Buildings news update

December 29, 2022

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Winter Construction Safety Campaign

This week, DOB launched a new citywide construction safety campaign running through the winter months, that will spread awareness of the potential for serious injury when corners are cut on the job. This new campaign was launched in response to several recent tragic construction deaths. Four workers have lost their lives in separate building construction-related incidents in the City in the months of November and December this year.

The campaign will include construction safety enforcement sweeps, as well as educational outreach to workers, contractors and site safety professionals.

Read our Press Release

Visit our Website For More Info on Construction Safety

Site Safety Training Cards

Starting February 1, 2023, the Department of Buildings will only accept Site Safety Training (SST) cards that have been issued through the NYC DOB Training Connect platform. These SST cards are required for all construction and demolition workers on the larger and more complex work sites across the City, which are required by law to have site safety supervision.

The SST cards issued by approved DOB training providers, through NYC DOB Training Connect, include a NFC chip which can be scanned to validate the authenticity of the card, and will help prevent fraud.

Workers with an SST Card issued before January 1, 2022 should contact the course provider who issued their card to have it replaced with a NYC DOB Training Connect SST Card by January 31, 2023.

Read our Service Notice

Find out more information about Site Safety Training (SST)

Building Sustainability and Retrofits

Buildings account for around two-thirds of the climate change-causing greenhouse gas emissions here in the City. To push back against the effects of climate change, larger buildings in the city are required by Local Law 97 of 2019 to meet carbon emission limits starting in 2024. For property owners to meet these limits, many will need to retrofit their buildings to increase energy efficiency and reduce fossil fuel dependence.

Leading up to the important sustainability milestone, the Department recently took several substantial steps towards implementing this law. Earlier this month, DOB finalized the first agency rule for Local Law 97, providing clarity and needed information to property owners. In addition, we recently released a Local Law 97 Advisory Board report, with recommendations from our stakeholder panel on implementation for the City to consider.

Owners with questions about energy efficiency retrofits in their buildings, are strongly encouraged to contact NYC Accelerator, the City's free resource for one-on-one technical guidance on financing and implementing building retrofit plans.

Read our Press Release

Read the Advisory Board Report

Find our First Published LL97 Rule in The City Record

Winterizing Buildings and Construction Sites

This freezing cold holiday weekend left no doubt, winter has arrived in New York City. Freezing temperatures and winter storms can cause serious maintenance issues for our City’s buildings and construction sites.

Taking proper steps to winterize your property is essential to promote public safety, prevent weather-related damage, and also to save you money.

Read our Press Release to Get Tips on Winterizing

See our Service Notice on Cold Weather Concrete Work

Sign Up for Weather Advisories

Stone Balustrades

Contractors working in New York City should be advised that stone balustrade railings and fences can pose a serious hazard to the public, if they are not properly installed in accordance with the NYC Construction Codes.

These stone fences and railings are a common site throughout the five boroughs. In recent years, New York City has seen two separate incidents where the collapse of a stone balustrade fence in front of a residential home lead to the death of a small child. In both instances, the cause of the collapse was determined to be improper installation of the fence without required anchorage ties.

Read our Construction Advisory on Stone Balustrades

Deadline for Elevator and Boiler Inspections

2022 is coming to a close, meaning the deadline for annual building inspections is also right around the corner.

High-pressure and low-pressure boilers in New York City are required to undergo annual inspections. Building elevators are required to undergo periodic inspections and Category 1 tests every year as well.

Don't forget to have these important building system inspections performed in your buildings by properly licensed professionals by Saturday, December 31, 2022.

Read our Service Notice

Live Virtual Events at DOB

Need help understanding building regulations in NYC? Want to talk directly to DOB experts about your construction-related questions? Curious about the latest DOB service updates?

Then join the thousands of New Yorkers who have already been attending our live online events by registering for an upcoming session today!

Our schedule for borough specific Q&A sessions and industry meetings for the months of January and February are up on the website. Registration is free but space is limited, so sign up today!

Check out all of our upcoming scheduled online events.

DOB is Hiring!

It's a big city out there - which is why DOB is looking for New Yorkers to join our team and further our missions of enhancing public safety, quality of life, and sustainability in every neighborhood across the five boroughs.

DOB inspectors, plan examiners, design professionals, and administrative staff all play a critical role in promoting safety and quality of life here in the greatest city in the world. As a member of DOB, you can help make New York City an even better place for everyone that lives, works, visits and builds here.

Check out our website to learn more about careers at DOB, employee benefits and current open positions.

Kazimir Vilenchik, P.E., Acting Commissioner

www.nyc.gov/buildings

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