N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FC 112: Section FC 112: Certificate of Approval

112.1 Approval of articles, equipment and devices.

Where required by this code or the rules, the manufacturer of any article, equipment or device installed in any facility or used in connection with any material or operation shall obtain a certificate of approval for the design, installation, operation and/or maintenance of such article, equipment or device. Certificates of approval are required for:

1. Auxiliary radio communication (ARC) systems, fire department in-building:

1.1. Base stations.

1.2. Radio consoles.

2. Bars, grills, grates or similar devices placed over emergency escape and rescue openings, and openings onto fire escapes.

3. Commercial cooking exhaust systems:

3.1. Ductless hoods.

3.2. Emission control devices.

3.3. Prefabricated hoods.

3.4. Grease filters.

4. Distillery stills.

5. Energy storage systems, stationary:

5.1. Storage battery unit, including pre-engineered and pre-packaged systems.

5.2. Mobile systems.

6. Fire protection devices, equipment and systems:

6.1. Fire alarm control units, and medical gas, toxic, highly toxic and flammable gas detection system control panels.

6.2. Fire department connections, standpipe system hose outlets and pressure reducing valves.

6.3. Pre-engineered non-water fire extinguishing systems, including foam fire extinguishing systems installed in connection with commercial cooking systems.

7. Flame-retardant chemicals and treatment.

8. High and/or low explosive products, devices, and firing systems in connection with blasting.

9. Metal hydride hydrogen storage systems.

10. Piped natural gas pressure boosters.

11. Pre-manufactured spray rooms and pre-manufactured spray booths that circulate heated air.

112.2 Conditions of approval.

The department may set forth in the certificate of approval conditions on the approved purpose or use of such article, equipment or device, or type, class or kind thereof, as may be necessary in the interest of public safety. The department may include under a single certificate of approval more than one type, class or kind of article, equipment or device of a similar design or common characteristic.

112.3 Markings.

Each article, equipment or device, or type, class or kind thereof, for which a certificate of approval has been issued shall have the number of such certificate plainly stamped or otherwise affixed upon it.

112.4 List of acceptable laboratories, articles and devices.

A current list of all testing services and laboratories acceptable to the department for the purpose of testing articles, equipment and devices, and a current list of all acceptable articles, equipment and devices shall be maintained by the department and made available for public inspection.

112.5 Application.

Applications for a new or renewal certificate of approval required by the provisions of this code or the rules shall be made to the department, in such form and detail as the department may prescribe, including such information and documentation as the department may require. An application for a certificate of approval shall include complete drawings of and specifications for the article, equipment or device for which approval is sought and, unless the department determines that it is impracticable, the article, equipment or device itself shall be attached to or submitted with the application. The department may require that the article, equipment or device be examined, tested or demonstrated at the applicant's expense in a manner prescribed by the department, including examination and testing by a testing laboratory acceptable to the department. In those instances where a testing or performance standard is not prescribed by this code or the rules, the article, equipment or device or type, class or kind of article, equipment or device shall have been examined and tested in a manner acceptable to the department.

112.6 Issuance.

The department may grant an application for a certificate of approval upon a determination that the application article, equipment or device is designed for the purpose for which it is to be used and can be safely operated in accordance with this code, the rules and other applicable laws, rules and regulations.

112.6.1 Term of certificate.

Every certificate or renewal thereof granted by the commissioner shall be for a period as specified therein, not to exceed 3 years, and shall expire at the end of such period unless the department approves its renewal.

112.6.2 Time for submission of renewal applications.

Applicants may apply for renewal during the period from 60 calendar days prior to a certificate's expiration date to not more than 1 year after such date. The commissioner shall not renew certificates that have been expired for more than 1 year. Applicants holding such certificates must apply for an original certificate and comply with all the original certificate requirements.

112.6.3 Renewal.

Certificate renewals shall be at the discretion of the department in the interest of public safety. The department may reevaluate the design and safety of the article, equipment or device in light of changes in applicable laws, rules or regulations, new technology, and safety concerns arising from the use of the article, equipment or device.

112.7 Expired certificates.

It shall be unlawful to install articles, equipment or devices authorized by a certificate after the term of such certificate has expired.

112.8 Certificate revocation and suspension.

The department may, at any time, revoke or suspend a certificate for good cause. The certificate holder shall be afforded notice and an opportunity to be heard prior to any such suspension or revocation except that, in the circumstance of an imminent threat to public safety, such notice and opportunity to be heard may be given promptly after such revocation or suspension.

112.9 Maintenance on premises.

A copy of the certificate of approval shall be maintained at the premises for review by persons installing, operating or maintaining the approved article, equipment or device, and for inspection by any representative of the department.