Buildings Department launched a new industry training initiative addressing the differences between the current Building Code and the new NYC Construction Codes. View the press release for more information. Click on the links below to access our current presentations. If you have any questions about the new Codes, please email us at constructioncodes@buildings.nyc.gov.
Industry Training & Presentations
Structural Engineers of New York (SEAoNY) Training Program - June 24, 2008
On June 24, 2008, the Structural Engineers of New York (SEAoNY) hosted a full-day training program on the New NYC Construction Codes, focusing on those provisions in the 2008 Building Code that will have the most impact on their constituents. More than 200 engineers and design professionals attended the seminar, which included 11 presentations by Buildings Department technical experts, other construction-related agencies, and private engineering and/or consulting firms. View presentations and photos from the event.
Site Safety Presentation - June 19, 2008
On June 19, Buildings Department site safety experts participated in a proactive outreach program to discuss new NYC Building Code provisions and rules relative to construction site safety. OTCR Deputy Director Gus Sirakis, PE, Licensing Director Danielle Grillo, Scaffold Safety Team Administrative Chief Ed Curtis and BEST Squad Assistant Chief Andrey Vishev delivered presentations on construction safety and answered questions about safety and the New NYC Construction Codes. To learn more, view photos from the program.
BuildingsNY 2008 Convention - June 17 & 18, 2008
On June 17th and 18th, the Buildings Department was well represented at the annual BuildingsNY tradeshow at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Located in the Buildings Department’s booth, staff answered questions about the July 1, 2008 operational changes to support the implementation of the New NYC Construction Codes. In addition, Scott Pavan, RA, Operations Redesign Executive Director, partnered with Dorothy Harris, ICC Vice President for State and Local Government Programs, to present information on the New Codes during a two breakout sessions on June 18th. Read the 
presentation, and view a photo from the event.
Russian & Ukraine Delegation Visits New York City Buildings Department - June 9, 2008
On June 9, 2008, Buildings Department code and energy experts met with senior building officials and scientists from Russia and Ukraine. The delegation is visiting to discuss building and energy codes and efficient building practices in New York and the United States. Buildings Department Chief Sustainability Officer Deborah Taylor, RA, LEED AP and Executive Director of Code Affairs Helen Gitelson and New York State Department of State Division of Code Enforcement and Administration Director Ron Piester, AIA met with the delegation. Read the participants' biographies (153 kb) and program presentation (3,324 kb-pdf) and photos from the event.
How to Comply with the City's Building Code -
May 15, 2008
On May 15, 2008, Buildings Department Deputy Commissioner Phyllis Arnold and Assistant Commissioner Benjamin Jones delivered a presentation on the New Codes at the "How to Comply with the City's New Building Code" event hosted by the New York County Lawyer's Association and co-sponsored by the Rent Stabilization Association and Community Housing Improvement Program. The presentation (1,229 kb) emphasized New Codes provisions that will take effect on July 1, 2008, as well as other Codes issues of interest to the audience of lawyers, property owners and managers. View photos from the event.
Buildings Receives ICC Award - May 7, 2008
On Wednesday, May 7, the International Code Council presented the Buildings Department with the Raising the Profile Award. The award honors individuals or organizations for contributions to raising public awareness of the work accomplished by code officials to improve public safety in the built environment. The Department was recognized for its programs to improve public safety, including the Scaffold Safety Team, Scaffold Worker Outreach Program and the teams created under the Special Enforcement Plan. To learn more, view the ICC's press release (27 kb-pdf), Acting Commissioner LiMandri's statement, and a photo on the award.
The New NYC Building Code - May 6, 2008
On May 6, 2008, Deputy Commissioner Fatma Amer, PE and Codes experts delivered a presentation on the New Codes at the Queens chapter of AIA. The Department experts discussed Fire Protection (463 kb), Means of Egress (1,770 kb) and Accessibility (3,258 kb) requirements under the New NYC Building Code that will be implemented on July 1, 2008.
Safety in the New NYC Construction Codes -
April 30, 2008
On April 30, 2008 three technical code experts gave “Safety in the New NYC Construction Codes” presentations to a standing room only audience who came to gain an understanding of construction safety under the New Codes. Fred Badalamenti, Director of Special Projects Enforcement Division, discussed enforcement provisions that will become effective July 1, 2008, including the ECB Violations process which has been consolidated and streamlined to focus on serious offenses and offenders. John Lee, RA, Senior Architect presented safety enhancements in fire protection and egress, including how the New Codes expand sprinkler and fire alarm system requirements. Gus Sirakis, PE, Deputy Director of OTCR, discussed safety enhancements in structural design, as well as Special Inspections and safeguards during construction and demolition. The Department would like to thank Marolyn Davenport for allowing the Department to use REBNY’s facility for this program. View a photo from the event.
NYSSPE Forum - April 29, 2008
On April 29, 2008, Deputy Director of the Office of Technical Certification and Research (OTCR) Gus Sirakis, PE, gave a presentation at the New York State Society of Professional Engineers’ dinner lecture on construction site safety. View photos from the event.
