Code Compass will help you navigate the new NYC Construction Codes with easy-to-understand explanations of concepts, details of key technical changes and fact sheets that provide more in-depth information. Below is a list of fact sheet and information about the New Codes.
Codes Compass Fact Sheet
Code Compass in Building News
September 25, 2008
New Forms for Material Acceptance
With the July 1, 2008 implementation of the New NYC Construction Codes, the Office of Technical Certification and Research (OTCR) absorbed the functions of the Materials and Equipment Acceptance (MEA) division. With this transition, the Department has developed 
three new forms (22 kb) that will be used for material acceptance (301 kb): OTCR1, OTCR2 and OTCR3. Materials are now categorized as either "Code-prescribed" or "alternative to the Code." Products considered as alternative to the Code (not Code-prescribed) will require testing and evaluation criteria to be approved and adopted by the Department.
September 10, 2008
New Codes Rules
The implementation of the New Codes has generated a number of new rules, several of which were adopted September 2. These new rules pertain to fire alarm wiring (577 kb), technical standards for masonry equivalent walls (549 kb), one-way emergency voice communications systems (551 kb) and construction standards for impact resistant stair and elevator enclosures (564 kb). Visit the New Codes Rules section of our website to learn more.
August 28, 2008
Materials Acceptance under the New Codes
Under the New NYC Construction Codes, materials are now categorized as either "Code-prescribed" or "alternative to the Code." Materials that are Code-prescribed may be used without Department evaluation or approval because they conform to prescribed standards and are recognized as approved materials by the Department. Alternative materials are materials that are not Code-prescribed and require testing and evaluation criteria to be approved or developed by the Department. For more information, please view the Code Compass Accepted Construction Materials fact sheet (301 kb).
August 14, 2008
Enhanced Tenant Protection
The 2008 Building Code enhances protection for tenants in buildings undergoing construction by requiring applicants to indicate on the PW1 which units will be occupied. It also requires more detailed information on the means and methods that will be used to safeguard occupants' safety and health. To learn more, view the Code Compass Tenant Protection Plan fact sheet (260 kb).
July 31, 2008
New Requirements for Tenant Protection Plans
A Tenant Protection Plan provides details of the dwelling units that will be occupied during construction, including the means and methods that will safeguard the safety and health of occupants. The New NYC Construction Codes enhance the Tenant Protection Plan by requiring compliance with lead and asbestos regulations, as well as noise compliance during hours of construction. View Section 28-104.8.4 (1,077 kb) of the Administrative Code for more information.
July 16, 2008
Special Inspections Replace Controlled Inspections
Under the New NYC Construction Codes, Special Inspections replace Controlled Inspections for all construction projects filed on or after July 1, 2008. Special Inspections may only be performed by Special Inspectors working for a Buildings Department-approved Special Inspection Agency. Special Inspections are defined in Chapter 17 (329 kb-pdf) of the 2008 Building Code and the Department's Special Inspections Rule (712 kb). For more information, read the updated Special Inspections Code Compass, the general overview for Special Inspections, and the Comparison of 2008 Code Special Inspections to 1968 Code Controlled Inspections table (39 kb).
June 26, 2008
Tenant Protection Plan
To better protect New York City residents, the New Codes enhance Tenant Protection Plan requirements. Applicants must indicate on the PW1 which units will be occupied during proposed work in occupied, multiple-dwelling properties, including Single Room Occupancies. In addition, the Tenant Protection Plan must be included in the notes section of the submitted plans. View Section 28-104.8.4 of the Administrative Code for more information.
June 12, 2008
Setting a Higher Standard for Construction
Under the New NYC Construction Codes, agencies performing tests and inspections of materials, equipment, construction-related activities and periodic maintenance must be approved, licensed and meet qualifications under Department Rules. To learn about approved agencies and testing and inspection of materials and equipment, visit the Code Compass section of our website. Read upcoming editions of Buildings News and Code Compass to learn about Elevator Inspection, Boiler Inspection and Exterior Wall Inspection Approved Agencies.
May 23, 2008
New NYC Construction Codes Updates
To make it easier for you to find the most up-to-date information about the New NYC Construction Codes, we have added three new sections to our website: "New Codes Rules," "OTCR: Materials & Inspections" and "Upcoming Operational Changes." The New Codes Rules section provides an overview of new rules that are being promulgated to implement provisions under the New Codes and includes a status chart on these rules. The OTCR section includes important information about the Office of Technical Certification and Research, and the Operational Changes section outlines any operational changes associated with the New Codes. Visit these sections, located on the left-hand side of our website under the NYC Construction Codes link, for more information.
May 7, 2008
Special Inspections
To improve construction safety and quality, soon-to-be required Special Inspections will replace Controlled Inspections. Defined in Chapter 17 of the 2008 Building Code, Special Inspections are an important verification that work considered critical to life safety and property protection has been or is being constructed according to approved plans and specifications. The Buildings Department is establishing certain inspections required during construction, as well as qualifications, responsibilities and standards for these inspections. For more information, view the Special Inspections fact sheet (276 kb-pdf) and the proposed qualifications (370 kb-pdf).
