NYC Special Inspections

by Evan Parganos

The New York City Buildings Department requires that Special Inspections be conducted for a variety of construction projects. These inspections are required prior to closing out a project and getting a DOB sign off. Currently, any PE/RA can conduct these inspections (with some limitations). However, a new rule will be passed in the coming months which will require that all inspections be performed by a registered inspection agency. Owners must hire inspection agencies directly – the agency CANNOT be hired by the contractor. Owner’s should verify with their special inspector that they are registered to perform the inspections they are being hired to do.

There are three types of classes an agency can register for; each class represents a different type of construction:

Class 1 - can inspect ANY PROJECT

Class 2 - Permitted to perform the work associated with such special inspection category on any project, except those involving:

• The construction of a new major building;
• The full demolition of a major building;
• The alteration of a major building including:
• The removal of an entire story or more;
• The partial demolition of twenty thousand (20,000) square feet or more of gross floor area; or
• The partial demolition of twenty (20) percent or more of the gross floor area.
• The enlargement of a major building by more than ten thousand (10,000) square feet of gross floor area.

Class 3 - Permitted to perform the work associated with this category on the following projects only:

• The construction, demolition, or alteration of a one-, two-, or three-family dwelling; or
• The alteration of any building, including partial demolition, of less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet of gross floor area in total.

Full Listing of all Special Inspections

Special Inspections have replaced Controlled Inspections for all construction projects filed on or after July1, 2008. While the two are similar in scope, there a number of additions to the Special Inspections protocol.

A full listing can be found here.

Full Explanation of all Special Inspections

We’ve provided a brief summary, so that you can check your projects up front and save costly change orders in the end.

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