New York State Society of Professional Engineers (NYSSPE)

The New York State Society of Professional Engineers (NYSSPE) represents the interests of professional engineers, totaling more than 25,000 licensees in New York State, practicing in all disciplines.

Happy PE Day!

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Happy PE Day!!

Today marks the fifth annual Professional Engineers Day, in which participants raise awareness about what it means to be a PE, recognize licensed PEs, and show appreciation for the work PEs do every day.

In 1903, Clarence Johnston became the State Engineer of Wyoming, and found the office in poor condition. To access state water back then, the law required individuals to file an application with a map outlining the streams, canals, and reservoirs to be used for irrigation. Johnston soon realized that untrained and unqualified individuals, were creating these maps and signing them as engineers or surveyors. The practice led to confusing and inaccurate records.In 1907, Johnston proposed a bill to the Wyoming legislature that would require registration for engineers and land surveyors. On August 8, 1907, the first professional engineering license was issued to Charles Bellamy in Wyoming.

Other states began to follow suit. Between 1921 and 1947, all states passed registration laws for engineers, and by 1970, all 50 states and the five legal jurisdictions of the United States had laws regulating the practice of engineering. According to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, there are now more than 820,000 P.E. licenses in the U.S.

Be a part of the virtual event! Use #LicensedPEDay on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to
• Upload a photo or video of yourself, tell us why you decided to become a PE;
• Post photos or videos of your team of PEs;
• Share your reasons for hiring PEs;
• Give special recognition to your PEs in the workplace or on the job;
• Educate your colleagues about the importance of the PE license.

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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.

The New York Chapter of NYSSPE Awards Scholarships to Students from Stuyvesant High School, Xavier High School, Loyola School and the Bronx High School of Science.

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By the New York Chapter of NYSSSPE
July 2020

 Encouraging students to study engineering is a primary mission of the New York County Chapter of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers (NYSSPE). To fulfil our mission we maintain a Scholar Awards program which is comprised of two different awards.

This year’s 2020 Society of Engineering and Architectural Professionals (SEAP) Award recipients are Joy Herrera of the Bronx High School of Science ($2000) and Cara Mulrooney of Loyola School ($2000).  The 2020 New York Chapter of NYSSPE Scholar Award recipients are Shreya Paul of Stuyvesant High School ($2000) and William Joseph Gushee of Xavier High School ($2000).

The Society of Engineering and Architectural Professionals (SEAP) Award comes from an independent fund for education purposes which is held by the Foundation for Engineering Education (FEE) and administered by the New York Chapter of NYSSPE.  The SEAP award is open to a student who lives in or attends a school in any Borough of New York City. This year two students were granted SEAP awards in the amount of $2000 each.

The second scholarship award, known as the New York Chapter Scholar Award, is a cash award funded from the chapter’s treasury. The chapter award is given to a student who either lives in or attends a school in Manhattan.

At the beginning of each calendar year the New York Chapter reaches out to a large number of public and private high schools to solicit applications from students who intend to study engineering in college. Submittals include information on the student’s academic record, an essay from the student describing their goals for the future and, if possible, a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor. The submittals are reviewed and evaluated by our Chapter officers and Board of Directors and decisions are made as to the most appropriate recipients.

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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.

 

 

 

NYSSPE 2020-2021 Officers Installed

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Congratulations to the following NYSSPE Officers on their installment for the year 2020-2021: 

PRESIDENT – Joseph Pasaturo, PE

PRESIDENT-ELECT –  Andrew Yarmus, PE, F.NSPE

TREASURER  – Laura Pellizzi, PE, F.NSPE

ASSISTANT TREASURER – John Sucharski, PE

CENTRAL NEW YORK VICE PRESIDENT –  Peter Lautensack, PE 

MID-HUDSON VICE PRESIDENT – Andrew Yarmus, PE, F.NSPE

LONG ISLAND VICE PRESIDENT –  David Macedonio, PE

NEW YORK CITY VICE PRESIDENT –   Richard Lefever, PE

NORTHEAST REGION VICE PRESIDENT –  Ernest Gailor, PE

WESTERN NEW YORK VICE PRESIDENT –  David Roberts, PE       

INTEREST GROUP VICE PRESIDENTS: – Edward Szpala, PE & Lawrence O’Connor, PE, LS, F.NSPE

INTEREST GROUP CHAIRS:
PE’s IN CONSTRUCTION: Rudi Sherbansky, PE, F.NSPE

PE’s IN PRIVATE PRACTICE:  Thomas Petracca, PE

PE’s IN INDUSTRY:  Edward Szala, PE

PE’s IN GOVERNMENT: Lawrence O’Connor, PE, LS, F.NSPE

State Education Department reports on Continuing Education: COVID-19

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CLICK HERE for the full report from State Education Department: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
The Office of the Professions (OP) continues to license nurses, doctors, physician assistants and other healthcare providers as expeditiously as possible. The State Education Department (SED) is working closely with the Governor and other state agencies as the COVID-19 emergency evolves. Guidance will be announced through these agencies and posted on this webpage.

