Buildings News - December 2017

Buildings news

December 2017

service notices

forms

bis

codes

Living Safely 2017

DOB and FDNY teamed up
again this year for our annual Living Safely campaign, a citywide effort to warn New Yorkers
about the dangers of illegally-converted living spaces, such as basement
apartments, that lack proper exits if a fire breaks out. For three
weeks, the Departments distributed thousands of flyers reminding both
tenants and property owners of the potentially deadly consequences of
illegal residential conversions. DOB's Community Affairs Unit and FDNY's
Fire Safety Education Unit distributed these flyers in 10 different
languages at major transportation hubs in areas across the city where
DOB has identified high numbers of illegal conversions. This year, we
expanded our outreach, sending teams to more locations throughout the
boroughs. Flyers distributed in the Living Safely campaign include tips
such as the need for at least two exits, working smoke alarms and carbon
monoxide detectors, and the dangers of using an extension cord as a main
source of electricity. The flyers are available on DOB�s website under

Tenant Resources.

2018
Electrical Code Revision Committee Call for Applications

Are you a member of
NYC's construction, real estate, labor, architectural, or engineering
communities? Do you have ideas to improve the city�s Electrical Code?
Here's your opportunity to get involved and have your voice heard! DOB
is currently accepting applications for the 2018 Electrical Code
Revision Committee. Committee participants should be experts in their
respective fields, and will be responsible for helping to develop and
review amendments to the 2011 NYC Electrical Code as part of the Code
revision process. Applications are due January 25, 2018. Click

here for more information and a link to the application.

Expanded
Safety Training Requirements for 2018

Local Law 196 of 2017 requires that, as of March 1,
2018, most workers at various types of construction sites have a minimum
of 10 hours of site safety training. In order to facilitate contractor compliance, the Department will
host periodic information sessions to provide guidance regarding the
requirements of the legislation before it takes effect. The next session
will be held January 5, 2018 from 2-3:30 p.m. at our offices at 280
Broadway. The workshop is free, but space is limited and an RSVP is
required. Tickets are available via

Eventbrite.

Safe
Construction Bill of Rights

Effective December 28,
2018, Local Law 158 of 2017 will require owners of multiple dwellings to
provide a Safe Construction Bill of Rights for all jobs on existing
buildings that require permits, including emergency work, or before a
new building can obtain a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. The Bill
of Rights is required to include a description of the work, hours of
construction, a projected timeline, a list of any and all
building-service disruptions that may result, contact information for
both non-emergency and emergency concerns, and contact info for relevant
City and State agencies. Owners will be required to distribute the Bill
to each occupied apartment, and post a copy in the lobby and additional
locations throughout the building for the duration of the work. For more
information and full requirements, see the
Service Update provided on DOB�s website.

Is Your Site
Winter Ready?

The New York City
Administrative Code requires that properties be kept safe at all times.
Winter poses additional challenges, and DOB has provided

tips for site-safety during adverse weather relating
to temporary heat, pipe safety, scaffolds and sheds, housekeeping,
cranes and derricks, and hoists. In addition, DOB also issues Weather
Advisories to alert those in the building trades of high-wind
conditions. The Department�s Weather Advisories are strictly a courtesy
to remind property owners to prepare their properties for inclement
weather and should not be read to suggest that the Department, rather
than the property owner, is responsible for maintaining his or her
property. Subscribe to DOB Weather Advisories by sending an email to
WeatherAdvisory@buildings.nyc.gov.

Disciplinary
Cases

DOB�s Administrative Enforcement Unit
recently levied $86,000 in fines against nine contractors for safety
violations resulting in worker injuries and failures to safeguard the
site or the public. In one case a contractor received a $25,000 fine for
failure to safeguard a worker on a supported scaffold, which resulted in
a worker fall. In addition, DOB issued 17 Class 1 violations for failure
to safeguard, resulting in $170,000 in fines.

