DOB is requiring a 'chimney smoke test' but what is the methodology we're supposed to use and who can perform this?

We are in the process of changing the certificate of occupancy of our brownstone from a 3-family to a 1- or 2-family home after combining two apartments, and during the ‘final inspection’ by the DOB, the inspector noted that we must perform a ‘smoke test’ on the three fire places in the building. He did not provide guidance about how to perform the test and what type of evidence we have to submit to DOB to show that the test had been performed, showing the fireplaces and flue are intact and not leaking smoke. I received a quote from one chimney company to perform a test that would be observed by an engineer for $3,500 PER fireplace (or a total of $10,500) which seems VERY high, however, he explained the ‘long process to seal off the chimneys from each end the day prior, then rig the chimney with a water pressure gauge, then fill the chimneys with pressurized smoke, etc.’ Is there a more simplified version of the smoke test that will satisfy the DOB and who can provide it? Our chimneys are in perfect working order…Thanks.

mjneuwirth

in Chimney and Fireplace 13 years and 3 months ago

4

134

Please log in, in order to post replies!

4 replies

Newest Oldest

mjneuwirth | 11 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5018 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4806 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "178288"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "mjneuwirth"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bfi5dUrPzBRmGOLghPIWBR.IGbWXJ70"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "mjneuwirth"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "mjneuwirth@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(25) "/forums/users/mjneuwirth/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:42:04"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "mjneuwirth"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(178288)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

The company I found to perform a smoke test that was ultimately accepted by the DOB is called A1 Royal Construction and also calls itself _Vas & Sons Corp. Here is their contact info if anyone needs it. _ _79 Marine Way, Staten Island,  NY 10306 Telephone: 347-279-6824\.  _

brookynite1 | 11 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5017 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5016 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "177847"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "brookynite1"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BWFR7VdU0e.DeCuiPkSRmkSgusYf391"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "brookynite1"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "actiffin@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(26) "/forums/users/brookynite1/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:40:08"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "brookynite1"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(177847)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

did you ever find someone for this?

pigthree | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4806 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5013 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14451"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "pigthree"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BLWPHnp6ACZZrNPDRPJDLuA5YeTYn3."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "pig-three-2-2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "go67racing@mac.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/pig-three/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-17 21:34:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "pig three"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14451)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

im sure that law was paid for by the gas and/or oil company 😉

kidbklyn | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5018 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5019 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "12959"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "kidbklyn"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BALKN6lQMZUcIMychkXehk8I4wSPr01"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "kidbklyn"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(15) "bkny648@aol.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(23) "/forums/users/kidbklyn/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:16:51"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "kidbklyn"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(12959)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You should call a few more chimney contractors or engineers to here some other opinions about the work you want done.