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Get the latest code, zoning and compliance news and insights from Metropolis Group.

Code & Zoning

OER Exemptions for Little E Projects

By Bruno Caligara Sites designated as Little E have some sort of environmental issue, whether it pertains to potentially hazardous materials in the ground, noise or air quality restrictions. Little E sites typically will require a filing with the Office ...

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Code & Zoning / Energy Code

The Fenestration Game

By Brian Redlein Your humble Filing Rep has been spending much time coordinating with the DOB Energy Code team as of late and the single biggest Energy Code comment the Department likes to harp on has to do with the ...

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Code & Zoning

New Retroactive Requirement for Multiple Dwellings

By Austin Regan Local Law 39 0f 2015 was enacted in the spring of 2015 and is set to go into effect in September. The law  mandates that the owners of Multiple Dwellings must install protective covers over all outlets ...

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Code & Zoning

New Protocol Coming for Cooling Towers

By Frank Fortino The recent outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease has prompted swift action by the City Council. On August 13th, a new law was passed, requiring building owners to register cooling towers with the DOB. As of now, the requirements ...

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Code & Zoning / Inspections

After Hour Inspections – Phase 1

By Johan Soltani DOB Commissioner Chandler is fulfilling his promise of streamlining the DOB permits and inspection process under his initiative Building One City. The DOB launched the first phase of its after-hours inspection program for High Rise Buildings on ...

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Code & Zoning / Safety

Code Question: When are CO Detectors Required in Commercial Spaces?

By Brian Lafferty Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors are required for certain residential, education and institutional uses.  Additionally, commercial and residential buildings with a Fire Alarm system and a place of assembly must have CO detectors.  The CO detector must have ...

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Code & Zoning

AC Condenser Units Installation Mistakes

By Bruno Caligara When planning an installation, many building owners propose placing air conditioning equipment in the rear yard of a building.  There’s a catch to this approach, however. Most rear yards in the five boroughs are only as large ...

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Code & Zoning / Department of Buildings / Fire Code / Industry News

Proposed Rule – Repeal and Amendment of Certain Fire Protection Requirements

By Renee Sosnowski The DOB is proposing to repeal four rules that modify national standards for automatic sprinkler, standpipe, and fire alarm systems. The specific rules to be repealed set forth National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”) amendments relating to elevator ...

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Code & Zoning

Don’t Cut the Curb There!

By Austin Regan Architects working on projects in the outer Boroughs or in parts of Manhattan where parking is required are normally quite pleased with themselves when they figure out how to fit all the spaces that zoning requires into ...

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Code & Zoning

Details For Lot Line Windows

By Frank Fortino A long anticipated clarification has been issued regarding lot line windows and their protection requirements. On June 30th of this year, Technical Affairs issued Buildings Bulletin 2015-017. The stated purpose of the memo was “To clarify Code ...

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Code & Zoning

Parking Puzzles of the Outer Boroughs

By Austin Regan Over the last decade, many architectural firms that traditionally have done the majority of their work in the borough of Manhattan have found themselves with quite substantial jobs in the other boroughs, especially Brooklyn and Queens. While ...

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Code & Zoning

Decorative Gas Appliances Find A Way To Approval

By Frank Fortino We’ve written previously about the trend towards finished outdoor spaces in new construction. As tower after tower appears across the City, we’re seeing more demand for outdoor spaces – gardens, terraces, seating areas. Making these spaces intimate ...

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