N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FC 603: Section FC 603: Fuel-Fired Appliances and Equipment

603.1 Installation.

Nonportable fuel-fired appliances, devices, equipment and systems shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with the construction codes, including the Fuel Gas Code and the Mechanical Code.

603.1.1 Manufacturer's instructions.

In addition to the requirements of this code and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, the installation shall be made in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Where it becomes necessary to change, modify, or alter a manufacturer's instructions in any way, written approval shall first be obtained from the manufacturer.

603.1.2 Approval.

The design, construction and installation of fuel-fired appliances, devices, equipment and systems shall be in accordance with the construction codes, including the Fuel Gas Code and the Mechanical Code.

603.1.3 Electrical wiring and equipment.

Electrical wiring and equipment used in connection with oil-burning equipment shall be installed and maintained in accordance with FC 605 and the Electrical Code.

603.1.4 Fuel oil.

The grade of fuel oil used in a burner shall be that for which the burner is approved and as stipulated by the burner manufacturer and approved by the Department of Buildings. Oil containing gasoline shall not be used. Waste crankcase oil shall not be used, except when such waste oil is mixed with number six fuel oil in bulk or waste oil recovery plants, the resultant mixture meets the minimum specifications for number six fuel oil set forth in the Building Code, and the use of such waste oil complies with all laws, rules and regulations relating to smoke and other emissions and is approved by the Department of Environmental Protection.

603.1.5 Access.

The installation shall be readily accessible for cleaning hot surfaces; removing burners; replacing motors, controls, air filters, chimney connectors, draft regulators, and other working parts; and for adjusting, cleaning and lubricating parts.

603.1.6 Testing, diagrams and instructions.

After installation of the oil-burning equipment, operation and combustion performance tests shall be conducted to determine that the burner is in proper operating condition and that all accessory equipment, controls, and safety devices function properly in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Buildings and the Department of Environmental Protection.

603.1.6.1 Diagrams.

Contractors installing industrial oil-burning systems shall furnish not less than two copies of diagrams showing the main oil lines and controlling valves, one copy of which shall be posted at the oil-burning equipment and another at an approved location that will be accessible in case of emergency.

603.1.6.2 Instructions.

After completing the installation, the installer shall instruct the owner or operator in the proper operation of the equipment. The installer shall also furnish the owner or operator with the name and telephone number of persons to contact for technical information or assistance and routine or emergency services.

603.1.7 Clearances.

Working clearances between oil-fired appliances and electrical panelboards and equipment shall be in accordance with the Electrical Code. Clearances between oil-fired equipment and oil supply tanks shall be in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code and the Mechanical Code.

603.1.8 Supervision of operation.

Every stationary oil-fired device, equipment or system that is not fully automatic or requires preheating of the oil shall be operated by or under the personal supervision of a person holding a certificate of fitness or a person holding a high-pressure boiler operating engineer's license issued by the Department of Buildings. In addition to providing personal supervision, such person shall be present at the device, equipment or system during startup. A stationary oil-fired device, equipment or system that is subject to annual inspection pursuant to Article 303 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code may be operated under the general supervision of a certificate of fitness holder or a high-pressure boiler operating engineer license holder.

603.1.9 Fuel oil transfer maintenance.

The fuel oil storage tanks and piping systems in which fuel oil is transferred from a stationary fuel oil storage tank installed on the lowest floor of a building to another stationary fuel oil storage tank, or to fuel-oil burning equipment, installed above such floor, shall be inspected for evidence of leaks, and stationary tank float switches shall be tested to ensure that they are in good working order, on not less than a weekly basis.

603.2 Chimneys.

Masonry chimneys shall be constructed in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code. Factory-built chimneys shall be installed in accordance with the construction codes, including the Mechanical Code. Metal chimneys shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the construction code, including the Building Code and the Mechanical Code.

603.3 Fuel oil storage systems.

Fuel oil storage and piping systems shall be installed in accordance with the construction codes, including the Mechanical Code. Fuel oil storage shall be subject to the permit requirements set forth in FC 105.6.

603.3.1 Portable fire extinguisher.

In all occupancies other than Group R-3 occupancies, stationary fuel oil-burning equipment, including boilers, emergency generators, furnaces, hot water heaters and space heaters, shall be provided with a dry chemical type portable fire extinguisher with at least a 20-B:C rating, or a carbon dioxide type portable fire extinguisher with at least a 2-B:C rating. Such portable fire extinguisher shall be located not more than 30 feet (9144 mm) from the fuel oil fired equipment, except that such travel distance may be increased to a maximum of 50 feet (15 240 mm) if a dry chemical portable fire extinguisher with at least a 40-B:C rating, or a carbon dioxide portable fire extinguisher with at least a 4-B:C rating, is provided.

