TR-1 Special Inspections in NYC

1704.24 Chimneys. New and altered chimneys shall be subject to special inspection. The chimney shall be inspected to verify compliance with the approved construction documents, and proper clearance or isolation from adjacent combustible construction. Testing of the chimney shall be performed in accordance with Section 810 of the New York City Mechanical Code.

Exception: A pressurized smoke test need not be performed on an existing negative pressure chimney if the lining of such chimney is not affected by alterations and the registered design professional specifies on the approved construction documents that such test does not need to be performed on such chimney.

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1704.4 Concrete construction. The special inspections and verifications for concrete construction shall be as required by this section and Table 1704.4.

Exception: Special inspections shall not be required for the following when specifically exempted on the approved construction documents:

1. Concrete placement of less than 50 cubic yards (38 m3)‡ provided that the concrete is nonstructural and is not subject to the durability requirements of Section 1904. In such case, testing may be waived by the registered design professional who prepared the structural construction documents.
2. Nonstructural concrete slabs supported directly on the ground, including prestressed slabs on grade, where the effective prestress in the concrete is less than 150 psi (1.03 Mpa).
3. Concrete foundation(s) for lightweight fences and recreational equipment.
4. Concrete patios, site furnishings, garden walls, driveways, sidewalks and similar construction.

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1704.13 Special case. Special inspections shall be required for proposed work that is, in the opinion of the commissioner, unusual in its nature, such as, but not limited to, the following examples:
•Construction materials and systems that are alternatives to materials and systems prescribed by this code.
•Unusual design applications of materials described in this code.
•Materials and systems required to be installed in accordance with additional manufacturer’s instructions that prescribe requirements not contained in this code or in standards referenced by this code.

SECTION BC 2702 EMERGENCY POWER SYSTEMS
2702.1 Installation. Emergency systems shall be installed in accordance with the New York City Electrical Code, NFPA 110 and NFPA 111, and shall have an on-premises fuel supply sufficient for not less than 6-hour full-demand operation of the system. However, for R-2 occupancies required to provide emergency power systems pursuant to the provisions of Section 403.11.2, and for voluntarily installed emergency power systems, natural gas from the public utility street main shall be permitted as fuel supply.

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110.3.4   Fire-resistance-rated   construction   inspection.Fire-resistance-rated   construction   shall   be   inspected   to   determine compliance with the approved construction documents, including inspection of the following work:1.Fire-resistance-rated partitions, floors, ceilings, shafts;and2.Fire shutters.Exception:Where  the  scope  of  work  affecting  an  existing  fire-rated  wall  assembly  is  limited  to  through-penetration firestopping  and,  in  the  course  of  work,  the  cutting  away  or  removal  of  any  part  of  the  existing  fire-resistance-rated construction becomes necessary in the general area surrounding the penetration, not to exceed 4 square feet (0.37 m2) in any given  area,  the  progress  inspection  for  fire-resistance-rated  construction  shall  not  be  required  provided  that  the  special inspection  agency  for  the  through-penetration  firestopping  special  inspection  verifies  that  the  removed  portion  of  fire-resistance-rated construction (i) is less than 4 square feet (0.37 m2), and (ii) has been restored to its original condition

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109.3.1 Footing and foundation inspection. Footing and foundation inspections shall be made after excavations for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel is in place. For concrete foundations, any required forms shall be in place prior to inspection. Materials for the foundation shall be on the job, except where concrete is ready mixed in accordance with ASTM C 94, the concrete need not be on the job.

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1704.17 High-pressure-steam piping. High-pressure-steam piping regulated by Section 1210 of the New York City Mechanical Code, shall be subject to special inspection in accordance with this section.

1704.17.1 Welding. The special inspector shall verify the qualifications of the welder and the quality of the welding materials and equipment prior to welding operations. The special inspector shall review the proposed welding procedures for compliance with applicable standards listed in Section 1210.4 of the New York City Mechanical Code.1704.17.2 Welding operations. The special inspector shall perform periodic inspection of the pipe joining and welding operations in accordance with the above. Radiographic testing shall be applied to connections as indicated in Section 1210.4.9 of the New York City Mechanical Code. Unacceptable connections and installations shall be rejected.

