{"data":{"id":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-ebc-809","jurisdiction":"us-nyc","citation":"N.Y.C. Admin. Code § EBC 809","heading":"Section EBC 809: Mechanical","body":"809.1 General.\n\nMechanical elements and systems within the work area undergoing alteration Level 1 or within rooms or spaces where work on a stand-alone system as described in section 601.2.3.3 occurs shall comply with this section and Section 309.\n\n809.1.1 Compliance of an entire mechanical system as new construction.\n\nAn entire mechanical system shall be required to comply with the New York City Mechanical Code for new construction when either:\n\n1. The work area exceeds 50 percent of the area served by that system; or\n\n2. 50 percent of the capacity of terminal distribution elements connected to that system is altered or replaced.\n\nException: Mechanical system components that serve only an occupied space under separate tenancy that is entirely outside the work area.\n\n809.2 Applicability of New York City Mechanical Code.\n\nAlteration of mechanical systems including new components, equipment and appliances shall comply with the New York City Mechanical Code and Sections 309 and 809.2.1 through 809.15 of this code.\n\n809.2.1 Work on mechanical systems not addressed in Chapter 1.\n\nWork on mechanical systems and elements not addressed in Chapter 1 of this code shall be governed by Chapter 1 of the \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNew York City Mechanical Code\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t.\n\n809.2.2 Work on mechanical systems not addressed in Chapter 3.\n\nWork on mechanical systems and elements not addressed in Chapter 3 of this code shall be governed by \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChapter 3 of the New York City Mechanical Code.\n\nExceptions: The following shall apply to any work on mechanical systems and elements:\n\n1. Equipment, appliances and supports that are exposed to wind shall be designed to resist wind pressure determined in accordance with Section 307.2.\n\n2. The determination as to whether seismic supports apply to an alteration shall be made in accordance with Section 307.2.\n\n3. The guard provisions and access to roofs and elevated equipment shall comply with Section 309.2.2.\n\n809.3 Ventilation.\n\nVentilation shall comply with Chapter 4 of the New York City Mechanical Code.\n\nException: Connection to existing outdoor air intake openings that are to remain unmodified in size and that are not considered in compliance with Section 401.4 of the New York City Mechanical Code shall be permitted to remain provided that they continue to function as required for the existing approved use and comply with the separation requirements between intake and exhaust openings.\n\n809.4 Exhaust systems.\n\nExhaust systems shall comply with Chapter 5 of the New York City Mechanical Code and this section.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1. Connection to existing exhaust openings that are to remain unmodified in size and that are not considered in compliance with Section 501.3 of the New York City Mechanical Code shall be permitted to remain provided that they continue to function as required for the existing approved use. Such openings shall comply with the separation requirements between intake and exhaust openings.\n\n2. Replacement of existing fans of the same capacity and motor horsepower.\n\n3. In kind replacement of fans or manual controls as part of an existing manual post fire smoke exhaust system in prior code buildings.\n\n4. Modification of toilet exhaust branch ductwork and risers where the fan systems serving this duct distribution remain as existing.\n\n5. Connection to existing commercial kitchen exhaust ductwork that is to be reused provided that the duct system has been in continuous service and not dormant or abandoned for more than 1 year. The existing ductwork system shall be tested in accordance with Section 506.3.2.5 of the New York City Mechanical Code.\n\n809.5 Duct systems.\n\nDuct systems shall comply with Chapter 6 of the New York City Mechanical Code and this section.\n\nException: Replacement of existing fans of the same capacity and motor horsepower.\n\n809.5.1 Ducts and air transfer openings.\n\nAll new and existing duct penetrations and air transfer openings within the work area shall comply with Chapter 6 of the New York City Mechanical Code. The work area boundary shall not be altered so as to exclude these penetrations and openings. All new and existing duct penetrations and air transfer openings that are part of the same duct or fan system and within the same room or space as a duct system altered as part of work on a stand-alone system shall comply with Chapter 6 of the New York City Mechanical Code.\n\n809.5.1.1 Shaft and wall penetrations.\n\nConnections of new or altered ducts to a duct system which penetrates an existing shaft located on the same floor shall require such nearby shaft penetrations to comply with Chapter 6 of the New York City Mechanical Code when any of the following occurs:\n\n1. The penetrations in shafts and walls are located within or enclosing the work area, within or enclosing a space adjacent to the work area, or within or enclosing the room or space in which work on a stand-alone system alters or adds ducts.