On Tuesday January 20th, newly appointed NYC Building Department (DOB) Commissioner Rick Chandler, PE held his first Commissioner’s Forum. Commissioner Chandler plans to make this a regular event where he and his top DOB officials meet with the design and construction industry. The event was attended by representatives of the AIA, ACEC, BIA and NYSSPE.
The forum started with a presentation from Commissioner Chandler concerning his vision and direction for the DOB going forward. Being a Professional Engineer and someone who came up through the ranks at DOB, Commissioner Chandler is familiar with the issues engineers face in dealing with the department. His goal is to try and streamline operations so that the department is more user friendly while maintaining public safety in the construction industry.
The next presentation was on the new 2014 NYC Construction Codes:
Michael Alacha PE, Assistant Commissioner of Engineering and Safety Operations gave a presentation that covered key revisions to Chapter 33 in the code as well as key changes in the Site Safety Manager’s rule. A copy of his presentation can be found at the following link:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/2014_code_changes_chapter_33.pdf
Gus Sirakis PE, Assistant Commissioner of Technical Affairs and Code Development covered code changes concerning what is now defined as “Big Alterations” as well as changes to a zoning text amendment and changes to the PW1 and TR1 forms for filing applications. A copy of his presentation can be found at the following link:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/2014_NYCCC_Code_Change_Highlights.pdf
Joseph Ackroyd PE, Director of Engineering for Technical Affairs and Flood Plain Administrator covered upcoming changes in flood zones. A copy of his presentation can be found at the following link:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/2014_NYCCC_Flood_Zones.pdf
Gina Bocra RA, Chief Sustainability Officer presented changes in the 2014 energy code which include an 18.5 percent increase in the energy efficiency of new buildings. The administrations hope is to make NYC the most energy efficient large city in the country as related to new construction. A copy of her presentation can be found at the following link:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/2014_NYCECC_code_change_highlisghts_code_committee.pdf
The leadership at NYSSPE is making great strides in improving communications and relations with NYC DOB Officials and will bring you additional information as it becomes available.
Note: NYSSPE facilitates posting on this blog, but the views and accounts expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not the views or accounts of NYSSPE, its officers or directors whose views and accounts may or may not be similar or identical. NYSSPE, its officers and directors do not express any opinion regarding any product or service by virtue of reference to such product or service in this blog.
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