DOB's Special Enforcement Team (SET)
continues to hold design professionals accountable for the jobs they
sign off on. This month, they found a Registered Architect had performed
several Directive 14 sign-off inspections for problem buildings in
Bushwick, Brooklyn. Upon further investigation, SET found that the
architect submitted Directive 14 sign-offs for five buildings where the
applicant certified that they conformed to the approved plans, but at
the time of the inspection, every building had conditions that were
contrary to the approved plans. A false filing petition seeking full
revocation of filing privileges was issued, and a settlement conference
is scheduled for January.

DOB Issued 24 Class 1 violations to nine
different property owners for illegal alterations made to existing
buildings. As a result, the property owners were issued a combined
$179,400 in penalties.

Our Borough Enforcement Units are working
every day to increase safety for tenants and reduce the number of
illegal and unsafe dwellings in the city – this time bringing
enforcement actions against two landlords in Brooklyn and Queens who
were found to have illegally converted their respective buildings. Both
buildings were found to be reoccupied in violation of vacate orders and
the owners are now subject to criminal actions.

Additional Disciplinary Actions & Voluntary Surrenders

Industry Code of Conduct for Construction Professionals

Hearings +
Rules

Rating for Class B Hoisting Machine
Operators

1 RCNY 104-09 (effective 1.5.18) The Department of Buildings (DOB) is amending section 104-09 of
Title 1 of the Rules of the City of New York relating to Class B
hoisting machine operators.

Hoisting Machine Operator Learners and
Supervision of Learners

1 RCNY 104-23 (effective 1.5.18) The rule establishes criteria governing the training of
individuals learning to become hoisting machine operators.

Hoisting Machine
Operator Learners and Supervision of Learners (Cranes & Derricks
Amendment)

1 RCNY 3319-01 (effective 1.5.18) The Department of Buildings (DOB) is amending section 3319-01 of
Chapter 3300 of Title 1 of the Rules of the City of New York, regarding
the training of individuals learning to become hoisting machine operators.

Amendment of
Buildings Penalty Schedule

1 RCNY 102-01 (effective 1.5.18) The Department of Buildings (DOB) is proposing to
update the Buildings Penalty Schedule to reflect the current
construction environment, and to better ensure public safety.

Public hearing: 1/16/18 @ 10am - 125 Worth
Street, 2nd Floor Auditorium

Phase-in of new Standards for Electrical
Work (Repeal)

1 RCNY 34-01 The Department of Buildings (DOB) is proposing to amend its
Electrical Code rules to delete references to the electrical advisory
board and to repeal sections that are no longer applicable.

Public hearing: 1/25/18 @ 10am - Spector Hall, 22 Reade Street, 1st
Floor

Review of Applications for Electrical Permits and Certificates of
Electrical Inspection during the Phase-in Period (Repeal)

1 RCNY 34-02 The Department of Buildings (DOB) is proposing to amend its Electrical Code
rules to delete references to the electrical advisory board and to
repeal sections that are no longer applicable.

Public hearing: 1/25/18 @ 10am - Spector Hall, 22 Reade Street, 1st
Floor

Temporary Certification to Perform Low
Voltage Electrical Work (Repeal)

1 RCNY 34-03 The Department of Buildings (DOB) is proposing to amend its Electrical Code
rules to delete references to the electrical advisory board and to
repeal sections that are no longer applicable.

Public hearing: 1/25/18 @ 10am - Spector Hall, 22 Reade Street, 1st
Floor

Amendment of Rules Governing Electrical
Work (Electrical Advisory Board Amendment)

1 RCNY 34-05 The Department of Buildings (DOB) is proposing to amend its electrical code
rules to delete references to the electrical advisory board and to
repeal sections that are no longer applicable.

Public hearing: 1/25/18 @ 10am - Spector Hall, 22 Reade Street, 1st
Floor

Amendment of Rules Governing Electrical
Work (OTCR and the Use of Material in Construction Activities Amendment)

1 RCNY 101-12 The Department of Buildings (DOB) is proposing to amend its Electrical Code
rules to delete references to the electrical advisory board and to
repeal sections that are no longer applicable.

