NYC Progress Inspections
by Al Spinelli

The adoption of the NYCECC has meant that projects are required to indicate the progress inspections and their descriptions on the construction documents, as they are required per the scope of work. The purpose of these inspections is to ensure that the systems being installed are actually meeting the specifications on the plans, as it relates to energy conservation.

All projects are required to comply with the NYCECC unless the entire application is specifically exempt. To be considered exempt, the project must be in a National or State designated historic building, the envelope of a low energy building or the application must be comprised entirely of work not affecting the energy use of a building.

A TR8 is automatically required when an applicant checks “Compliance” in Section 10 ofthe PW1. When compliance with the NYCECC is not required (and, therefore, no progress inspections are required), the applicant should: complete the TR8 form; check “NO” for each Energy Code progress inspection; and sign and seal the form.

At the end of the project, prior to sign off, it is the responsibility of the progress inspector to certify that the construction does not differ from the last approved construction documents as it pertains to energy. If there is a difference, a built energy analysis must be prepared and professionally certified by the design applicant. This must be done using the EN2 form from the Department.

There are different progress inspections for commercial projects and residential projects. Below is a list of the progress inspections and their descriptions. For each type of project (residential/commercial) the inspections are broken down into three categories: Envelope, Mechanical&Electrical (M&E) and Lighting.

Residential Progress Inspections:

Envelope Progress Inspections (Residential)

Inspection: Protection of exposed foundation insulation

Required: Insulation shall be visually inspected to verify proper protection where applied to the exterior of basement or cellar walls, crawl-space walls and/or the perimeter of slab-on-grade floors.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to backfill

Inspection: Insulation placement and R-values

Required: Installed insulation for each component of the conditioned space envelope and at junctions between components shall be visually inspected to ensure that the R-values are marked, that such R-values conform to the R-values identified in the construction documents and that the insulation is properly installed. Certifications for unmarked insulation shall be similarly visually inspected.

When the Inspection must be performed: As required to verify continuous enclosure while walls, ceilings and floors are open

Inspection: Fenestration thermal values and product ratings

Required: U-factors of installed fenestration shall be verified by visual inspection for conformance with the U-factors identified in the construction drawings, either by verifying the manufacturer’s NFRC labels or, where not labeled, using the ratings in ECC Tables 303.1.3(1) and (2).

When the Inspection must be performed: As required during installation

Inspection: Fenestration product ratings for air leakage

Required: Windows, skylights and sliding glass doors, except site-built windows, skylights and doors, shall be visually inspected to verify that installed assemblies are listed and labeled to the referenced standard.

When the Inspection must be performed: As required during installation

Inspection: Fenestration areas

Required: Dimensions of windows, doors and skylights shall be verified by visual inspection.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final construction inspection

Inspection: Air sealing and insulation – visual inspection option

Required: Openings and penetrations in the building envelope, including site-built fenestration and doors, shall be visually inspected to verify that they are properly sealed, in accordance with Table 402.4.2.

When the Inspection must be performed: As required during envelope construction

Inspection: Air sealing and insulation – testing option

Required: Testing shall be performed in accordance with section ECC 402.4.2.1 and shall be accepted if the building meets the requirements detailed in such section. Test results shall be retained in accordance with the provisions of Title 28.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final construction inspection

M&E Progress Inspections (Residential)

Inspection: Fireplaces

Required: Provision of combustion air and tight-fitting fireplace doors shall be verified by visual inspection.

When the Inspection must be performed: Provision of combustion air and tight-fitting fireplace doors shall be verified by visual inspection.

Inspection: Fresh air intakes and exhaust dampers

Required: Not less than 20% of installed dampers, and a minimum of one of each type, shall be visually inspected and physically tested for proper operation.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final construction inspection

Inspection: Equipment

Required: Heating and cooling equipment shall be verified by visual inspection for proper sizing. Pool heaters and covers shall be verified by visual inspection.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final plumbing and construction inspection

Inspection: Controls

Required:System controls shall be inspected to verify that each dwelling is provided with at least one individual programmable thermostat with capabilities as described in ECC 403.1.1, and that such controls are set and operate as specified in ECC 403.1.1.

Controls for supplementary electric-resistance heat pumps shall be inspected to verify that such controls prevent supplemental heat operation when the heat pump compressor can meet the heating load.

