What’s New
Andrew R. Yarmus, P.E. is pleased to have been invited to present on the topics ofEngineering, Foundations, and Structures at SAR Academy, in Riverdale, NY on February 5th.
Mr. Yarmus is also honored to have been featured as theinaugural “Featured Alumni” by Leadership Rockland in their January 2014 newsletter.
Recent Projects
- Consultation with the United States Department of Justice regarding allegations of lack of compliance with ADA and NYS Building Code requirements at a federal facility located in Westchester County, NY
- Forensic Engineering review of claims of non-compliance with Building Code requirements at an emergency means of egress from a commercial structure located in Yonkers, NY
- Design of poured concrete site features for a condominium assocation located in White Plains, NY
When ‘Continuous Improvement’ of Codes, Standards Is Neither
Star Building Systems recently posted an editorial indicating that “The ever-increasing size and complexity of building codes and standards presents a problem to engineers, who have less time to fully and properly digest the tomes that define how they should practice their professions. (The writer) illustrates his points by citing specific specifications and standards that have grown in size by as much as 15 pages per year for several decades. ‘So, how do we address this trend of growing complexity and shrinking time?… today’s environment is one where ‘can’t see the forest for the trees’ problems flourish. Fortunately, those problems are fairly easily spotted when put in front of a person who is capable of seeing the forest because they don’t have an in-depth knowledge of the trees growing in it,’ he writes. He suggests engineers ask for help on projects from others not bogged down by minutiae. He writes ‘…let’s do what doctors do in this situation: swallow our pride and ask for a consult from a practitioner whose experiences are different from our own”.
While the writer’s opinions are certainly “up for debate”, the piece raises an interesting point regarding the complexity of today’s building codes, and how difficult it can be for an engineer to remain knowledgeable and aware of the various code updates routinely being made. Yarmus Engineering, P.C. makes it a priority to keep its staff aware of applicable code updates and code modifications being considered. As a NYS Certified Code Enforcement Official, Andrew R. Yarmus, P.E., our firm President, takes no less than 24 hours of continuing education on building codes each year, in addition to the 36 hours of training he is required by law to take every 3 years as a Professional Engineer, to ensure that he remains aware and knowledgeable of applicable code updates. Our firm also utilizes a peer review process, utilizing both both “in-house” and “outside” reviews, on projects, as warranted. Our clients can rest assured in knowing that we go to great lengths to ensure that our knowledge and awareness of current and upcoming code requirements is always up-to-date. Pleasecontact our office if we can be of assistance to you or your clients regarding such code matters.