Carbon & Energy (NYC)-I

Here are some key terms, and definitions to understand the NYC energy and emission goals and developments. Local Law 85 (LL85) is a New York City law that requires building renovation and alteration work to comply with the New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC). Local Law 87(LL 87): Required building with more than 50,000 …

Trash Chute requirement in NYC

When do we need trash chute in a residential building? Let find out. Lets think of possible reason for trash chute requirement. I can think of following parameters. Number of story'sNumber of dwelling units (to cover 1-3 family homes and small developments)Number of dwelling units per floor.(I missed the Occupancy)(I should also think of exceptions) …

Building code 2014-NYC quiz

This quiz is to test you knowledge of all the chapter of Building code and its appendices. For study material follow this link. Enter the quiz here for various Chapters of Building codeEnter the quiz here for various sections of Means of EgressEnter the quiz here for various sections of Fire and Smoke Protection

Use & occupancy without C of O

How to find use group in NYC DOB website if there is no C of O?Enter the address in NYC DOB BIS. Go to view certificates of occupancy. As you can see the address has no certificate of occupancy, in that case go back and check the highlighted areas. In Action you can look for …

Residential Group, R-4

I recently saw a reference made to a R-4 residential group, which left me confused, as I knew only three occupancy classification for residential group. So what is R-4 Occupancy group? NYC building code 2014 has R-1, R-2 & R-3 occupancy classifications for the residential group. International building code 2018 has new classification as R-4. …

Type A, Type B & Type C Dwelling units

Building code does not elaborate much on the three types. It mainly defines Type B unit as dwelling unit in accordance to ICC A117.1 and Federal Fair Housing Act. The three types are defined in ICC A117.1 .Type A is defined in Section 1103. It is fully compliant unit is called accessible unit.Type B is …

Class A & Class B dwelling units

"Class A" & "Class B" multiple dwellings are defined in Multiple Dwelling Law. The two types are defined in  MDL Sec 4 (Definitions), Items 8 & 9. "Class A" multiple dwellings include tenements, flat houses, maisonette apartments, apartment houses, apartment hotels, bachelor apartments, studio apartments, duplex apartments, kitchenette apartments, garden-type maisonette dwelling projects and all …

STC, OITC, IIC & NRC. BC Section 1207-Sound Transmission

STC stands for Sound Transmission Class. STC is more valid for partitions and floors & ceiling assembly. The transmission class is for a frequency range of 125-4000 Hertz. OITC Stand for Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class. OITC is more valid for windows and is tested for low-frequency (80-4000 Hertz) exterior sound. Generally OITC value for a material …