Engineering Services Unit

The Engineering Services Unit (ESU) provides engineering support to the Division of Safety and Health programs. The Engineering Services Unit staff:

• Reviews plans
• Approves applications
• Issues variances dealing with Department of Labor Code Rules.

The Engineering Services Unit reviews and approves applications for:

• Places of public assembly
• Ski tows and passenger tramways
• Elevators and escalators in factory and mercantile establishments
• Tents and bleachers for 300 or more occupants
• Window-cleaning equipment and other devices

Engineering Services also issues variances for:

• Storage of explosives
• Boilers
• Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH) programs
• Asbestos abatement

The Engineering Services Unit reviews and approves applications for places of public assembly.

Regulation: State Standard Building Code for Places of Public Assembly (Code Rule 36)

Application Form: Application for Examination of Plans SH 700

The Engineering Services Unit reviews and approves applications for ski tows and passenger tramways.

Regulation: Ski Tows and Other Passenger Tramways Code Rule 32

Application Form: Application for Approval of Plans for Aerial Tramway, Chair or Gondola, J-Bar, T- Bar, Rope Tow, Poma Lift, Skimobile, Etc. SH 706

The Engineering Services Unit reviews and approves applications for elevators and escalators in factory and mercantile establishments.

Regulation: Construction, Guarding, Equipment, Maintenance and Operation of Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators, Hoists, and Hoistways in Factories and Mercantile Establishments Code Rule 8

Application Form:

Application for Approval of Plans Hoistways and Hoistway Gates or Doors SH 702
Application for Approval of Plans for Passenger, Freight, Combination or Sidewalk Elevators, Escalator or Dumbwaiter SH 703

The Engineering Services Unit reviews and approves applications for tents and bleachers for 300 or more occupants.

Regulation:

State Standard Building Code for Places of Public Assembly Code Rule 36
Amusement Devices, Viewing Stands and Tents at Carnivals, Fairs and Amusement Parks Code Rule 45
 

Application Form: Application for Amusement Device, Viewing Stand and/or Tent Permit SH 80

The Engineering Services Unit reviews and approves applications for window-cleaning equipment.

We developed "Window-Cleaning Equipment Requirements Guidance" to help in the window-cleaning equipment approval process.

Window-Cleaning Equipment Requirements Guidance: In New York State, window-cleaning equipment is subject to approval by the Engineering Services Unit. We encourage applicants to meet with Engineering Services Unit representatives before designing, purchasing, and installing window-cleaning equipment. Contact the Engineering Services Unit office at 518-457-1536 to schedule a pre-application meeting or to ask questions about the approval process.

Guidance Documents:

• General Window-Cleaning Equipment Approval Application Checklist
• Updated Window Washing Advisory Standard 101
• Advisory Standards for Hoisting Machines Used for Suspended Scaffolds

Regulation: Protection of Persons Employed at Window Cleaning Structural Requirements, Equipment and Procedures Code Rule 21

Application Form: Application for Approval of Material or Device SH 753

The Engineering Services Unit issues variances for the storage of explosives,

Regulation: Possession, Handling, Storage and Transportation of Explosives Code Rule 39

Application Form: Petition for a Variance or Other Relief SH 751

The Engineering Services Unit provides support to the Boiler Safety Bureau by issuing variances for boiler installations.

Regulation:

• Low-Pressure Boilers Code Rule 4
• Construction, Installation, Inspection, and Maintenance of High-Pressure Boilers; Construction of Unfired Pressure Vessels Code Rule 14

Application Form: Petition for a Variance or Other Relief SH 751

Applicable Variances:

• AV-B-1 Boiler Room Clearance
• AV-B-2 Boiler Room Egress

The Engineering Services Unit provides support to the Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH) Bureau by issuing variances and alternative compliance agreements to public employers.

Regulation: PESH

Application Form: Petition for a Permanent Variance or Alternative Compliance Agreement SH 780

The Engineering Services Unit provides support to the Asbestos Control Bureau by issuing variances for asbestos abatement projects. The Engineering Services Unit has issued Applicable Variances for some asbestos abatement projects.

We developed a Guidance Document (AGD-v2.0) on ICR 56 that offers details on variances and how to comply with the asbestos regulation, including the latest Code Rule 56 Revision. Guidance for Documenting Asbestos Work Areas (SH752.1)

Regulation: Asbestos Code Rule 56

Guidance & Information on Variances for Asbestos Projects: Guidance and Variance Information Code Rule 56

Application Form: Petition for an Asbestos Variance SH 752

Applicable Variances:

• Controlled Demolition (Municipal) AV-A-1
• Negative Air Ventilation Exhaust AV-A-2
• Non-friable ACM Floor Covering Mastic removal Using Chemical Methods along with Low-speed Floor Buffers AV-A-3
• Removal or Cleanup of Intact Minor Size Non-friable ACM Floor Tile AV-A-4