HPD I-Cards Available Online

Check out the HPD I-Card for the building, now available for free download on the HPD Website.

This is a great way to get useful historical information for Multiple Dwellings in the City. This comes in especially handy for old buildings with little or no DOB Actions/Filings, which I commonly find to be the case for brownstones in Brooklyn.

You might need this information if you need to prove the existing legal use/occupancy of a building. Or, if you need to know the Multiple Dwelling Classification of an old building.

Sometimes there are even schematic plans of the building on the I-Card, which can be useful in proving the 'Existing Legal Layout' of an unaltered building to a Plan Examiner when no DOB-approved plans are on file.

Follow these steps:
Go to the HPD Website Home Page

Enter the address of the property in the light blue search box:

If the property is found in HPD's Database, there will be a series of links listed on the left side of the page. Towards the bottom, there is a link 'I-Card Images'. Click on it:

If an I-Card is found, it will be listed towards the bottom of the page with a link that says 'View'. Click on it. You may need to install a plug-in when prompted:

That's it, you should see the I-Card, which you can print on your printer, or print to Adobe PDF & save to your computer.

Have a question? E-mail Permitadvisor

Old Code Class 3-Non-Fireproof Construction

Q: What is the Definition of Old Code Class 3-Non-Fireproof Structures?

A: Old Code Class 3-Non-Fireproof Structures are structures made of incombustible materials or assemblies of materials inadequate to meet the fire resistive rating requiremetns of Class1 or Class 2 Structures:

-Exterior Walls are Masonry or Reinforced Concrete,-Interior Framing is partly ot wholly of wood or unprotected iron or steel.

3-hours: Exterior Bearing Walls, Floor construction above the Cellar or Basement including Columns (except in Residence structures 3 stories+Basement or less in height, and in other structures not over 4 stories or 40' in height).

2-hours: Exterior Non-Bearing Walls, where protection is required, Shafts & Required Stairways over 4 stories/40' in height.

1-hour: Exterior Non-bearing Walls, Shafts & Required Stairways in structures not over 4 stories or 40' in height

This section does not apply to private dwellings of 40' and 4 stories or less in height.Exterior walls of private dwellings of Class 3 Non-Fireproof constructionmay be constructed of incombustible materials having a fire resistive rating of at least 1-hour, provided the building does not exceed 1 story in height and is separated at least 4' from any lot line and from any building.

Old Code Class 2-Fire Protected Structures

Q: What is the Definition of Old Code Class 2-Fire Protected Structures?

A: Walls and Structural members are made of incombustible materials with the following minimum Fire Resistive Ratings:

3 Hours: Bearing Walls and Exterior Walls.

1 Hour: Structural Members which support walls or columns, Structural members in walls, Shafts (except as provided in C26-646.0), Bearing walls in Residence Structures not exceeding 35', Exterior Panel Walls, and Permanent Interior Partitions.

Old Code Class 1-Fireproof Construction

Q: What is the Definition of Old Code Class 1-Fireproof Construction?

A: Walls and Structural members are made of incombustible materials with the following minimum Fire Resistive Ratings:

4 Hours:Exterior Walls, Fire Walls, Party Walls, Piers, Columns, Girders carrying columns.

3 Hours:Other Girders, Fire Partitions, Floors including their Beams and Girders, Beams, Roofs, and Floor Fillings, Required Stairway enclosures (other than in Schools and structures under 100' high).

2 Hours:Exterior Panel Walls, Exterior Bearing Walls in Private Dwellings 35' or less in ht, and Required Stairways in Schools and structures less than 100' in height.

Permanent interior partitions shall be constructed of incombustible materials. The degree of fire resistance of other construction features in Fireproof Structures and acceptable materials shall be as per Article 11.