Approved work plan???
I have an inspection coming up with the DOB, and in the notice it asked that I have a copy of the approved work plan ready for the inspection. The problem is when I asked the Architect for a copy, he said he doesn’t have a copy of the drawing with the DOB stamp that shows it was approved. My expeditor checked in with the DOB and DOB doesn’t have a copy either. When I check the website, it does shows that an amended work plan was submitted and subsequently approved by an DOB plan inspector. So, my question is how is it possible that DOB doesn’t have a copy of the approved plan? if they approved, I would assume that they must have a copy. Does it matter that the work plan was selected for audit? and the amended plan was approved by the audit plan inspector? If no body can find a copy of the approved work plan, what can I do?
ccvle
in Dept. of Buildings (DOB) 10 years and 3 months ago
5
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5 replies
dazednconfused2 | 10 years and 3 months ago
I’m guessing it wasn’t, but if it was filed with the hub, the architect would have an electronic copy which can be printed out for inspections. There would be no physical copy in the DOB system, but the approved plans could be downloaded from their site. This is one of the reasons we like to use the hub whenever possible.
dazednconfused2 | 10 years and 3 months ago
The DOB is supposed to make copies. If it was filed in the last 7 or so years (I can’t remember when they started) it would be scanned. If earlier than that, it would be microfilmed. The DOB may not have a hard copy in the file, but they should have those records. Perhaps the expediter only looked in the folder at the DOB. You or the expediter can go to the DOB, file a records search, and request blowbacks from the microfilm or prints from the scan. We have found that with the scanning at least, the DOB has actually been very consistent. They won’t approve the job until it’s actually scanned, often holding up the approval if the scanner is out of service, so there’s a good chance they do have a copy somewhere. If in fact they don’t, the next step would probably be to file a new set of drawings, which may or may not have to go through a full review process. Hopefully the architect or expediter kept the copy of the DOB objections showing the plan examiner’s initials where each objection was resolved prior to approval. This would help prove to the DOB that the plans were reviewed already and at least speed up the process as some of those objections would likely come up again in a new review. Jim Hill, RA, LEED AP Urban Pioneering Architecture, DPC
jcarch | 10 years and 3 months ago
I don’t know…we’ve always kept our copies on hand for inspection. I’ve always assumed they keep a scanned copy, but maybe they keep the hard copies too. jcarch ———————— James Cleary Architecture brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/jamescleary
ccvle | 10 years and 3 months ago
After the DOB send the copies to the Architect/expeditor, do they still have a copy on record? When I contacted them, they said they have the older one on file, but not the amended drawing that was approved by the audit inspector.
jcarch | 10 years and 3 months ago
DOB sends two copies of the approved drawings to the expediter (or if your architect filed themselves, directly to the architect). Typically, one set of approved drawings is kept at the jobsite, as if the DOB shows up on the site, they want approved drawings to compare to the work. Without approved drawings, you’re wasting your time getting an inspection, as soon as the inspector learns the plans are not there, they’ll leave – and may not appreciate having their time wasted the next time they visit. If your architect/expediter have truly lost both sets of approved plan, I’m not really sure what your next step is, maybe someone else has experience with this. jcarch ———————— James Cleary Architecture brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/jamescleary