603.4 Reserved.

603.5 Heating appliances and equipment.

Heating appliances and equipment shall be listed and shall comply with the requirements of this section.

603.5.1 Protection of heating element.

The heating element or combustion chamber shall have a permanent device to prevent accidental contact by persons or material.

603.5.2 Heating appliance and equipment installation.

Heating appliances and equipment shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, the Electrical Code, and the construction codes, including the Building Code, the Mechanical Code and the Fuel Gas Code.

603.6 Chimney installation.

Chimneys, smokestacks or similar devices for conveying smoke or hot gases to the outer air and the incinerators, stoves, furnaces, fireboxes or boilers to which such devices are connected, shall be maintained so as not to create a fire hazard.

603.6.1 Masonry chimneys.

Masonry chimneys that, upon inspection, are found to have open mortar joints which will permit smoke or gases to be discharged into the building or structure, or which are cracked as to be dangerous, shall be repaired or relined with a listed chimney liner system installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions or a flue lining system installed in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code and the Mechanical Code,

and appropriate for the intended class of chimney service.

603.6.2 Metal chimneys.

Metal chimneys which are corroded or improperly supported shall be repaired or replaced.

603.6.3 Decorative shrouds.

Decorative shrouds installed at the termination of factory-built chimneys shall be removed except where such shrouds are listed and labeled for use with the specific factory-built chimney system and are installed in accordance with the chimney manufacturer's installation instructions.

603.6.4 Factory-built chimneys.

Existing factory-built chimneys that are damaged, corroded or improperly supported shall be repaired or replaced.

603.6.5 Connectors.

Existing chimney and vent connectors that are damaged, corroded or improperly supported shall be repaired or replaced.

603.6.6 Incinerator requirements.

Incinerators shall be maintained and operated in accordance with FC 603.6.6.1 and 603.6.6.2.

603.6.6.1 Spark arrestor.

Incinerators shall be equipped with an effective means for arresting sparks.

603.6.6.2 Time of burning.

Burning shall take place only during approved hours.

603.6.7 Discontinuance.

The commissioner may require the operation of an incinerator or other device connected to a chimney to be discontinued immediately upon a determination that the use of the incinerator or other device constitutes an undue fire hazard because of conditions in the surrounding environment.

603.7 Discontinuing operation of unsafe heating appliances and equipment.

The commissioner may order that measures be taken to prevent the operation of any existing stove, oven, furnace, incinerator, boiler or any other heat-producing appliance, device, equipment or system found to be defective or in violation of code requirements for existing appliances, devices, equipment or systems after giving notice to this effect to any person, owner, firm or agent or operator in charge of the same. The commissioner may take measures to prevent the operation of any appliance, device, equipment or system without notice upon a determination of the existence of an immediate fire hazard or imminent peril to public safety. The defective appliance, device, equipment or system shall remain out of service until all necessary repairs or alterations have been made.

603.7.1 Unauthorized operation.

It shall be a violation of this code for any person, user, firm or agent to continue the utilization of any appliance, device, equipment or system (the operation of which has been discontinued or ordered discontinued in accordance with FC 603.7), unless written authority to resume operation is given by the department. Removing or breaking the means by which operation of the appliance, device, equipment or system is prevented shall be a violation of this code.

603.8 Reserved.

603.9 Gas meters.

Gas meters shall be installed in accordance with FC 603.9.1 and 603.9.2.

603.9.1 Protection of outdoor aboveground installations.

Aboveground gas meters, regulators and piping subject to damage shall be protected by a barrier complying with the requirements of FC 312 or otherwise protected in an approved manner.

603.9.2 Gas meter identification.

Where more than one gas meter is installed at a single indoor or outdoor location, each gas meter shall be identified by a durable sign or marking identifying the dwelling unit or other occupancy or area that such meter serves. Where more than 12 gas meters are installed at a single location in a non-sequential manner, each meter shall be numbered for identification in a sequential manner (starting with number 1) and a durable sign shall be posted at a conspicuous location in the form of a table listing in sequential order the apartment/room numbers served by the meter with a cross-reference to the sequential meter identification number.