By Brian Redlein (Update: As of the March 22, 2016 rezoning Quality Housing regulations no longer requires dwellings to have a minimum size. The minimum size of a dwelling in the vast majority of instances now is determined by the Building Code.) So called “micro-units” have been coming to the fore… View more
By Brian Lafferty The DOB has plenty of rules, and there’s some truth to the fact that enforcement is always a challenge. One such rule regards the approval of Fire Protection Plans – in the past this has been met with some leniency, but now TCO’s will not be granted without… View more
By Johan Soltani Solar energy is gaining momentum throughout New York City. Solar collectors can absorb thermal energy from sun and convert them for usable heat in the building. This can be used for water heating, heat for rooms, and swimming pools. DOB has issued guidelines under Building Bulletin 24 of 2015. The… View more
By Bruno Caligara Depending on the occupancy and the building height, the DOB will allow for a single means of egress. The age of the building also has something to do with it. Most buildings that have these requests were constructed prior to 1968, and thus compliant with the 1968 Building… View more
By Mario Aurioso Standpipes must face a battery of tests and requirements prior to approval. All Standpipe hydrostatic test have to be performed in intervals; under LL 64/09 this applies to New Buildings that are higher than 75 Feet. One nuance to the protocol is that interludes of testing are based… View more
By Austin Regan This past year was a busy one for our industry. While most of us know not to complain about being busy or having too much work, even the most industrious can sometimes grow weary of the 6 and 7 day work weeks and all the late nights. Wouldn’t… View more
By Austin Regan When trying to determine if your building is fully Code compliant, one can no longer rely only on the Building Code. More and more we find that a thorough review of the Fire Code is required also. For logical reasons, the FDNY is very particular about important elements… View more