If you’re a homeowner, you should know that your property is regularly inspected by a city inspector. The inspector’s job is to inspect all aspects of your home and property. For example, he will check for damage or safety hazards. Your home will also be subject to special inspections for items like generators and sprinkler systems.
General responsibilities
Building inspectors in NYC are responsible for ensuring that construction projects are safe and in compliance with the city’s rules and regulations. Their job includes reading plans, making arithmetic computations, and researching sources of information. If their job requires them to work in extreme temperatures or climb on ladders and scaffolds, they should wear safety gear.
Inspectors also investigate accidents. The most common types of inspections include mechanical systems, sprinkler systems, and energy compliance. They may be required to work nights or weekends.
Inspectors also have to be familiar with New York City‘s building codes and zoning laws. If a structure isn’t in compliance with these, they can be issued a violation. It is their responsibility to inform the building owner of their findings. This will usually involve a formal report that is submitted to the Department of Buildings.
A special inspection is a specialized inspection that ensures that critical construction work has been completed in accordance with the city’s rules and regulations. These are usually performed by an independent third party. Since July 2008, all NYC construction projects have been required to undergo at least three to four such inspections.
Special inspections are a vital part of the construction process in NYC. Having a good understanding of these is crucial to keeping a project on schedule.
While these inspections are important, they can be confusing. The number of them varies depending on the type of construction being undertaken.
Special inspections on generators
The Buildings Department of New York City mandates several types of Special Inspections. In short, if you are building a home, office, or other type of establishment, you need to ensure that your new or repaired equipment and fixtures complies with state and city regulations.
Among the stipulations are filing for and obtaining a Certificate of Compliance (COC) from the department. Similarly, a building or project owner must secure a competent and accredited Special Inspections Agency. A qualified agency like AK Engineering can help guide clients through the regulatory maze.
Not all special inspections are created equal. AK Engineering is a DOB certified company that is well positioned to meet the requirements of even the most complex projects. For example, a fuel powered generator is a different beast than a gas powered unit. This is where a qualified and experienced Special Inspector from a reputable company can prove indispensable.
On the subject of equipment, the most important aspect of the Department of Buildings’ s special inspections program is the safety and security of your property. Fortunately, a properly qualified Special Inspector can assure that your new or improved home, office, or industrial installation meets or exceeds all required specifications. Whether you’re just looking for a more formal evaluation or are in the throes of a construction project, AK Engineering can guide you through the maze. Having a properly vetted Special Inspector is a good way to guarantee peace of mind and reduce any legal liabilities.
Backflow valves
If you own a building in NYC, you have to install a backflow prevention device. It prevents contaminated water from entering the public water supply. The device is installed in the plumbing system of a building and can be either a single- or multi-valve.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for enforcing the law. The agency monitors the water supply to ensure it is free of contaminants.
Almost all commercial buildings in NYC are required to have a backflow prevention device. In order to comply with the law, building owners should consult with the original architect or designer of the project. They should then have the device installed, tested, and inspected by a licensed master plumber.
Building owners who do not have a backflow prevention device may be subject to fines. Failure to perform annual testing can also lead to disconnection of water service.
A backflow prevention device can also protect residents from hazardous sewage backups. This is especially true in areas like Manhattan, where many people live close to each other.
New buildings often have backflow prevention devices installed during construction. After construction is complete, however, the property must undergo annual inspections to ensure the installation is functioning correctly.
Backflow prevention devices can be purchased or installed through a company like Aladdin, a Brooklyn based heating and plumbing company. You can also get the device tested and certified by the state through the NYS Certified Backflow Testing Program.
Sprinkler systems
If you’re thinking of building a home or business in New York City, you’ll want to be sure you have a fire sprinkler system. Not only will it save lives, but it will also minimize damage to the property. Luckily, there are a number of codes and requirements for these systems.
The building’s occupancy classification determines whether it must have a sprinkler system. Generally, occupancies classified as Group R are required to have a sprinkler system. This includes apartment houses, townhouses and single family homes.
In addition to this, there are a number of other factors to consider. Depending on the type of construction and location, the amount of water required and the area of the building, for example, may differ.
As a result, it’s important to consult with your local fire department and city inspectors to ensure you’re in compliance. These inspectors have specific qualifications for assessing and testing fire sprinklers in New York.
To be a certified sprinkler inspector, you must possess a Certificate of Fitness for City-Wide Sprinkler Systems. If you’re a builder, you can hire a qualified person to conduct these inspections. For the most part, building owners are responsible for maintaining a record of these inspections.
Once your building has a fire sprinkler system, you should also have it flow tested. Flow testing involves installing an Inspector’s Test Connection. It’s a pipe that is connected to a valve that discharges water equivalent to one sprinkler head.
Drone inspections
The New York City Department of Buildings is moving forward with plans to authorize drone inspections for building facades. Drones are unmanned air vehicles, which are used for surveillance, photography, and inspections. They can capture images, collect location information, and provide thermal images. Currently, facade inspections in NYC are conducted by human inspectors.
A new study released by the NYC Department of Buildings highlights the potential advantages of using drones for facade inspections. It also details the legal landscape for drone use in the city.
One major advantage is that drones can access areas that are difficult to inspect, such as balconies and inaccessible locations. This could help building owners save time and money, allowing them to perform facade inspections in fewer days.
Another possible benefit is that drones can help with emergency response. If a building is damaged, inspectors can determine the condition of the property and whether it needs repairs. In addition, a birds-eye view can be beneficial in identifying dangerous conditions.
While these advantages are important, there are still some issues that have to be addressed. For example, privacy concerns have to be dealt with. Besides, a photo taken by a drone can’t replace a thorough, physical examination.
Another issue is the potential impact on scaffolding. In fact, the New York City Council passed a bill that requires the Department of Buildings to investigate the use of drones for facade inspections.
Discrepancies with city inspectors
A recent audit by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli revealed that the city’s Department of Buildings has been the punchbag of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration. The agency is said to be responsible for a grand total of a tidbit a day, a statistic that might be a cause for concern in a city that has a plethora of failing properties.
In a bid to get its act together, the administration has created a new “risk management officer” who aims to identify and remediate properties at risk of eviction. At the same time, it has been pushing for more frequent and more focused inspections. For instance, it has been inspecting water tanks on a more regular basis. This has not been without its own set of problems, as inspectors have noted leaks in a large number of apartment buildings.
As far as the best way to identify the problem, the best course of action is to inform the owners of such deficiencies in a timely manner. The administration’s solution is to assemble a database of building information – such as unit size, age and occupancy – for easy access. Among other steps, it has also mandated a new set of “Measures of Excellence” awards, which will be awarded to building owners and managers who demonstrate exemplary performance in a range of categories.
In the meantime, the aforementioned “Measures of Excellence” award and its related prize ceremony will be held at City Hall tomorrow, ostensibly to promote a more transparent and more open approach to enforcing violations.
