FYI re: DOB, new fines
Just had an unexpected, unscheduled visit to our jobsite by a DOB inspector (all permits in order, all engineer’s drawings on-site). FYI: a new, 3-month-old rule—$1200 fine if jobsite does not have a “No Smoking” sign posted.
Just had an unexpected, unscheduled visit to our jobsite by a DOB inspector (all permits in order, all engineer’s drawings on-site). FYI: a new, 3-month-old rule—$1200 fine if jobsite does not have a “No Smoking” sign posted.
Can you say “knee jerk reaction”???
The morons at DOB have placed this smoking sign issue as a high priority while ignoring ‘work without a permit’ issues and true fire safety issues.
And the dumber ECB has now power to follow up on the violations once issued. If the city is hungry for revenue, in my oppinion, adjusting legislation in order to back up ECB collections is the first place to start (not property taxes again)!!
Well, yeah…that, much CYA, another standpipe cut at Deutsche Bank this morning, and maybe even a little genuine concern…
Iknow nailed it at 8:25.
Denton, if you’re asking for my personal take (as if that carries weight at DOB ;-), I’d say the operative word is “effective”—i.e., the new code went into immediate effect on July 1, 2008, and applicable to all current jobs regardless of filing or permit date. Based on yesterday’s visit and conversation with DOB rep, I’d say that’s the way they’re applying it, too.
vinca, thanks for the link, but it makes me wonder about something. The link refers specifically to the NEW building code. Does that mean jobs filed under the old code would not be covered? Just wondering…
Sorry, been out all evening…our permits, from both Landmarks and DOB, are very well in place, each for more than a month, and posted prominently on our front door. I feel fortunate that I had the hole-punched drawings onsite, as I often keep this kind of paperwork filed in my office. The work started as a fairly standard and limited gut of one room (the result of leaks), which quickly revealed a pre-existing, but unknown, structural issue. We’re oldtimers on this block, and our neighbors are even older oldtimers. Great relations from house to house—for example, we shovel each other’s walks or finish our own and join the person next door while they finish, so I’m confident that this inspection was not the result of a complaint. The inspector made it clear that the regulation was a direct outgrowth of the Deutsche Bank fire, and that his visit was randomly assigned “from Manhattan.” We were allowed to handletter a sign while someone ran to the hardware store (as long as they returned before inspection was completed). Here’s a DOB link that came up after a search (you can bet these have been printed and posted, too): http://nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/smoking_regulatory.pdf
Is it related to the city is broke law and let’s fine us into solvency?
Trust me, I’m not defending the DoB, but my guess is that this is related to the smoke-free workplace law. No?
I got word yesterday from an expediter that the DOB is sending out inspectors to random jobs that have been filed but not yet approved and permited, to insure that no construction work is being done prior to approvals.
DOB is on the war path…..everybody beware.