CONTENTS:

The Building Block Volume 6 , Issue 10

October 9, 2015

1

BUZZ OF THE MONTH 2

ARTICLE– A HOLISTIC

APPROACH TO CON-

STRUCTION SAFETY

COMPLIANCE

3

HORROR STORIES 4

SERVICE UPDATES 5

MEET CRSG

GENEVIEVE BOYAJIAN

6

RECRUITMENT 7

CRSG NEWS 9

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

OCTOBER

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

DOB Changes Continue...

As part of the Mayor and DOB Commissioner's "Building One City Initiative" the DOB continues to undergo

a steady stream of administrative and procedural changes when it comes to both navigating the DOB's

processes as well as actual building and development.

The DOB's "Inspection Ready" program is set to roll out in late 2015. This service will allow licensees,

owners, and their delegates to schedule inspections, track inspections results and view application related

records electronically and online. The Department is currently holding informational sessions and classes

to educate the industry on how the specifics of the program will work. Representatives of CRSG's

companies will be fully versed in this new program to ensure a smooth transition for all our affiliates.

A few months back the DOB made available After Hours Inspections for projects enrolled in the DOB's

High Rise Program. Inspections for Construction, Plumbing, or Electrical divisions can be requested to be

performed after normal work hours from 4:30pm-7:00pm M-F & 8:00am-5:00pm on weekends. All

requests for inspection must still be made during normal business hours with the DOB. This program has

now been expanded to include projects in the borough of Bronx. It will be interesting to see if this trend

will continue to include all other boroughs.

Not to be ignored is the Department's move recently to take unprecedented disciplinary action taken by the

Department of Buildings in the suspension of the registration of the general contracting company for

accruing an "excessive violation history". The department revoked all work permits and registration

affiliated with the contractor stopping numerous projects. Enhanced disciplinary action against

construction professionals that abuse the New York City Construction Codes is a key priority outlined in

the Department’s strategic Building One City initiative. This disciplinary action is part of an overall strategy

of imposing greater accountability and integrity within the construction industry. It is more important than

ever to monitor and react to any violations issued right away to ensure that licensees and properties

remain free of ongoing violation records. Domani Consulting provides removal services for any and all

city agency issued violations. Contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.

DOB BULLETINS

Test Methods for Solar

Collectors

Bulletin 2015-024

This document establishes

acceptance criteria and test

methods for solar collectors as

addressed in the NYC Con-

struction Code.

Existing Fire Alarm

Systems

Bulletin 2015-025

This document clarifies the

types of work involving an

existing fire alarm system,

designed and approved under

the 2008 building code or prior

codes, which are subject to

the 2014 Construction Codes.

Letter of No Objection

Procedures

Bulletin 2015-026

This document establishes

revised operational procedures

as to when a Letter of No

Objections (LNO) shall be

issued, for conforming Zoning

Resolutions Uses, from the

Department of Buildings for a

license from the Department of

Consumer Affairs.

Adhesive Anchoring

Systems

Bulletin 2015-027

This document establishes

clarification on the use of

adhesive anchoring systems

installed in accordance with

the NYC Construction Codes

and ACI 318 D.9.2.2 through

D.9.2.4.

02

BUZZ OF THE MONTH

The shortage of general technical site personnel (Super,

PM’s) has also been raised to epidemic proportions as

well as the subs being unable to marshal a force of expe-

rienced tradesmen. This manpower issue has thwarted

any attempt to start an acceleration program on some

jobs.

The SSM shortage is reaching epic proportions and will

result in the delay of jobs starting unless more licenses

are issued and/or protocols for coming off the SS Program

are amended.

Are the accommodations being given by the DOB (qualified

person, pro-cert, for façade site safety plans) really going

to give any relief to the current site safety managers

shortage problem?

Department Of Buildings Revokes Registration Of General

Contractor Owing More Than $600,000 In Unpaid Viola-

tions. In a first of its kind disciplinary action, the Depart-

ment revoked a general contractor's registration and safe-

ty registration endorsements for a repeated failure to pay

fines from construction violations.

DID YOU KNOW…?

Professionally Certified Alt 3 for Site Safety Plan Submis-

sion/Façade Alterations

Professional applicants can now file a Site Safety Plan for typical façade

alterations as a professionally certified Alteration Type 3.

