CONTENTS:

The Building Block Volume 6 , Issue 11

November 13, 2015

1

BUZZ OF THE MONTH 2

ARTICLE– THE ONGO-

ING SITE SAFETY

PROBLEM

3

HORROR STORIES 4

SERVICE UPDATES 5

MEET CRSG

JENNIFER

GIARRAPUTO

6

RECRUITMENT 7

CRSG NEWS 9

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NOVEMBER

10

CONSTRUCTION & REALTY SERVICES GROUP

68 Whitehall Street

Lynbrook, NY 11563

Tel: (516) 256-0317

Fax: (516) 256-0335

307 West 38th Street, Suite 1218

New York, NY 10018

Tel: (212)736-6900

Fax: (212) 736-6910

www.crs-group.com

Registration Begins for DOB Inspection Ready Program

This past week registration has opened up on the DOB website for the DOB's Inspection Ready

Program. The tentative date for the system to go live we are being told is now 12/7/15. After this

date all DOB required inspections will be required to be made electronically through this system.

This new system when implemented will allow licensees, owners, and their delegates to schedule

inspections, track inspections results and view application related records electronically and

online. Users will be able to schedule virtually all inspections through this service. These inspec-

tions include: Boilers; Builders Pavement Plans; Construction; Cranes & Derricks; Electrical; Eleva-

tors; House Connections; Plumbing; and Sustainability.

It is important that all owners and licensed professionals register now so that when the system

goes live everyone is ready and able to continue with their inspections as needed. Licensed Pro-

fessionals and owners will need to be registered to be able to delegate authorization to consultants

and expediters who they authorize to work on their behalf. The Department is currently holding

informational sessions and classes to educate the industry on how the specifics of the program

will work. In addition there are tutorials and online resources via the DOB website and link below.

Our team at Domani Consulting is available for any questions and issues that may arise for you

during this process. We can set up assistance when needed virtually or in person to be able to

walk you through the process to ensure there are no delays once the DOB officially implements

the system.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/development/insp_ready.shtml

DOB BULLETINS

Special Inspection

Requirements

Bulletin 2015-028

This document establishes

special inspection

requirements for certain

prescribed materials.

High Wind Events

Bulletin 2015-029

This document clarifies the

planning required for

construction site to prepare for

high-wind events.

Detectable Pool Warnings

Bulletin 2015-030

This document clarifies the

accessibility requirements for

detectable warnings at pools.

Structural Peer Review

Bulletin 2015-031

This document clarifies the

submittal and permitting pro-

cess for projects that require

Structural Peer Review per BC

Section 1617.

02

BUZZ OF THE MONTH

NYCTA vibration monitoring has become an incredible cost dur-

ing demolition, excavation and foundation on new buildings

within the area of influence. Owners have too pay private com-

panies to monitor as well as pay the NYCTA for their staff.

Department of Buildings revokes registration of General Contractor

owing more than $600,000 in unpaid violations. In a first of its

kind disciplinary action, the Department revoked a general con-

tractors registration and safety registration endorsements for a re-

peated failure to pay fines from construction violations.

Recent city council hearings on Construction Site Safety and

reports from NYCOSH have shined the spotlight on non-union

construction companies for their safety performance.

DOB should provide an “experience” substitution for the educa-

tional requirements for the Level II Code Consultant require-

ments to allow firms to establish a career ladder in the consult-

ing business.

DID YOU KNOW…?

NYC Buildings newest technology enhancement makes browsing Poli-

cy and Procedure Notices (PPN) simple using a keyword search in a

single comprehensive database.

Given the current cost of land, the new development deals that

are popping up have extremely complex zoning and code issues

associated with the plan. Although they are not a sure bet, they

are necessary to make the deal pencil.

03

ARTICLES

THE ONGOING

SITE SAFETY

PROBLEM

As time progresses, the site safety situation seems to be getting worse. It has

been several months since we began telling you all about the site safety crisis.

As you are aware, there are many projects waiting to start due to the lack of

safety managers available in the city.

