CONTENTS:

The Building Block Volume 7 , Issue 1

January 8, 2016

1

BUZZ OF THE MONTH 2

ARTICLE– THE

ONGING SITE SAFETY

CRISIS

3

HORROR STORIES 4

SERVICE UPDATES 5

MEET CRSG

ALICE RAMOS

6

RECRUITMENT 7

CRSG NEWS 9

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JANUARY

10

CONSTRUCTION & REALTY SERVICES GROUP

68 Whitehall Street

Lynbrook, NY 11563

Tel: (516) 256-0317

Fax: (516) 256-0335

307 West 38th Street, Suite 1218

New York, NY 10018

Tel: (212)736-6900

Fax: (212) 736-6910

www.crs-group.com

2014 Code Changes for Special Inspections and P.E. Involvement Dur-

ing the Foundation Phase of Construction

The 2014 New York City Building Code has brought about many changes with respect to Special

Inspections. The changes, which are enforced under Chapter 17, prove to show the New York

City Department of Building’s push to distribute liability for the safety conditions on site. The

parties which have been involved in this liability are not only the contractor performing the work,

but also the onsite representative of the Special Inspection Agency conducting visual inspections.

The Foundation phase is the projects most vulnerable stage during construction. This new code

is very specific in defining the responsibilities placed with the Special Inspection Agency

conducting visual inspections during underpinning, excavations, sheeting and shoring work. In

the event that an unsafe condition is discovered on site the commissioner and the registered

design professional, employed by the contractor, must immediately be notified by the special

inspector. The unsafe condition must be addressed prior to the inspector leaving the jobsite,

which puts the special inspections agency in a unique position. They now must determine if

certain sites will require additional time in the field to continuously inspect and ensure there are no

deficiencies of the unsafe nature.

This change is something that is set forth to keep employees and sites safe. I welcome you to

read the NYC building code Sections 1704.20.1 – 1704.20.10 to educate yourself on the changes

and new nuances of the 2014 New York City Building Code. To view the Building Code sections,

please visit:

http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/content/2014_NYC_Building_HTML/CHAPTER%2017.html.

DOB BULLETINS

Gas-Fired Direct Vent Space-

Heating Appliances

Bulletin 2015-035

This document established ac-

ceptance criteria for installation re-

quirements of gas-fired direct vent

space-heating appliances manufac-

tured with a CO detector and used for

providing heat in rooms for sleeping

purposes in accordance with NYC

Construction Codes.

High Strength Reinforcing

Bars

Bulletin 2015-036

This document establishes ac-

ceptance criteria for Grade 100 high

strength steel reinforcing bars

(Grade 100 high strength reinforcing

bars ) conforming to ASTM

A1035/A1035M as an alternative

material in the NYC Construction

Code.

Pipe Welder Qualifications

Bulletin 2015-037

This bulletin establishes qualification

criteria and submittal requirements

for approved pipe welder qualification

agencies and the welder’s employer.

02

BUZZ OF THE MONTH

Recent DOB efforts have resulted in many a

“personnel” violations being written to the

licensed SM on a job site.

What will be the DOB requirement for the

submissions of “framework” drawing design

for concrete jobs?

What will 2016 hold for the recent City Council

push for enhanced safety regulation/ legisla-

tion for construction sites?

What will 2016 hold for project compliance

with Appendix 6 and flood zones requirements

(FEMA, etc.) now that the “Class A” flood zone

area’s have been increased given the new FE-

MA flood zone mapping?

The recent reluctance of DOB to entertain

CCD1’s and ZRD1’s has put more on the owner

and the design professional to accept a

greater degree of compliance requests.

03

ARTICLES

THE ONGOING

SITE SAFETY

CRISIS

As time progresses, the site safety situation seems to be getting worse. It has

been several months since we began telling you all about the site safety crisis.

As you are aware, there are many projects waiting to start due to the lack of

safety managers available in the city.

