Lucy Okmin’s Post

Check out this article on how to address building issues with caution: https://lnkd.in/eNevHMuM

Effective December 11, 2024, the definition of a "major building" (Section 202, Chapter 2, NYC Building Code) will change from an existing/proposed building 10+ stories or 125+ feet in height, to an existing/proposed building 7+ stories or 75+ feet in height. Current additional triggers for an existing/proposed building with a building footprint of 100,000+ sq. ft. (regardless of height) or an existing/proposed building designated by the DOB Commissioner as a major building due to unique hazards associated with the construction or demolition of the structure, will not change. The new definition of major building will apply to initial permits issued and initial permit requests submitted on or after December 11, 2024. It will not apply to permits issued and permit requests submitted before December 11, 2024. #ConstructionSafety #SafetyFirst #LL147 #NYC #NYCDOB

Dear All,   As a member of the Building Regulator's Industry Competence Committee we have been asked to share a reminder that from the 6th April some 'higher risk' construction projects needed to transition to the Building Safety Regulator as the building control authority.    Some projects are eligible to stay under their current building control arrangements, as long as they meet certain criteria:- https://lnkd.in/eFB3XxwR However, if the project:   Had building control arrangements in place. AND  Building work (including design work) had started, AND A notice that the work had made sufficient progress was not given to the LA by 6th April   OR Has started building work but existing building control arrangements cease /are cancelled OR Has started building work but there were no formal building control arrangements in place   Then, the project will need to transfer from your existing building control provider to BSR.   You can do this through the portal, which has been adapted to accommodate such projects   The guidance sets out a number of categories (types, scenarios) for projects, you will need to decide which scenario best describes your circumstance and then follow the link in the guidance to the appropriate for that section. https://lnkd.in/ehM4gDkU

NYC DOB Code - Major update *** Are you ready for this change? Effective 12/11/24 , initial DOB filings , permits initially issued after this date, for new buildings or major alterations for buildings that are 7 stories or 75’ H will require a site safety coordinator and a dob approved site safety plan in addition to having a cs - construction superintendent. Current code only included new buildings or major alterations that are 10 stories, 125’ H or buildings that have a ground floor foot print over 100,000 sqf as “site safety projects” - “major buildings“. Lets all be ready and prepared for this major change. Try to have your ssp’s ready in advance so you can file them as soon as the new code update kicks in. #nycdob #sitesafetyjobs #majorbuildingsrule #crsg #ll147

Update: the port-a-potty has been removed. BUT now there are sandbagged sidewalk closed signs so this segment of public sidewalk, ADA infrastructure, continues to remain closed. No alternative posted route for people. No temporary cross walk from the sidewalk on the north side (which would be challenging) but this is what would be needed to make it possible for people to get to 62nd street - the pathway to the bus stop on France Avenue. Too often pedestrian safety and ADA access is compromised unnecessarily. In this case a port-a-potty has blocked the sidewalk that runs along the north side of Valley View Road near the Valley View Road, Oaklawn, and 62nd Street intersection. It has been here for weeks. The construction site it supports is tight because severe setback variances were granted on all sides. There should have been a 35' setback of the buildings that front on to Valley View, but this was reduced to 10'. However, there is another port-a-potty that is on the site proper and not causing safety concerns - there is room next to that one. Not sure why two port-a-pottys are necessary for building two duplexes.

The Road to Safety: Regulatory Changes in High-Rise Living After Grenfell In a world where architectural beauty often steals the spotlight, the grim reality of fire safety lurks in the shadows—especially in high-rise buildings. The spectre of Grenfell continues to loom large, urging us to reassess our priorities when it comes to safeguarding lives. We have delved into the timeline of what regulatory changes have been made and what still needs to be done, to try to prevent tragedies like this from being repeated. Regulatory Changes Post Grenfell Shortly after the seven-year anniversary of the Grenfell fire tragedy, which claimed 72 lives, came the alarming news of a tower block in East London that caught fire over the August bank holiday weekend, also due to non-compliant cladding. Thankfully, no lives were lost in this incident, but homes were destroyed and cherished possessions lost. While the building was in the process of removing the unsafe cladding, we must ask: is enough being done quickly enough to address cladding safety issues? This has led us to examine the timeline of regulatory changes aimed at preventing such tragedies. It's important to note that cladding itself isn’t inherently dangerous. It serves as a protective layer, providing thermal insulation, weather resistance and aesthetic enhancement. However, we must ensure that materials are safe to use for these purposes. https://lnkd.in/eVGD6V_m

