No person shall have charge of or operate a
steam boiler or engine in this City unless he holds a license or certificate
therefor as hereinafter provided; and no person owning or using a
steam engine or boiler shall allow the same to be operated for a period
of more than two weeks unless by a duly licensed engineer or certified
fireman. The words "have charge" or "in charge" in this chapter shall
designate the person under whose supervision a boiler or engine is
operated. The word "operating" shall designate any and all persons
who are actually engaged in generating steam in a boiler.
The Mayor shall annually appoint a Board of
Examining Engineers consisting of three members who shall be practical
steam and mechanical engineers of at least five years' experience
in operating steam engines and boilers in this City. Within one week
after such appointment, the Board shall meet and elect from its number
a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer; it shall convene for business
twice in each month for the purpose of examining into the qualifications
of applicants for licenses and certificates.
It shall keep a record of the transactions of
each meeting and make monthly reports stating the number of examinations
held, the names of candidates for license, the result of the examinations,
and the licenses issued, renewed or revoked. The Board shall determine
the requirements for each grade of license and the qualifications
necessary for each plant, and may make rules consistent with law and
this chapter regarding any matters within its jurisdiction. When deemed
necessary, it may permit an applicant to operate any plant without
license until it has passed upon his application. Any applicant may
appeal from the decision of the Board to the Mayor within 10 days
after receiving notice thereof, and the Mayor may thereupon confirm,
reverse or modify such decision.
[Amended 11-2-2015]
Every person who is now in charge of or operating
any boiler or engine shall upon application accompanied by a fee of
$25 for license or $5 for certificate be entitled to a license or
certificate covering his position, without examination.
Should the Board find that a person in charge
of or operating any boiler or apparatus be remiss in his duties to
such extent that the safety of any person is endangered thereby, or
if it be satisfied that the person so in charge of or operating the
same is not competent, safe and reliable or is addicted to the excessive
use of intoxicants, it shall be the duty of the Board to revoke any
license it may have issued to him and report the same to the Mayor
with the reasons therefor, but no license may be so revoked without
giving the licensee or certificate holder an opportunity to be heard
in his own defense.
No person operating a steam boiler or engine
shall abandon it while in operation without leaving a competent person
in charge thereof.
Nothing in this chapter contained shall apply
to boilers or engines upon locomotives, motor road vehicles, boilers
in private houses used for heating purposes, nor boilers under the
jurisdiction of the state or federal authorities, boilers of less
than eight horsepower, or boilers used for heating purposes exclusively
which are provided with approved devices limiting the pressure to
10 pounds per square inch, and is not intended to in any way conflict
with federal or state laws.
[Amended 3-8-1999]
Any person violating any provisions of this
chapter shall be guilty of an offense within the meaning of the Penal
Law of the State of New York and shall be subject to a fine of not
less than $100 nor more than $500 and/or up to 15 days in jail, and
each day on which such violation occurs or continues shall constitute
a separate offense.