The demand for Licensed Safety Managers has also caused the hourly rate to

rise significantly. Despite tremendous efforts to prevent this from happening,

the crisis is here and it does not seem to be getting any better. We are con-

stantly recruiting and as we have made you aware, we developed an on the job

training program to promote home grown safety managers but this does not

help with what is currently happening.

We are doing all that we can to get projects to be released from the site safety

program as soon as possible. Additionally, we've been successful obtaining

some accommodations from DOB that offer additional options to cover the pro-

jects.

Some of our alternative solutions are:

ASM / alternative safety management; We provide a qualified safety profes-

sional to work under a licensed super or PM on the project, we perform all

safety duties, responsibilities, and do the paperwork for the job, but the

"license" is provided by CM/GC. This also results in a cost savings to the

project.

Reduction of license/requirement for manpower - getting CCD1's approved

which allow a Coordinator to take place of a Manger thru excava-

tion/foundation, which gives us a greater labor pool to pull from. OR for ren-

ovation projects reducing the requirement of onsite fulltime presence to only

during exterior work/demolition/high risk operations (also via CCD1)

Combining projects and safety managers- 2 projects with close proximity

(next block) allowed to use 1 safety manager for both projects (this is very

project specific) same owner, same contractor, same stage of construction.

Although these alternatives have alleviated some of the pressure, the issue will

soon be insurmountable if a change is not made soon. Your continued support

and understanding is appreciated as we work thru these difficult times.

We have a TCO for an NB application that has only

three open items required for FCO. These items are a

withdrawal of a refiled PL and BL work type, an ECB

violation for occupancy contrary to C of O (you need

the TCO to resolve this) and a TR2 waiver. We met

with the borough advocate and obtained approval for

the TCO to be issued, however due to the PL and BL

needing withdrawal, the system would not allow the

TCO to be issued. We made the borough manager

aware of this and asked that he withdraw the work

types. We showed him the approval from the plan examiner, but he refused to accept this approval, sending us back to the

examiner. The examiner stated he wanted the request on an AI1 in order to re-approve it. Once given the AI1, he stated he

was okay with it, but plumbing must now approve it. Plumbing would not approve it, stating that they wanted another

inspection. We explained that the work types were re-filed and inspected under another application. He stated that this was

not enough, even though the job description under the signed off application clearly stated it was a re-filing to remove the

work types under the NB. We would need yet another inspection. We made the advocate aware of this and he in turn

began to review the system, stating that he didn’t think we would need another inspection. However, in reviewing the

system he noticed that the note for parking was written on the 3rd floor comment section of the schedule A. He then told

us to file another PAA to amend the schedule A; Then and only then would he proceed to work with us to expedite the

withdrawal and issuance of the TCO. The short of it is this- I need to amend a schedule A to withdraw a schedule B and

have an inspection on a permit I have had 5 inspections on to just withdraw it in order to have a TCO issued on a building

that has approval already for a TCO to be issued.

06

HORROR STORIES

Inside Scoop

From Domani

Expediters

The DOB, in a word, is BRUTAL. The borough is slowly being run into the ground due to them ignoring numerous com-

plaints from General Contractors, owners, architects/engineers and filing representatives about the service of its employ-

ees. Imagine a workplace where workers can do and say anything they want to anyone they want without facing any sort

of repercussions. On a normal day, the DOB doors open at 8:30am and the line of over a hundred people trying to enter

gets longer and longer with each passing minute. Employees shuffle through the door and settle at their desk. Before call-

ing a ticket to allow those that have been waiting hours outside to begin working, the clerks disappear. Where they go

varies, as some have their own routines. Some immediately leave their desk to go to the bathroom, some take their time

selecting what they will listen to on the radio and others take this time to update Facebook status’ or text friends. The

building continues to fill with people trying to do work while the DOB employees play catch up on what each other did the

night before. After story time is over, they eventually find their way to their desks and begin to call tickets. This process is

apparently too much for them to handle though as they typically tell whoever is at the window to take a seat and they will

let them know when the work is processed. They will then walk away from their desk and find something else to do like

