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Project Categories: Construction Equipment - Sidewalk Shed

Construction equipment projects involve installation of equipment to support construction activities or to secure a construction site for protection of workers and the general public. Construction projects may include erection of a new building or the alteration, renovation, remodel, or renewal of an outdated or damaged existing structure and associated materials, including any partial or full demolition.

New York City requires sidewalk sheds to be erected over sidewalks to protect any sidewalks, pedestrian walkways, or pathways within the property line of a site or abutting the property during various construction operations. Sidewalk sheds allow pedestrian walkways to safely remain open for foot traffic and businesses to operate during construction.

A sidewalk shed project typically involves all or some of the following components:

Steel columns/vertical supports
Steel pipe girts/Cross bracing
Steel pipe railing
Steel and/or wood deck
Plywood parapet
Wood Block Sills
Electrical lighting

Required construction drawings must show all components required for erection of the shed and, are prepared by either a registered design professional or, if the sidewalk shed design is approved by the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA), by a registered contractor. The contractor shall maintain, periodically inspect, and repair the sidewalk shed and its components (bracing, lighting, stability, etc.) after it is erected and in place.

A sidewalk shed is required:

Where any construction work occurs at a height in excess of 40 feet above grade or in excess of 25 feet in height for partial demolition work, or
Whenever there is a dangerous condition irrespective of the height where construction is occurring.
Whenever materials will be hoisted over the sidewalk, regardless of building height or horizontal distance between building and sidewalk.
When the structure reaches the planned height of the shed,
Before beginning any renovation of a building façade, construction of a new building, or demolition.

A sidewalk shed shall not be removed until the structure is enclosed, all exterior work has been completed and the sash is glazed above the second story, the façade has been cleaned down, and all exterior chutes, scaffolds, mast climbers, and hoisting equipment have been dismantled and removed from the site. However, a sidewalk shed must be removed once the associated structure’s project work is complete.

Sidewalk sheds may not be required if the area immediately under the work zone is temporarily closed to the public or protection is accomplished using fences or other barriers, by using cones or caution tape accompanied by flag persons who direct pedestrian traffic, or by other methods deemed acceptable to the commissioner.

Project Notes:

Standard sheds prescribed by the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) in the meeting minutes of BSA #351-74-SM may be filed with the Department by an unlicensed applicant. If the shed is based on a BSA approved design, minimum design loads and specific member sizes, spans and spacing must be highlighted.

Property owners and/or contractors who illegally install a sidewalk shed shall be issued OATH/Environmental Control Board violations, and may face court appearances, fines and civil penalties. Illegal sidewalk sheds could receive multiple violations and the costs for correcting such violations can be significant

Some projects require other types of temporary construction equipment in addition to sidewalk sheds, such as supported scaffolds, safety netting, hoists, cranes, derricks and chutes. Refer to other Guidelines for such construction equipment.

OSHA regulations prohibit workers from occupying the space(s) below such openings while they are in use.

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