There are three classes of Special Inspection Agencies, which determine what sort of projects the agency can inspect. The classes range from Class 1 to Class 3, and there are also small projects that fall outside of the three classes. While a Class 1 Agency can inspect Class 2 or Class 3 work, the reverse is not true. 

A Class 1 Special Inspection Agency can inspect any project of any size or type, under the inspection types that they have been accredited to perform. Becoming a Class 1 Special Inspection Agency requires accreditation through the International Accreditation Service, Inc. (IAS) or an equivalent accreditation agency accrediting to ASTM E329-07. 

A Class 2 Special Inspection Agency is permitted to inspect any project except for the following:

• 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.

A Class 3 Special Inspection Agency can only inspect the construction, demolition, or alteration of a one-, two-, or three-family dwelling; or the alteration of any building, including partial demolition, altering less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet of gross floor area in total.

For small projects that the DOB identifies as the construction or alteration of Occupancy Group R-3 buildings, three stories or less in height, special inspections can be conducted by a registered design professional with relevant experience.

EP Inspections + Commissioning is a Class 1 Special Inspection Agency and is qualified to perform inspections on Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 projects.

EPIC’s Role

As the special inspections agency, it is EPIC’s responsibility to inspect work during and after construction, according to DOB approved drawings. Since we are not in control of the construction process, it is important for EPIC to work in concert with the owner and contractor to ensure a smooth process, and avoid any sign-off delays.

Owner Responsibilities

Since the owner holds the contracts of EPIC and of the contractor, they have a birds-eye view of the overall project. Once we are signed on to a project, we are proactive in reaching out to the owner to get periodic updates on the status of hiring a construction team. We rely on these updates in order to know when to schedule inspections with the contractor.

Once a General Contractor (GC) is hired, the Owner can pass the baton. We can then coordinate directly with the GC, without necessarily involving the Owner.

Contractor Responsibilities

Constant communication between the contractor and EPIC is critical to a successful and smooth project. Once the Owner provides us with the contractor’s information, we immediately reach out to introduce ourselves, explain our role in the project, and describe our requirements and expectations as the project moves forward. We send out custom-tailored checklists for every project, which detail the specific inspection requirements for each inspection required under the scope of work. This starts all members of the project team off on the same page and with a common understanding of the next steps.

We also coordinate with the contractor to attend pre-construction meetings, which add another layer of understanding between EPIC and the contractor.

As the project progresses, we will frequently reach out to the contractor to get updates on the progress of construction. Its important that the contractor is responsive to our requests for updates, so we can be sure to schedule inspections at the correct time during construction.

Contact us to find out more about how EPIC will be a valuable asset to your next project.

EPIC and EP Engineering

EP Inspections & Commissioning, EPIC, is an independent special inspections agency, created by the founders of EP Engineering. While each firm is an individual entity, both operate out of the same office. Each firm adheres to their respective professional responsibilities, while benefiting from shared information that is impossible to obtain in standalone inspections firms.

The Value of Collaboration

Traditionally, special inspections agencies typically inspect job sites based upon the DOB approved drawings for each trade. Often, there is minimal or no contact between special inspectors and engineers prior to inspection. This leaves opportunities for nuances of the project, such as upcoming PAAs, to be missed by the special inspector, resulting in confusion and delays.

At EPIC, the inspector and engineer both operate under one roof; all of our employees know each other. And Inspection Supervisors and engineering Project Managers are aware of each other’s projects. This gives EPIC the unique ability to self-resolve many non-conforming items during inspections. All of this makes for a seamless experience for our clients.

Ethical Practices

As licensed professionals, the leadership and employees at EPIC adhere to a strict code of ethics. This includes holding engineers responsible for upholding the code, especially when those engineers are in-house. Using a system of checks and balances, EPIC is able to elevate the engineering services of EP Engineering. In turn, EPIC is able to deliver inspection reports that are clear and concise. Ultimately, it is the goal of the project team to deliver a fully signed-off space to our clients.

Contact us to find out more about how EPIC will be a valuable asset to your next project.

What is commissioning?

Commissioning is a requirement of the New York City Energy Conservation Code where a qualified professional ensures the performance of the installed systems within a building meet what is specified on the construction documents and the energy code. 

When is commissioning required?

As stated on the NYC TR-8 (Technical Report Statement of Responsibility for Energy Code Progress Inspections) form, “Commissioning is required for applications where C408 or ASHRAE 90.1 Section 6.7.2.4 requires commissioning.”

Section C408 of the 2016 New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC) stated that commissioning is required unless the cooling, heating and service hot water heating systems are below the following thresholds.

Mechanical and service hot water systems in buildings where the total mechanical equipment capacity being installed is less than 480,000 Btuh/h cooling capacity and 600,000 Btu/h combined service water-heating and space-heating capacity. 

Additionally, renewable energy systems being installed with a generating capacity of less than 25kW are exempt from commissioning.  

What systems need to be commissioned?

As per the 2016 NYCECC, mechanical systems, renewable energy and service water heating systems shall include, but are not limited to, the following: 

1. Heating, cooling, air handling and distribution, ventilation, and exhaust systems, and their related air quality monitoring systems.

2. Air, water, and other energy recovery systems.

3. Manual or automatic controls, whether local or remote, on energy using systems including but not limited to temperature controls, setback sequences, and occupancy based control, including energy management functions of the building management system.

4. Plumbing, including insulation of piping and associated valves, domestic and process water pumping, and mixing systems.

5. Mechanical heating systems and service water heating systems.

6. Refrigeration systems.

7. Renewable energy and energy storage systems.

8. Other systems, equipment and components that are used for heating, cooling or ventilation and that affect energy use.
   

Who creates the commissioning plan?

A commissioning plan needs to be developed by the design applicant or an approved commissioning agent, and shall include the following items. 

1. A narrative description of the activities that will be accomplished during each phase of commissioning, including the personnel intended to accomplish each of the activities.

2. A listing of the specific equipment, appliances or systems to be tested, their full sequences of operation, and a description of the tests to be performed, including prerequisite activities and reference to specific checklists or worksheets which are necessary or required by the department.

3. Functions to be tested including, but not limited to, calibrations and economizer controls.

4. Conditions under which the test will be performed. Testing shall affirm winter and summer design conditions and full outside air conditions.

5. Measurable criteria for performance.
   

Once construction is complete and preliminary commissioning is conducted, the approved agency must prepare a preliminary commissioning report, for submission to the building owner.  This report must identify and deficiencies that have yet to be corrected, and any tests that have been postponed due to specific weather constraints.

A final report must be submitted according to the following deadlines:

• Buildings below 500,000 gross square feet and all R-2 occupancies – 18 Months after the certificate of occupancy is issued.

• Buildings of at least 500,000 gross square feet – 30 Months after the certificate of occupancy is issued.