Controls for snow- and ice-melting systems and pools shall be inspected for proper operation. Not less than 20% or one of each control type, whichever is more, shall be inspected

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final electrical and construction inspection

Inspection: Duct leakage testing

Required: Where the air handler and/or some ductwork is in unconditioned space, duct-leakage testing shall be performed either after rough-in or post-construction to ensure compliance with ECC 403.2.2. Not less than 20% of such ductwork shall be tested.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to closing ceilings and walls and prior to final construction inspection

Inspection: Electrical metering

Required: The presence and operation of individual meters or other means of monitoring individual dwelling units shall be verified by visual inspection for all dwelling units.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final electrical and construction inspection

Inspection: Maintenance information

Required: Maintenance manuals for equipment and systems requiring preventive maintenance shall be reviewed for applicability to installed equipment and systems before such manuals are provided to the owner.

Labels required for such equipment or systems shall be inspected for accuracy and completeness.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to sign-off or issuance of Certificate of Occupancy

Lighting Progress Inspections (Residential)

Inspection: Lighting in dwelling units

Required: Lamps in permanently installed lighting fixtures shall be visually inspected to verify compliance with high-efficacy requirements.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final electrical and construction inspection

Inspection: Permanent certificate

Required: The installed permanent certificate shall be visually inspected for location, completeness and accuracy.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final plumbing, electrical and/or construction inspection as applicable

Commercial Progress Inspections:

Envelope Progress Inspections (Commercial)

Inspection: Protection of exposed foundation insulation

Required: Insulation shall be visually inspected to verify proper protection where applied to the exterior of basement or cellar walls, crawl-space walls and/or the perimeter of slab-on-grade floors.

When the Inspection must be performed: As required during foundation work and prior to backfill

Inspection: Insulation placement and R-values

Required: Installed insulation for each component of the conditioned space envelope and at junctions between components shall be visually inspected to ensure that the R-values are marked, that such R-values conform to the R-values identified in the construction documents and that the insulation is properly installed. Certifications for unmarked insulation shall be similarly visually inspected.

When the Inspection must be performed: As required to verify continuous enclosure while walls, ceilings and floors are open

Required: U-factors and SHGC values of installed fenestration shall be visually inspected for conformance with the U-factors and SHGC values identified in the construction drawings by verifying the manufacturer’s NFRC labels or, where not labeled, using the ratings in ECC Tables 303.1.3(1), (2) and (3). Where ASHRAE 90.1 is used, visible light transmittance values shall also be verified.

When the Inspection must be performed: As required during installation

Required: Windows and sliding or swinging door assemblies, except site-built windows and/or doors, shall be visually inspected to verify that installed assemblies are listed and labeled by the manufacturer to the referenced standard.

For curtain wall, storefront glazing, commercial entrance doors and revolving doors, the testing reports shall be reviewed to verify that the installed assembly complies with the standard cited in the approved plans.

When the Inspection must be performed: As required during installation; prior to final construction inspection

Required: Dimensions of windows, doors and skylights shall be verified by visual inspection.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final construction inspection

Required: Openings and penetrations in the building envelope, including site-built fenestration and doors, shall be visually inspected to verify that a continuous air barrier around the envelope forms an air-tight enclosure.

The progress inspector shall visually inspect to verify that materials and/or assemblies have been tested and meet the requirements of the respective standards or that the building is tested and meets the requirements of the standard, in accordance with the standard(s) cited in the approved plans.

When the Inspection must be performed: As required during construction

Required: Where the energy analysis utilized a projection factor > 0, the projection dimensions of overhangs, eaves or permanently attached shading devices shall be verified for conformance with approved plans by visual inspection.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final construction inspection

Required: Weatherseals at loading docks shall be visually verified.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final construction inspection

Required: Required entrance vestibules shall be visually inspected for proper operation.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final construction inspection

M&E Progress Inspections (Commercial)

Inspection: Fireplaces

Required: Provision of combustion air and tight-fitting fireplace doors shall be verified by visual inspection.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final construction inspection

Inspection: Outdoor air intakes and exhaust openings

Required: Dampers for stair and elevator shaft vents and other outdoor air intakes and exhaust openings integral to the building envelope shall be visually inspected to verify that such dampers, except where permitted to be gravity dampers, comply with approved construction drawings.

Manufacturer’s literature shall be reviewed to verify that the product has been tested and found to meet the standard.

When the Inspection must be performed: As required during installation

Inspection: HVAC, service water heating and pool equipment sizing and performance

Required: Equipment sizing, efficiencies and other performance factors of all major equipment units, as determined by the applicant of record, and no less than 15% of minor equipment units, shall be verified by visual inspection and, where necessary, review of manufacturer’s data.

