MEC&F Expert Engineers : RECENT CHANGE: 2014 NYC Construction Codes + RCNY: Façades

Friday, March 27, 2015

RECENT CHANGE: 2014 NYC Construction Codes + RCNY: Façades



FEBRUARY 2015
2014 NYC Construction Codes + RCNY: Façades
Façade projects requiring site safety plans buildings 15 stories and higher may now use a site safety manager, rigger, designated rigging foreman or qualified person to oversee site safety. See NYC Building Code §§3310, 3314.4 and 3316.9, and 1 RCNY 3310-01.

Façade ProjectsOther Than Recladding
For 2014 Code façade projects (other than recladding, discussed below), contractors or owners may now opt to have a rigger, designated rigging foreman employed by the rigger, qualified person for site safety or site safety manager provide site safety oversight.
Training: Riggers, designated rigging foremen and qualified people for site safety must have 40 hours of site safety training and 30 hours of OSHA training (among additional training requirements below); site safety managers must meet all license training requirements.
PW2 Designation: These projects must still designate a site safety manager on the PW2, and the designated site safety manager is required at specific periods during the façade project.
2014 Codes Projects: Work (other than recladding) must meet the following new requirements:

1.     Prior to Project Start. The designated site safety manager must: visit the site; perform a full site safety inspection; and verify the site complies with the site safety plan, including but not limited to sidewalk sheds, fences, pedestrian protection, and protection of roofs and adjoining property.

2.     After Hazardous Violations. A site safety manager must perform a full site safety inspection within 24 hours.

3.     Full-Time, Site Safety Oversight Options. Oversight includes: site safety inspections; site safety log; and compliance with the site safety plan. During work, full-time site safety oversight is required by one of the following:
a.     Site Safety Manager; or
b.    Licensed Rigger (or Designated Rigging Foreman Employed by the Licensed Rigger); or
c.     Qualified Person for Site Safety (Approved by the Designated Site Safety Manager).

The licensed rigger; designated rigging foreman; qualified person for site safety must have:
·         OSHA 10 or greater construction training (and Building Code refresher every 5 years thereafter);
·         Jobsite-specific safety orientation; and
·         Beginning July 1, 2016:
-   40-hour site safety manager training (and 7-hour refresher every 3 years thereafter); and
-   32-hour supported scaffold installer training (and 8-hour refresher ever 4 years thereafter); and
-   32-hour suspended scaffold supervisor training (and complete the 8-hour refresher every 4 years thereafter); and
-   OSHA 30 or greater construction training.
2008 Codes Projects: May proceed with the two-hour/part-time site safety manager, if previously granted.

Façade Recladding Projects
Examples: Removing a masonry façade and installing a glass façade; installing a new building envelope over an existing façade.
2008  Codes  Projects:  Recladding  may  continue  with  a  two-hour/part-time  site  safety  manager,  if previously approved.
2014 Codes Projects: Façade recladding must have a full-time site safety manager.

Scaffold, Mast Climber and Hosting Operations
Personnel must also be provided to supervise hoisting or lowering articles, and for the installation, use and removal of suspended scaffolds, supported scaffolds, mast climbers, cranes and hoisting machines.


1  The person providing full-time site safety oversight must be at the site for all the other types of work in the table.
2 The site safety manager designated on the PW2 must inspect the site prior to the commencement of the project, and a site safety manager must inspect the site within 24 hours after the Department issues a hazardous violation.
3 A site safety manger must be present during the installation or removal of a supported scaffold (but not a sidewalk shed) that occurs once the façade project has started. However, a site safety manager does not have to be present during the relocation of existing deck planking or guardrails to a different level of the scaffold provided any such relocation is designated on the scaffold design documents.
4    A site safety manger must also be present during the installation or removal of a mast climber.