This section of the Guidebook identifies Building, Health/Safety,
Noise, Visual/Aesthetic codes and regulations that apply in the five boroughs
of New York City and which may affect the siting and permitting of CHP facilities.
For checklist of forms in APPENDIX A click here
Gas Piping and Venting Fuel Gas Code Issues
Electrical Code Issues
Fuel Storage & Fire Code, Health/Safety Issues
Noise Issues
Visual Aesthetic Issues
For definitions of different types of generators (emergency, backup,
standby, etc.,) please see New York City Code Sections 700 - 702
GAS PIPING AND VENTING ISSUES
Inside a building structure fuel gas supply is governed by the New York City Building Code and Fire Department regulations and requirements, which cover materials, construction, installation of fuel gas piping systems, components, fuel gas utilization equipment and related accessories.
• In NYC, gas piping over certain pressures (e.g., > = 15 psi) requires welded pipe with special inspections. Contact Fire Dept. of NY
Note that some microturbines that require external gas pressure boosters may have additional review or inspections.
Regulations for Gas distribution piping operating at pressure levels above
10 psig are found at Reference Standards 16 (RS 16-5) Part 115.7n
See http://www.bluelinenews.com/code/building/bcrs16.pdf
Reference Standards - RS-16 Plumbing and Gas Piping
• NYC Department of Building (DOB) has detailed venting requirements; one of particular relevance is that the stack height must be minimum of 3’ above highest building within 100’ of a CHP unit to eliminate downdraft.
• For hookup specs, GO TO Con Edison’s Blue Book (of Building and Construction) [http://www.thebluebook.com/ny/htm/0026294900000.shtml]
OR for more information call 1-800-431-2584 or 718-904-4714.
NYC Electrical Code Filing Requirements: In New York City there is both i. Filing and ii. Approval processes that must be met, dependent upon project size.
The Bureau of Electrical Control enforces the Electrical Code. They are located at 2322 Municipal Building, New York, New York 10007. Tel: (212) 669-8353
The BEC website is http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/elcode.html
Detailed information about the New York City electric code and code interpretation can be found at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/code_interpre.html
Some issues of specific concern to CHP projects include the following;
• Any project above 480V must be filed with the NYC Bureau of Electrical Control (BEC)
• Any project 1000 kVa and above must be approved by the BEC Advisory Board.
NYC Fuel Storage & Fire Code Issues
The fire department will be concerned with fuel storage, gas shutoff provisions and gas pressure issues.
• In New York City, all installations with gas pressures in excess of 15 psi are under the regulations of the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY). A Fire Department inspection is required for all such systems. For residential installations the threshold is greater than 2 psi.
• NYC Fire Codes govern on-site fuel storage; there are limitations on above and below grade storage
• The Fire Department will shut off gas before entering a building
• Diesel generators are required for certain emergency / life-safety equipment. On-site fuel storage is required
• Most CHP units will likely be fired by natural gas thereby reducing concerns over fuel storage and fire code issues.
Equipment Approvals
• In NYC, most equipment must go through “Materials & Equipment Acceptance” (MEA) by Department of Buildings (DOB) to have the technology approved:
(A) DOB Advisory Board meets about monthly
(B) UL certification provides baseline assurances
•Can take 6 to 12 months to obtain UL certification
•Comply with NYC and other local Fire Department specs
NYC Building Code forms [ http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/code.html
]
Or, click here to see Materials and Equipment Acceptance (MEA) information in
Appendix A
Noise Issues
• In New York City, the DEP has noise guidelines that should be consulted and taken account of in project design. Noise Control Code Title 24 - Chapter 2, March 1998. Available at www.nonoise.org/lawlib/cities/newyork.htm
• NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) has noise regulations for applications near residential buildings• DISTANCE as well as decibels is at issue when assessing noise sources and their impacts. Determinations may be made as to the locations at which to measure the distance e.g., from the property line of the noise source, or at the point of use/inhabitance of the adjacent and affected property. Decibel level analysis incorporates pitch and duration of sound.
• The land use classification (ZONING) of adjacent and abutting property is an important concern. You may need to identify proximity to sensitive receptors including residences, schools, churches, synagogues and public open space
If noise may be an issue, consult New York City Administrative Code, Title 24, Subchapter 6, Section 24-243 (“Ambient Noise Quality Zones, Criteria and Standards”) and New York City Zoning Resolution, Article IV, Section 42-21 (noise performance standards).
Noise impact potential is one of many issues for consideration in a CEQR review.
Consult City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) Technical Manual, 2001, Section
3R (Noise) Go to CEQR section for more information
DEC’s offers technical guidance on noise impacts. This document does not supercede any local noise ordinances or regulations but offers helpful information.
• Be Aware that some "dump radiators' / heat rejection systems can act like sound amplifiers and have been known to cause extra noise problems
AESTHETIC / VISUAL ISSUES
In New York City, as is the case throughout the state, Aesthetic / Visual issues
are regulated by local government agencies. The City's CEQR process is unlikely
to apply to the smaller combined heat and power projects that are the focus
of this Guidebook.
In CEQR Technical Manual, Section 3H. considerations of land use, urban design,
visual resources, historic resources, socioeconomic conditions, traffic and
noise are addressed.
The NYS DEC has prepared a guidance document to assist local planning agencies
with aesthetics issues. The document, Assessing and Mitigating Visual
Impacts is available at http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dcs/policy/visual/visual2000.PDF
.
Originating Unit: Division of Environmental Permits, Author Jeffrey Sama, dated
July 31, 2000
• PV and other solar collectors must be securely anchored to avoid wind shear and potential damage to property in severe winds. PV systems mounted to new or existing buildings will need to demonstrate that adequate structural elements are in place to support and anchor at design wind loads.
• For more information about structural issues, see the NREL website [www.nrel.gov].
For detailed technical information on solar technologies and residential buildings
codes see Photovoltaic and Solar-Thermal Technologies in Residential Building
Codes, David Wortman and Linda Echo-Hawk. NREL/TP-520-26579 September 1999
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy99osti/26579.pdf
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© 2003 Pace Energy Project