1704.17.2 Welding operations. The special inspector shall perform periodic inspection of the pipe joining and welding operations in accordance with the above. Radiographic testing shall be applied to connections as indicated in Section 1210.4.9 of the New York City Mechanical Code. Unacceptable connections and installations shall be rejected.

1704.17.3 Testing of high-pressure-steam piping. Hydrostatic testing shall be performed on the completed installation of new and altered systems in accordance with Section 1210.4.10 of the New York City Mechanical Code.

Exception: Testing requirements shall not apply to alteration or repairs to existing high-pressure-steam piping systems in which the integrity of the piping is not affected. Such alterations shall be visually inspected for compliance with the approved construction documents.

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1704.12 Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS). Special inspections shall be required for all EIFS applications installed more than 15 feet (4572 mm)‡ above adjacent finished grades.

1704.12.1 The special inspection shall include verification of: compliance with approved construction documents for attachment to structure, installation of waterproofing membranes, weeps, drains, mold prevention features and conformance with the manufacturers’ installation guidelines.

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Public Assembly Emergency Lighting (28-116.2.2)
Compliance inspections. In addition to the inspections specified in this code, the commissioner is authorized to make or require other inspections of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws that are enforced by the department.

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1704.20 Site storm drainage disposal and detention facilities. Storm water detention facilities, roof retention facilities and dry-well systems shall be inspected for conformance with the approved construction documents. Minor variations, based on actual site conditions, shall be acceptable at the discretion of the registered design professional of record. Verification shall include:

1. Materials of construction.
2. Bedding of pipe and facilities.
3. Placement and installation of fill materials.
4. Volume of drywell and detention facilities.
5. Installation of volume flow control devices.
6. Workmanship and quality of installation.
7. Overall conformance with the approved construction documents. Hydrostatic testing of the detention system shall be required when the system is designed as watertight

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1704.21
Sprinkler system special inspection. New and altered sprinkler system systems shall be inspected in accordance with Section Sections 903 and 1704.21.1. The permit holder responsible for the sprinkler work shall perform all required acceptance tests, complete and sign the appropriate contractor’s material and test certifications. The special inspector shall witness all required tests, and shall verify that all installations of all materials, fittings, hangers, assemblies and signage are in accordance with the approved construction documents, that painting of the sprinkler system required by Section 903.6 of this code has been performed and that the contractor has transmitted required maintenance literature and instruction to the owner. The special inspector shall verify that the material and test certification forms have been transmitted to the Fire Department and the Department of Buildings‡.

Exception: Special inspection of The special inspector need not witness the hydrostatic pressure test shall not be required when such test is witnessed by the department.

1704.21.1 Hydrostatic pressure testing. All new or altered sprinkler systems in buildings shall undergo successful hydrostatic pressure testing by a licensed master plumber or licensed fire suppression piping contractor in accordance with the requirements of this code, including Section 901.5, and NFPA 13.

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1704.19 Structural safety during construction operations. Construction work consisting of structural alterations, excavation, underpinning, and demolition work that requires “design” as defined in Chapter 33, including earth shoring, underpinning, protection of adjacent structures and buildings, shall be subject to special inspection in accordance with this section. All alterations to existing structures in which loads are transferred from one structural system of structural elements to another, such as installation of columns or girders, replacement of existing bearing walls, the creation of openings or slots in existing walls, girders or floors, alteration of arches, rigid frames, trusses in frame buildings, or where the stability or integrity of a structural system is to be temporarily diminished shall be subject to special inspections in accordance with this section.

Exception: Construction operations not requiring “design” as defined in Chapter 33.

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1704.3.2 Details. The special inspector shall perform an inspection of the steel frame to verify compliance with the details shown on the approved construction documents, such as bracing, stiffening, member locations and proper application of joint details at each connection, including connections designed for seismic effects.