The demand for Licensed Safety Managers has also caused the hourly rate to

rise significantly. Despite tremendous efforts to prevent this from happening,

the crisis is here and it does not seem to be getting any better. We are con-

stantly recruiting and as we have made you aware, we developed an on the job

training program to promote home grown safety managers but this does not

help with what is currently happening.

We are doing all that we can to get projects to be released from the site safety

program as soon as possible. Additionally, we've been successful obtaining

some accommodations from DOB that offer additional options to cover the pro-

jects.

Some of our alternative solutions are:

ASM / alternative safety management; We provide a qualified safety profes-

sional to work under a licensed super or PM on the project, we perform all

safety duties, responsibilities, and do the paperwork for the job, but the

"license" is provided by CM/GC. This also results in a cost savings to the

project.

Reduction of license/requirement for manpower - getting CCD1's approved

which allow a Coordinator to take place of a Manger thru excava-

tion/foundation, which gives us a greater labor pool to pull from. OR for ren-

ovation projects reducing the requirement of onsite fulltime presence to only

during exterior work/demolition/high risk operations (also via CCD1)

Combining projects and safety managers- 2 projects with close proximity

(next block) allowed to use 1 safety manager for both projects (this is very

project specific) same owner, same contractor, same stage of construction.

Although these alternatives have alleviated some of the pressure, the issue will

soon be insurmountable if a change is not made soon. Your continued support

and understanding is appreciated as we work thru these difficult times.

By now, most of everyone is aware of the

Inspection Ready program and its purpose.

Unfortunately, by now everyone familiar with

this change is also aware of the overwhelm-

ing bugs/problems with the system. I am

working on a specific project where an ALT1

amendment was made to the schedule A. A

PAA was filed, plan exam scheduled and all

changes approved by the DOB examiner. The change is adding a space to the current TCO, which just

passed an updated construction inspection 2 months prior. Typically, I would then be able to schedule

an inspection once the application was approved, however, the new procedure takes away that option.

DOB was to email ALL applicants listed on filings with a PIN number so they could complete registration

for Inspection Ready. My applicant never received this PIN number. When we tried to inquire about why

a PIN was never sent, we were told “it’s been happening a lot, don’t know why.” When contacting DOB

& Inspection Ready staff, we were advised that the only way to obtain a PIN number for the applicant is

for he to go in person to Manhattan DOB and register with IR staff. They had previously stated they will

issue him the required PIN number, on the spot since it was a DOB error that caused this. When the

applicant arrived, they took his information and processed it. Once IR processed his information we

asked for the PIN number and they told us the pin number should be emailed to him within 2 to 3 weeks

after it has been submitted. We explained we were told the PIN would be issued right away and that we

need it to schedule an inspection for TCO renewal. They simply responded, “sorry, you have to wait”.

The Inspection Ready program was designed to speed up the inspection process. What would have

taken 1-2 days the old way has now taken me 4 weeks and counting.

06

HORROR STORIES

Inside Scoop

From Domani

Expediters

Recently, I arrived at the Department of Buildings at 7:15am. As per usual, I waited in the cold on line

until the doors were opened at 8:30am so that I could obtain a number to pre-file and see plan examiner

to waiver an open item. When I got upstairs to wait on another line to actually obtain a number, the

clerk refused to issue a number until the line was straight. I was issued number 42 at 9:14am. When I

got my name on the walk in list to see plan examiner, I was number 5. The plan examiner called my

name at 11:45am for my waiver and I was told that the wait was less than 5 minutes. I went back to

the waiting room to wait for my number to be called and by 1:15pm the clerk had only called 15 num-

bers. The Borough Manager came out of his office and starts to call numbers- he called up to number

21. At 2:30pm, the Borough Manager is asking people what they needed to do that day. I told him that

I was filing an Alt. 2 Self Certification with two permits and he told me I would have to wait. At 3pm he

came out of his office again and stated that everyone that was waiting would not get served and that he

would expedite everyone’s work on Monday.

