CONTENTS:

The Building Block Volume 6 , Issue 8

August 14, 2015

DOB UPDATES & BULLETINS 1

BUZZ OF THE MONTH 2

EMPLOYEE

RECOGNITION

2

ARTICLE– 2015 UNION

OR NON-UNION

3

HORROR STORIES 4

SERVICE UPDATES 5

MEET CRSG

STEPHEN TRIMBOLI

6

RECRUITMENT 7

CRSG NEWS 9

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

AUGUST

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

THE SITE SAFETY PROBLEM

Over the last few years, there have been numerous complaints and discussions regarding the shortage of

Site Safety Licenses and the resolution to come. This issue has become a reality and has hit the NYC

Construction Industry hard over the last several months.

Though 2300 plus license exist, very few are “active”, others are expired and a large amount are of

management employees in companies where they will never perform that function.

Over the last 7 months approximately 24 licenses were issued, both manager and coordinator, however,

there were hundreds of New Building Permits also issued.

Through conversation with major developers and construction management firms, we are being told that

projects under the “major buildings” category are ready to start but are under a delay due to the fact that

there are no Site Safety Managers out there to start work and most importantly sign the PW2.

Requests and petitions have been sent to the agencies via industry organizations but those requests have

fallen on deaf ears.

The general feeling is that the delays are mainly in the multi step background investigation process which

is an arduous one at that. Each submitted candidate, who has already passed the exam, must go

through this process, which is very important, nevertheless, we are seeing that some are rejected or put

at the bottom of the pile when questioned about a review time.

How can we resolve this issue? What can we do to help usher this process and keep this “Historic

Building Boom” going? Those are the major questions we all want answered.

DOB BULLETINS

Outdoor Decorative Gas

Appliances

Bulletin 2015-012

This document establishes

acceptance criteria for outdoor

decorative gas appliances

connected to a fixed fuel piping

system , as an alternative

material under the NYC

Construction Codes.

Lot Line Openings

Bulletin 2015-013

To clarify code requirements

for lot line openings.

Post-Installed Anchors in

Masonry

Bulletin 2015-014

This document establishes

acceptance criteria for post-

installed anchors in masonry in

accorane with the NYC

Construction Codes.

Memoradum Rescind

Bulletin 2015-015

This bulletin rescinds 1

Memorandum and 2 letters

that are no longer applicable

under any code. Additionally,

this bulletin conditionally

rescinds 1 Memorandum and

2 letters that are not appicable

to projects filed under the

2014 New York City

Construction Codes.

05

BUZZ OF THE MONTH

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.

DOB should provide an “experience” substitution for the educational

requirements for the Level II Code Consultant requirements to allow firms

to establish a career ladder in the consulting business.

Recent city council hearings on Construction Site Safety and reports fro

NYCOSH have shined the spotlight on non-union construction companies

for their safety performance.

Are the accomodations being given by the DOB (qualified person, pro-cert,

for façade site safety plans) really going to give any relief to the current

site safety managers shortage problem?

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION

Matt Caruso and Stephen Lampard of Domani Inspections Service Inc are proud to present the Award

for Excellence to Professional Engineer, Christian Ofosu.

It was Christian’s in depth knowledge of construction, special inspections and professional ethics that

ended the unethical and unsafe construction practices on 9-19 9th Avenue project.

Though the contractor failed to protect their workers while excavation operations where ongoing,

Christian had persistently exercised his professional knowledge and voiced concerns with regards to the

lack of field safety and inadequate use of the excavation means/methods.

We commend Christian for his due diligence and immediate notification to all the parties involved with

the work being conducted and thank him for performing his inspections duties at the utmost level.

03

ARTICLES

2015 UNION OR

NON UNION

One of the major issues that will confront our industry in 2015 will be

the narrowing of the cost gap between union and non union work.

One has already seen some owners cross back to the union side of

the fence, accepting the increase cost, to get a guaranteed schedule

and delivery.