The Road to Safety: Regulatory Changes in High-Rise Living After Grenfell In a world where architectural beauty often steals the spotlight, the grim reality of fire safety lurks in the shadows—especially in high-rise buildings. The spectre of Grenfell continues to loom large, urging us to reassess our priorities when it comes to safeguarding lives. We have delved into the timeline of what regulatory changes have been made and what still needs to be done, to try to prevent tragedies like this from being repeated. Regulatory Changes Post Grenfell Shortly after the seven-year anniversary of the Grenfell fire tragedy, which claimed 72 lives, came the alarming news of a tower block in East London that caught fire over the August bank holiday weekend, also due to non-compliant cladding. Thankfully, no lives were lost in this incident, but homes were destroyed and cherished possessions lost. While the building was in the process of removing the unsafe cladding, we must ask: is enough being done quickly enough to address cladding safety issues? This has led us to examine the timeline of regulatory changes aimed at preventing such tragedies. It's important to note that cladding itself isn’t inherently dangerous. It serves as a protective layer, providing thermal insulation, weather resistance and aesthetic enhancement. However, we must ensure that materials are safe to use for these purposes. https://lnkd.in/eVGD6V_m

Its New Homes Week – 26th February – 4th March 2024. At Ablemarsh Safety Consultants, we work a lot with the construction industry on new build projects, and we feel new homes offer several advantages from a health and safety aspect: 🏘 They are constructed according to the latest building codes and regulations, which often incorporate updated safety standards. This ensures the structural integrity of the building, making structural failures or collapses less likely, and that fire safety, electrical systems, and plumbing meet the required standards, reducing the risk of accidents and hazards. 🏘 They are built using modern construction materials that are designed to be more resilient and resistant to environmental hazards. They may use fire-resistant materials, advanced insulation for better temperature control and energy efficiency, and mould-resistant materials for improved indoor air quality.   🏘 They often incorporate the latest advancements in technology, including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and programmable thermostats.  Investing in a new home can provide homeowners with a safer and healthier living environment for themselves and their families. If you have any aspect of health and safety that you would like to discuss, please get in touch. #london #croydon #southeast #ablemarshsafetyconsultants #happyhealthyandsafe #healthandsafetyconsultancy  #safetyprofessionals #healthandsafety #constructionsafety #constructiondesign #cdm #newhomes #sustainableconstruction #environmentalimpact #energyconservation  #newhomes #homebuying #newconstruction #modernliving  

Its New Homes Week – 26th February – 4th March 2024. At Ablemarsh Safety Consultants, we work a lot with the construction industry on new build projects, and we feel new homes offer several advantages from a health and safety aspect: 🏘 They are constructed according to the latest building codes and regulations, which often incorporate updated safety standards. This ensures the structural integrity of the building, making structural failures or collapses less likely, and that fire safety, electrical systems, and plumbing meet the required standards, reducing the risk of accidents and hazards. 🏘 They are built using modern construction materials that are designed to be more resilient and resistant to environmental hazards. They may use fire-resistant materials, advanced insulation for better temperature control and energy efficiency, and mould-resistant materials for improved indoor air quality.   🏘 They often incorporate the latest advancements in technology, including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and programmable thermostats.  Investing in a new home can provide homeowners with a safer and healthier living environment for themselves and their families. If you have any aspect of health and safety that you would like to discuss, please get in touch. #london #croydon #southeast #ablemarshsafetyconsultants #happyhealthyandsafe #healthandsafetyconsultancy  #safetyprofessionals #healthandsafety #constructionsafety #constructiondesign #cdm #newhomes #sustainableconstruction #environmentalimpact #energyconservation  #newhomes #homebuying #newconstruction #modernliving  

The article is interesting to me in that it seems to place responsibility for identifying and acting on potentially dangerous conditions solely on the government (in this case NYC). There are plenty of structural engineers, architects and contractors who regularly use these facilities, who can see and understand the implications of deterioration - cracking, spalling, sagging, failed repairs, ad hoc repairs, etc. Lay people without training can also easily identify leaks, cracks, and active spalling. We are all the front line. We all need to look up and be aware of our surroundings. Photograph the deterioration and dangerous conditions and notify the owners and any responsible authority of what is being observed. The owners, who are often remote, can't act if they don't know. And those owners who know but don't act need to be put on notice. Relying on regulations which may or may not be followed is not enough. https://lnkd.in/enDJQM2q #construction #engineering #failure #forensicengineering #mitigation #inspection #maintenance