COVID-19 Response Message to Clients HOME PROFILE SERVICES PROJECTS ASK THE ENGINEER ARTICLES VIDEOS BLOG CAREERS CONTACT SEARCH Articles Information on building repair, maintenance, upgrades, and project management. Choose a Topic Exterior Repair and Maintenance Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Energy Efficiency Surveys and Inspections Historic Preservation Architectural Design Project Planning and Management Local Law 11/98 Archive Exterior Repair and Maintenance Playing it "Safe" with FISP Answers to Frequently Asked Questions on NYC’s Facade Inspection and Safety Program (Local Law 11/98). Rope Access Facade Inspections RAND’s Industrial Rope Access team performs faster and more cost-effective hands-on investigations of facades. Drone Services Drones provide a safe and cost-effective way to perform visual building evaluations. DOB Facade Inspection Reports Now Filed Online Under a new DOB requirement, New York City Facade Inspection Safety Reports must be submitted online only. A Second Engineer's Opinion Saved This Co-op a Bundle A Bronx co-op saved over half a million dollars after a peer review conducted by RAND. How to Fix a Roof Leak: First, Find it In high-rise apartment buildings, the roofs contain layer upon layer of possible trouble. Proper Roofing Maintenance It's more than just the membranes. All roof-level components should be part of a maintenance program. Using the Roof in a Co-op Rooftop decks, terraces and balconies are wonderful amenities, but proper maintenance and usage guidelines must be followed. BACK TO TOP Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Managing Electrical Power Boards must balance residents’ requests for more electrical capacity with the building's needs. Replacing Plumbing Risers How a luxury co-op managed the disruptive and expensive upgrade of its aging domestic water system. Boiler Maintenance Checklist Periodic items to get the most out of your building's heating plant. Local Law 152/16 Gas Piping Inspections Gas piping systems in New York City must be inspected and certified at least once every four years. Local Law 191/18: CO Detectors in Commercial Spaces Buildings with certain types of commercial spaces must have carbon monoxide detectors installed to code. The Little Engine That... How four boards faced the challenge of repairing, replacing, or retrofitting their boilers. Emergency Generators Considerations for having an uninterrupted power source when a disaster hits. Cooling Down Your Overheated Apartment It’s freezing outside, but your apartment is a furnace. Here’s how to turn down the heat. Old Hallway Vents Can Pose Dangers Negative air pressure from the "stack effect" can draw smoke and odors into apartments. Elevator Doors That Close on People A rubber retractable door edge will keep the elevator open when the door makes contact. 3 Things You Need to Know About Your NYC Radiators Tips on how control, replace, and cover up your radiators. Local Law 26/04: Fire Sprinkler Requirement Office buildings 100 feet or taller must be fully sprinklered by 2019. Here’s what property owners and managers need to know. BACK TO TOP Energy Efficiency Climate Mobilization Act Local Law 97 Fact Sheet A guide to complying with the Climate Mobilization Act and Local Law 97's strict greenhouse gas emissions caps. Energy Audit Fact Sheet An energy audit analyzes how efficiently buildings systems are performing and identifies ways to reduce energy consumption. Converting From No. 6 Heating Oil Cleaner fuel options for NYC buildings that must switch from No. 6 heating oil by 2015. Green Roof Fact Sheet The types, costs, and benefits of green roofing systems, and why a feasibility study is recommend before installing one. New York City's Energy Efficiency Legislation New local laws mandate benchmarking, energy audits, and retro-commissioning. New York City Benchmarking Law Local Laws 84/09 and 133/16 require property owners to submit an annual analysis of energy usage. RAND Partners with NYSERDA RAND help buildings reach performance targets to obtain funding for capital improvements. BACK TO TOP Surveys and Inspections Special Inspections Fact Sheet The DOB's tighter requirements for Special Inspections apply to most repair projects. Infrared Fact Sheet A non-destructive diagnostic tool, infrared thermography can detect hidden problems throughout a building. The Top 7 Construction Defects New doesn't mean flawless. Leaks and other deficiencies are often found in recently built properties. Learn to Spot Building Defects Before Buying Prospective buyers should be aware of common defects in newly constructed condominiums. The 7 Worst Places to Live in a Building RAND looks at which areas inside a building pose the greatest potential for problems. Lack of Luxury RAND’s physical condition survey of the Empire Condominium uncovered a host of defective conditions. Africa Israel Sued for Not Disclosing RAND Report The developer of 20 Pine Street failed to disclose RAND's report, which listed $5.6 million in defects. Parking Garage Inspections Fact Sheet Parking garages in New York State must be inspected by a qualified engineer every three years. BACK TO TOP Historic Preservation New York City Landmarks Fact Sheet A guide to navigating the Landmarks Preservation Commissions permitting process. Funding Assistance for Historic Properties Grants, loans, and tax credits are available for owners restoring historic properties in New York. Return to Glory on the Upper West Side Restoring the decorative terra cotta facade of a prewar co-op revived its architectural character. Window Replacement in an Historic District New aluminum casement units preserved the style of the originals with improved performance. BACK TO TOP Architectural Design Review of Proposed Apartment Alterations Plans to renovate an apartment must first be reviewed by an engineer or architect. Making an Entrance Accessible What changes must a landlord make to lobby steps to accommodate people with disabilities? BACK TO TOP Project Planning and Management Eight Steps to a Successful Project Liquidated damages, retainage, and six other things to minimize construction problems. Don't Fall Short with Long-term Planning Avoid emergency repairs and expenses with a preventative maintenance program. Establishing a Reliable Repair Budget Itemizing anticipated funding requirements gives building owners greater repair options. Altering Your Building: Not Just an Ordinary Facelift Major projects can turn into major headaches if not done with the help of licensed professionals. The Role of the Engineer/Architect Common misconceptions that strain the partnership between a board and its engineer/architect. Is "Subcontractor" Really a Dirty Word? Sometimes hiring subcontractors is not only appropriate but advisable—with precautions. BACK TO TOP Local Law 11/98 Archive (6th Cycle and Earlier) Dismantling the Scaffolding Staggered deadlines for NYC Local Law 11/98 offer a more realistic timetable for conducting inspections and filing reports. A Little Leeway on Facade Repairs An alternative filing program gives building owners some breathing room with facade inspections. Facade-Report Time, With a Difference Repair and maintenance items from previous inspections cannot be carried over to the next cycle. BACK TO TOP HOME PROFILE SERVICES PROJECTS ASK THE ENGINEER ARTICLES VIDEOS BLOG CAREERS CONTACT PRIVACY POLICY TERMS OF USE SITEMAP RAND Engineering & Architecture, DPC 159 West 25th Street New York, NY 10001 P: 212-675-8844 info@randpc.com Connect: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn YoutubeGoogle+ Instagram