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Certificate of Approval

New Application Fees $625 HOW TO APPLY
Renewal Fees $50 OPERATING & RENEWING

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City Fire Department

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:

  1. Pre-engineered non-water based fire extinguishing systems, including systems installed in connection with commercial cooking systems.
  2. Prefabricated hoods and grease filters installed in connection with commercial cooking systems.
  3. Fire department connections, standpipe system hose outlets and pressure reducing valves.
  4. 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of FC901.4.5, unless such approval by the Department of Buildings or the Board of Standards and Appeals is amended or repealed by the Commissioner.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of FC901.4.5, unless such approval by the Department of Buildings or the Board of Standards and Appeals is amended or repealed by the Commissioner.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

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