No DOB Approval for Sprinkler System in Loft Building

The Fire Department issued a violation notice to landlord for not proving that the installation of the building's automatic wet sprinkler system had been approved by DOB. The ALJ ruled that landlord hadn't gotten approval as of the hearing date and fined landlord $225. Landlord appealed and argued that since the building was a loft building currently being renovated, landlord couldn't get DOB approval until all renovations were done. ECB ruled against landlord. Landlord didn't prove that it wasn't required to document that DOB had approved the sprinkler system. And landlord made only vague reference to loft law regulations without showing that any specific rule allowed landlord to delay getting DOB approval.

Rosenfield: ECB App. No. 21371 (9/25/96) [2-page document]