Replacing a Video Camera


After 15 years, the video camera outside our house has failed. I have checked the power supply and connection to the DVR, and those look good — so I am thinking it is the camera itself. I am looking for someone who can troubleshoot and, if necessary, replace the camera. The only glitch is that it is 22 feet up in the air, so they need a tall ladder. Any recommendations are welcome. Thanks as always….

Categories: Alarm
By housepoor | 05/22/2011 10:46 AM | Comment

Double Duplex & Roof Access question


I am looking at a brownstone which I’d like to convert to a 2 family, double duplex (e.g. st two duplex apartments stacked on top of each other). To maximize space, I prefer to use the existing staircase within the top duplex, but wonder if that creates a Fire Department access since roof access will only be through the top apartment and not a public staircase? Can the egress issue be solved by access to a sprinklered hallway and a staircase to the roof? Thanks, as always, for your words of wisdom.

Categories: Building Code
By housepoor | 04/19/2011 12:23 PM | Comment

Required Egress Question


Is a roof ladder and hatch considered a method of egress in a building? I am looking at a 4 unit building where the top floor renovation incorporated the roof ladder & hatch into the apartment. There is a sprinkler system in place. I can’t find any permits for work done in the building on the DOB website and think it was probably done a while back without permits. To be up to code, would I have to restore the access to the ladder (from the public staircase)? I can’t imagine the (RS) tenant would be too happy about that! Anyone have an experience with this kind of situation Thanks as always….

Categories: Building Code
By housepoor | 01/31/2011 10:45 AM | Comment

Building Fines and Violations


I am trying to figure out if a building I am interested in has any fines, complaints, liens, arrears or violations — basically anything I can inherit. I know to look at ECB’s and HPD’s websites, as well as ACRIS for property tax arrears. Are there any other web sites I am missing? Is there a web site where I can I see liens? Thanks as always….

Categories: Building Code
By housepoor | 11/18/2010 7:33 AM | Comment

Mandatory Boiler Updates?


A year or two ago my (now former) heating maintenance company presented me with a long list of upgrades which they said were mandatory to stay in code. Things like a low water cut off switch, spill switch, backflow preventer, etc. I got a bad feeling from them, thinking it was a skam. I asked another heating person I know who said that these were required for new installations, but not existing ones like mine. A heating repair person just brought these up again, saying they had spent their summer doing these upgrades. I asked if the buildings were 3 units houses like mine (with an installation that probably dates from 1985) and if maybe there was a difference between what larger buildings required and what I had to do. He didn’t know. Any ideas on this? Am I grandfathered? Thanks as always….

Categories: Heating
By housepoor | 11/04/2010 7:19 PM | Comment

Whole House Sprinkler Requirement


The requirement that renovated multi-family buildings have full building sprinklers unless the building is on a street that has 38ft of unimpeded width is confusing me. How is that measured? I don’t mind so much sprinklers in the hallways, but doing the whole house will get pricey. I’ve heard numbers like $100,000. Ironically, we will be 300ft from a fire station.

Also, I’ve read about using a CPVC system by Blazemaster (http://www.lubrizol.com/BuildingSolutions/BlazeMasterFireSprinklerSystems.html). Anyone have any experience with this product and if it saves costs? Thanks in advance.

Categories: Building Code
By housepoor | 11/04/2010 10:45 AM | Comment

Getting LEED-H Certification


I am interested in buying a multi-family that will probably need a substantial renovation. I hope to not have to replace the heating system, ex-the boiler, some flooring, and whatever plumbing or electrical that I can. I am interested in LEED-H certification and wonder if anyone has had any experience with this? How does it work? I imagine it may cost more, but how much more per sq ft given the scope of work described? Also would like to know if there are City/State/Federal tax credits or financing available for a LEED-H project. Thanks….

Categories: Renovation
By housepoor | 10/21/2010 10:45 AM | Comment