amendment to DOB approved plans necessary?

Hi, We are gut renovating a 2 family townhouse. Renovation work is currently in progress and is being carried out in accordance with the DOB approved plans. At the time our architect filed the plans, we were set on going with a split system A/C heating unit and keeping our current steam heat. Subsequent to the filing and approval by the DOB of the plans, we decided to go 1) with a central air system and 2) add a second hot water heater to supply hot water to the tenant’s unit with us using the coil in the existing boiler. We had also told our architect that we wanted to convert from oil to gas but this apparently never made it into the mechanical portion of the drawings that were approved by the DOB. Our HVAC person (not our plumber) is removing our oil tank and converting the burner from oil to gas. For this, he is filing what he calls a LAA with the DOB. Our plumber has added the water heater. Our plumber is insisting that in order for him to pass his inspection, he needs the plans to be updated to account for the hot water heater. Our HVAC person is also insisting (less so than the plumber) that the plans be updated to account for the chimney flue and some risers. We reached out to our architect and he initially told us that this needs to be a separate mechanical filing and that we need to get a mechanical engineer to do the drawings and submit to the DOB. Our architect then found a mechanical engineer for us but he is too busy to do this work and indicated that it is unsual for a mechanical engineer to get involved for something like this and that it is standard practice for a capable plumber to do his own filing. We found a mechanical engineer (they are hard to find) to do the drawings for us but given what I heard from our architect, I am now rethinking the engagement of a mechanical engineer and incurring an unnecessary expense. Sorry for the long winded note but has anyone come across something like this? Is it necessary to amend the DOB approved plans to account for a water heater and oil to gas conversion if the professionals doing the work pull the right permits and we file a LAA for the oil to gas conversion? Who do you think would be the best person we can go to for advice on this – an expediter? Thanks in advance. Sam

samtsegaye

in Dept. of Buildings (DOB) 9 years and 11 months ago

9

Please log in, in order to post replies!

9 replies

Newest Oldest

jakester2 | 9 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5113 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4914 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "194189"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "jakester2"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BmexxoK27DRUhmPMtfUE/dRqbs9NNs/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "jakester2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "jake@jacobpritcahrd.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 13:37:52"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(31) "jacob pritcahrd jacob pritcahrd"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(194189)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Hi Everyone if you need a mechanical engineer contact send me a message gcfengineer@gmail.com. I have done multiple townhouses (new construction and full renovations) in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Thanks

samtsegaye | 9 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5112 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4904 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "45436"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "samtsegaye"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BuRjjxVEjKfZg/yrjfL8yK.A/M4jl6."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "samtsegaye"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "samtsegaye@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(19) "/forums/users/stam/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:35:08"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "samtsegaye"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(45436)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Hi firsthouse, Happy to share our experience which you may find helpful. Feel free to email me at samtsegaye@gee mail

firsthouse | 9 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4907 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5115 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "185478"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "firsthouse"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BoecUtPViwz6d5I28L1J2k1/4D9w5C."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "firsthouse"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "sbhaskel@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:56:22"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "firsthouse"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(185478)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Sam – I am about to install a forced air system in my gut renovation. Originally filed plans had no mechanicals other than 2 boilers – which we are not putting in. Can you let me know what you ended up doing in your situation? My architect says I need to pay for a whole new mechanical filing instead of just an amendment – which is of course more costly than just amending. thanks!

zag0r | 9 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4904 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5113 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "184861"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "zag0r"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B8NqdTV5KbklXy8yLVw6i9FMhe3X5Y."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "zag0r"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "ah_yaaak@hushmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:28:01"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "zag0r"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(184861)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

The answer is in my original reply. “In conjunction with” means you need them both. The original plans are no longer accurate, they need to be revised to reflect what is actually getting built. If your architect says you need a mechanical engineer you need a mechanical engineer. It’s not a matter of theory as architects don’t design mechanical systems.

hawaiismurf | 9 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5112 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5114 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176865"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "hawaiismurf"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BKkJvdT0kX9LY2u.Q814oU.1Wl9O45."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "hawaiismurf"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "krtownhouseny@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(26) "/forums/users/hawaiismurf/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:51"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "hawaiismurf"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176865)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

you do need a mechanical filing that accompanies the existing architectural filing (same job #). in theory, your architect can do this, but obviously doesnt want to (probably not comfortable with signing off on mechanical details)

samtsegaye | 9 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4907 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5116 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "45436"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "samtsegaye"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BuRjjxVEjKfZg/yrjfL8yK.A/M4jl6."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "samtsegaye"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "samtsegaye@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(19) "/forums/users/stam/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:35:08"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "samtsegaye"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(45436)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Does the architect file the PAA or can the mechanical engineer file a separate mechanical filing? My architect is not interested in doing the filing.

zag0r | 9 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4904 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5117 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "184861"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "zag0r"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B8NqdTV5KbklXy8yLVw6i9FMhe3X5Y."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "zag0r"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "ah_yaaak@hushmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:28:01"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "zag0r"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(184861)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

This is why DOB is backlogged. People sign up for the cheapest services they can find without understanding what they are or aren’t getting. Just recently there was a post from a genious who fired their architect after the project got approved.

samtsegaye | 9 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5116 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5112 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "45436"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "samtsegaye"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BuRjjxVEjKfZg/yrjfL8yK.A/M4jl6."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "samtsegaye"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "samtsegaye@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(19) "/forums/users/stam/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:35:08"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "samtsegaye"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(45436)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks. Who files the post approval amendment? The architect or the mechanical engineer?

zag0r | 9 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5117 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4907 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "184861"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "zag0r"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B8NqdTV5KbklXy8yLVw6i9FMhe3X5Y."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "zag0r"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "ah_yaaak@hushmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:28:01"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "zag0r"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(184861)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Your architect has told you everything you need to know but you’re second guessing and listening to different sub-contractors. Is there no GC?? Forget the LAA, you need to bundle all of this into a post approval amendment for your existing ALT-1 or ALT-2 filing. You need the mechanical engineer to draw up the forced air system and file it in conjunction with your amendment. Include all venting related to your mechanical room in these drawings. The gas riser diagram also needs to be amended.