watch a quick YouTube video or untangle their headphones. All of these actions result in a process that used to take 20

minutes and now takes over an hour. This is of course, is if all employees show up to work. When any employees take a

personal day or don’t show up to work, the DOB does nothing to address the potential (actual) lack of production. There is

no one to “fill in” or “cover” for another worker when they are out. To make matters worse, some employees are the only

people at the DOB that can perform some common tasks. A fee estimator is available in the DOB should you have a civil

penalty on a job that needs to be addressed. Should the civil penalty prevent you from obtaining a permit, you must see

the Fee estimator to have it waived. If he does not come in that day and you need a civil penalty waived to pull a permit,

you are told to come back another day when he is in. Last week I needed to approved 2 PAA’S amending plans for a

scheduled inspection. 3 of 5 employees took personal days, leaving 2 people to handle the ENTIRE work load for the bor-

ough. I received my ticket to approve my PAA’s at 8:45am….my ticket was called at 2:30pm. The process took just under

6 hours. If you decide to complain or ask the Borough Manager to step in and help speed up the process, you are told to

sit and wait. If you mention that the employees are not calling tickets and are on their phones, he defends their actions

and threatens to “have your license taken away if you keep it up.”

I had two construction inspections recently to update sign offs for TCO renewals due to 18 months elapsing since the last

physical inspections. Both buildings are residential, have been fully TCO’d through every floor for over 1 – 2 years, and are

both fully occupied. Yet both inspections with 2 different inspectors received 6 objections each due to so called “life safe-

ty” items that are arguable and were never brought up as objections in the past. One of the buildings contains a pre-school

that has separate department of health inspections as well in which no objections have ever been raised. In this new era of

DOB inspections, It has become virtually impossible to receive construction sign offs in the field.

05

40 Hour Safety 30 Hour Concrete 30 Hour OSHA 7 Hour SSM Refresher

Tues. 11/3: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 11/5: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 11/10: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 11/12: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 11/17: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 11/19: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 11/24: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 11/30: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 11/2: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 11/4: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 11/9: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 11/11: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 11/16: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 11/18: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 11/23: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 11/25: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 11/30: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 11/4: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 11/6: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 11/13: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 11/20: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 11/27: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 11/30: 4-9:30pm

Sat. 11/7: 8-3:30pm

Sat: 11/21: 8-3:30pm

10 Hour OSHA

Sat: 11/14: 8-7pm

Sat: 11/28: 8-7pm

SAFETY COURSES

SERVICE UPDATES

As of November 2015

Inspections Ready: In-Borough Support Kiosks

DOB is preparing to launch Inspection Ready, their new online inspection request and routing sys-

tem set to go live in late 2015.

The DOB will be providing kiosks in each Borough Office where the public will be able to get sup-

port from the Department staff to register and, if necessary, link their PIN in Inspection Ready.

Staff will be available to at each borough kiosk from November 9th– 20th, 8:30m-4pm. Signage

will be posted to assist in locating the kiosk.

As of October 1, 2015

Debit Cards with Credit Card Logo Fee Payments: New Federal Requirement

Federal regulations require compliance with new credit card industry chip technology. A PIN

(Personal Identification Number) may be required to successfully process payments with this new

technology.

Until the DOB equipment is updated to accept PINs, the department cannot accept debit cards

which require a PIN. Customers may continue to use debit or credit cards which do not require the

use of a PIN.

The Department continues to accept business and personal checks.

As of August 2015

After-Hours Inspection: Phase Two

Effective immediately, the Department of Buildings is expanding the after-hour inspection initiative

for development project enrolled in the High Rise Program to include permitted projects in the

Bronx.

Participants can request after hours Construction, Plumbing and Electrical inspections.

Inspection requests for evenings and weekends must be received during normal business hours.

All after hour inspections requests must be submitted to HRTInspections@buildings.nyc.com

06

MEET CRSG

Jennifer Giarraputo

Accounts Receivable Assistant

NYC FUN FACTS

New York State was the first state to require license

plates for cars.

Q: What is your exact title?

