RPO IS HIRING

RPO is looking to hire for two full-time positions. These are wonderful opportunities for people who are punctual, reliable, team players with a good work ethic and who enjoy a rewarding and fast-paced work environment.

If you are looking for an opportunity to join a collaborative group of construction consulting experts, or you know someone who is, please check out the opportunities to join our group here.

PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR

Click to view full details

ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER

Click to view full details

Preference will be given to candidates possessing Filing Representative registration. Candidate must possess strong interpersonal, communication and writing skills and must have keen problem solving skills.

Ideally, we seek someone who has the desire and drive to become a long-term, trusted member of our team. Compensation is based upon experience and includes a full benefits package.

Volume 7, Issue 9 | DEADLINE FOR POSTING BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATING LABELS

Owners of buildings that appear on the 2022 NYC Benchmarking Covered Building List have until Monday, October 31, 2022 post their updated Building Energy Efficiency Rating Labels in a conspicuous location near each public entrance to their buildings. Failure to post the DOB-issued label may result in the imposition of a civil penalty of $1250.

Please contact Kevin Danielson, Esq. at 212-566-5110 if you wish to engage RPO to assist with compliance.

Volume 7, Issue 8 | 2022 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HOLIDAY CONSTRUCTION EMBARGO

Please be advised that the Department of Transportation Holiday Construction Embargo will be in effect every day beginning Tuesday, November 15, 2022 through Monday, January 2, 2023.

Roadway and sidewalk construction activities will be restricted during the embargo period on the streets within the embargo area, although some projects have already been granted waivers.   

The deadline for submission of embargo waiver requests is Monday, November 4th, 2022. After that applications will only be accepted for special circumstances that would have prevented a timely application.

RPO will notify its clients with projects within the Embargo and process waiver requests on their behalf.  Please let us know if you have any questions. 

14+ FOUNDATION'S ANNUAL COCKTAIL BENEFIT | OCTOBER 6TH

Rarely do I reach out and ask clients to participate in philanthropic endeavors. No doubt we all receive numerous solicitations each year and we all have our own priorities about which causes to support.

Having said that, I would like to introduce the 14+ Foundation, to let you know that I am on its fundraising committee, and to invite you to join me in supporting it. This foundation was established to develop, build and operate schools and orphanages in rural African communities. 

It was co-founded by someone who I know personally and have much admiration and respect for - Joe Mizzi. Knowing Joe and participating in many past events, I know first-hand the passion and care that have gone into this cause, and I am familiar with the outstanding work this group has achieved.

I am proud to be a part of the 14+ Foundation and I ask that you consider joining me in supporting it. Here is a link to the website (14+ Foundation) and an exciting up-coming event on October 6th. I hope you will be able to join me there.

Thursday, October 6th, 2022

Cocktail Benefit: 6 PM - 11 PM

Program and Performance: 7 PM 

Sony Hall

235 West 46th Street, NYC 

If you would like any information about the foundation or event, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you for your consideration,

Michael Pressel

Volume 7, Issue 7 | SITE SAFETY REQUIREMENT CHANGES LEADING UP TO THE 2022 CONSTRUCTION CODES

As we reported previously, the forthcoming 2022 Construction Codes will require both a Construction Superintendent, and either a Site Safety Manager or Site Safety Coordinator to be designated for work subject to Building Code sections 3301.13.3 and 3310.1 for Major Buildings.  This is in contrast to the current requirement to provide only a SSM or SSC for major buildings. 

In recognition that there will be an increase in demand for safety professionals, the Department of Buildings is amending rule 104-08 to remove the prohibition on a Site Safety Manager or Site Safety Coordinator to also hold a Construction Superintendent registration. This allows qualified individuals to register as either a Construction Superintendent or a Site Safety Manager/Site Safety Coordinator, giving an individual flexibility to determine which role they wish to assume at any given jobsite.  

