NYC.gov News - Buildings News March 8, 2011

Construction Permits Go Smart-Phone Friendly

The Department has modernized its construction permits, after-hours variances and Place of Assembly certificates by adding Quick Response Codes. Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner LiMandri announced that QR Codes will give New Yorkers instant access to ongoing construction projects in the City.
Read the Mayor's News Release

Living Safely Public Safety Outreach

Shortly after the fatal fire on Drew Street in Brooklyn last month, Council member Erik Martin Dilan joined the Department in the East New York section of Brooklyn to educate residents on the dangers of living in an illegally converted apartment. The Department has distributed more than 100,000 flyers in 11 languages in all five

boroughs as part of the Living Safely campaign.

View Photos of the Event

View the Safety Tips

Benchmarking Report Deadline Approaching

Benchmarking gives property owners, tenants and managers a clearer understanding of a building's energy efficiency and water consumption. Benchmarking reports must be submitted to New York City by May 1, 2011. To register and submit your report, use the EPA's Portfolio Manager, also available at the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan website at nyc.gov/GGBP. For more information, see the Public Hearing section below or visit the benchmarking section of the Department's website.

Recently Released Buildings Bulletins

The Department has recently issued the following bulletins:

Technical Bulletin 2011-001 (PDF): Manual Transfer of Fuel Oil for Emergency Generators
Buildings Bulletin 2011-002 (PDF): Acceptance Criteria for Joint Fittings and Piping in Automatic Sprinkler Systems
Zoning Bulletin 2011-003 (PDF): Verified, Permanent Supportive Housing Facilities Classified as Use Group 3
Technical Bulletin 2011-004 (PDF): Supersedes 2009-015 to Establish a Protocol for Wind Turbine Product Assemblies
OTCR Bulletin 2011-005 (PDF): Acceptance Criteria for PP Piping Systems in Hydronic Piping, Irrigation Systems + Recycling Distribution

New Rules: Public Hearings + Effective Dates

Upcoming Public Hearings

Energy + Water Use Benchmarking (PDF): March 21 - 10:30am
NYC Energy Code Amendments (PDF): March 28 - 10:00am

Upcoming Effective Dates

Fees Payable to Department (Re-inspection; Cranes; Outrigger Beams) (PDF): March 26
Mast-Climbing Work Platforms (PDF): April 2
General Liability Insurance and Rule (PDFs): June 13

Service Updates

Online After-Hours Variance Renewals Start March 21

Learn More (PDF)

New Hours at Construction, Plumbing + Electrical Customer Service Counters
Learn More (PDF)

New Cranes + Derricks Filing Fees for CD-4 + CD-5

Learn More (PDF)

New PW6 Form Includes Sustainability
Learn More (PDF)
View the Draft PW6 (PDF)

2011 Licensing Exam Schedule Released for Construction Trades
View Schedule (PDF)
DCAS website

Application + Permits Reinstatement Fee Change
Learn More (PDF)

Upcoming Events

Land Use for the 21st Century:
Basics for Real Estate Practitioners
Wednesday, March 9 at 6pm
Assistant Commissioner for Technical Affairs + Code Development James Colgate, Esq., RA, will speak at this New York City Bar event in Manhattan. Colgate will focus on plan reviews and inter pretation of the NYC Zoning Resolution. CLE credit is available.
Register for the Event

GreenBuildingsNY
March 30 - 31
Senior Architect of Technical Affairs John Lee, RA, will provide an overview of the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan, the NYC Energy Code and energy efficiency standards for building envelope, HVAC, lighting and power. This event will be held at the Javits Center.
Register for the Event

Building Green: Law and Practice
April 6
Department of Buildings Project Manager Andrew Wallace, Esq., LEED GA, will review the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan, including benchmarking, the Energy Code, energy audits, retrocommissioning, and lighting and electrical upgrades. This New York County Lawyers Association program is for CLE credit.
Register for the Event

NYC's Efforts to Green its Energy Code: What Lawyers + Real Estate Professionals Need to Know
April 26
Assistant Commissioner for Technical Affairs + Code Development James Colgate, Esq., RA, will speak about the NYC Energy Code and the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan. This New York City Bar event in Manhattan is for CLE credit.
Register for the Event

Did You Know... The Department's website averages more than 1,000,000 daily hits -- including nearly 700,000 hits from contractors, property owners, architects and engineers researching the progress of their plan reviews, permit status and information on violations.