A: I am the Accounts Receivable Assistant for CRSG.

Q: How did you get you get your job?

A: My friend told me about the opening position and was eager to submit my resume.

Q: Why did you decide to work for this company?

A: As a growing company, I saw the opportunity to work here, while expanding my skills

and starting a career.

Q: What kinds of things did you before you entered this occupation?

A: Before starting here, I worked full time selling gym memberships for NYSC and wait-

ressed part time at a restaurant.

Q: How optimistic are you about the company’s future and your future with the com-

pany?

A: As an ever expanding company, it would be difficult not to be optimistic about its fu-

ture success. With the rate that it is growing, I’m very optimistic for my future with the

company.

Q: How does your time vary?

A: Even though I have just started, the work activity has been very constant with not

much of a slow down. There is always work to be done.

Q: What are the people like with who you work?

A: The people I work with are extremely helpful. They welcomed me in and were willing to

answer any questions I had.

Q: What particular skills or talents are most essential in your job?

A: It is expected to have diligence, adaptability and to be able to manage my time efficient-

ly to do my job to the best of my ability.

Q: What is the dress code here?

A: I’d say the dress code is rather casual which really helps create an environment where

one can feel comfortable.

Q: What was your major in college?

A: I earned my bachelors degree in psychology from Molloy College.

07

CRSG NEWS

Please visit www.crs-group.com and check it out!

You can find useful information on our companies, our services, personnel,

recruitment, and safety training and events.

Look for the CRSG Newsletter on the second Friday of every month!

Tell us how we’re doing! Send an email to info@crs-group.com

CRSG is a “one stop” compliance, safety and engineering entity for the NYC

real estate and construction industry.

Domani Consulting can provide all compliance services from the filing and ap-

proval of plans to the signoff of D14 applications; to obtaining TCO/C of O for

Alt 1 or NB applications. Domani’s expeditors work through all agencies (DOB,

DOT, NYCFD, Landmarks, DEP, etc.) to prepare, file, approve and signoff pro-

jects. In conjunction with Domani Design, plans can be prepared and engi-

neering and architectural services can be provided. Combine these services

with Domani Inspection for either Alt II D14, special inspection requirements

and/or all controlled inspections/test requirements (with its certified affiliate-

Labs) for either major alterations or NB’s. Our “one stop” filing, controlled com-

pliance program/mechanism completes the full service package.

EWBC offers full scale labor services that will provide all required collective bar-

gaining labor as well as fully managed general condition labor.

CR Safety offers services for safety management combining program, plan and

safety design development, safety inspection, management, record keeping,

physical protection and training to meet any or all safety needs on a site.

ABOUT US

Don’t forget to check

out our website at

www.crs-group.com

08

Our Construction &

Realty Services Group

seeks dynamic

individuals to join our

team!

RECRUITMENT

08

Our Construction &

Realty Services Group

seeks dynamic

individuals to join our

team!

RECRUITMENT

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

The following will be some of your tasks, but will not be limited to:

1. Responsibilities of the Site Safety Manager (SSM), Site Safety Coordinator (SSC) and Concrete Safety

Manager (CSM) are to monitor compliance with the safety requirements of Chapter 33 of the NYC Building

Code, as well as OSHA and to perform all other safety duties assigned by CRSG, the owner or contractor to

meet legal requirements by record-keeping and reporting on major buildings in New York City.

2. The SSM, SSC CSM shall maintain a daily log book notating any unsafe acts or deficiencies with locations as

well as maintain a permit log.

3. Check Site Safety Plan daily to ensure that the approved Plans are current and up to date.

4. Meet on a weekly basis with the designated representative of each subcontractor to ascertain that all

subcontractors are complying with the applicable provisions of Chapter 33 of

the NYC Building Code, OSHA, FDNY and any applicable local or federal agen-

cies.

5. Any additional tasks identified by your supervisor

Qualifications:

NYC Site Safety Managers License

Must be a team player and have the ability to effectively multi-task

Detail-oriented and ability to work independently with moderate supervision and

guidance

Good written and verbal communication skills

Architecture and/or construction experience a plus

Must be internet savvy & have experience with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel,

Word, etc.)

