Forum: Building Code
November 20, 2009
Dryer Venting Help
Hello, I live in a 24 unit converted to condo building where the sponsor did a dodgey job when installing our washer and dryers in the '80's. Half the units have gas and half have electric. NONE OF THEM ARE VENTED. Does anyone know the legal code for gas and electric? Right now, some units with electric have vent buckets, but I don't think that is enough. Obviously, gas is completely illegal, but we aren't sure who to fix the situation. WIll we have to put vents out into the fresh air on the roof? How are the self venting dryers? Are they up to code and will not pose a health risk or fire? Any help or websites would be greatly appreciated.
November 13, 2009
Is This Venting Code?
Hi all,
We have an ongoing saga with our condo's developer to get a final C of O. We live in a brownstone that has been converted into four units. Among the various issues, the plans call for the external venting of the kitchen range and the electric dryers, but this was not done. We've been informed that we can't get a final C of O until the venting is completed, and that the plans cannot be changed because the venting is required by code. (We are fairly certain that there is no code requirement for the venting of the electric dryer, but we'd like to get them vented if possible since the lint and humidity is a nuisance.)
Is it code to vent the kitchen ranges and electric dryers horizontally in each unit to the back? I realize it may not be as efficient as venting to the roof, but venting vertically is almost impossible since it will involve cutting and ducting through four apartments...
If it is code, are there any requirements, like distance from the window? (The ducts will only be conducting kitchen air from the range and humid air from the washer dryer...)
Many thanks in advance -
November 7, 2009
Stairs to Roof - Change C of O?
We have a pretty run-of-the-mill 3 family brownstone. The roof is currently accessed via a scuttle in the common hallway. We are seeking to replace the scuttle with a staircase and bulkhead, and have filed plans showing this with the DOB. The examiner at the DOB gave us an objection, and is maintaining that the replacement of the scuttle with a staircase to the roof constitutes a change of egress and will require that we change the C of O for the building. My architect and expediter think this is crazy and are trying to get a reconsideration from DOB. Curious as to what anyone else thinks. Any opinions or suggestions out there on how we should handle this? Thanks.
October 23, 2009
20-y.o. HPD Violations
A few days ago my 3 family co-op (a townhouse in an historic district) got a fat envelope of 20 year old HPD violations. Almost all of them were to be remedied by two days after the envelope was postmarked. Only one violation, citing a somewhat faulty fire escape, is legitimate. Others are absurd: It seems that we can have a lock on neither the backyard door's iron gate nor on the front courtyard's basement hatch door, for instance. Open House for All at my place, it seems. Apparently the wooden roof deck is a nuisance that must be abated as well. The iron handrail on the front steps is defective -- if so, then so are the hadrails on 90% of my neighbors' homes. Any advice from violations veterans?
October 9, 2009
Live Work Rezoning
My landlady wants to change the CofO in my building (M1-5B Zoned). My floor will be joint live work quarters (i have an artist certificate). Now the architect tells me that the following changes need to be made which i find very hard to believe: EVERY bathroom must be wheelchair accessible? (there's 2 bathrooms and apparently its not enough if one of them is). Additionally there must be a sprinklerhead in front of EVERY window, one foot distance to it. its an old loft building with existing sprinkler system. Can someone recommend an architect that knows what must be changed?
Thank you
October 8, 2009
BBQ on the Roof
I am looking to install a legal, permitted, grill on the roof of my coop. Does anyone have any experience/advice they can give me?
October 2, 2009
Sketchy Wall
I recently moved in a townhouse. There is a duplex that is currently empty and being renovated on the garden level and 1st floor. I'm on the top floor. I'm questioning the wall that the landlords erected to make my apartment separate from the rest of the building. It's pretty much just wood screwed and nailed into the bannister, and it doesn't even go all the way up to the ceiling? I'm concerned about the safety of it, along with the privacy. Does anyone know how I would go about finding out if this is even legit with the building code?
September 28, 2009
Permit Needed for Door?
A year back, i opened up a new door into a non-loading bearing partition. Meanwhile, I closed up the door that existed into another partition of that same room (so, in other words, i moved the door of that room to come out elsewhere). I had that done without approval of the DOB. Is that bad? my building ok-ed it without further requirements (they were made aware of this). Looking at possible sale of apt now, and i m worried this will come back to haunt me. Your thoughts? thanks much.
September 19, 2009
Floor Numbers for code violation
Hi, we must put numbers in the hall to clear a violation. What do you put on the "ground floor" basement? --Entry under stoop, goes out to yard etc. What goes on the 'Parlor' floor?
September 10, 2009
HPD Violation Explanation
I received something in the mail the other day claiming I had an open HPD violation on my house since 1998, way before I lived there ... it's a class C violation and reads:
provide reseal of all accessible openings to building er1. 328416
I have no idea what this means and the HPD site isn't particularly helpful. Anyone have an idea?
The letter also said something about having the violation waved by just signing and notarizing that it was taken care of ... but i have no idea if it has since I have no idea what it means ...
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks