What’s New
More than 600 new updates to NYC construction codes meant to improve safety and incorporate the latest in building technologies have been passed by the City Council. The code revisions include new safety rules for high-rises; protections for tenants, including new fire safety regulations, and new sustainability and resiliency requirements. The changes are based on the International Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Fuel Gas Codes with NYC modifications.
Recent Projects
- Forensic engineering consultation regarding NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code provision applicability regarding Fire Wall separations between dwelling units in residential housing in Suffolk County, NY
- NYS Labor Law and Industrial Code Rule 23 consultation regarding an accident involving building alterations and the hoisting of equipment at a Queens, NY worksite
- Civil and structural engineering site consultation regarding failure concerns, water intrusion, and soil erosion at a residential premises in Rockland County, NY
An overview of fire safety within the IBC
On October 7th The International Code Council’s Building Safety Journal reported that “people have expectations that when they enter a building, they will be safe from inherent dangers caused by natural or man-made disasters. The International Building Code (IBC) addresses that through five significant sections: code administration and enforcement, building planning, life safety, structural safety, and fire safety…The code is a set of minimum standards to protect and safeguard public health, safety and general welfare. The code requirements apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, removal and demolition of every building or structure connected or attached to such buildings or structures”.
Yarmus Engineering, P.C. makes it a priority to remain aware and knowledgeable of ongoing building code, industry safety updates, and similar regulatory changes so that we can incorporate same into our designs and inform our clientele of such new regulations which might affect their properties and projects. Firm President, Andrew R. Yarmus, P.E., F.NSPE, maintains his certification as a NYS Code Enforcement Official to ensure same. Please contact our office if we can be of assistance to you or your clients regarding such matters.
4 Steps of Designing an Effective Fall Protection System
On October 4th The American Society of Safety Professionals’ ASSP Weekly reported that “protecting workers at height is a great challenge for occupational safety and health professionals. Given the nature of the work and the risks it presents, these environments create some of the most hazardous working conditions. Falls accounted for 17 percent of all worker fatalities in 2017, their highest level on record. One way to address this challenge is to develop an effective fall protection program”.
Andrew R. Yarmus, P.E., F.NSPE, as a Forensic Engineering consultant, licensed Professional Engineer, and State Certified Code Enforcement Official, has consulted on numerous construction site safety matters. As a Past Chair of the National Society of Professional Engineers PE’s in Construction Interest Group, he has also helped to facilitate discussions between Professional Engineers across the country on such matters. Yarmus Engineering, P.C. is available to consult with building owners, operations managers, property managers, real estate developers, builders, attorneys, contractors, insurance professionals, adjusters, and other related parties regarding such construction site accidents and other site safety related issues. Please contact our office if we can be of assistance to you or your clients regarding such matters.