Please do not hesitate to contact RPO if you wish to engage us for further consultation about site safety or any other changes coming into effect leading up to the implementation of the 2022 Construction Codes. 

Photo by C Dustin on Unsplash

Volume 7, Issue 6 | DOB BIS AND DOB NOW DATA LOSSES

Please be advised that system improvements scheduled by the Department of Buildings this past weekend have resulted in BIS and DOB Now system data losses involving new filings, amendments, permits and more dating back to May 3, 2022.

Some of the information lost has been recovered, but efforts to make sure all information is up to date are ongoing. We are monitoring the situation and will be taking appropriate action to ensure all of our clients’ submissions are up-to-date. 

As always, please feel free to call your Project Manager if you should have any specific questions or concerns. 

Volume 7, Issue 5 | CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENTS - UPCOMING LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF PROJECTS

Starting on June 1st, 2022, the number of projects under the supervision of a DOB-licensed Construction Superintendent will be limited to five (5).

Pursuant to section 3301.13.6 of the 2014 NYC Construction Code, which was amended on January 1st of this year by Local Law 149 of 2021, the rule gradually limits the number of construction projects for which a Construction Superintendent may be designated. These limits are being phased over a multi-year timeline as follows:

• As of June 1, 2022, no individual may be designated as a Primary Construction Superintendent for more than five projects.

• During the calendar year 2024, the number of projects a Primary Construction Superintendent can oversee will be reduced to three. Additionally, with the implementation of the new code, a Construction Superintendent assigned to a Major Project, may serve only that project.

• Finally, during the calendar year 2026, the number of projects a Primary Construction Superintendent can oversee will be reduced to one – for all types of projects.

This plan has the ultimate effect of requiring each construction site to have a dedicated Construction Superintendent by 2026.

Please feel free to contact Robert Anic, NYSCEO, if you wish to engage RPO for additional consulting pertaining to these or any other changes in DOB requirements. 

Volume 7, Issue 4 | CALENDAR YEAR 2021 BENCHMARKING COMPLIANCE DEADLINE EXTENDED

The 2022 Benchmarking compliance deadline for calendar year 2021 data reporting has been extended. Property owners who were required to submit their CY2021 benchmarking information by May 1, 2022, are required to submit a fully compliant report by May 31, 2022.

The Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ), acting as the Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability (the Office) has advised the Department of Buildings that compliance with Administrative Code §28-309.4 (Benchmarking Energy and Water Use) has been temporarily suspended until May 31, 2022.  Owners who do not submit a fully compliant report by May 31, 2022, will be subject to violations for each quarter they have been non-compliant. 

Please call our office if you would like to engage RPO for consulting about Benchmarking requirements.

Volume 7, Issue 3 | EXTENSION TO REQUIREMENT FOR GAS PIPING INSPECTION

An amendment to Local Law 152 of 2016 allows building owners to receive a 180-day extension of the due date for the inspection of a building’s gas piping system.   

Only one 180-day extension can be requested. Failure to file the Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification on or before the due date will result in in a civil penalty of $5,000.

Please call our office if you would like to engage RPO for additional consulting services related to these or any other requirements.   

Volume 7, Issue 2 | BUILDING BULLETIN 2022-001 FOR FLOOD MITIGATION MEASURES IS NOW IN EFFECT

The purpose of the bulletin is to clarify FEMA’s requirements for residential ancillary spaces and building systems, and to help decipher which applications are required to comply with Appendix G of the New York City Building Code. 

Applications for construction document approval with the Department in conjunction with a new building, horizontal enlargement, or substantial improvement must now show compliance with the requirement that ancillary areas and building systems that support residential uses and dwelling units be elevated above the design flood elevation. Note that below-grade parking of vehicles serving commercial (non-residential) and residential uses within a mixed-use building may be permitted within dry floodproofed enclosures below the design flood elevation.

BB 2022-001 May be found here: Click to View

2022 Contractor calendars are available!

PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT

(212) 566-5110 TO REQUEST YOURS