TR-8 Lighting in Dwelling Units
1RCNY IC2
Lamps in permanently installed lighting fixtures shall be visually inspected to verify compliance with high-efficacy requirements.
1RCNY IIC2
Lamps in permanently installed lighting fixtures shall be visually inspected to verify compliance with high-efficacy requirements.
Details
SIGN-ON / Inspect / SIGN-OFF (package)What NYC Inspectors Actually Check
Under New York City's Energy Conservation Code, "high-efficacy" refers to lamps that meet a minimum luminous efficacy threshold — measured in lumens per watt — as defined in ECC Section 404. In practice, this means LED lamps and fixtures, or compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) that meet the threshold. Incandescent and halogen lamps in permanently installed fixtures do not qualify and will result in a failed TR-8 inspection.
Class 1 vs. Class 2 scope:
- 1RCNY §IC2 (Class 1 — 1- and 2-family homes, townhouses): All permanently installed lighting fixtures in the dwelling unit must use high-efficacy lamps. This includes recessed cans, ceiling mounts, under-cabinet lighting, and bathroom vanity fixtures.
- 1RCNY §IIC2 (Class 2 — multifamily residential, 3 stories and above): The same high-efficacy requirement applies to permanently installed fixtures in each individual dwelling unit. Common area and corridor lighting is addressed separately under other code sections.
Common NYC DOB inspection failures:
- Non-compliant lamps installed by an electrician or contractor after the approved fixtures were set
- Recessed downlights fitted with incandescent retrofit bulbs instead of LED modules
- Fixtures missing manufacturer labels confirming high-efficacy compliance
How EZTR1 Inspects
EZTR1's certified special inspectors perform a visual inspection of all permanently installed lighting fixtures, confirming lamp type and efficacy compliance against the approved construction documents. Findings are documented in the TR-8 inspection report filed with the NYC DOB.
Ready to schedule your TR-8 lighting inspection? Contact EZTR1 before your final DOB sign-off.