Page 110 - Urban Construction Project Management

Building Codes and Permits 69
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY (C OF O) AND
TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY (TCO)

Prior to tenant occupancy of any newly created project, the owner will require the
municipality to issue either a certificate of occupancy (C of O) or a temporary certificate
of occupancy (TCO). A TCO would be issued when a majority of the project has been
completed and the project complies with all life safety requirements. By occupying the
building, the building population would not be in any jeopardy if evacuation was
required due to a fire. Depending upon the jurisdiction, the requirements may be differ-
ent for obtaining the C of O or TCO. In most cases, the minimum requirements would
be as follows:

1. Life safety systems have been tested and approved by the Building Department
and/or Fire Department.
2. Make sure the stair locations and widths, door locations and corridor widths, and
fireproofing meet the intent of the code.
3. Fire stairs have direct access to the outside or to be fire-rated assembly areas.
4. Inspectors have submitted their reports and no outstanding issues exist.
5. Building has no violations.
6. All controlled inspection reports have been signed off by the approved registered
architects and engineers.
7. Project is complete and the space is ready for occupancy.
8. May require that all furniture be installed.
9. Subcontractors have submitted their documents indicating that certain Building
Department requirements have been satisfied (usually electrical, plumbing, and
sprinkler items).
10. Elevators are working properly and all safety devices are operational and they con-
form to the Fire Department requirements (i.e., elevators drop to the lobby upon a
fire signal).
11. Operation of Fire Command Station.
12. Fire safety plan filed and approved.

A typical TCO checklist is shown in Exhibit 4-6.

LANDMARKS

A landmarks designation is an indication that the project or district in which you are
working has significant architectural, cultural, or historical status. The city in which
these designations occur wants to make sure that any proposed modifications to a proj-
ect or the construction of a new project fall within the guidelines established to maintain