\n\n2. The shaft and wall penetrations are located within 10 feet (3.05 m) of the work area where the intervening space is a common or public use area. Such distance shall be measured from the inside face of the wall or ceiling comprising the work area boundary.\n\n3. The shaft and wall penetrations are located within 10 feet (3.05 m) of the room or space in which work on a stand-alone system alters or adds ducts and where the intervening space is a common or public use area. Such distance shall be measured from the furthest edge of the system component being altered or installed.\n\n4. The shaft riser design airflow capacity delivered to the floor is increased by more than 10 percent.\n\n5. The work area exceeds 50 percent of the floor area. Compliance shall be required for all penetrations located on the floor where the work area is located, including penetrations located within common or public use areas, except that compliance shall not be required for penetrations in spaces under separate tenancy.\n\n6. The room or space in which work on a stand-alone system alters or adds duct exceeds 50 percent of the floor area. Compliance shall be required for all penetrations located on that floor, including penetrations located within common or public use areas, except that compliance shall not be required for penetrations in spaces under separate tenancy.\n\n809.6 Fire dampers.\n\nNew and existing fire dampers in the work area, or in the room or space in which work on a stand-alone system which includes duct alterations occurs, shall be operationally tested in accordance with the procedures outlined in NFPA 80.\n\n809.7 Smoke dampers.\n\nNew and existing smoke dampers in the work area, or in the room or space in which work on a stand-alone system which includes duct alterations occurs, shall be operationally tested in accordance with the procedures outlined in NFPA 105.\n\n809.8 Combustion, ventilation, and dilution air.\n\nCombustion, ventilation, and dilution air shall comply with Chapter 7 of the New York City Mechanical Code and this section.\n\nException: Existing combustion, ventilation and dilution air intakes less than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade may be reused provided they comply with all of the following:\n\n1. An areaway shall be provided, or an existing areaway shall be extended a minimum of 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade where grade is measured from the top of the areaway.\n\n2. A grating with equivalent free area equal to the boiler room wall intake opening shall be provided at the top of the areaway or a guard complying with Section 1015 of the New York City Building Code shall be provided around the perimeter of the areaway.\n\n3. The bottom of the boiler room wall intake opening shall be a minimum of 30 inches (762 mm) above the bottom of the areaway, or mechanical ventilation in compliance with Section 706 of the New York City Mechanical Code shall be provided.\n\n4. Carbon monoxide alarms and detectors shall be installed within the mechanical or boiler room to shut down the appliances upon carbon monoxide detection in accordance with Section 915 of the New York City Building Code.\n\n5. Manual restart of the appliance shall be required after shutdown by carbon monoxide detection.\n\n809.9 Chimneys and vents.\n\nChimney and vent systems shall comply with Chapter 8 of the New York City Mechanical Code and this section.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1. Existing connectors that are below the boiler outlet or below the boiler floor to connect to the vertical chimney shall be permitted to be replaced in kind notwithstanding the pitch requirements of Section 803.10.5 of the \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNew York City Mechanical Code provided the existing connector is replaced to comply with the remaining requirements of Section \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t803\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t of the \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNew York City Mechanical Code and the connector is tested in accordance with Section \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t810\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t of the \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNew York City Mechanical Code\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t.\n\n2. Existing chimneys and vents. Where an appliance is permanently disconnected from an existing chimney or vent that is to remain in service or where an appliance is connected to an existing chimney or vent during the process of a new appliance installation, the chimney or vent shall comply with Sections 801.18.1 through 801.18.4 of the New York City Mechanical Code.\n\n809.10 Specific appliances.\n\nSpecific appliances shall comply with Chapter 9 of the New York City Mechanical Code and this section.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1. Vibration isolators for replacement cooling towers may be omitted in accordance with Section 309.2.3.\n\n2. Combustible fill shall be permitted in replacement cooling towers in accordance with Section 309.2.4.\n\n809.11 Boilers, water heaters and pressure vessels.\n\nBoilers, water heaters and pressure vessels shall comply with Chapter 10 of the New York City Mechanical Code, 12 NYCRR Parts 4 and 14 as amended, and this section.