As absorption rates increase bringing new product to market timely

becomes more important than construction dollars.

Not only will schedule delays and/or the extended delivery times in

the non union construction environment impact product pricing

negatively but it will also result in an increased cost in financing for

the extra “carry” duration.

Non union costs have been steadily rising due to demand; worker

and management shortages. The “40 percent” difference has been

severely abated by non union price increases; unions PLA

agreements; extended non union time frames and change orders that

result from construction miscues.

Add to this the lessons learned by many of the union to non union

“Crossover” developers that the short fall of non union cm’s in

regard to management services such as scheduling, budgeting,

procurement and depth of infield construction management has led

their organizations to do more thus increasing costs, and exposures

on their part by augmenting their in-house team to fill the gaps of

non-union construction management.

It will be interesting to assess that cost gap as owners start pricing

projects both ways since the delivery delay factor; instead of

resulting in passive revenue benefit due to price increases because

of project demand in a hot market becomes a revenue “hit” as the

demand decreases as more product hits the market.

The Queens DOB has, without a doubt,

become the most difficult borough to file jobs

in New York. The reason it is so difficult is

because the it has created its own sets of

rules different than every other borough. In

order to file a job, you must get an “A” ticket.

In every borough, the “A” ticket allows you to

file, approve and permit up to 3 Pro Cert

filings per ticket. Once your ticket has been called, you can then get another ticket to file another 3 jobs, etc.

In Queens, you are allowed 1 “A” ticket per day and only allowed to file 1 job per day under that ticket. They

also limit the number of tickets given each day. In other words, there is a chance that you will wait hours and

still not be given a ticket to file. The DOB opens their doors at 8:30am; everyday by 7am there are already

over 50 people waiting on line outside the DOB. So in order to file a ticket you must get to the DOB hours

before the doors open and wait outside (rain or shine, sometimes snow).

I recently went to file a job in Queens and I arrived at 6:45am only to be number 55 waiting outside. I waited

hours to file and around 12pm my ticket finally got called. I approached the window, handed my paperwork

and plans over along with my ticket and waited. When filing 3 sets of plans are required. The DOB keeps 1 set

and the other 2 are taken back by me. The sets of plans I had were quite large and I did not have enough

stickers to complete the 1 of the 2 sets I would take back. Everything else was stickered and completed

correctly. The clerk flipped through my plans, saw the last set didn’t have a sticker on it and told me I can’t

file the job because my paperwork was incomplete. She then threw the plans on the counter back to me and

called the next ticket. With stickers for new jobs, the job must first be filed in order to obtain more stickers. It

took me an additional 30 minutes arguing with the borough manager before he agreed to allow me to file the

job.

The DOB is difficult enough with the typical rules and regulations needed to be followed by all boroughs, it

gets even more complicated when specific boroughs make up their own rules whenever they feel like it.

06

HORROR STORIES

Inside Scoop

From Domani

I submitted a PAA to supersede applicant aim one NB project. This PAA was accepted and processed in the

Department of Buildings system. Unfortunately at the time it was entered we moved some engineers around

and I needed I change the person listed. All company information and other information would remain the

same, just the name and license number would be a DEAR correction. After submitting this request 6 times,

we went to the borough manager to discuss why this simple DEAR correction Could not be made. He stated

that we needed to add a work type to the PAA and this could not be done once the document was entered.

When asked why the original PAA was accepted, he could not answer us. We revised our paperwork and

submitted it to him, per his instructions. When we followed up his response was that we needed to close out

the wrong PAA by having it paid for, then submit another. This was now the second set of directions, after

doing this and following up he stated that his response was another set of directions. Finally after months of

wasted time, we will withdraw this PAA and resubmit another. We have had to reschedule our appt now twice

as well.

