DOB-002: Refiling Approved Work

At the time of occupancy, renovated hotels may present several unforeseen problems to the developer. Owner requirements may dictate that occupancy is to occur in phases. The solution is to break up the filed building set and allow inspections and close-out to happen in stages. How the set is disassembled is key and how it is refiled is crucial. First rule is the fire alarm set. It must be filed together showing all floors and one single riser diagram. The Department of Buildings does not allow for partial fire alarms. The system must be approved, installed and inspected as a whole. Other trades are more flexible, but there are caveats. One common mistake is to file partial drawings that do not show terminations to building services. This may include gas and sewer. Although the architect may only be filing the upper floors only, the riser diagram must show how the piping is routed through other spaces not in scope. Another caveat: if a mechanical duct work or piping is routed through a space not in scope, the work should be indicated as such. Electrical is filed with BEC and is not part of the Department of Buildings filing.
We are currently breaking out the rooms and corridors portion of a Battery Park City hotel in order to allow for the guest rooms to be occupied in phases. This may require a potential self certification to expedite the process. The decision has not yet been made. Whether the work is filed as a self-certification or as a plan review, the division process will remain the same.