03

ARTICLES

A HOLISTIC

APPROACH TO

CONSTRUCTION

SAFETY

COMPLIANCE

Changes to the OSHA regulations, as well as localities adoption of the international building codes has set up situational

compliance never experienced before by the construction industry. Compliance to these changes require sweeping

modifications in enforcement of construction safety program components.

OSHA’s definition of “controlling contractor” and local codes that have codified and qualified safety representatives on site

have thrust safety to the forefront in construction and made safety elements as important a component of the pre-construction

process as the purchase of concrete or steel.

The explosion of the OCIP and CCIP insurance programs have made safety a benefit-cost to the project, not only centralizing

the cost of insurance so as to get better purchase numbers from the contractors, but as well as getting a benefit to positive job

safety performance which will cause it to be a profit center for the job.

All these items point to the need for our industry to plan for all elements of safety for a project, from the development of the job

site safety plan and program to the designation of the project safety organization (involving both the overall projects and indi-

vidual contractor qualified safety representative). Also, job site training programs for OSHA’s required qualifications for people

working on the job, to orientation programs, to weekly contractor tool box meetings, to accident analysis and lessons

“learned” training becomes the highest of priorities. In addition, plan development has expanded, now requiring logistics for

various phases of construction as well as engineering of safety protection (nets, barricade, perimeter protection). Designing

the use of new perimeter protection based systems (peri, net cocoon, etc.) and development of standard protection details

(guardrails, toe boards, hole protection, job ladders, etc) are also a primary goal.

The administration of the job also now includes daily safety logs, safety recommendation logs, accident reports and analysis,

deficiency notices, fines and backcharge programs as well as contractor report cards and performance assessments, etc.

These elements now call for a “holistic” approach to safety– one where it may be a consideration to engage a single contractor

who will handle the safety completely on the site for all the elements mentioned.

This “single responsibility contract” identifies a one stop presence– where finger pointing doesn’t exist. The contractor–

through the job safety representative– must be responsible for identifying deficiencies and then— if not corrected by the

offending contractor– correcting it with their team and identifying the backcharge. This protection “team” will also be the team

installing the initial protection and performing the routine “maintenance” during the job (although contractors will contractually

be responsible to replace the protection they remove to do their work).

The safety contractor will also be responsible for developing the job site safety program and logistics. The safety contractor is

also responsible for creating the job site safety organization by accepting the required safety representative for each contractor

and establishing that representative as the point person for each contractors safety compliance. The safety contractor would

also be responsible for the review and acceptance of all contractors safety plans and the development of the contractor safety

plan requirement that will be incorporated into each contract. The job safety representative will also be responsible for

monitoring performance with permit requirements both from a governmental and job site (hot work, etc.) perspective.

Also incorporated into the safety program the job site safety representative and its Professional Engineer (P.E.) will develop an

engineered protection program– showing protection details and location of these elements that will be installed by the safety

protection crew.

On a daily basis the job safety representative of the safety contractor will conduct inspection of compliance, identify deficien-

cies and safety recommendations and issue fines for non compliant activities. The safety representative will also make sure

that the contractors are performing their weekly tool box/training requirements as well as all paperwork requirements. The

safety representative will conduct weekly safety meetings with contractor safety representatives as well as monthly owner/job

safety steering committee meeting where accident/incident and contractor performance will be reviewed.

The owner/CM/GM should evaluate this concept of a single source, holistic, construction safety contractor and evaluate it as a

“line item” cost– one outside of general conditions and guided by a separate contract.

The potential for fines, work stoppages and accidents as well as the cost benefit associated with successful OCIP/CCIP

insurance programs would more than pay for these changes in culture and will eliminate cloudy responsibilities, finger pointing

and non compliance.

