Applicability

NYC Electrical Code § EC 81

in effect

Section EC 81: Applicability 81.1 General. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall govern. Where, in any specific case, different sections of this code specify different materials, methods of construction, or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern. 81.2 Existing installations. Except as otherwise specifically provided, electrical installations lawfully in existence at the time of the adoption or a subsequent amendment of this code shall be permitted to have their use and maintenance continued if the use, maintenance, or repair is in accordance with the original design and no hazard to life, health, or property is created by such installations. 81.2.1 Existing buildings. Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs related to building or structural issues shall be governed by Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code, the New York City Building Code and the 1968 Building Code, as applicable. 81.2.2 References to the New York City Building Code. For existing buildings, a reference to a section of the New York City Building Code in this code shall also be deemed to refer to the equivalent provision of the 1968 Building Code, as applicable in accordance with Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code. 81.3 Maintenance. Installations, both existing and new, and parts thereof shall be maintained in proper operating condition in accordance with the original design and in a safe condition. Devices or safeguards that are required by this code shall be maintained in compliance with the applicable provisions under which they were installed. 81.3.1 Owner responsibility. The owner or the owner’s designated agent shall be responsible for maintenance of electrical installations. To determine compliance with this provision, the commissioner shall have the authority to require any electrical installation to be inspected. 81.4 Design, installation, alterations, or repairs. The design, installation, alteration, or repair of electric wires and wiring apparatus and other appliances used or to be used for the transmission of electricity for electric lights, heat, power, signaling, communication, alarm, or data transmission shall conform to the requirements of this code. Alterations or repairs shall not cause an existing installation to become unsafe, hazardous, or overloaded. 81.4.1 Special provisions for prior code buildings. In addition to the requirements of section 81.4, the provisions of sections 81.4.1.1 through 81.4.1.2 shall apply to prior code buildings. 81.4.1.1 Seismic supports. For prior code buildings, the determination as to whether seismic requirements apply to an alteration shall be made in accordance with the 1968 Building Code and interpretations by the department relating to such determinations. Any applicable seismic loads and requirements shall be permitted to be determined in accordance with Chapter 16 of the New York City Building Code or the 1968 Building Code and Reference Standard RS 9-6 of such code. 81.4.1.2 Wind resistance. For prior code buildings, equipment, appliances, and supports that are exposed to wind shall be designed and installed to resist the wind pressures determined in accordance with Chapter 16 of the New York City Building Code. 81.5 Change in occupancy. Refer to Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code. 81.6 Reserved. 81.7 Reserved. 81.8 Reserved. 81.8.1 Reserved. 81.9 Requirements not covered by code. Requirements necessary for the strength, stability, or proper operation of an existing or proposed electrical installation, or for the public safety, health, and general welfare, not specifically covered by this code, shall be determined by the commissioner. 81.10 Application of references. Reference to chapter or section numbers, or to provisions not specifically identified by number, shall be construed to refer to such chapter, section or provision of this code. 81.11 Federal and state buildings. Nothing in this code shall be construed to apply to any building, the electrical equipment of which is under the control of the United States of America or the state of New York or of any department, bureau, or office thereof. 81.12 City departments. The various departments, boards, and offices of the city of New York shall be subject to the provisions of this code.

Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-231795Fetched: 10/24/2026