Certificate of Approval
A Certificate of Approval (COA) is a written statement issued by the Commissioner certifying that an article, equipment or device has been examined, tested and approved for a specific purpose or use to conform with the requirements of the New York City Construction Codes, the New York City Fire Code and the New York City Fire Department Rules.
Section 901.4.5 of the 2014 Fire Code requires a Certificate of Approval for the following fire protection devices, equipment and systems:
- Pre-engineered non-water based fire extinguishing systems, including systems installed in connection with commercial cooking systems.
- Prefabricated hoods and grease filters installed in connection with commercial cooking systems.
- Fire department connections, standpipe system hose outlets and pressure reducing valves.
- Fire alarm control units, and medical gas, toxic, highly toxic and flammable gas detection system control panels.
These fire protection devices, equipment and systems may be of a type that was approved by the Department of Buildings or the Board of Standards and Appeals prior to the effective date of FC901.4.5, unless such approval by the Department of Buildings or the Board of Standards and Appeals is amended or repealed by the Commissioner.
Section 1501.5 of the 2014 Fire Code requires a Certificate of Approval for pre-manufactured spray rooms and pre-manufactured spray booths that circulate heated air. These pre-manufactured spray rooms and pre-manufactured spray booths may be of a type that was approved by the Department of Buildings or the Board of Standards and Appeals prior to the effective date of FC901.4.5, unless such approval by the Department of Buildings or the Board of Standards and Appeals is amended or repealed by the Commissioner.
Section 3507.3.1 of the 2014 Fire Code requires a Certificate of Approval for metal hydride hydrogen storage systems. These systems may of a type listed for the purpose for which they are used.
Fire Department Rule, 3 RCNY Section 3809-01(g)(1)(C), requires a Certificate of Approval for lockable ventilated metal lockers (cages) for LPG storage. LPG storage may be in metal open fence enclosures at least six (6) feet in height, secured by a locked gate opening outward.
Section 112.1 of the 2014 Fire Code requires the manufacturer of any article, equipment or device installed in any facility or used in connection with any material or operation shall obtain a Certificate of Approval for the design, installation, operation and/or maintenance of such article, equipment or device.
Certificate of Approval categories that must be filed on FDNY Business include:
- Bars, Grills, Grates or Devices placed over Emergency Escape and Rescue Opening, and Windows or other Openings onto Fire Escapes
- Fire Department Connections (FDC)
- Fire Alarm Control Panels, and medical gas, toxic, highly toxic and flammable gas detection system control panels
- Flame Retardant Chemicals
- Grease Filters for commercial Kitchen hoods
- Hinged Mechanisms or other Devices for Solar Panel Installations
- Lockable ventilated metal lockers (cages) for LPG storage. LPG storage may be in metal open fence enclosures at least six (6) feet in height, secured by a locked gate opening outward.
- Metal Hydride Hydrogen Storage Systems. These systems may of a type listed for the purpose for which they are used.
- Piped Natural Gas Boosters
- Pre-Engineered non-water Fire Extinguishing Systems Installed with Commercial Cooking Systems
- Pre-engineered non-water Fire Extinguishing Systems
- Pre-fabricated Commercial Kitchen Hoods
- Pre-manufactured Spray Booths
- Pre-manufactured Spray Rooms
- Pressure Reducing Valves
- Standpipe Hose Outlets
- Stationary (Battery) Energy Storage Systems
Required Documents
NOTE: Each of the following documents must be submitted as an unlocked PDF file. All PDF files must be submitted in a simple PDF format with a digital signature as applicable. If files are submitted as a dynamic PDF document (with layers) or without the required digital signature, they will be returned for corrections, causing a delay in the review process.
Documents must be submitted as an unlocked PDF file. Documents submitted in formats other than PDF may result in a Letter of Deficiency and may need to be refiled.
- Testing reports
- User manual(s)
- Authorization letter (If applicant is not officer of the manufacturer)
- Floor Plans (including sprinkler/standpipe riser diagrams, site plot) for site specific application
- A letter from an officer stating there have not been any changes to the product since the previous approval.
- A copy of the expired COA.
Upon review, the applicant will receive one of the following:
- Proposed Draft Certificate of Approval (COA) will be issued after the application has been reviewed and all required documents have been submitted. If the applicant agrees to the conditions of approval, the applicant must sign and upload the proposed draft to FDNY Business.
- The COA will be issued after the proposed draft has been received.
- Site-Specific COA, if a Citywide COA is not approved the applicant may apply for a site-specific application.
- COA not required, if the application is for an article, equipment or device that the New York City Fire Code does not have a requirement for.
Application Fees:
- New Application Fees: $625
- Amended Application Fees: $625
- Change of Ownership Application: $625
- Change in manufacturing process, chemical composition, or design: $625
- Renewal Fee: $50
Submit the completed application online with all supporting documents.
Create an account through FDNY Business by selecting the apply button. After creating an account, you can apply for a COA by the following: Select Begin Application; Select Design and Installation; Select Technology Management Application; Select Application Type: Certificate of Approval- New, Renewal, or Amendment based on your application type.
You must make payment on FDNY Business to submit your application. To make payments for additional invoiced fees after submission use one of the following methods:
Online (preferred):
Online (preferred) Payment can be made online at FDNY Business (credit, debit or e-check accepted)
US Mail (check must contain FDNY Business Record ID):
NYC Fire Department (FDNY)
Bureau of Fire Prevention
9 MetroTech Center, Attn: Cashier’s Unit (1st Floor)
Brooklyn, NY 11201