N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FC 5810: Section FC 5810: Microturbines

5810.1 Scope.

This section shall govern the design, installation, operation and maintenance of microturbines when the aggregate electrical energy produced by all microturbines on or within a single building, including building roofs and setbacks, does not exceed 2,000 kW.

5810.2 Permits.

Permits shall be required as set forth in FC 105.6.

5810.3 Supervision.

The operation of a microturbine during regular business hours shall be under the personal supervision of a certificate of fitness holder. At all other times, a microturbine shall be under the general supervision of a certificate of fitness holder. Certificate of fitness holders shall be trained by the manufacturer or other qualified and knowledgeable person in the safe operation of the equipment, including how to safely shut down the equipment in the event of an emergency.

5810.3.1 Alarm monitoring.

The alarms initiated from the operation of a microturbine shall be annunciated both locally and remotely as required by the construction codes, including the Building Code and Mechanical Code, and the Electrical Code. The remote panel shall be located in a continuously supervised location on the premises.

5810.4 Design and installation.

Microturbines shall be designed and installed in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code and the Mechanical Code, and the Electrical Code. A copy of the design and installation documents for microturbine installations approved by the Department of Buildings shall be submitted to the department prior to installation.

5810.5 Operation and maintenance.

Facilities housing microturbines shall be operated and maintained in compliance with the requirements of FC 5810.5.1 through 5810.5.4.

5810.5.1 Signage and diagrams.

Signage and diagrams shall be provided in compliance with the requirements of FC 5810.5.1.1 through 5810.5.1.3.

5810.5.1.1 Emergency gas shutoff valve.

The fail safe emergency natural gas shutoff valve shall have a durable sign conspicuously posted near such valve that reads: "MICROTURBINE EMERGENCY GAS SHUTOFF".

5810.5.1.2 Fuel shutoff valve diagram.

A durable diagram shall be conspicuously posted on all doors and other entrances to a microturbine room or area indicating the location of all manual and automatic natural gas shutoff valves.

5810.5.1.3 Gas piping.

A durable sign shall be conspicuously posted on or near each door or other entrance to a room or outdoor area in which a microturbine is located, and on or adjacent to the microturbine itself, that reads: "HIGH PRESSURE NATURAL GAS".

5810.5.2 Secured location.

The microturbine shall be located in an area protected from unauthorized entry. Doors to rooms containing a microturbine shall be kept locked, but a key to such locks shall be readily available on the premises to certificate of fitness holders, maintenance personnel, and emergency responders.

5810.5.3 Combustible materials.

Combustible material shall not be stored and combustible waste shall not be allowed to accumulate in rooms or within 10 feet (3048 mm) of outdoor areas in which microturbines are located.

5810.5.4 Service contract.

The owner of any microturbine installation shall maintain a service contract with the microturbine manufacturer or other qualified service company as long as the installation exists on the premises. A copy of the service contract shall be maintained on the premises and made available for inspection by any department representative.