NYSA Technical Forum - April 17, 2008
Deputy Commissioner and Chief Code Engineer Fatma Amer, PE and Senior Architect Keith Wen, RA gave presentations on Egress (1,770 kb) and Accessibility (3,258 kb) under Chapters 10 and 11 of the New NYC Construction Codes at the 29th Technical Forum. The NYSA Technical Forums focus on the differences in approach, structure and scope between the 1968 Building Code and the New NYC Building Code. View photos from the event.
New Codes Presentation - April 16, 2008
On April 16, Gus Sirakis, PE, Deputy Director of the Office of Technical Certification and Research, delivered a presentation (3,905 kb-pdf) on construction site safety and the New Codes for the International Concrete Repair Institute. The New Codes will go into effect in phases beginning July 1, 2008. View a photo from the event.
City Agencies Training - March 20, 2008
Buildings Code experts led a training session on the New NYC Construction Codes designed especially for City agencies. Sponsored by the Department of Design and Construction , approximately 250 City staffers from DDC, the School Construction Authority, Department of Health and Fire Department attended the event.
Industry Training Seminar - February 29, 2008
On February 29, Buildings Commissioner Patricia J. Lancaster, FAIA, hosted a comprehensive public training seminar on the New NYC Construction Codes, continuing the citywide training initiative launched by the Department last September. The New NYC Construction Codes adopt a user-friendly, nationally-recognized format and represent the first major overhaul of New York City's Building Code in 40 years. More than 1,000 people attended the public seminar at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. This program provided a working knowledge of the New Codes and the administrative changes associated with them before they go into effect July 1, 2008. The New NYC Construction Codes govern new construction and encompass critical administrative changes in the Building Code that broaden the Department's enforcement and oversight. For more information, view the press release, presentation (5,041 kb-pdf) and photos from the training.
Queens AIA New Codes Event - February 12, 2008
On February 12, Office of Technical Certification and Research Director Alan Price, PE, and OTCR Deputy Director Gus Sirakis, PE, delivered a presentation (533 kb-pdf) on the New NYC Construction Codes at the American Institute of Architects Queens Chapter monthly meeting. These experts focused on the technical and administrative provisions of the New Codes. Visit the NYC Construction Codes section of our website to learn about prior Code training sessions.
BTEA Seminar - January 31, 2008
Buildings technical experts delivered a presentation (1,543 kb-pdf) on the new NYC Construction Codes at a seminar hosted by the Building Trades Employers' Association. The presentation focused on differences between the New Codes and the 1968 Building Code, as well as new enforcement and administrative provisions. BTEA is the largest contractor association in New York City and represents more than 1,500 construction management, general contractors and specialty contractor construction companies doing business in NYC.
NYSA Technical Forum - January 24, 2008
On the New York Society of Architects 28th Professional Technical Forum, presentation on the differences between the New NYC Construction Codes and the 1968 Building Code were presented. Buildings Department Chief Sustainability Officer Deborah Taylor, RA, LEED AP, also discussed about the NYS Energy Code submission requirements.
Women's City Club of NY Greening of the Code Panel - January 22, 2008
Chief Sustainability Officer Deborah Taylor, AIA, LEED AP, led a program entitled "Greening the Code: An Overview and Panel Discussion on the New NYC Construction Codes" at an event hosted by the Infrastructure Committee of the Women's City Club of NY. Taylor discussed how changes in the New Codes will contribute to greening the Code. The Women’s City Club of NY is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civic organization that seeks to shape public policy through education, advocacy and citizen participation. The Infrastructure Committee focuses on the challenges posed by NYC's continued growth and how it impacts fundamental services. View the presentation (758 kb-pdf) delivered at the event.
Real Estate Board of New York - October 30, 2007
Technical presentation on the new NYC Construction Codes: differences between the 2008 and 1968 Codes, with an emphasis on high rise construction and effective dates.
BOMA - October 10, 2007
Annual Conference and Trade Show: Brief Overview of New Codes.
AIA Queens - October 9, 2007
Monthly Chapter Meeting/Informative Lectures: Special Enforcement and False Filings, Controlled Inspections - TR-1 Process & Form Revision and New Construction Codes Overview.
New York Energy Consumers Council - October 9, 2007
Clean Distributed Generation Seminar. Presentation on Microturbines and Materials and Equipment Acceptance (MEA) (76 kb).
Concrete Industry Board - October 4, 2007
Breakfast Seminar: General Overview of Codes (3,972 kb).
General Building Contractors - September 27, 2007
Educational Breakfast Series: General Overview of New Codes, Energy Codes, Construction Superintendent Registration.
NYSA - September 20, 2007
Forum to discuss new Code Chapters 3 (Use and Occupancy Classifications), 5 (General Building Heights and Areas) and 6 (Types of Construction). Program is registered with AIA/CES and provided continuing education credits.
NYSA - June 4, 2007
Forum to discuss general differences between the current building code and the proposed IBC (amended for NYC). Program is registered with AIA/CES and provided continuing education credits.