We recently had six TCO's for a mall

that needed an emergency expedited

renewal due to a bank refinance on

the property. We met with the Com-

missioner and did the impossible–

we obtained six approvals for a thir-

ty day renewal without any Departmental updates. The approval specifically stated "OK

to renew TCO without Departmental updates for thirty days for purposes of refinancing

only. All updates to be issued prior to the renewal of the NEXT TCO." We brought our

expedited approvals to the borough manager as soon as they were received where we

explained that the C of O desk had closed for the day (at 12:30pm - another horror sto-

ry in itself) but we had an emergency approved by the Commissioner; a situation that

needed to be processed right away. He agreed to help and had us drop off the neces-

sary documents and files. He promised that he would do the TCO's himself and that it

would be expedited. First off, the borough manager held the files for a week, then he

gave the files to the Supervisor of the C of O desk and she rejected each one for failure

to have Departmental updates. When it was pointed out that the approval was without

these updates, she stated she needed further clarification from the Commissioner.

Long story short - this was only resolved two weeks later once the Commissioner

was notified.

06

HORROR STORIES

Inside Scoop

From Domani

After many months of trying to get the Parks Department to approve four tree removals

at one site, I finally got someone to approve to remove two trees and transplant the

other two. Recently, the parks inspector went out to verify the transplant locations and

ended up driving past the site and saw that one of the two transplant trees were dam-

aged severely. Before he would issue my permit to remove three trees (including the

newly damaged tree) and transplanting one tree, he insisted on meeting the developer

on the site to scold him and issue him a summons for damaging the tree, in addition to

making us also pay a $1400 restitution fine for the damaged tree. I feel like every time

I get a step ahead with Park Department, I end up taking two steps backward!

I have a property in Manhattan that recently received a violation for a box not being

checked off correctly on the PW1for owners certification regarding occupied housing.

The ALT1 job application it was applied to is a HUB job. The remedy was to file a PAA

to correct it, which I did about 2 ½ weeks ago, and then have approved. As this is a

minor adjustment to paperwork with no plan amendments, it qualifies as being what’s

considered a “Simple PAA”. However, this has turned into being anything but simple.

After 3 emails to the HUB with no response, yesterday the HUB finally responded that

they needed the same PW1 (that was filed already for the PAA and scanned into the

virtual folder) to be re-uploaded and re-send a screenshot. Now it has to be assigned

to a random plan examiner for approval. At this rate, I might as well have just set up a

regular plan exam for the approval.

05

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

Thurs. 10/1: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 10/6: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 10/8: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 10/13: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 10/15: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 10/20: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 10/22: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 10/27: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 10/29: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 10/5: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 10/7: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 10/12: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 10/14: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 10/19: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 10/21: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 10/26: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 10/28: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 10/7: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 10/2: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 10/9: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 10/16: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 10/23: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 10/30: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 10/28: 4-9:30pm

Sat. 10/3: 8-3:30pm

Sat: 10/17: 8-3:30pm

10 Hour OSHA

Sat: 10/10: 8-7pm

Sat: 10/24: 8-7pm

SAFETY COURSES

SERVICE UPDATES

As of September 18, 2015

Improved Customer Service & Q-Matic System Enhancements

DOB is improving their customer service ticketing and queue management processes to better manage

and provide quicker and more reliable service levels.

The Staten Island Borough Office will be the first to implement an enhanced Q-Matic system this

month.

The service areas to be upgraded are: Application Processing, Certificate of Occupancy, Property Re-

search, Records, Express Cashier, Fast App, Fee Adjustments, Enforcement and Development Inspec-

tions.

The enhanced Q-Matic system will improve access to customer service windows and includes: self-

service kiosks for ticket issuance, service tickets issued upon valid scan of a DOB issued ID, improved

visual displays for customer status in the queue, and better tracking of service needs for the public.

As of September 2015

Hoisting Rigging: Training & Certification Requirements

Reminder: Local Law 141 of 2013 (The 2014 Construction Codes)

As of August 2015

Build it Back Program: Applications & Permit Fees Waived

Application and permit fees are waived for owners whose properties were damaged in Hurricane

Sandy and who are rebuilding or repairing their homes through the City’s Build it Back (BIB) program.

Contractors are no longer required to pay DOB filing fees and submit for reimbursement.

06

MEET CRSG

Genevieve Boyajian

Receptionist

NYC FUN FACTS

The original Penn Station was considered to be one of

the most beautiful train stations in the world but was torn

down because of declining rail usage.

Q: What is your exact title?

A: My exact title is Receptionist for Construction and Realty Services Group.

Q: What is your job like?

A: It’s busy work which I enjoy. I’ve always liked working in an office atmosphere. I do a

little of everything as far as trying to keep things organized as the receptionist.