In regards to Continuing Education:
Some regulations restrict licensees to a certain percentage of self-study for continuing education requirements. In response to the evolving situation with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), and for those licensees whose registrations are due to renew March 1-June 1, 2020, the Department will grant an adjustment to all licensees to complete up to 100% of the continuing education as self-study, so long as it is taken from a Department-approved provider and is in an acceptable subject area for the specific profession. SED is working closely with other New York State agencies and the Governor’s Office to tackle issues relating to COVID-19. Please continue to monitor the Department’s website for updated guidance.

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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

 

Governor Cuomo Issues Guidance on Essential Services Under The ‘New York State on PAUSE’ Executive Order

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CLICK HERE for full order from Governor Cumo:

Earlier today, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced he is signing the “New York State on PAUSE” executive order, a 10-point policy to assure uniform safety for everyone. It includes a new directive that all non-essential businesses statewide must close in-office personnel functions effective at 8PM on Sunday, March 22. Guidance on essential services under the executive order is as follows:

ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES OR ENTITIES, including any for profit or non-profit, regardless of the nature of the service, the function they perform, or its corporate or entity structure, are not subject to the in-person restriction.

(Essential Businesses must continue to comply with the guidance and directives for maintaining a clean and safe work environment issued by the Department of Health).

This guidance is issued by the New York State Department of Economic Development d/b/a Empire State Development and applies to each business location individually and is intended to assist businesses in determining whether they are an essential business and steps to request such designation. With respect to business or entities that operate or provide both essential and non-essential services, supplies or support, only those lines and/or business operations that are necessary to support the essential services, supplies, or support are exempt from the restrictions.

For purposes of Executive Order 202.6, “Essential Business,” means:

1. Essential Health Care Operations, Including:

  • research and laboratory services
  • hospitals
  • walk-in-care health facilities
  • emergency veterinary and livestock services
  • elder care
  • medical wholesale and distribution
  • home health care workers or aides for the elderly
  • doctor and emergency dental
  • nursing homes, or residential health care facilities or congregate care facilities
  • medical supplies and equipment manufacturers and providers

2. Essential Infrastructure, Including:

  • utilities including power generation, fuel supply and transmission
  • public water and wastewater
  • telecommunications and data centers
  • airports/airlines
  • transportation infrastructure such as bus, rail, or for-hire vehicles, garages
  • hotels, and places of accommodation

3. Essential Manufacturing, Including:

  • food processing, manufacturing agents, including all foods and beverages
  • chemicals
  • medical equipment/instruments
  • pharmaceuticals
  • sanitary products
  • telecommunications
  • microelectronics/semi-conductor
  • agriculture/farms
  • household paper products

4. Essential Retail, Including:

  • grocery stores including all food and beverage stores
  • pharmacies
  • convenience stores
  • farmer’s markets
  • gas stations
  • restaurants/bars (but only for take-out/delivery)
  • hardware and building material stores

[Read more…]

Recent Changes to the New York Building Code Regarding Parking Garages

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By the PEs in Construction Group

As you may know, a recent rule in New York now requires that all parking garages under the jurisdiction of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code undergo a periodic condition assessment to help ensure structural integrity and user safety. Owners of parking garages must retain a professional engineer to perform the inspection and submit a report to the local authority having jurisdiction to obtain an operating permit. For additional details and scope of inspection, click here to read the article in the link below, prepared by Robert P. Antes, P.E. of the engineering firm of Simpson Gumpertz & Hedger.

This rule went into effect on 29 August 2018 as a series of amendments to the New York State Uniform Code. Together, the amendments require cities, towns, villages, counties, and state agencies – also called the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) – to mandate that owners of parking garages have qualified professional engineers perform both initial and periodic condition assessments to maintain legal occupancy.