General knowledge of NYC building codes and/or filing process a plus.

Safety Management, Analyzing Information, Informing Others, Written Communication, Legal Compliance,

Judgment, Integrity, NYC DOB Chapter 33, OSHA, FDNY & DOT Compliance, Presentation Skills. Microsoft

Word & Excel.

SITE SAFETY MANAGERS

CONSTRUCTION FIELD INSPECTOR

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

1. The following will be some of your tasks, but will not be limited to:

2. Performing field inspections at construction sites per Department of Buildings requirements.

3. Prepare written reports on multi-discipline inspections per Management.

4. Coordination of drawings and field conditions during onsite inspections.

5. Other miscellaneous tasks requested by your supervisor.

Company will support obtaining necessary ICC certifications to perform various special inspections.

Qualifications

Construction, Architecture, and /or Engineering experience desired

General knowledge of NYC construction codes and/or filing process a

plus

Request 5 years minimum experience in related fields.

Must be internet savvy & have experience with Microsoft Office

(Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.)

Good written and verbal communication skills

Ability to interpret engineering/architectural plans and specifications

Must be a team player and have the ability to effectively multi-task

Detail-oriented and ability to work independently with moderate super-

vision and guidance

Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines

09

DOB INFO

Additional Exit Stairway/Occupant Evacuation Elevator Requirements

New Requirements for additional exit stairway/occupant evacuation elevators (OEE) in

all non residential building greater than 420 feet in height go into effect for applica-

tions filed beginning July 1, 2015.

11/3: BOMA– Board of Directors Meeting @ BOMA NY 8:30-10am

11/3: REBNY– Members Luncheon @ The Hilton New York

11:45– 2pm

11/4: REBNY– Building Agents Rental Meeting @ REBNY Boardroom

8:15-:15am

11/5: REBNY– RLS Technology and Vendor Committee Meeting @

REBNY Boardroom 3-5pm

11/6: REBNY– Commercial BOD Meeting @ REBNY Boardroom

8:15-9am

11/9: BOMA– Accelerated Class: Leasing & Marketing @ BOMA NY

9-10am

11/10: REBNY– Residential Breakfast Club Seminar @ Mendik Edu.

Center 9:30-11am

11/11: REBNY– Residential Sales Council @ REBNY Litwin

Classroom 12-2pm

11/12: BOMA– Building One City: DOB Reforms and How They Effect

You @ Club 101 8-10am

11/12: REBNY– Shark Night: A Residential Roundtable & Networking

Event @ Mendik Edu. Center 5:30-9pm

11/13: BOMA– Codes and Regulations @ BOMA NY 8:30-9:30am

11/17:BOMA– LEED Demand and Response @ BOMA NY 8-9:30am

11/17: REBNY– Residential Deal of the Year Committee @ The

Halstead Property 4-5:30pm

11/18: BOMA– LEED GA @ BOMA NY 8:30am-4:30pm

11/18: REBNY– Residential Co-Chair Council @ REBNY Boardroom

3-5pm

11/19: REBNY– Residential Membership Committee @ Burton

Resnick Conference Room 12:30-2pm

For More Events, please visit

www.crs-group.com

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 2 3

BOMA– Board of

Directors Meeting

4

REBNY– Building

Agents Rental

Meeting

5

REBNY– RLS

Technology and

Vendor Commit-

tee Meeting

6

REBNY– Com-

mercial BOD

Meeting

7

8 9

BOMA– Accelerat-

ed Class: Leasing

& Marketing

10

REBNY– Residen-

tial Breakfast Club

Seminar

11

REBNY– Residen-

tial Sales Council

12

BOMA– Building

One City: DOB

Reforms and

How They Effect

13

BOMA– Codes

and Regulations

14

15 16 17

BOMA– LEED De-

mand and Re-

sponse

18

BOMA– LEED GA

19

REBNY– Resi-

dential Member-

ship Committee

20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30

NOVEMBER 2015

10