For Immediate Release
November 20, 2007

BUILDINGS AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS LAUNCH NEW FIRE SAFETY PILOT PROGRAM IN STATEN ISLAND

Buildings Commissioner Patricia J. Lancaster, FAIA, and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta today announced the launch of the Lightweight Materials Pilot Program in Staten Island. The new program partners Buildings inspectors and engineers with Fire Department firefighters to conduct joint inspections of construction sites in Staten Island where lightweight construction materials are being used to erect new buildings or to renovate existing buildings.

Lightweight construction materials include laminated wood I-beams, plate-connected wood floor trusses and light gauge cold-formed steel, and are commonly used in construction as less expensive alternatives to dimensional lumber, concrete and heavier steel beams. The Building Code, which outlines the use and installation of these materials, calls for a licensed architect or engineer to perform controlled inspections throughout the building process to ensure the required safeguards are taken. Lightweight materials have a lower heat threshold, meaning that they could pose elevated safety risks to first responders during a fire if they are incorrectly installed. Under this new pilot program, the Buildings and Fire Departments are teaming up to conduct proactive inspections of construction sites where lightweight materials are used to verify that design professionals and builders are meeting the requirements set forth under the law.

“This new program is about safety - the safety of the public and the safety of our City's first responders. We are taking it upon ourselves to follow up on design professionals and builders who are using and installing lightweight construction materials in a safe and responsible manner,” said Buildings Commissioner Lancaster. “By working together and harnessing the resources and enforcement capabilities of both agencies, this pilot program increases safety for first responders, construction workers and the public at large.”

“Lightweight construction materials can pose a danger to our firefighters, and this new pilot program will help us identify where those materials are being used,” said Fire Commissioner Scoppetta. “These materials have become a great concern for the Department, and through joint inspections with the Buildings Department, we can develop a safe and efficient plan to respond to emergencies at construction and deconstruction sites. Ultimately, knowing where these materials exist within a building will help to ensure the safety of our members, construction workers and the public.”

The use of lightweight construction materials in buildings influences the formation of firefighting tactics, and design professionals are required to notify the City when they use these materials. The new pilot program speeds up the data-sharing process between the Buildings and Fire Departments so firefighters can conduct timely progress inspections at construction sites where lightweight construction materials are being used. During inspections, firefighters identify the lightweight materials and their manufacturers, and identify potential problems with their installation. If potential installation problems exist, or if these materials are found to have been used without notifying the City, the two agencies will conduct a joint follow-up inspection of the building to determine a strong and appropriate enforcement action.

Over the past two years, the Buildings and Fire Departments have enhanced the information sharing, cooperation and coordination between the two agencies. In 2006, the A-8 Referral Program was launched in the Bronx to streamline and implement joint inspections of single-story commercial buildings, also known as “taxpayer buildings.” Building on the partnership formed by the A-8 Referral Program, the two agencies in early 2007 began cross-training Fire Department firefighters and Buildings inspectors in order to better share information about buildings' structural defects, as well as the performance of modern construction material during fires. In addition, the Buildings Department is actively working with the FDNY Bureau of Training, Operations and Fire Prevention to create a curriculum that will instruct FDNY members on how to identify structural systems and effectively use BISWeb and Buildings' website information.

New Yorkers are encouraged to call 3-1-1 to report non-compliant conditions or 9-1-1 to report emergencies at construction sites.

Contact: Kate Lindquist/Caroline Sullivan, Buildings Department   (212) 566-3473

The New York City Department of Buildings ensures the safe and lawful use of buildings and properties by enforcing the Building Code and Zoning Resolution. We facilitate development with integrity, efficiency and professionalism.