Pool heaters and covers shall be verified by visual inspection.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final plumbing and construction inspection

Inspection: HVAC system controls and economizers and service hot water system controls

Required: No less than 20% of each type of required controls and economizers shall be verified by visual inspection and tested for functionality and proper operation. Such controls shall include, but are not limited to:

• Thermostatic
• Set point overlap restriction
• Off-hour
• Shutoff damper
• Snow-melt system
• Demand control systems
• Outdoor heating systems
• Zones
• Economizers
• Air systems
• Variable air volume fan
• Hydronic systems
• Heat rejection equipment fan speed
• Complex mechanical systems serving multiple zones
• Ventilation
• Energy recovery systems
• Hot gas bypass limitation
• Temperature
• Service water heating
• Hot water system
• Pool heater and time switches
• Exhaust hoods
• Radiant heating systems

Controls with seasonally dependent functionality: Controls whose complete operation cannot be demonstrated due to prevailing weather conditions typical of the season during which progress inspections will be performed shall be permitted to be signed off for the purpose of a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy with only a visual inspection, provided, however, that the progress inspector shall perform a supplemental inspection where the controls are visually inspected and tested for functionality and proper operation during the next immediate season thereafter. The owner shall provide full access to the progress inspector within two weeks of the progress inspector’s request for such access to perform the progress inspection. For such supplemental inspections, the Department shall be notified by the approved progress inspection agency of any unresolved deficiencies in the installed work within 180 days of such supplemental inspection.

When the Inspection must be performed: After installation and before final electrical and construction inspection, except that for controls with seasonally dependent functionality, such testing shall be performed before sign-off for issuance of a Final Certificate of Occupancy.

Inspection: Duct, plenum and piping insulation and sealing

Required: Installed duct and piping insulation shall be visually inspected to verify proper insulation placement and values. Joints, longitudinal and transverse seams and connections in ductwork shall be visually inspected for proper sealing.

When the Inspection must be performed: After installation and prior to closing shafts, ceilings and walls

Inspection: Air leakage testing for high-pressure duct systems

Required: For duct systems designed to operate at static pressures in excess of 3 inches w.g. representative sections, as determined by the progress inspector, totaling at least 25% of the duct area, per ECC 503.2.7.1.3, shall be tested to verify that actual air leakage is below allowable amounts.

When the Inspection must be performed: After installation and sealing and prior to closing shafts, ceilings and walls

Inspection: Electrical metering

Required: The presence and operation of individual meters or other means of monitoring individual apartments shall be verified by visual inspection for all apartments.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final electrical and construction inspection

Inspection: Tandem wiring

Required: Tandem wiring shall be tested for functionality.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final electrical and construction inspection

Inspection: Electric motors (including but not limited to fan motors)

Required: Where required by the construction documents for energy code compliance, motor listing or labels shall be visually inspected to verify that they comply with the respective energy requirements in the construction documents.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final electrical and construction inspection

Inspection: Maintenance information

Required: Maintenance manuals for mechanical, service hot water and electrical equipment and systems requiring preventive maintenance shall be reviewed for applicability to installed equipment and systems before such manuals are provided to the owner. Labels required for such equipment or systems shall be inspected for accuracy and completeness.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to sign-off or issuance of Certificate of Occupancy

Lighting Progress Inspections (Commercial)

Inspection: Lighting in dwelling units

Required: Lamps in permanently installed lighting fixtures shall be visually inspected to verify compliance with high-efficacy requirements.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final electrical and construction inspection

Inspection: Interior lighting power

Required: Installed lighting shall be verified for compliance with the lighting power allowance by visual inspection of fixtures, lamps, ballasts and transformers.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final electrical and construction inspection

Inspection: Exterior lighting

Required: Installed lighting shall be verified for compliance with source efficacy and/or the lighting power allowance by visual inspection of fixtures, lamps, ballasts and relevant transformers.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final electrical and construction inspection

Inspection: Lighting controls

Required: Each type of required lighting controls, including:

• occupant sensors
• manual interior lighting controls
• light-reduction controls
• automatic lighting shut-off
• daylight zone controls
• sleeping unit controls
• exterior lighting controls

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final electrical and construction inspection.

Required: Installed exit signs shall be visually inspected to verify that the label indicates that they do not exceed maximum permitted wattage.

When the Inspection must be performed: Prior to final electrical and construction inspection.