Public hearing: 1/25/18 @ 10am - Spector Hall, 22 Reade Street, 1st
Floor

All Department Rules

Website
Updates

Electrical Advisory Board Meeting Schedule

Revised Buildings Bulletin 2017-015

DOB NOW: Build Elevators and Electrical

DOB NOW: Build Elevator Filings Tutorial (YouTube)

Data & Reporting: Construction Dashboard

Data & Reporting: November 2018 Construction Related Incidents

Cranes & Derricks 2018 Holiday and Weekend Schedule

Resolving Violations/Summons: OATH/ECB

Updated Tenant Protection Plan Requirements and Form

LL 196 of 2017 New Safety Training Requirements for 2018

NYC Energy Conservation Code How-To Guides

Top Elevator Offenders

DOB Course Provider Page

Licensing

Obtain a: Class A Hoisting Machine Operator License

Obtain a: Class A or B Oil Burner Equipment Installer License

Obtain a: Master Sign Hanger License

Obtain a: Special Sign Hanger License

Changes to Welder License

License Renewal: Welder

Changes to Site Safety Certificate

Updated LIC50 Form: Authorization For Service of Process by Agent

Updated Plan Exam Notification System (PENS) PIN Form

Job Postings

Sign up for Weather Advisories

Follow DOB on
Facebook and
Twitter

Service Updates

Local Law 159 of 2017

Safe Construction Bill of Rights

Local Law 155 of 2017

Work Without a Permit List on Department Website

Local Law 154 of 2017

Updates to Tenant Protection Plans

Local Law 149 of 2017

Professionally Certified Filings Prohibited for Buildings where Owners have been Found Guilty of Tenant
Harassment

Construction Site Incidents

Reporting Requirements For Property Owners And Other Responsible Parties

Safety Registrant
Recipients and Applicants

Department to Review Non-Paid Civil Penalties Imposed by OATH/ECB

Site Safety Plans

Mandatory on All Work Scopes Requiring a Registered Construction Superintendent

General Contractors

Appointments Required for Original Applicant

Insurance Certificates

Electronic Submission

Registered Filing
Representatives

Authorized Activity and Responsibilities

Cranes & Derricks

2018 Holiday Weekend Inspection Schedule

Elevators

New Installation and Alteration Fees

Elevator Permits

Asbestos Requirements

Elevators and Escalators

Safety Code

DOB NOW: Build

Information Sessions for Electrical Job Filings

DOB NOW: Build

Sidewalk Shed, Supported Scaffold, Fence, and Sign Job Filings to Launch on October 16, 2017

2014 Construction Code Updates

Update Page # 34 reflects changes made by

Local Law 224 of 2017 (effective 12.1.17), in relation to requiring the department of
buildings to report on site safety managers and coordinators.

Update Page # 35 reflects changes made by

Local Law 250 of 2017 (effective 12.17.2017), in relation to technical corrections to local
law 116 for the year 2017.

Update Page # 36 reflects changes made by

Local Law 149 of 2017 (effective 12.28.2017), in relation to professionally certified
applications for construction document approval and final inspections of
permitted work.

Update Page # 37 reflects changes made by

Local Law 150 of 2017 (effective 12.28.2017), in relation to vacate orders.

Update Page # 38 reflects changes made by

Local Law 153 of 2017 (effective 12.28.2017), in relation to building violations adjudicated
before the office of administrative trials and hearings.

Update Page # 39 reflects changes made by

Local Law 154 of 2017 (effective 12.28.2017), in relation to tenant protection plans and in
relation to special requirements for work in occupied multiple
dwellings.

Update Page # 40 reflects changes made by

Local Law 155 of 2017 (effective 12.28.2017), in relation to requiring increased oversight of
construction contractors who have engaged in work without a required permit.

Update Page # 41 reflects changes made by

Local Law 156 of 2017 (effective 12.28.2017), in relation to increasing the penalties for work
without a permit.

Update Page # 42 reflects changes made by

Local Law 157 of 2017 (effective 12.28.2017), in relation to increasing the penalties for a
violation of a stop work order.

Update Page # 43 reflects changes made by

Local Law 160 of 2017 (effective 12.28.2017), in relation to the denial of certain building
permits where outstanding charges are owed to the city.

Update pages are printable
inserts to keep your hard copy Construction Codes up to date.

