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Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP) compliance continues during the COVID-19 pandemic with new requirements for the 9th Cycle, which began this past February. In light of a pedestrian's tragic death almost one year ago from falling masonry, and also taking...

The first ever cycle filing window for New York City Local Law 152 of 2016, which requires the inspection of gas piping systems at least once every four years, is coming to a close next month. Owners of buildings in...

In their on-going efforts to encourage owners to pay closer attention to their buildings’ conditions before hazardous conditions develop, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) has adopted a new rule increasing the penalties for failure to certify corrections...

As head of RAND's Drone Team, I, along with my team members, have been advocating to expand the use of drones to enhance facade inspections within New York City. Currently, while many U.S. cities allow the use of drones for...

Following the precedent set at New York City's restaurants, building owners will now have letter grades posted outside their entrances. Owners of buildings that are subject to NYC's Benchmarking Law (Local Laws 84/09 and 133/16) will be required to post...

Built in the 1920s, 33 Fifth Avenue is classic prewar construction. It has some old cast-iron stormwater drainage pipes that run through the building. They collect stormwater on the roof and terraces and bring it down to the cellar level...

In 2012, the New York City Department of Buildings implemented stricter requirements for Special Inspections to ensure that contractors perform construction work properly and that completed projects adhere to building code. Most repair and upgrade projects require Special Inspections, which...

At one time or another, every building owner is faced with the need to undertake a large project, whether it’s upgrading an aging plumbing system, replacing a roof, or repairing unsafe facade conditions. Getting the most out of a Major...

When residents plan to renovate their apartments, it’s critical for the board to have the proposed alterations reviewed by an engineer or architect to determine if they will have any adverse effect on the building as a whole. In RAND’s...