Forum: Building Code
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
August 26, 2009
Kitchen/Bath Vent Needs to
...vent all the way to the roof? Is this correct? But if there's a window in the kitchen within some distance, no need for a vent?
Since you can't use the furnace vent for anything else, does this mean, say, a ground-floor kitchen or bath needs a separate 4-storey vent?
August 6, 2009
Toilet Stalls vs Water Closet
I'm renovating my bathroom, and I know I need to make sure it is ADA compliant, ie, accessible for disabled people. The ADA guide has a set of rules for "Water Closets" and another set of rules for "Toilet Stalls". Does anyone know the difference? My toilet will be within the rest of my bathroom, not a separate room. Anyone know which set of rules apply to me?
Thanks muchly.