April 24, 2008
New Codes FAQs
To prepare you for July 1, when the New NYC Construction Codes go into effect in phases, we have updated our New Codes Frequently Asked Questions. Please view the FAQs (262 kb-pdf) .
April 10, 2008
FAQ: When Will the New Codes Be Published?
The New NYC Construction Codes code books will be published by the International Code Council and will be available through its website and at the NYC CityStore. Although not completed, the publication process is underway. Visit the NYC Construction Codes section of our website for more information and to link to an interim, integrated version of the New Codes.
March 26, 2008
Use and Occupancy Classifications
One way that the New NYC Construction Codes are more user-friendly than the 1968 Building Code is in the assignment of short-hand designation letters for "use and occupancy" classifications. Whereas the 1968 Building Code sequentially assigned letters for each use and occupancy, the New Codes adopt a more logical approach. For more information, view the Use and Occupancy Classifications fact sheet (293 kb-pdf).
March 13, 2008
New NYC Construction Codes "Clean-Up Bill" Passed
On February 27, City Council passed Intro 659A. This legislation, also known as our New NYC Construction Codes "Clean-up Bill" (2,421 kb-pdf), contains non-substantive, but necessary administrative changes to the New Codes. The Codes team has since incorporated these changes into the electronic copy of the New NYC Construction Codes, now being used by the International Code Council (ICC) and available on our website. The Bill's passage allows the ICC to complete their publication of the Codes, which should be available by May 2008.
February 28, 2008
Accessible Means of Egress
The 2008 Building Code specifically incorporates guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act - currently required, but not included in the 1968 Building Code. In Chapter 10, Section BC-1007’s "Accessible Means of Egress," (579 kb) area of rescue assistance refers to the designated, protected area where people with disabilities may wait for instructions and rescue during an emergency. While ADA guidelines cite the same terminology and have been a requirement for builders to follow, the New Codes logically and directly incorporate this requirement.
February 21, 2008
New NYC Construction Codes Publication
The International Code Council will be publishing the New NYC Construction Codes. Until the ICC's publication is finalized and available, we have provided easy access to the New Codes in our website's NYC Construction Codes section. This section includes important information about the New Codes including Code Compass Fact Sheets and FAQs.
February 21, 2008
New Safety Provision for Animated Signs
The New NYC Construction Codes include a new safety provision for animated signs. Appendix H ( Section BC-H108 (131 kb)) of the 2008 Building Code requires animated devices on outdoor signs be equipped with fail-safe provisions to prevent moving parts from falling.
February 14, 2008
New NYC Construction Codes Effective Dates
Construction professionals will be able to use the New NYC Construction Codes July 1, 2008, and the New Codes will be mandated for new construction projects July 1, 2009. During this interim period, builders may use either the New NYC Construction Codes or the 1968 Building Code to prepare new construction plans. However, certain administrative provisions of the New Codes must be adhered to beginning July 1, 2008. View the effective dates (2,418 kb) fact sheet for more information about when you may use the New Codes and when you must use them.
February 14, 2008
Special Inspections Qualifications
To help our customers transition from controlled inspections to the special inspections required under our New NYC Construction Codes, we have developed an easy-to-use guide (341 kb). This guide outlines the proposed qualifications needed to perform the various types of special inspections, which become effective under the New Codes in July 2008. Visit the NYC Construction Codes section of our website for more information about the New Codes.
February 6, 2008
Organization of the New Codes
The New NYC Construction Codes are now easier to use and easier to navigate. For example, the 1968 Building Code's subjects are often spread across numerous subchapters. Now, Title 28, Section 700 of the NYC Administrative Code is clearly written as the 2008 Building Code, which contains 34 chapters and 11 appendices that organize and address requirements by subject.
January 30, 2008
Special Inspections
The Buildings Department has established qualifications and standards clarifying and enhancing certain inspections required during construction. Commonly referred to as "controlled inspections" today, these inspections will evolve into "special inspections" under the New NYC Construction Codes. The Buildings Department intends to mandate, as of July 1, 2008, that all special inspections must be conducted by a qualified Special Inspection Agency that is registered with Buildings to conduct specified inspections and employ special inspectors. To learn more, view the Special Inspections fact sheet (178 kb).
January 24, 2008
Use and Occupancy Classification
Creating the New NYC Construction Codes provided the Department with an opportunity to craft Codes that are more user-friendly, making them easier to navigate. For example, the 1968 Building Code sequentially assigned letters for each use and occupancy. This meant that the letter "J" represented residential occupancies. In the New Codes, the letter "R" now logically indicates a residential occupancy. View chapters of the New NYC Construction Codes to read this improved classification system.
December 12, 2007
Effective Dates for the New Codes
The New NYC Construction Codes, comprised of the new Building Code, Mechanical Code, Fuel Gas Code, Plumbing Code, become effective July 1, 2008. Professionals will have the option to use either the 1968 Building Code or the New NYC Construction Codes until July 1, 2009, when the New Codes will be mandated for all new construction. Administrative provisions, such as the new violation classification and special inspections, will be mandated on July 1, 2008. For more information, visit the new NYC Construction Codes section of our website.
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