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t The required clearances around equipment shall be permitted to be modified or reduced for in-kind replacement of boilers or appliances, in an existing boiler room, that do not comply with the required clearances, provided that plans shall demonstrate that the clearances are technically infeasible and that, at a minimum, the manufacturer’s required clearances shall be provided.\n\n2. In-kind replacement of boilers shall not require the installation of a floor drain where a floor drain did not already exist and where there is a means of liquid disposal.\n\n809.11.1 Chimney test.\n\nWhere new or altered equipment or appliances are connected to an existing chimney, the chimney shall be tested in accordance with Chapter 8 of the New York City Mechanical Code, Chapter 5 of the New York City Fuel Gas Code or Chapter 21 of the New York City Building Code, as applicable.\n\n809.11.2 Fuel burning appliances in dwelling units.\n\nWhen fuel burning appliances providing heat or hot water are replaced or installed within a dwelling unit in buildings of Occupancy Group R-2, interlocked carbon monoxide detection with a manual reset shall be installed in accordance with the New York City Building Code.\n\n809.12 Refrigeration.\n\nRefrigeration shall comply with Chapter 11 of the New York City Mechanical Code.\n\n809.13 Hydronic piping.\n\nHydronic piping shall comply with Chapter 12 of the New York City Mechanical Code and this section.\n\n809.13.1 Existing high-pressure steam and high temperature hot water piping systems.\n\nExisting high-pressure steam and high temperature hot water piping systems shall be maintained, inspected, repaired, relocated and altered in compliance with Section 1211.3 of the New York City Mechanical Code.\n\n809.14 Fuel oil piping and storage.\n\nFuel oil piping and storage shall comply with Chapter 13 of the New York City Mechanical Code and this code.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1. Minor repairs, including but not limited to the replacement of a gasket, valve, pump or pump set, repair of a valve packing gland or tightening of flange bolts shall not require hydrostatic testing.\n\n2. In-kind replacements of the same capacity of existing boilers and/or generators with no fuel oil system alteration or modification shall not require the entire existing fuel oil system to comply with Chapter 13 of the New York City Mechanical Code. The existing fuel oil system can continue to be used if it is in compliance with applicable codes and laws in effect when the system was installed.\n\n3. Manual fuel oil fill operations for generators in prior code buildings shall comply with the following requirements when lawfully constructed prior to December 6, 1968, provided that all of the following conditions are satisfied:\n\n3.1. The emergency generator and diesel fuel storage tanks must be authorized for use by a valid Fire Department fuel oil permit.\n\n3.2. The combined total quantity of diesel fuel stored in the emergency generator storage tank(s) and any diesel fuel stored in reserve portable drums or containers shall not exceed 330 gallons (1249.2 L) on any given story.\n\n3.3. The maximum diesel fuel reserve storage in portable drums or containers shall not exceed 60 gallons (227.1 L) any given story and shall be stored in spaces conforming to Section 1305.13.3, Items 1 through 5, and 7 of the New York City Mechanical Code. Any empty drums or containers shall be removed immediately and disposed of in a legal manner.\n\n3.4. Diesel fuel shall be transferred in sealed portable drums or containers satisfying Sections 5003.10.2 and 5003.10.3 of the New York City Fire Code. The transfer of diesel fuel and the manual filling of the generator storage tanks shall be conducted by, or supervised by, a person holding a FDNY Certificate of Fitness C-98 for storage and use of combustible liquids. The transfer of diesel fuel from lower to upper stories or roof shall only be via the building freight elevator utilizing hand trucks. Transfer via any passenger elevator shall be prohibited.\n\n3.5. The transfer of diesel fuel from the sealed portable container to the emergency generator fuel storage tank shall be performed using a hand crank pump satisfying the provisions of Section 5705.2.5 of the New York City Fire Code.\n\n3.6. The DOB Boiler Division shall, upon satisfactory inspection, issue to the owner DOB form 16A “Certificate of Approval for Oil Burning Installation” indicating that the application involves the manual transfer and filling of the emergency generator diesel fuel storage tank(s) from portable drums or containers and that an FDNY Certificate of Fitness is required when such manual transfer is performed. A copy of the completed form shall be transmitted by the DOB Boiler Division to the Fire Department district office of the Bureau of Fire Prevention.\n\n4. In-kind replacements of fuel oil storage tanks of the same capacity and not exceeding 1375 gallons (5205 L) in rooms without ventilation shall be permitted without requiring such replacement to comply with the ventilation requirements of Chapter 13 of the New York City Mechanical Code.