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Shop Drawings vs Approved Plans
I had to stop an HVAC guy from installing ductwork the other day although he was simply following the shop drawing (which was wrong). He got all pissy and said this would set the job back weeks and require thousands to amend the “approved” plans. I said whatever, (wasn’t my money), then I got to thinking, does ductwork fall under the same area that plumbing and electrical fall in that they are not specifically shown in detail on the “approved” DOB plans? therefore the only change to plans (in this case) is to nudge a penetration through the floor several feet on the shop drawing? Dimensions are not even indicated. Should take all of 2 seconds on the computer. Just wondering.
10/01/2010 9:45 AM
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When is a Job Done?
I’ve been researching a Coop’s construction history and have noticed that although there have been many permitted jobs over the years they are rarely “signed off” on. On the “application details” page “last action” usually indicated PERMIT ISSUED and nothing further. Some do indicate “signed off” (usually PROFESSIONALLY CERTIFIED) and I’m wondering if the majority that have not been signed off are still open obviously at some risk by the DOB for further scrutiny?
06/18/2010 10:45 AM
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Management Companies
Is there a rule of thumb for how much a management company would charge, say for a small commercial/residential building, monthly rent roll of about 70K? Duties are the day to day stuff, collecting rent, overseeing vendors for repairs etc.
05/06/2010 9:50 AM
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Bosun’s Chair
Is a bosun’s chair still legal in NYC? We need to put a fresh air vent to the roof in an internal courtyard, which would take a day or two with a bosun’s chair. Contractor is insisting on a full blown scaffolding. Is he high?
04/20/2010 9:04 AM
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Fresh Air
I have a boiler room with a small gas fired hot water system. I’m going to need to installed 2 more of the same. Does the need to increase the fresh air duct likewise increase? The venting of the exhaust will require individual vents, that should not be a problem.
04/07/2010 11:29 AM
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Supporting Steel on Roof
We need more dunnage on this roof. Is it possible to use 2 existing chimneys to support the steel? The top picture shows current steel in a triangular shape in the upper left of the roof. There is a noise issue with that location that can only be solved with a very elaborate sound abatement system that will in all likelihood compromise if not void the warranty of the 2 existing 5 ton units plus a twin fan condenser mounted after the photo was taken. The other possibility is steel placed between the far right chimney and an elevator shaft. Span is approx. 20 ft. give or take. OR do we need to punch down through the flat roof and access the tops of the walls?
03/31/2010 1:40 PM
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Rug Shampooing Poo
I have an empty apartment with poo ground into the wall to wall. Is that why they call it shampooing? Any recommendations greatly appreciated.
01/26/2010 3:05 PM
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Liability Insurance
Can someone recommend an insurance broker for a general liability policy? I need to bring the guy I use to do small repairs into the 21st century. His language skills are lacking and I need him to fix a toilet post-haste
01/21/2010 6:55 AM
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Courtyard Highjinks
OK, I have an enclosed courtyard shared by 4 buildings with boundaries running down the middle probably 6 ft across running about 100 ft. One building has braced a bulging brick wall against the building I manage with a bunch of 2x8s, clearly illegal. This brick wall is the back of a single story extension with skylights that you often see in the back of stores in Soho. (Yes, it is in Soho)
Owners want to call in DOB and get a violation and force the removal. Yes they sent cert. letters etc. informing the owner with no response. My concern is the next building over. That brick wall looks like a shore line on the Amazon River. The lower part (about 4 ft up)of the outside brick course is gone! It’s probably been like that for years and yes it could collapse any minute or not. My concern is that once DOB sees that wall they will declare some kind of hazardous condition requiring immediate demolition with all the bells and whistles. I’ve dealt with forensic engineers from the City and they have vivid imaginations and the clout to do whatever they deem necessary to safeguard the public. Said wall is about 12 ft tall. My feeling is to remove the 2x8s, (I don’t think the bulge will bulge any further for the time being and ignore the rest until the proverbial tree falls in the woods, if you get my drift. What do you think?
01/12/2010 3:04 PM
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mopar
May 21, 2012 | 02:16 PM