This is not so much a horror story as it is an anecdote about how even the buildings department employees

are not happy with the way the buildings department is run. I recently had an inspection for a few mechanical

units that need to have EUP cards issued. When the inspector showed up he immediately started complaining

about how the Buildings department never gives him what he needs to do his job. The inspectors are

supposed to take pictures of the site that they are auditing as proof to the buildings department that the work

was done properly. On this particular day the inspectors camera was not working, he would turn it on and the

flash would go off a few times, the shutter would open and close a random amount of times and the camera

would shut off. After half a dozen attempts the inspector gave up and said the buildings department was just

going to have to trust his judgement. For the remainder of the time the inspector did nothing but comment

about how the inspection was pointless because he was just going to have to go on his word anyway. At the

end of the inspection he even asked the rep from the company that owned the building for a business card

because he wanted to submit a resume to them for an engineers position at their company.

02

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

Tues. 8/4: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 8/6: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 8/11: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 8/13: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 8/18: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 8/20: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 8/25: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 8/27: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 8/3: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 8/5: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 8/10: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 8/12: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 8/17: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 8/19: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 8/24: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 8/26: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 8/31: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 8/5: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 8/7: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 8/14: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 8/21: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 8/28: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 8/26: 4-9:30pm

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

Sat: 8/22: 8-3:30pm

10 Hour OSHA

Sat: 8/15: 8-7pm

Sat: 8/29: 8-7pm

SAFETY COURSES

SERVICE UPDATES

As of July 2015

Department of Buildings Expands Hub Full-Service Functions to Small Business Services (SBS): Online Review

& Approvals for Smaller Alteration Projects

Architects, engineers, and filind representatives can now file Alteration Type-2 and Type-3 applications online for smaller

construction projects.

This enhancement extends the convenience of digital plan review to minor construction projects, such as restaurants, retail,

or industrial projects and allows them to be directlyreviewd by SBS Plan Examiners.

In person visits to the Business Acceleration office are no longer necessary for these projects since all required documents

are submitted electronically and payments are made online.

For more information, please visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/hub_full-service_sbs.pdf

As of August 10, 2015

Site Safety Plans: Electronic Submission

Applicants can submit the Site Safety Plan (SSP) and coversheet electronically to the BEST Squad via email attachment.

Drop off and pickup of SSP will no longer be necessary.

SSPs must be submited as PDF email attachments.

Each application must be accompanied by a coversheet and all necessary supporting documents and be emailed to

bestplanexam@buildings.nyc.gov

As of July 2015

Special Inspections Agency Reporting Responsibilities: Hazardous Conditions and Discrepancies

Special Inspection Agencies are obligated to report inspection discrepencies and hazardous conditions in accordance with

RCNY 101-06 Section (b)(9).

Noted discrepencies must be reports to the contactor and when applicable to the superintendent of construction, site safety

coordinator and/or site safety manager for correction.

Uncorrected discrepencies must be brought to the attention of the owner and registered design professional of record prior

to completion of that phase of work.

Hazardous conditions and discrepencies with inherent dangerous conditions must be resolved immediately by engaging the

contractor and other applicable site personnel.

Uncorrected hazardous conditions must be immediately reported to the Department by calling the Emergency Operations

Center at 212-393-2127.

The 2014 Building Code introduced requirements for documenting and monitoring the structural stability of structures under

construction and/or adjacent structures (1704.20.7.1). An appropriate monitoring plan shall include details for reporting

uncrrected hazardous conditions to the Emergency Operations Center.

07

MEET CRSG

STEPHEN

TRIMBOLI

ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER

NYC FUN FACTS

Hog Island, a one-mile-long island south of Rockaway

Beach, was never seen again after the hurricane of 1893.

Q: How quickly is the field growing?

A: the safety field is a fast growing part of the construction industry. People are starting to realize more

and more how important it is to provide a safe working environment.

Q: What skills or personal characteristics fo you feel contribute most to success in this industry?

A: I feel it is important to be able to multi task and to be personable with others. These help in

accomplishing many things and forming good working relationships.