I was recently assisting a client with updating his GC insurance / registration in the licensing division at

the buildings department. With all documents seemingly in order, we submitted to the clerk for pro-

cessing but there was a discrepancy with the business telephone # as it was 2 digits off from what was

listed in their system. The one in their system was incorrect and in order to update it, We were advised

that we needed to supply licensing with an original phone bill. The next day, the GC and I went back with

a copy of the phone bill with the correct #. However, after all that, this time we were assisted by a dif-

ferent clerk. As it turned out, the clerk said nothing about the phone # discrepancy nor did she ask to

see the phone bill. The insurance / registration was updated with no issue. A little while later when I

checked the DOB system, the phone # was still incorrect. There are now expired permits for this site

that need to be renewed that could end up getting rejected due to this 2 digit discrepancy. The best part

is that despite all of these administrative hiccups, either one of these phone #’s will connect you to the

contractors office. It’s simply astonishing how much time has been wasted dealing with this issue.

05

40 Hour Safety 30 Hour Concrete 30 Hour OSHA 7 Hour SSM Refresher

Tues. 1/5: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 1/7: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 1/12: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 1/14: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 1/19: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 1/21: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 1/26: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 1/28: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 1/4: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 1/6: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 1/11: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 1/13 4-9:30pm

Mon. 1/18: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 1/20: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 1/25: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 1/27: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 1/6: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 1/8: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 1/15: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 1/22: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 1/29: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 1/27: 4-9:30pm

Sat. 1/9: 8-3:30pm

Sat: 1/23: 8-3:30pm

10 Hour OSHA

Sat: 1/16: 8-7pm

Sat: 1/30: 8-7pm

SAFETY COURSES

SERVICE UPDATES

As of January 2016

Inspection Ready: Building Pavement Plan (BPP) Signoff Procedures

To improve the BPP signoff process, requests to signoff BPP jobs will be complet-

ed by the NYC Development Hub’s Inspection Services. This is now the citywide

standard process.

Inspections with Inspection Ready: Applicants must request an inspection via In-

spection Ready, upload supporting documents through Inspection Ready as a Cer-

tifiable Objection,

Inspection Hub will review uploaded documents for compliance, enter all Required

Items, and sign off on BPP applications in BIS.

As of January 1, 2016

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panel Installation Projects with Tax Abatement: Pro-

fessional Certification

Most small scale Solar PV Panel Installation projects filing for Tax Abatement will

be eligible for Professional Certification through Hub Self Service .

Solar jobs without a tax-abatement may either be professionally certified or re-

viewed by a plan examiner with self-certification of objections at Hub Full Service.

The Department’s Professional Certification program allowed Registered Architects

and Professional Engineers to certify that the plans they file are in compliance with

all applicable laws. This reduces the amount of time a builder normally has to wait

for a work permit by eliminating the process of Department plan examinations.

Professional Certification of qualifying Solar PV Panel Installations will drastically

reduce wait times and costs, helping incentivize homeowners to invest in renewa-

ble energy technology and further the Mayor’s OneNYC sustainability plan.

06

MEET CRSG

ALICE RAMOS

PROJECT MANAGER

Q: In what ways is your occupation changing?

A: The Department of Building is becoming computerized to make the filing, plan

examination, PAA and some permits easier to obtain in less time in the

Department.

Q: Can you estimate future job openings?

A: I think there will be many future job openings for Class 2 Filing Representatives.

Prior to starting at Domani Consulting, I had 4 job offers. Companies are always

looking for experienced Class 2 Filing Representatives.

Q: What are the opportunities in this career in other geographical areas?

A: There are many other areas with job opportunities such as Florida, Chicago, New

Jersey and Philadelphia.

Q: What is the typical entry-level salary?

A: Class 1 entry level no experience about $25,000 to $30,000. Class 2 no

experience college graduate about $35,000 to 40,000. Class 2 with over 5 years

of experience would ring in $50,000 a year or more– depending on the levels of

experience.