The rule applies to all private, municipal, and state-owned parking facilities, including freestanding structures and portions of buildings used for parking or storage of motor vehicles. This also applies to garages in New York City under the ownership or custody of a state agency. Excluded from the rule are buildings with only parking on grade, attached or accessory
For more information click on the full article here.

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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

UPDATE: The 2020 New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC)

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See below for the New York State E-Bulletin regarding the Notices of Adoption for the rules amending and updating the Uniform Code and Energy Code.

The Notices of Adoption will appear in the February 2020 edition of the State Register and the rules will become effective on May 12, 2020.

As mentioned before, New York City’s Energy Code must have the same effective date as the State’s Energy Code, which will become effective on May 12, 2020.

Please continue to check the DOB Energy Conservation Code webpage for updates on Intro 1816 and more on the effective date and see links below for more supporting documents:
Buildings Bulletin 2020
Proposed Int. No. 1816-A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_______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.

NYSSPE Official Ballot for 2020-2022 Results

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The New York State Society of Professional Engineers is proud to announce the results of the Official Ballot for 2020-2022.  The following members were duly elected and will be installed at the Annual Conference for their terms, which will begin this July.  Congratulations!

Executive Committee Members:
Andrew Yarmus, PE, F.NSPE – President-Elect
Laura Pellizzi, PE, F.NSPE – Treasurer
Richard Lafever, PE – New York City VP
Ernest Gailor, PE – Northeast Region VP
David Roberts, PE – Western Region VP

Nominating Committee:
James Kuhn, PE – Chair – Past President
Laura Pellizzi, PE, F.NSPE – Past President
Lawrence O’Connor, LS, PE – Past President
George Tavoulareas, PE – NYC Delegate
Steve Moore, PE – Northeast Delegate
Edward Gerecke – Western NY Delegate
Brian McCaffrey – Long Island Delegate
Vacant – Central NY Delegate

​Officers already elected for the two-year term 2020-2022:
Joseph Pasaturo, PE –President
John Sucharski, PE – Assistant Treasurer
Peter Lautensack, PE – Central New York Region VP
Andrew Yarmus, PE – Mid-Hudson Region VP
David Macedonio PE – Long Island Region VP

Executive Committee members will be installed at our Annual Meeting on June 11, 2020:
Katrite Resort & Indoor Water Park 
555 Resort World Dr.
Monticello, NY

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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.

NSPE Executive Director Update to the Board of Directors – February 2020

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Mark J. Golden, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director of NSPE highlights the following in the most recent Executive Director Update: February 2020

In this report, covering January 15–31, you’ll read about an important new addition to NSPE staff, our ongoing work to turn back attacks on the PE license, and the importance of the unified brand across all states.
• ‘New Thinking, New Ideas, and New Energy’
• Survey: Overwhelming Support for Licensing
• Alliance Brings Clarity to Misleading Messages
• Gain New Perspectives with Upcoming Webinars
• FEYA Finalists Announced

FULL REPORT

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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.

Request for NYSSPE’s Members Comments To Proposed Revisions to NYC Fire Code

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Attention:  NYSSPE Members:

The NYC Fire Department is requesting written comments to the proposed changes or revisions to the Fire Code outlined below.  Please provide your comments (if any) in the blog comments/reply space below by December 19, 2019.  In the alternative, you may email your comments to rachel@nysspe.org by December 19, 2019.

The NYC Fire Commissioner, Daniel Nigro has recently invited NYSSPE to be represented on the Advisory Committee to the Fire Department’s 2018 Fire Code Revision Project.  Our NYSSPE’s member Bob Naro PE volunteered to participate in the FDNY Advisory Committee and report on the progress to NYSSPE’s members.  The Advisory Committee will be concluded and the deadline for submitting written comments to the proposed revisions of the Fire Code is December 19, 2019.

Please find the links below to the proposed underlined changes in the NYC Fire Code:

FC Chapter 32 HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE (AC 11-14-19)

FC Chapter 35 WELDING AND OTHER HOT WORK (AC 11-14-19)

FC Chapter 40 Distilleries for  Advisory Committee Review (12-3-2019 )

FC Chapter 50 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (AC 11-14-19)

FC Chapter 51 AEROSOLS (AC 11-14-19)

FC Chapter 53 COMPRESSED GASES (AC 11-14-19)

FC Chapter 57 FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS (AC 11-14-19)

FC Chapter 58 FLAMMABLE GASES (AC 11-14-19)

FC Chapter 61 LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES (AC 11-14-19)

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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.