1704.3.3 High-strength bolts. Installation of high-strength bolts shall be inspected in accordance with this section.

1704.3.3.1 General. While the work is in progress, the special inspector shall determine that the requirements for bolts, nuts, washers and paint; bolted parts and installation and tightening in such standards are met. For bolts requiring pretensioning, the special inspector shall observe the preinstallation testing and calibration procedures when such procedures are required by the installation method or by project plans or specifications; determine that all plies of connected materials have been drawn together and properly snugged and monitor the installation of bolts to verify that the selected procedure for installation is properly used to tighten bolts. For joints required to be tightened only to the snug-tight condition, the special inspector need only verify that the connected materials have been drawn together and properly snugged.

1704.3.3.2 Periodic monitoring. Monitoring of bolt installation for pretensioning is permitted to be performed on a periodic basis when using the turn-of-nut method with matchmarking techniques, the direct tension indicator method or the alternate design fastener (twist-off bolt) method. Joints designated as snug tight need be inspected only on a periodic basis.

1704.3.3.3 Continuous monitoring. Monitoring of bolt installation for pretensioning using the calibrated wrench method or the turn-of-nut method without matchmarking shall be performed on a continuous basis.

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1704.7.1 Subgrade inspection.Immediately prior to placement of the footings, foundations, fill or other supporting materials the special inspector shall determine that the site has been preparedand isin accordance with the approved geotechnical report

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TR-1 Vertical Masonry Foundation Elements

Vertical masonry foundation elements are a required special inspection category under NYC Building Code Section 1704.9, applying to new construction where concrete masonry units (CMU), brick, or other masonry materials are used in load-bearing foundation walls, basement walls, party walls, or below-grade structural elements. Unlike wood or steel framing inspections, BC 1704.9 masonry inspection is a Chapter 17 special inspection — meaning it must be performed by a registered special inspection agency such as EZTR1, not simply a DOB progress inspector.

Where this inspection applies in NYC construction

Vertical masonry foundation inspections are most commonly required in:

• Brooklyn and Manhattan brownstone and row house construction — where CMU block or structural brick forms the bearing wall system from the foundation up
• Low-rise mixed-use buildings — where CMU foundation walls and party walls are specified in the approved structural drawings
• New high-rise foundation systems — where masonry retaining or foundation walls are used in below-grade construction on constrained urban sites

What EZTR1 Inspects Under BC 1704.9

EZTR1’s certified special inspectors verify masonry construction at each required inspection stage:

• Masonry unit placement — units are set in conformance with the approved drawings for wall thickness, coursing height, and bond pattern
• Mortar joint thickness and consistency — joints are within the specified range and fully bedded
• Grout pour and lift heights — grout is placed in lifts not exceeding code-specified maximums per the approved mix design
• Reinforcing bar placement — vertical and horizontal rebar is positioned, sized, and spaced per the structural drawings before grouting occurs
• Wall height and alignment — walls are plumb and dimensionally compliant with approved documents at each inspection level

Common Deficiencies Found

The most frequent findings in NYC masonry inspections include improper grout consolidation in CMU cores, rebar displaced from specified location before grouting, and mortar joint thickness outside the ⅜”–⅝” range required by BC 2104.

All findings are documented in the TR-1 special inspection report filed directly with the NYC Department of Buildings.

Ready to schedule your BC 1704.9 masonry special inspection? Contact EZTR1 to coordinate with your masonry contractor.

1704.6.4 Prefabricated wood I-joists. The fabrication of prefabricated wood I-joists shall be subject to special inspections in accordance with Section 1704.2 and the requirements of Section 2303.12.

1704.6.4.1 Erection. The use of prefabricated wood I-joists shall be subject to special inspection for compliance with the approved construction documents, the requirements of Section 1704.1, and the following:
1. All installed materials shall be clean, straight, and otherwise undamaged. Members and parts shall not be stretched, bent, or otherwise distorted unless such forming is in the integral part of the design. The special inspector shall ensure that damaged members are not used for construction.
2. Profiles of members used structurally shall conform to the dimensions specified in the approved construction documents. The installation shall be inspected for compliance with the approved construction documents regarding locations, positions, beam separators, bearing surfaces, fasteners, screws, bolts and bracing, as applicable.
3. The size, location, and number of penetrations shall be inspected for compliance with the approved construction documents and manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Temporary bracing, shoring, jacks, etc., shall not be removed until the special inspector determines that they are no longer needed.

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