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Code & Zoning / Energy Code
By Alex Rippere As a building code consultant, the most maddening energy code objection I’ve encountered in the past two years pertains to establishing a proposed exterior wall’s maximum thermal conductivity, aka the U-factor (lower=better). For example, an above-grade mass ...
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By Alex Rippere Courtesy of Local Law 87 of 2009, and codified in the 2014 Construction Codes, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) requires Energy Efficiency Reports (EERs) on all buildings over 50,000 square feet or for multiple ...
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By Austin Regan Once the exclusive domain of air conditioning equipment and pigeon coops, building rooftops are now prized amenities. Developers market their buildings based on the views from outdoor spaces and the amenities those spaces hold. While a usable ...
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By Alex Rippere While previous articles have covered 2016 New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC) changes regarding building envelope and HVAC performance, one key area not addressed is lighting. The energy code has always set requirements for lighting controls ...
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By Austin Regan Every professional understands that obtaining DOB approval of their application requires resolution of plan examiner objections. In addition, every application must adhere to certain standards: required forms, plan naming standards, asbestos reports, etc. To help examiners track ...
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By Alex Rippere With all the changes in the latest New York City Energy Conservation Code (2016 NYCECC), it can be helpful to review some of the fundamental compliance issues faced by architects, engineers, and owners. For instance, understanding your ...
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By Austin Regan Starting April 1, 2017, DEP will no longer review Site Connection Proposals when the development lot is tentative. This change will have a major impact on the planning and timing of certain new building approvals. DOB New ...
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By Alex Rippere Each month Alex Rippere will continue highlighting best practices for complying with the New York City Energy Conservation Code 2016. Last year we wrote extensively on the 2016 update to the New York City Energy Conservation Code ...
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By Austin Regan All of the easy sites have been built on already. Today’s developments are occurring on problematic properties. They may have soil hazmat issues or are located too close to transit tunnels or too far from utilities. We are ...
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By Bruno Caligara There are circumstances when the DOB will allow for a building to have a single means of egress, and these generally depend on the occupancy and building height. Most buildings that fit the profile of such requests ...
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By Renee Sosnowski The 2014 Fire Code replaced the 2 Certificates of Fitness for Fire Safety & Emergency Action Plan Directors with a single Certificate of Fitness for a Fire and Life Safety (FLS) Director. Beginning March 1, 2020, all ...
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By Brian Redlein Spring of this year brought about one of the largest revisions to the zoning text in recent memory. With Zoning for Quality and Affordability (ZQA) touching on so many aspects of the ZRs with so many revisions ...
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