LOCAL LAW 11/98
There has been much flurry and confusion
concerning the revised Local Law 10/80, now known as Local Law 11/98. There
have been numerous meetings, seminars and discussions pertaining to what is
now mandatory compliance for exterior building conditions.
Many of us are now familiar with LL 10/80, which states that every five years inspections must be done by licensed engineers or architects on the front façade of any building over six stories. Under LL 10/80 the categories for filing were "Safe," "Unsafe" and "Precautionary."
11/98 CHANGES
This law has now been expanded. Two of the major changes in the "façade law" is (1) the inclusion of all façade walls of the building, except those within 12 inches of an adjacent premise and (2) of the three previous categories, safe and unsafe remain but precautionary has been eliminated and replaced with "Safe with a repair and maintenance program."
SCAFFOLD INSPECTIONS
Another issue with the amended LL 11/98 is scaffold inspections. Previously, architects and engineers used binoculars to scope the building facades, in order to file their reports. Now with all the problems of loose and falling masonry, which was the catalyst for the new law, it is now mandatory to do a scaffold drop inspection on at least one of the four facades. The decision of where to do the drop is the responsibility of the architect or engineer.
All of this is going to have a tremendous impact on our industry. In the past many buildings were passed as safe or precautionary when in fact there may have been undetected hazardous conditions. Now, buildings will not have the leeway that they had in the past. Without the subjective "precautionary" it’s either safe or it’s not! If it’s not, well, it is now mandatory to resolve the unsafe conditions.
KNOW YOUR PROFESSIONALS
Architects and engineers are on overdrive and contractors are gearing up for a very busy season, hoping there will be enough bridging and scaffolding equipment to go around. It is important for owners not to panic. If all the necessary steps are taken, in a professional manner, compliance will be facilitated.
Retain an architect or engineer you are comfortable with. Check and double check the credentials of the contractors you choose to bid on your projects. You want to make sure the company has been in business for enough years to have a track record and triple A insurance. New York’s buildings will be safer and the next ride around will be simpler.