Q: Aside from such visible compensation such as money, fringe benefits, travel,

etc., what kinds of mental dividends (such as job satisfaction) does this ca-

reer yield?

A: Its nice being able to start a project and bring it to Final C of O.

Q: What sacrifices have you had to make to succeed in this field? Do you feel

the sacrifices were worth it?

A: Working many hours and not being able to spend time with family has been a

sacrifice but the reward was putting my daughter through a private college with

no debt.

Q: What skills or personal characteristics do you feel contribute most to success

in this industry?

A: You need to understand the zoning and building codes and be current with all the

changes that occur in the Department of Buildings. Most importantly, you need

to be a people person in this industry. You’re constantly working with clients.

Knowing how to prepare documents require for filing. Most architects/engineers

don’t know or understand how to prepare forms need for filing an application.

Q: What trends in the field would most likely affect someone just entering this

career now?

A: Entering the field as a Class 2 Filing Representative now requires a four year col-

lege degree. This is a requirement if you need to meet with DOB plan examiners

or the Commissioners.

07

CRSG NEWS

Please visit www.crs-group.com and check it out!

You can find useful information on our companies, our services, personnel,

recruitment, and safety training and events.

Tell us how we’re doing! Send an email to info@crs-group.com

CRSG is a “one stop” compliance, safety and engineering entity for the NYC

real estate and construction industry.

Domani Consulting can provide all compliance services from the filing and ap-

proval of plans to the signoff of D14 applications; to obtaining TCO/C of O for

Alt 1 or NB applications. Domani’s expeditors work through all agencies (DOB,

DOT, NYCFD, Landmarks, DEP, etc.) to prepare, file, approve and signoff pro-

jects. In conjunction with Domani Design, plans can be prepared and engi-

neering and architectural services can be provided. Combine these services

with Domani Inspection for either Alt II D14, special inspection requirements

and/or all controlled inspections/test requirements (with its certified affiliate-

Labs) for either major alterations or NB’s. Our “one stop” filing, controlled com-

pliance program/mechanism completes the full service package.

EWBC offers full scale labor services that will provide all required collective bar-

gaining labor as well as fully managed general condition labor.

CR Safety offers services for safety management combining program, plan and

safety design development, safety inspection, management, record keeping,

physical protection and training to meet any or all safety needs on a site.

ABOUT US

Don’t forget to check

out our website at

www.crs-group.com

08

Our Construction &

Realty Services Group

seeks dynamic

individuals to join our

team!

RECRUITMENT

08

Our Construction &

Realty Services Group

seeks dynamic

individuals to join our

team!

RECRUITMENT

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

The following will be some of your tasks, but will not be limited to:

1. Responsibilities of the Site Safety Manager (SSM), Site Safety Coordinator (SSC) and Concrete Safety

Manager (CSM) are to monitor compliance with the safety requirements of Chapter 33 of the NYC Building

Code, as well as OSHA and to perform all other safety duties assigned by CRSG, the owner or contractor to

meet legal requirements by record-keeping and reporting on major buildings in New York City.

2. The SSM, SSC CSM shall maintain a daily log book notating any unsafe acts or deficiencies with locations as

well as maintain a permit log.

3. Check Site Safety Plan daily to ensure that the approved Plans are current and up to date.

4. Meet on a weekly basis with the designated representative of each subcontractor to ascertain that all

subcontractors are complying with the applicable provisions of Chapter 33 of

the NYC Building Code, OSHA, FDNY and any applicable local or federal agen-

cies.

5. Any additional tasks identified by your supervisor

Qualifications:

NYC Site Safety Managers License

Must be a team player and have the ability to effectively multi-task

Detail-oriented and ability to work independently with moderate supervision and

guidance

Good written and verbal communication skills

Architecture and/or construction experience a plus

Must be internet savvy & have experience with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel,

Word, etc.)

General knowledge of NYC building codes and/or filing process a plus.

