| This week kicked off the seventh cycle of NYC’s Façade Inspection and Safety Program, formerly known as Local Law 11/98. With it comes some new rules, says building envelope consulting and inspection group Israel Berger & Associates (pictured: principals Walter Martinez, Alex Argento, and Stanford Chan). These include:staggered sub-cycle filings based on the last digit of the buildings’ block number; report submission within 60 days of the critical examination; and basements and penthouses now counting as a story in the greater than six-stories rule for façade inspection every five years. |
| Our photographer wasn't keen on rappelling with a camera, so IBA was kind enough to send this. Since façade inspection is mistakenly viewed as a commodity-based business, many people are in the game—and what may appear as an inexpensive inspection fee can cost you in the end, as erroneous or misdiagnosed inspections can negate any perceived upfront savings, IBA warns. It’s helpful to have a consultant who knows more than just facades; for instance, a leaking roof can be the root cause for envelope problems, and an experienced consultant can point out this issue. You need a plan of attack with your practitioner, IBA says: walk the building, discuss maintenance history, talk about issues and non-issues, and whether you want to meet minimum requirements or make sure your building is ready for years to come. Start your plan of attack with IBA here. |
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