Department of Buildings Clarifies Boiler Inspection Rules

The Department of Buildings (DOB) recently released Buildings Bulletin 2025-001 to provide clarity to the annual external boiler inspection process. The city requires that owners of boilers submit an annual inspection report that includes a list of all defects found during the annual inspection for each device inspected. There are two types of annual inspections: external and internal inspections.

The bulletin clarifies the external inspection requirements for boilers and all their parts during an External Annual Boiler Inspection. This bulletin explains what’s expected during these inspections, and it reminds us of the building owner and licensed boiler inspector shared responsibilities.

We’ll go over who qualifies to perform inspections, explain what’s involved in the inspection process, and provide details on the deadlines and penalties tied to noncompliance.

Affected Buildings, Boilers

DOB’s guidance applies to both high-pressure and low-pressure boilers, but only in certain types of buildings. If your property is a residential building with six or more units, a mixed-use building with even a single residential unit, or any commercial property with a boiler, then your boiler is subject to the annual inspection and reporting requirements.

However, there are a few exceptions. Boilers located in one- to five-family residential buildings are not required to be inspected. The same goes for boilers that serve only a single apartment and are located inside that apartment. Additionally, water heaters with an HLW stamp that are used only for providing hot water and not for heating the space aren’t subject to these rules either.

Boiler Inspector Qualifications

Only a qualified boiler inspector can perform the required annual inspections. That term has a specific meaning under city regulations. This person must hold a certificate of competence from the State Department of Labor and work under the authority of either an insurance company or a licensed professional such as a high-pressure boiler operating engineer, a licensed master plumber, or a Class A or B oil-burning equipment installer.

Owner Responsibilities

Owners carry significant responsibility when it comes to boiler inspections. It’s the owner’s job to hire a qualified inspector, schedule the inspection within the designated time frame, and submit the results through the DOB NOW: Safety portal. Owners must also ensure the boiler is properly maintained throughout the year, including servicing according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and testing all safety mechanisms. Preparing the boiler for inspection, meaning it is clean, accessible, and safe to examine, is also the owner’s responsibility.

The annual inspection must occur between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31. Once the inspection is completed, the report must be submitted within 14 calendar days. For inspections performed on the last day of the year, the final deadline to file is Jan. 14 of the following year.

Penalties, Corrections

DOB imposes strict civil penalties for missed deadlines or failed filings. If an inspection report is submitted late but still by the Jan. 14 deadline, a penalty of $50 per month, per boiler applies—up to a maximum of $600. Submitting after that grace period results in a $1,000 failure-to-file fine.

If the inspector identifies any defects, the property owner has 90 days from the inspection date to correct them. Once corrected, a follow-up inspection must be conducted and submitted within 14 days. If this subsequent report is submitted too late or more than 104 days after the original inspection, the report will be rejected, and the owner will be subject to a $1,000 penalty. Additional monthly late fees may accrue on top of that, capped at $600 per boiler.

Extensions of up to 45 days can be requested—twice, if necessary—but only before the deadline has passed. These extension requests must be submitted in DOB NOW: Safety and are not automatically granted.

External Inspection Process

According to the bulletin, the inspection must follow a standardized checklist issued by the DOB, which ensures all relevant components of the boiler system are reviewed. You can find the checklist in Appendix-A of the technical bulletin at www.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/bldgs_bulletins/bb_2025-001.pdf.

This checklist includes verifying that the boiler room is free from leaks and hazards and that the combustion air system is unobstructed and working as designed. Inspectors are expected to review the boiler’s nameplate or code stamp for legibility and accuracy. They must confirm that all controls and safety devices such as low-water fuel cutoffs, pressure relief valves, and emergency shut-offs have been maintained and tested. The checklist also includes an evaluation of flue connections and the chimney base to ensure there are no obstructions, and that all components are sealed and secure.

It’s important to note that high-pressure boilers are subject to even stricter inspection standards. They must undergo two separate inspections each year—one internal and one external. These must be spaced approximately six months apart and can be performed only by an authorized insurance company. Owners must notify DOB at least 10 days in advance before conducting the internal inspection, and both inspection reports must be filed within 14 days of completion. Late or missed filings carry the same penalties as with low-pressure boilers, but they apply to each inspection type separately.

If you have questions about your building’s boiler status, the Boiler Technical Unit can be reached at (212) 393-2784 or by email at boilertechnical@buildings.nyc.gov.