§ 103-15 Periodic Observation of Building Parapets.
RCNY § 103-15
(a)Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings. Appurtenance. Any structure attached to or supported by a parapet. Cornice. A projecting horizontal member or assembly that crowns a wall. Fronting. Running parallel or near parallel to a public right-of-way. Gooseneck. A curved section of a handrail which terminates at the top of a roof or parapet. Observation. A visual examination of a parapet, cornice and other parapet appurtenances conducted to determine their stability and identify any potentially hazardous conditions. Parapet. The part of any wall entirely above the roof line. Public right-of-way. A public street, avenue, sidewalk, roadway or any other public place or public way.
(b)Observations. Starting on January 1, 2024, in accordance with the requirements of § 28-301.1.1 of the Administrative Code, every building owner must have an observation performed in accordance with this subdivision. This requirement applies to all buildings with parapets fronting the public right-of-way, regardless of height, except for detached 1- or 2-family homes or buildings with a fence or other barrier preventing access to the exterior wall.
(1)The observation must be performed annually by a person competent to inspect parapets. For the purposes of this subdivision, this includes, but is not limited to, a bricklayer, building superintendent, handyman, mason or a person in a similar construction-related trade, architect, engineer, an inspector working for a New York State-authorized insurance company, a New York State-authorized building inspector or any other individual capable of identifying hazards on the parapet.
(2)The observation must include close-up inspections of the entire parapet. The close-up inspection may be conducted from a fire escape or roof.
(3)The observation must include, but not be limited to: (i) A determination that the parapet is plumb by a horizontal distance within one-eighth of its cross-sectional thickness in any location.
(ii)A determination of whether there is excessive deterioration, including, but not limited to, displacement, horizontal or diagonal cracks, missing or loose bricks or coping stones, deteriorated mortar joints, spalling, or rot.
(iii)A determination that appurtenances such as telecommunications equipment, railings, roof access rails, gooseneck ladders and handrail attachments for fire escapes, and signs, have been installed and maintained in a stable condition.
(4)If the parapet exhibits a hazardous or unsafe condition: (i) The person performing the observation must immediately notify the Department of Buildings; and (ii) The owner must immediately install public protection, such as erecting sidewalk sheds, fences, and safety netting, as may be required to secure the safety of the public, and have the unsafe condition remedied. All unsafe conditions must be corrected within ninety (90) days from the notification to the Department. The public protection must remain in place until the unsafe condition is remedied.
(c)Report Requirements. A report must be prepared by the person performing the observation or by the owner in consultation with the person performing the observation.