All

update pages for the 2014 NYC Construction Codes.

Local Laws

Technical Corrections to Local Law 116

Local Law 250 of 2017 (effective 12.17.17) A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in
relation to technical corrections to local law 116 for the year 2017.

Office of Alternative Energy

Local Law 233 of 2017 (effective 12.1.18) amends the Administrative Code of The City
of New York, in relation to creating an office of alternative energy.

Reporting on Site Safety
Managers and Coordinators

Local Law 224 of 2017 (effective 12.1.17) amends the Administrative Code of The City
of New York, in relation to requiring the Department of Buildings to
report on site safety managers and coordinators.

Buildings Inspectors

Local Law 219 of 2017 (effective 12/1/17) amends the New York city Charter, in
relation to Department of Buildings inspectors.

Tenant Harassment Penalties

Local Law 165 of 2017 (effective 12.28.17) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New
York, in relation to penalties for tenant harassment.

Repeated Acts of Tenant
Harassment

Local Law 164 of 2017 (effective 12.28.17) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New
York, in relation to repeated acts of harassment.

Amended
Definition of Tenant Harassment

Local Law 163 of 2017 (effective 12.28.17) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New
York, in relation to amending the definition of harassment to include
repeatedly contacting or visiting a tenant under certain circumstances.

Rebuttable
Presumption for Tenant Harassment

Local Law 162 of 2017 (effective 12.28.17) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New
York, in relation to creating a rebuttable presumption regarding harassment.

Office of
The Tenant Advocate

Local Law 161 of 2017 (effective 12.28.17) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New
York, in relation to the creation of an office of the tenant advocate
within the Department of Buildings.

Outstanding
Charges Owed to City

Local Law 160 of 2017 (effective 12.28.17) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New
York, in relation to the denial of certain building permits where
outstanding charges are owed to the city.

Safe
Construction Bill of Rights

Local Law 159 of 2017 (effective 12.28.17) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New
York, in relation to creating a safe construction bill of rights.

Violation of
a Stop Work Order

Local Law 157 of 2017 (effective 12.28.17) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New
York, in relation to increasing the penalties for a violation of a stop
work order.

Violation
For Work Without a Permit

Local Law 156 of 2017 (effective 12.28.17) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New
York, in relation to increasing the penalties for work without a permit.

Oversight of
Construction Contractors

Local Law 155 of 2017 (effective 12.28.17) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New
York, in relation to requiring increased oversight of construction
contractors who have engaged in work without a required permit.

Tenant
Protection Plans

Local Law 154 of 2017 (effective 12.28.17) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New
York and the New York city Building Code, in relation to tenant
protection plans, and to repeal section 1704.20.10 of the building code
of the city of New York, in relation to special requirements for work in
occupied multiple dwellings.

Building
Violations Adjudicated at OATH

Local Law 153 of 2017 (effective 12.28.17) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New
York, in relation to building violations adjudicated before the Office
of Administrative Trials and Hearings.

Construction in Occupied
Multiple Dwellings Task Force

Local Law 151 of 2017 (effective 12.28.17) in relation to creating a task force on
construction work in occupied multiple dwellings.

Vacate Orders

Local Law 150 of 2017 (effective 12.28.17) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New
York, in relation to vacate orders.

Professionally Certified
Applications

Local Law 149 of 2017 (effective 12.28.17) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New
York, in relation to professionally certified applications for
construction document approval and final inspections of permitted work.

Buildings
Bulletins

2017-016 This Bulletin establishes rescinds 10 Operational Policy and Procedure Notices (OPPNs)
that are no longer applicable under any code.

2017-015 This Bulletin establishes criteria for acceptance of the
fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix strengthening system (FRCM) used
for structural repair and strengthening of concrete and masonry elements
as an alternative material in the NYC Construction Codes.

All Buildings Bulletins

Did You Know

The NYC Landmarks Preservation
Commission (LPC) is the latest City agency to undergo a digital
makeover, with the release of their new and enhanced interactive map of
NYC's landmarked buildings and historic districts. Check out LPC's
press release for more info and a link to
the map!

Rick D. Chandler, P.E.,
Commissioner

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