Q: What is your exact title?

A: I am an Assitant Project Manager in Construction & Realty Safety Group.

Q: Do you ever take work home with you?

A: There are times when I have to take work home. There may be something that has to be done that

day or be ready for the following day. Also, when dealing with covering jobs, we always need to be

sure everything is covered.

Q: Do you find your job exciting or boring? Why?

A: It is definitely exciting. There is always something going on and things needing to be done. You

constantly need to be ready for something to pop up.

Q: How did you prepare for this work?

A: Before coming on board with CRSG, I worked in the trades as a carpenter. It helped by making me

familiar with construction sites and how things are supposed to operate.

Q: If you could do things all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? Why? What

would change?

A: If it was possible to do things over, I would still do everything the same. My experiences all

contributed to where I am today and I am happy with that.

Q: Why do customers choose this company?

A: I believe our clients choose to work with us for many reasons but one particular reason is that we

always make ourselves available to the client. We do all we can to provide them with as much

information as possible and assisting in getting whatever they need accomplished.

Q: Can you sugggest some wasys a persin could obtain the experience necessary to enter this

field?

A: The best way for someone looking to break into this field is by already being in the construction field

and being involved with the safety on site. Having a good background in construction is important.

Q: Are there any other written materials (such as company bnrochures) that you suggest be read?

A: it would be best to familiarize yourself with the NYC Department of Buildings Code Chapter 33 and a

wide variety of OSHA regulaitons.

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

agencies.

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

supervision and guidance

Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines

04

DOB INFO

Searchable Licensee Database

Search our comprehensive directory of all construction professionals

monitored by the Department for disciplinary actions or surrendered

licenses.

09

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 thebuildingblock@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

approval 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

projects. In conjunction with Domani Design, plans can be prepared and

engineering 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 compliance program/mechanism completes the full service package.

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

bargaining 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

8/4: BOMA– Board of Directors Meeting @ BOMA NY 8:30-10am

8/4: REBNY– Residential Ethics Course for New Members @ Mendik Edu.

Center 9-10:30am

8/10: The Real Deal– 5th Annual Golf Outing @ Baiting Hollow Club 11am-

9pmREBNY– RLS Technology and Vendor Committee

Meeting

8/11: REBNY– Residential Deal of the Year Committee @ The Halstead

Property 4-5:30pm

8/13: REBNY– RLS Technology and Vendor Committee BOMA– LEED

Recertification Tips Meeting @ REBNY Boardroom 2-4pm

8/14: BOMA– Code and Regulations @ BOMA NY 8:30-9:30

8/17: BOMA– Accelerated Class: Environmental Health & Safety Issues @

BOMA NY8-8:30am

8/20: REBNY– RLS Board of Directors Meeting @ REBNY Boardroom 2-

4pm

8/21: PWC– Meet the Architects and Engineers @ Club 101 5:30-8pm

8/25: BOMA– LEED Recertification Tips @ BOMA NY 8-9:30am

8/25: REBNY– Residential Deal of the Year Committee @ The Halstead

Property

8/28: BOMA– Membershipp Committee Meeting @ BOMA NY 8:30-9:30

For More Events, please visit

www.crs-group.com

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1

2 3 4

BOMA– Board of

Directors Meeting

REBNY– Residential

Ethics Course for

New Members

5 6 7 8

9 10

The Real Deal– 5th

Annual Golf Outing

11

REBNY– Residential

Deal of the Year

Committee

12 13

REBNY– RLS

Technology and

Vendor Committee

Meeting

14 15

16 17

REBNY– RLS

Technology and

Vendor Committee

18 19 20

REBNY– RLS

Board of Directors

Meeting

21

PWC– Meet the

Architects and

Engineers

22

23 24 25

BOMA– LEED

Recertification Tips

26 27 28

BOMA–

Membershipp

Committee Meeting

29

30 31

AUGUST 2015

10