DOB NOW: Inspections provides online scheduling for virtually all inspections, making it easier to schedule inspection appointments, offer more precise inspection scheduling, and improve inspection tracking and notifications.
Standpipe, SP and FA systems
Keeping these systems in good working order is essential to protect life and property. The National Fire Protection Association's Fire Code and Rules provide minimum requirements for the periodic inspection, testing and maintenance of such systems, as well as for the supervision of individuals responsible for this work.
NFPA Standard 25 establishes inspection requirements for SP and standpipe systems, while NFPA Standard 72 governs those related to FA systems. Owners are encouraged to review these standards in their entirety to gain an understanding of the related inspection provisions. In the event that differences or inconsistencies between the general NFPA Fire Code and Rules and these standards arise, owners should revert to the most restrictive provision.
The NYC DOB hands out citations, normally called ECB violations, to building owners whose properties do not comply with applicable rules or code requirements. This typically contains instruction from the commissioner of the NYC DOB to correct the noncompliant conditions. The agency enters these violations into the NYC Building Information System, making them visible in system property title searches. Open violations can prevent owners from selling or refinancing their properties.
Owners must resolve all open ECB violations to get new or amended Certificates of Occupancy (CO). The NYC DOB rarely issues a Final CO to owners whose properties have outstanding ECB violations.
The NYC DOB doubled down on construction safety enforcement with the enactment of Local Law 158 of 2017, which allows the agency to double financial penalties for owners whose buildings received work-without-permit citations on or after August 28, 2018 for a second work-without-a-permit violation within a year of the most recent violation. The legislation also lets the NYC DOB restrict professionally certified filings for buildings that received work-without-permit citations issued on or after August 28, 2018.
Building owners affected by these changes have an option to fight this new rule: If they can effectively prove that their buildings were under different ownership during the times of violation issuance, the NYC DOB may waive the doubled fine.
Milrose Consultants can save you time and money by performing pre-inspection walkthroughs to ensure any possible inspection problems are identified or corrected. Contact us today to learn more about our building inspection services.
