhaps. As I wrote in my original post, I converted from oil to gas about 12 years ago. At the time, I also converted from a legal one family to a legal two family. Maybe it wasn’t a requirement for a one family. Its moot now, anyway.

lyndapak | 10 years and 6 months ago
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All – thank you for you replies. First, it is indeed a letter from the fire department. I spoke to them and they informed me that a valid permit is a requirement for any home that is more than a single family. If, however, you have an oil burner that is 300 gallons or less, you need to renew every two years as opposed to every year. They also check to make sure that the furnace room is clean, there is a fire extinguisher, and the door to the room is self closing. I hope this is helpful info. I have to now go buy a fire extinguisher and get springs for my door.

no-permits | 10 years and 6 months ago
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also @bored at work, it’s a possibility the fire dept never knew about your oil system.

no-permits | 10 years and 6 months ago
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@bored at work, it’s a requirement that’s been around for as long as i know but usually isn’t enforced. i don’t recommend ignoring it.

boredatwork | 10 years and 6 months ago
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I had an oil-fired furnace and hot water coil in a legal two family for 11 years (before converting to gas 12 years ago) and NEVER had an FDNY inspection. Maybe my oil burner service company did it or its a new requirement. Is the letter really from FDNY?

no-permits | 10 years and 6 months ago
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if you have oil, you have to do it every year. i think its $90\. it’s a basic safety test to make sure the tank is in good condition. don’t leave any flammable materials around. also how many units do you have? you may need a boiler inspection every year as well. i’d hire a private company for that and not let the city do it.