Q: What kinds of things did you do before you entered this occupation?

A: I have been in the automobile business my entire life in one aspect or another. I started

off 25 years ago in my father’s Buick dealership in Bellerose.

Q: What do you do if you can’t solve a problem on your own?

A: I’ll first try to figure it out on my own. If I’m not able to, I’ll ask for assistance. Every-

one is always helpful and willing to lend a helping hand.

Q: What do you like most about this job?

A: I like the people I work with, as well as learning new things. This job keeps me very

busy, which I enjoy, and is convenient because it is close to my home.

Q: How has your job affected your lifestyle??

A: I have a social life again! My last job involved me working until 9pm every night and I

never had two consecutive days off. I’m happy to be back in the real world again!

Q: Is multitasking a skill that is required for this job?

A: Multitasking is a required skill. I feel that it is also important to know how to prioritize.

Q: How did you get your job?

A: I heard from a friend of mine that the company was hiring for a receptionist. I was al-

ready looking to break into a different field so when the position became available, I

applied.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?

A: I would like to still be with the company. CRSG is in a constant state of growth and I

would like to grow with it.

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.

Look for the CRSG Newsletter on the second Friday of every month!

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

Searchable Licensee Database

Search our comprehensive directory of all construction professionals

monitored by the Department for disciplinary actions or surrendered li-

censes.

10/1:REBNY- Lower Manhattan Office Building Luncheon @ Delmonico’s

10/2: BOMA– Membership Committee Meeting @ BOMA HQ

10/6: REBNY– Commercial New Members Ethics Course @ Litwin

Classroom 9-10:30am

10/7-8: BOMA– LEED GA @ BOMA HQ 8:30-4:30

10/8: REBNY– RLS Technology and Vendor Meeting Committee Meeting @

REBNY Boardroom 2-4pm

10/9: BOMA– Codes & Regulations @ BOMA HQ 8:30-9:30am

10/13: REBNY– Residential Deal of the Year Committee @ The Halstead

Property 4-5:30pm

10/14: BTEA- NYC Schools and University Construction

10/15: REBNY– RLS Board of Directors Meeting @ REBNY Boardroom 2-

4pm

10/19-21: BOMA– Accelerated Class: Design, Operations & Maintenance

Part II @ BOMA HQ 12-1pm

10/20: REBNY– Residential Deal of the Year Committee @ The Halstead

Property 4-5:30pm

10/22: BOMA– Asset Managers Roundtable @ BOMA HQ

10/23: BOMA– Annual Dinner Dance @ Rainbow Room 6-10pm

10/27: REBNY– Commercial Seminar @ REBNY Mendik Edu. Center 8-

10am

10/28: REBNY– Residential Deal of the Year 27th Annual Charity & Awards

Gala @ Pier 60 6:30-11pm

10/29: NYARM– Property Management Expo @ Hotel Pennsylvania

10/30: BOMA– Membership Committee Meeting @ BOMA HQ 8:30-9:30am

For More Events, please visit

www.crs-group.com

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1

REBNY- Lower

Manhattan Office

Building Luncheon

2

BOMA– Member-

ship Committee

Meeting

3

4 5 6

REBNY– Commercial

New Members Ethics

Course

7

BOMA– LEED GA 8

BOMA– LEED GA

9

BOMA– Codes &

Regulations

10

11 12 13

REBNY– Residential

Deal of the Year

Committee

14

BTEA- NYC Schools

and University Con-

struction

15

REBNY– RLS

Board of Directors

Meeting

16 17

18 19

BOMA– Accelerated

Class: Design, Oper-

ations & Maintenance

Part II

20

BOMA– Accelerated

Class: Design, Oper-

ations & Maintenance

Part II

21

BOMA– Accelerated

Class: Design, Oper-

ations & Mainte-

nance Part II

22

BOMA– Asset

Managers

Roundtable

23

BOMA– Annual

Dinner Dance

24

25 26 27

REBNY– Commercial

Seminar

28

Residential Deal of

the Year 27th Annu-

al Charity & Awards

Gala

29

NYARM– Property

Management Expo

30

BOMA– Member-

ship Committee

Meeting

31

OCTOBER 2015

10