Safety Management, Analyzing Information, Informing Others, Written Communication, Legal Compliance,

Judgment, Integrity, NYC DOB Chapter 33, OSHA, FDNY & DOT Compliance, Presentation Skills. Microsoft

Word & Excel.

SITE SAFETY MANAGERS

CONSTRUCTION FIELD INSPECTOR

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

1. The following will be some of your tasks, but will not be limited to:

2. Performing field inspections at construction sites per Department of Buildings requirements.

3. Prepare written reports on multi-discipline inspections per Management.

4. Coordination of drawings and field conditions during onsite inspections.

5. Other miscellaneous tasks requested by your supervisor.

Company will support obtaining necessary ICC certifications to perform various special inspections.

Qualifications

Construction, Architecture, and /or Engineering experience desired

General knowledge of NYC construction codes and/or filing process a

plus

Request 5 years minimum experience in related fields.

Must be internet savvy & have experience with Microsoft Office

(Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.)

Good written and verbal communication skills

Ability to interpret engineering/architectural plans and specifications

Must be a team player and have the ability to effectively multi-task

Detail-oriented and ability to work independently with moderate super-

vision and guidance

Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines

09

DOB INFO

Building One City

Commissioner Chandler’s plan that will fundamentally reform the agency

to enhance public safety, reduce wait times and delays, and modernize all

aspects of the agency to meet the needs of a 21st century city.

1/6: REBNY– Annual Residential Brokerage Division Meeting @ Mendik Edu.

Center @ 11:30-1:30pm

1/7: REBNY– Lower Manhattan Office Building Luncheon @ Delmonicos 12-

2pm

1/8: REBNY– Residential Upper Manhattan Committee Meeting @ The Mon-

key Room 9:30-11am

1/12: REBNY– Commercial New Members Ethic Course @ REBNY Board-

room 9-10:30am

1/13: REBNY– Residential Rental Committee @ Related 9-11am

1/14: BTEA– Board of Governors Annual Meeting @ Le Parker Meridien 8am

1/14: REBNY– Education Committee @ Litwin Classroom

1/15: REBNY– Most Promising Commercial Salesperson of the Year Award

8am-5pm

1/19: REBNY– Sales Brokers Committee Luncheon @ The Cornell Club 12-

2pm

1/20: REBNY– Residential Sales Council @ Litwin Classroom 12-2pm

1/21-22: REBNY– Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) @ Litwin Classroom

9am-5:30pm

1/25: REBNY– Commercial Real Estate Finance Luncheon @ The Yale Club

1/26: REBNY– Residential Ethics Course for New Members @ Mendik Edu.

Center

1/27: PWC– University Construction Breakfast Panel @ Steelcase

Showroom

1/27: REBNY– Annual Benefit Fair 10am-1pm

1/28: BTEA– Executive Committee Meeting @ BTEA Conference Room 8am

1/28: REBNY– Residential Committee Luncheon @ Litwin Classroom

For More Events, please visit

www.crs-group.com

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 2

3 4 5 6

REBNY– Annual

Residential Broker-

age Division Meet-

ing

7

REBNY– Lower

Manhattan Office

Building Luncheon

8

REBNY– Residen-

tial Upper Manhat-

tan Committee

9

10 11 12

REBNY– Commercial

New Members Ethic

Course

13

REBNY– Residential

Rental Committee

14

BTEA– Board of

Governors Annual

Meeting

15

REBNY– Most

Promising Com-

mercial Salesper-

son of the Year

16

17 18 19

REBNY– Sales Bro-

kers Committee

Luncheon

20

REBNY– Residential

Sales Council

21

REBNY– Certified

Negotiation Expert

(CNE)

22

REBNY– Certified

Negotiation Expert

(CNE)

23

24 25

REBNY– Commercial

Real Estate Finance

Luncheon

26

REBNY– Residential

Ethics Course for

New Members

27

PWC– University

Construction Break-

fast Panel

28

BTEA– Executive

Committee Meet-

ing

29 30

31

JANUARY 2016

10