Volume 1 | Issue 8: NYC DOT 2016 Holiday Construction Embargo Notification & Gas Test And Gas Finish Self-Certification Ending In Manhattan
It all begins with an idea.
2016 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HOLIDAY CONSTRUCTION EMBARGO – STARTING NOVEMBER 18, 2016
The DOT Holiday Construction Embargo will be in effect for the period of Friday, November 18, 2016 from 6:00 AM to 11:59 pm and from 6:00 AM Monday, November 21, 2016 through 11:59 PM Monday, January 2, 2017.
All routine work shall be suspended during the embargo period unless approval for the work is granted by the Department's Office of Construction Mitigation and Coordination (OCMC). Suspension of work does not apply to emergency work for which an emergency number is obtained by the permittee.
Any permits issued into or through the embargo period that do not include permit stipulation "410," which specifically allows work through the embargo, are suspended during the embargo. All permittees must comply with this embargo unless a waiver is granted by the DOT permit office.
Waiver requests are not required for ongoing Construction Permits that already include the "410" permit stipulation. RPO Inc. has already negotiated waivers for some of its clients which will eliminate the need for them to apply for waivers and permit renewals related to the embargo.
All other RPO projects that fall within the embargo area are being carefully reviewed, we will contact clients to discuss specific construction needs through the embargo and we will prepare waiver requests accordingly.
Waiver requests may be filed through November 11, 2016.
Prior to this embargo period all necessary measures must be taken so that all roadways and sidewalks are in proper condition to allow for the expeditious and safe movement of vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
Additionally, on all holiday season gridlock alert days lane closures are prohibited from 6:00 AM to midnight on many highways (and their service roads), including East and Harlem River Bridge Crossings with the exception that work behind permanent barriers, not impacting vehicular, bicycle or pedestrian traffic flow may continue.
The holiday season gridlock alert days are as follows:
Friday, November 18
Wednesday, November 23
Wednesday, November 30
Friday, December 9
Wednesday, December 14
Thursday, December 15
Friday, December 16
Wednesday, December 21
Thursday, December 22
Friday, December 23
GAS TEST AND GAS FINISH SELF-CERTIFICATIONS ENDING IN MANHATTAN
Effective November 1, 2016 gas self-certifications will no longer be available for work done in Manhattan.
Beginning November 1, 2016 all Gas Test and Gas Finish inspections in Manhattan will no longer be allowed to be self-certified. These inspections will be required to be witnessed by a Department of Buildings plumbing inspector.
All inspections must be requested using DOB NOW: Inspections. When requesting an inspection you will be required to select one of the following inspection types so that DOB can schedule an appropriate amount of time for your project:
PL - Up to 3 Requested Floors - for inspections covering 1, 2 or 3 floors.
PL - Up to 9 Requested Floors -for inspections covering 4 - 9 floors.
PL - More than 10 Requested Floors - for inspections of 10 or more floors.
When requesting an inspection you must specify whether the inspection will be for:
Gas - Test
Gas - Finish
For Advance Notices for Gas Test and Gas Finish inspections in Manhattan submitted prior to November 1, 2016, you will still be able to submit certifiable results in DOB NOW: Inspections 24 hours from the time you indicated on your Advance Notice.
Please contact our office if you need any additional information about this policy change.
Volume 1 | Issue 7: 2016 New York Energy Conservation Code & 14+ Foundation Annual Cocktail Benefit
It all begins with an idea.
2016 NEW YORK ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE
The Department of Buildings has adopted the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE 90.1-2013 as the NYC Energy Conservation Code. This code will go into effect on October 3rd, 2016.
The following policy changes are as followed:
-Applications filed on or after October 3rd, 2016 will be subject to the 2016 NYCECC.
-Complete applications filed on or before October 2nd, 2016 will be subject to the 2014 NYCECC.
NOTE: Complete applications are those that meet the submittal requirements of the NYC DOB Plan Examination Guidelines and include a complete energy analysis.
-Incomplete applications filed on or before October 2nd, 2016 may be subject to the 2016 NYCECC.
14+ FOUNDATION ANNUAL COCKTAIL BENEFIT
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 bring to the 14+ Foundation to your attention. 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 has gone into this cause.
I am proud to support the good work of the foundation and I ask that you read about it and support it along with me. Here is a link to the website (14+ Foundation) and an exciting up-coming event on October 6. I hope you will be able to join me there.
Thursday, October 6th, 2016
Cocktail Benefit: 6:00PM - 8:30PM
After Part: 8:30PM - 11:00PM
Vandal | 199 Bowery, NYC
Thank you,
Michael Pressel
Volume 1 | Issue 6: ECB Violation Amnesty Program - Act Fast! & Construction Superintendent Rule Revision: Reminder Of Expanded Scope Of Work and Duties
It all begins with an idea.
ECB VIOLATION AMNESTY PROGRAM - ACT FAST!
The City Council has approved a measure for the NYC Department of Finance to offer amnesty on outstanding Environmental Control Board (ECB) violations.
The amnesty program will be in effect for only 90 days beginning on September 12, 2016 and it has the potential to yield significant savings to those with outstanding violations.
Here is how it works:
For violations that are in default, the program allows respondents to pay only the base penalty and will waive the default fee and interest. Typically the default penalty is double to triple the base penalty, so together with the waiver of accrued interest, amnesty could present significant savings on defaulted violations.
For violations that have been adjudicated and found in violation, the DOF will accept 75% of the stipulated penalty and will waive accrued interest.
The program has some restrictions.
1. Violations that are the subject of a prior settlement may not be included
2. Respondent must settle ALL violations in their name; this is an all or nothing stipulation
3. Participation constitutes an admission of guilt for the all of the violations
4. If a violation requires certificate of correction, respondent must sign an agreement committing to correction within six months
5. Respondents who are the subject of criminal investigations may not participate
RPO, Inc. is ready to assist clients in yielding the significant savings under this program, but planning and action should begin immediately.
For further information contact:
Kevin Danielson, Esq. at RPO, Inc.
(212) 566-5110 extension 1113
CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT RULE REVISION:
REMINDER OF EXPANDED SCOPE OF WORK AND DUTIES
RPO, Inc. wishes to remind its clients that the second phase of new Construction Superintendent responsibilities will take effect on August 30, 2016.
The first phase of changes under 1 RCNY 3301-02 already took effect on May 30, 2016 to invoke the following changes with respect to Construction Superintendents:
- Assure compliance with Chapter 33 of the Building Code
- Assure work conforms to plans
- Designate a competent person to provide full-time safety supervision at the jobsite
- Notify the Department of accidents, damage to adjoining property, and certain other conditions by contacting the BEST-SSM/SSC/CS hotline at (212) 393-2128
- Promptly correct any unsafe conditions discovered
- Upon each visit to the jobsite, inspect the entire work area and maintain a job site log
1-, 2-, or 3-family NBs will no longer require a Construction Superintendent
- All other job types requiring a Construction Superintendent will continue to do so
Beginning August 30, 2016, the second Phase of the expanded law will add the following requirements:
The Construction Superintendent must visit the jobsite each day work occurs
Alteration permits issued or renewed on or after August 30, 2016 will require a Construction Superintendent if the job is not a site safety job under a Site Safety Program and the work includes one of the following:
- Vertical or horizontal enlargement
- Demolitions of more than 50% of floor area of the existing building
For on-going projects administered by RPO, Inc., our staff will notify clients affected by these changes. If you would like additional information please contact our office.