\n\n5. Existing oversized fuel oil headers exceeding the limits of Section 1305.9 of the New York City Mechanical Code shall be permitted to remain provided all of the following conditions are satisfied:\n\n5.1 The existing fuel oil header is in compliance with prior applicable codes and laws.\n\n5.2 The original header installation contains future valved, capped outlets for the connection of an additional generator.\n\n5.3 The new work shall be connected to an existing valve.\n\n5.4 The existing oversized fuel oil header is not being modified or altered.\n\n5.5 \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Fire Department shall be notified, in writing, of fuel oil header capacities exceeding the limits of Section 1305.9 of the New York City Mechanical Code.\n\n6. In prior code buildings, where a dedicated, fire-rated room enclosure is technically infeasible, the replacement of existing indoor concrete encased fuel oil tanks with protected fuel oil tanks of the same capacity listed in accordance with UL 2085 shall be permitted.\n\n809.14.1 Existing fuel oil piping system to comply with current code.\n\nAn existing fuel oil piping system shall be made to comply with the New York City Mechanical Code if any of the following apply:\n\n1. The addition of a generator is not provided for by future valved, capped outlets on a header.\n\n2. The addition or replacement of fuel oil piping exceeds 50% of the existing system piping lengths.\n\n3. The addition of fuel oil pumping exceeds 50% of existing pumping capacity.\n\n809.14.2 Outdoor fuel oil piping in existing buildings.\n\nOutdoor fuel oil piping supplying existing buildings, including both horizontal and vertical piping, utilizing pumps to transfer fuel oil to appliances at levels above the lowest floor or to storage tanks at levels above the lowest floor in buildings shall comply with the following:\n\n1. Vertical piping shall be located a minimum of 10 feet (3048 mm) from lot lines or a 2-hour fire-rated-enclosure shall be provided.\n\n2. Vertical piping shall be located a minimum of 3 feet (914 mm) from building openings and combustible construction.\n\n3. Vertical outdoor fuel oil piping shall be enclosed in a fully welded outer containment of at least No. 10 standard Gage steel sized in accordance with Section 1305.9.3.2 of the New York City Mechanical Code.\n\n4. Horizontal outdoor fuel oil piping shall comply with Section 1305.9.3 of the New York City Mechanical Code.\n\n5. In addition to the requirement of Section 1305.9.4 of the New York City Mechanical Code, a drain pipe shall also be provided from the lowest point in the vertical outdoor containment enclosure to a minimum 55-gallon (208 L) container with a leak detection alarm, arranged so as to sound an alarm and stop the transfer pump. The container may be located immediately inside the building.\n\n6. Materials and supports directly exposed to the weather shall be stainless steel or other corrosion resistive material.\n\n7. Details shall be provided for piping supports and connections to building structure.\n\n8. Penetrations of building walls shall be encased in a protective pipe sleeve. The annular space between the piping and the sleeve shall be sealed with an approved noncombustible material in accordance with the New York City Building Code.\n\n9. Piping shall be grounded in accordance with Section 250.104(B) of the New York City Electrical Code.\n\n10. Piping shall be protected from vehicle impact and physical damage.\n\n11. Flexible fuel oil piping systems shall not be utilized unless such systems are provided with continuous leak detection and are listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1369.\n\n12. Piping shall not encroach into the minimum width or height of means of egress.\n\n13. Roof access shall comply with Section 306.5 of the New York City Mechanical Code.\n\n14. Piping shall be identified by a permanent label or tag at intervals not more than 40 feet (12 192 mm) in length and at all changes of direction. The label or tag shall be located outside of the enclosure.\n\n15. Fuel oil piping on building roofs shall comply with the requirements of the New York City Mechanical Code.\n\n809.14.3 Ventilation of fuel oil storage tank rooms.\n\nReplacement of tanks in prior code buildings may utilize an existing gravity ventilation system complying with the following:\n\n1. Independent supply and exhaust openings or ducts discharging to the outside shall be provided; and\n\n2. The total net free area of supply and exhaust openings shall be equal to at least 1 percent of the floor area of the room equally divided between the supply and exhaust.\n\n809.15 Solar systems.\n\nSolar systems shall comply with Chapter 14 of the New York City Mechanical Code.","path":["New York City Administrative Code","Title 28","Chapter 12: The New York City Existing Building Code (effective July 17, 2027)"],"source_url":"https://files.amlegal.com/pdffiles/NewYorkCity/Admin/XML.zip","current_through":"Local Law 2026/135 (enacted August 31, 2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T02:48:57Z","sha256":"489df026dd145490f14b0e0fb5c1f4caa2e33bb8e420cdab2361b55eecfd84fe","source_id":"us-nyc","stale":false,"prev":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-ebc-808","next":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-ebc-810"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}