What’s New
Gas stoves and furnaces will be banned from most new buildings in New York State under a new measure passed by lawmakers…The provision, included in the state’s budget bill passed…by the New York Legislature, begins phasing in next year. The measure prohibits the installation of fossil-fuel equipment in buildings of seven stories or less in 2026, with the ban for larger buildings starting in 2029…Exempt buildings include hospitals, restaurants and buildings not fully supported by the electrical grid…No existing buildings are affected. Please click here to read more.
Recent Projects
- Forensic engineering consultation regarding general negligence and code compliance claims for an incident involving a worker fall into a floor opening where an under floor HVAC air diffuser was missing at a Manhattan work site
- Structural engineering consultation regarding foundation settlement concerns at a residential property located in Rockland County, NY
- Forensic engineering consultation regarding a trip and fall at a step assembly at a TSA facility at a NYC airport
3 reasons facades fail in new buildings
On May 2nd ASCE’s SmartBrief for Civil Engineers reported that “building facades, especially the glass curtain wall type facades such as those on many high-rise buildings, are complicated structures with many components. Curtain walls are constructed outside the slab structure of each floor; they are structurally independent. Glass panes are built to “rack in place.” Pressure from extreme wind can make the panes move. If the panes come off their setting blocks, or if the setting blocks move, panes can come loose from gaskets. Many variables affect this scenario, including what sealants are used, how the building has been maintained, and how it was constructed…Climate factors may be contributing to the recent frequency of facade failures. Severe storms and other climate-related events are occurring in regions not previously exposed to them, meaning infrastructure and building standards may not be sufficient to withstand them…Economics may also play a role: widespread office vacancy means outward signs of damage or stress in window or facade components go unreported. Vacant buildings also may not be maintained to previous standards. Short of a facade inspection, window washers are often the only ones with the vantage point to observe signs of damage or stress in windows…Finally, the shortage of skilled labor that has plagued the construction industry over the last decade or more may also be partly to blame. While the pressure for fast delivery of new buildings has increased, qualified crews have become harder to find. This combination can result in shortcuts and lower quality construction”.
Andrew R. Yarmus, P.E., F.NSPE, as an OSHA certified Forensic Engineering consultant, and as a Past Chair of the National Society of Professional Engineers PE’s in Construction Interest Group, has helped to facilitate discussions between Professional Engineers across the country on important matters such as safety in both industry and construction. As a licensed Professional Engineer, State Certified Code Enforcement Official, and OSHA certified professional, Mr. Yarmus is credentialed to consult on site safety and incident investigation matters. Yarmus Engineering, P.C. is available to consult with business owners, operations managers, property managers, real estate developers, builders, attorneys, contractors, insurance professionals, adjusters, and other related parties regarding site safety issues. Please contact our office if we can be of assistance to you or your clients regarding such matters.
NYC shuts down potentially dangerous parking garages
On May 8th ASCE’s Smart Brief for Civil Engineers reported that “the city has vacated four parking garages it deemed dangerous a week after a three-story parking garage collapsed in Manhattan’s Financial District and killed its longtime manager…The four structures were “deteriorated to the point where they were now posing an immediate threat to public safety,” said Andrew Rudansky, a spokesperson for the NYC Department of Buildings, in an email…Last year, the city passed a law that requires all of New York City’s more than 1,200 parking garages to undergo an inspection by a certified professional by the end of 2027. Most parking garage owners still have four years to comply…“Due to the unique wear and tear of these facilities sustain, regular inspections on a fixed cycle are necessary to spot issues and prevent structural failures,” Rudansky said. “Property owners have a legal responsibility to keep and maintain their private property in a safe condition”.
Andrew R. Yarmus, P.E., F.NSPE, as an OSHA certified Forensic Engineering consultant, and as a Past Chair of the National Society of Professional Engineers PE’s in Construction Interest Group, has helped to facilitate discussions between Professional Engineers across the country on important matters such as safety in both industry and construction. As a licensed Professional Engineer, State Certified Code Enforcement Official, and OSHA certified professional, Mr. Yarmus is credentialed to consult on site safety and incident investigation matters. Yarmus Engineering, P.C. is available to consult with business owners, operations managers, property managers, real estate developers, builders, attorneys, contractors, insurance professionals, adjusters, and other related parties regarding site safety issues. Please contact our office if we can be of assistance to you or your clients regarding such matters.