Buildings News - December 2015

Buildings news

December 2015

service notices

forms

bis

codes

The Year in Buildings

As we welcome the new year, let's take a look back at a few of the important achievements at the
Department of Buildings in 2015!

Building One City

Commissioner Chandler's plan of fundamental reform to enhance public safety, reduce wait times and delays and modernize all aspects of our agency is being implemented through
many of the accomplishments listed here!

Inspection Ready

In December, we launched
Inspection Ready, a new system that allows building owners,
design professionals and licensees to request inspections online
and receive results nearly in real time. Rollouts of new
technology are rarely perfect on "day one", but we’re pleased
with the results so far. We’re making improvements, many of
which were suggested by our customers, and will continue to do so as we expand the program.

Click here to register for
Inspection Ready and get further information.

New Website!

We launched a redesigned website.
The new site has a fresh new look with more user-friendly
features. Information for business owners, property owners and
industry members is easily accessible from the home page.
Through Buildings 411, visitors can view upcoming changes, read
technical reference guides or learn about employment
opportunities.

Please click here to have a
look at our new site.

Customer Service Enhancements

Q-Matic

To improve customer service, we've
installed "Q-Matic" systems in our Manhattan, Staten Island, and
Bronx borough offices. The expected launch dates for
Queens and Brooklyn are January 8th and January 15th
respectively. Launch dates for central offices will be
announced in the coming weeks.

Please scan your DOB-issued ID card
at our new self-service kiosks and receive a numbered ticket.
Visual displays in our customer service areas will show your
place in line and when you’re next to be called.

Please click here for more details on Q-Matic.

TV Screens

We’re also redesigning our borough
offices to make them more welcoming. As part of this effort,
we're installing TV display screens with useful information: for
example, at our Cranes & Derricks Unit, the screens show
information on fee schedules, required documents, and the Unit’s
latest service notices. Keep an eye out for this new resource the next time you pay us a visit.

Experience is Not Enough

Buildings cares about the safety
of construction workers. In 2015 we expanded our

multi-lingual campaign
with new safety reminders.

Industry Code of Conduct

The Department released a
first-of-its kind

Code of Conduct
for construction professionals.

Tenant Anti-Harassment Campaign

DOB investigators were proud to
join Mayor de Blasio's task force against unscrupulous
landlords.

Homeowners and Residents Night
Expansion

Borough offices
stayed open even later every Tuesday evening to provide
assistance at times convenient for residents.

After Hours Inspections

We rolled out a program in the
Bronx allowing customers to request an inspection

evenings 4:30pm-7:00pm and
weekends 8:00am-5:00pm for all
permitted projects.

Job Fairs/ Hiring

Our Human Resources Unit held
job fairs for new inspectors, architects and engineers. In fact, the
first job fair of 2016 will be held this Friday, January, 8th. Details are available under the 'Buildings is Hiring' heading in
this newsletter.

Code Notes

These

step-by-step guides,
written by Department experts, simplify the permit process for
common construction jobs.

Cooling Tower Registration

Local Law 77 of 2015
was enacted to track and manage the maintenance of cooling
towers, fluid coolers and evaporative condensers in the City.

Construction Safety Week 2015

DOB hosted another successful

Build Safe Live Safe
conference where Commissioner Chandler and Department
experts reinforced the importance of safe construction practices
and attendees earned professional credits.

The Commissioner also visited
construction sites in each borough to promote construction site
safety by reminding workers to practice safety first.

Small Business Owners

2015 was a year of collaboration
for DOB and Small Business Services. We worked together to
streamline processes for the city's entrepreneurs.

Small Businesses also joined
homeowners for after hour assistance in our

borough offices
held every Tuesday night. No appointment is needed to attend.

Get Back To Building

To accelerate development in the
city, the Department met with applicants after hours in May
and June to get delayed projects to approval.

Know Your Construction
Professional Database

In June we introduced a

comprehensive directory
of all construction professionals monitored by the Department,
easily accessible for public research.

Licensing Updates

This year our

Licensing Unit
updated forms, applications, examination information and other
helpful guides.

Living Safely Campaign

Just last month we continued our

annual multi-lingual
campaign to alert residents to the dangers of
substandard living conditions.

Service Updates

Inspection Ready

Inspection Report Requirements

Building Pavement Plan Signoffs

Cranes and Derricks
Certifications

Pre-2014 Elevator Application or Elevator Building Notice

PE/RA Record Access

Crane Owner Update

Owner PW1 Email Updates

PIN Linking Instructions

New Crane Rule

CD1 Form Revised

Solar Photovoltaic
Panel Projects

Professional Certification

Scaffold Safety

New E-mail Account

Customer Service
Enhancements

Q-Matic System

Standpipe Testing

Hydrostatic Pressure Testing

Online Payments

eChecks & Credit Cards

Reinstatement Fees

Expired Plans, Permits &
Applications

Certificate
of Compliance for Service Equipment

Update

Debit Cards with
Credit Card Logo

New Federal Requirement

Buildings Bulletins

2015-035:
Establishes acceptance criteria for installation requirements of
gas-fired direct vent space-heating appliances manufactured with a
CO detector and used for providing heat in rooms for sleeping
purposes in accordance with the NYC Construction Codes.

2015-034:
Establishes revised operational procedures as to when a Letter of No
Objection (LNO) shall be issued from the Department of Buildings for
the purpose of obtaining a license from the New York State Liquor
Authority.

2015-033:
Establishes requirements for developing and applying for acceptance
of an equivalent adhesive anchor installer certification program.

2015-032:
Rescinds 1 APPN and 17 OPPNs that are no longer applicable under any
code.

2015-031: Clarifies the
submittal and permitting process for projects that require
Structural Peer Review per BC Section 1617. Supersedes BB
2013-014.

2015-030: Clarifies the accessibility requirements for
detectable warnings at pools.

2015-029: Clarifies the planning required for construction sites to prepare
for high-wind events.

2015-028: Establishes
special inspection requirements for certain prescribed materials.

2015-027: Establishes
clarification on the use of adhesive anchoring systems.

2015-026: Establishes
revised operational procedures as to when a Letter of No Objection (LNO)
shall be issued for conforming Zoning Resolution Uses from the
Department of Buildings for a license from the Department of
Consumer Affairs.

2015-025: Clarifies the
types of work involving an existing fire alarm system designed and
approved under the 2008 building code or prior codes.

2015-024: Establishes
acceptance criteria and test methods for solar collectors.

2015-023: Establishes
standards for fuel-gas fired ceramic kilns used for hobby and
non-commercial purposes.

All Buildings Bulletins

Buildings is Hiring Construction & Plumbing Inspectors

The Department of Buildings offers excellent benefits, competitive salaries and
training and certifications for career advancement. Join our team of construction professionals who work to make our city safe.

Inspector Job Fair

Friday, January 8, 2016

10:00am - 4:00pm

11 Park Place, 2nd floor

New York, NY 10007

To register, send
your resume to Careers@Buildings.nyc.gov

View current job postings

Follow us on Twitter: @NYC_Buildings

Connect with us on LinkedIn

New York State Coastal Erosion Hazard Area Training

Bill de Blasio, Mayor

Rick D. Chandler,
P.E., Commissioner

photos by samantha modell

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